Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 143: First family dinner together

Chapter 143: First family dinner together

After an hour’s drive from the central business district, they finally arrived at the Highlands housing complex. The tall buildings obstructed the sky from giving them a proper night sky view, but the streets are packed with street lights, and every twenty meters, a surveillance camera is installed.

Their unit was located on the frontmost building, so it would be easier for Knoa to find it since the structures are similar in design.

Reaching the twentieth floor, Knoa couldn’t contain his excitement anymore and swung his legs, telling Knox to put him down. Knox did as the kid wanted, and Knoa quickly dashed off into the wide corridor of the floor.

Each floor has only five doors, which means four units and one exit. Two doors on the west side, one on the north opposite to the lift on the south, and two on the east side, being the one an emergency exit.

Knoa checked the numbers on the plates next to the metal door and shouted excitedly after seeing their new address, "02-20! Papa, it’s here!"

"Yep, you got it right. Now, do you remember the new passcode I told you earlier?" Knox asked, testing the kid’s memory.

Knoa pressed the four combinations and then turned the handle, but the door didn’t open and only the warning alarm sounded. Startled and a bit frightened, Knoa jumped a step away from the door and gave Knox a baffled look, "Papa, I’m wrong?"

Knox giggled. He walked to his son and pointed at the circle on the end of the handle as he explained, "You got it right, baby. But this lock here is a smart handle that uses biometrics as an additional key to open the door. Your fingerprint is not yet registered, so you can’t open it. Press the numbers again, baby, and I’ll show you."

Knoa obeyed. Knox then held the handle, his thumb finger pressed on the shallow dent. He turned it down and the door clicked, signifying it was opened. Knoa’s mouth shaped in an ’O’ in amazement. He leaped and exclaimed, "It’s like Papa’s hand has magic!"

Knoa only laughed. The lift opened and the bodyguards carrying their stuff appeared. He pulled Knoa closer to move him out of the way and swung the door fully, allowing the two guards to put the boxes inside.

"Papa, are we leaving here from now on?! Are we not moving out again? This place is bigger! Can Knoa invite friends here?" Knoa asked his father enthusiastically. He yawned but his head didn’t stop from glancing around.

Knox looked at the time on his wristwatch. It was past seven already. He nodded his head to Knoa, "Of course, baby."

He was relieved that the kid wasn’t moping about not having Aresh with them, or so he thought. Knoa disappeared after he answered. He counted the bedrooms, and exclaimed afterward, "There are four! Papa, Daddy, me, and brother Aresh! I want the one next to my brother, Papa!"

Knox halted. His eyes darted behind him to where the two guards should be, thankfully they were gone and were probably taking in the rest. He wiped his sweaty forehead and warned Knoa about mentioning his ’daddy’ when there were other people.

Although bewildered by his request, the kid promised obediently.

The two were both excited. The weariness brought by the day to them vanished as they explored the whole place while holding each other hands and walking slowly. Knox listened to his son’s suggestions on what he wanted to do with his room.

When both of their stomachs grumbled in unison, they ended up laughing and rolling on the carpet. However, the joy and excitement brought by that little freedom dampened when Chairman Nathaniel visited as soon as all their stuff was unloaded.

He appeared behind the two bodyguards carrying the last of their things.

Knox was shocked and confused, while Knoa jumped into his grandfather’s embrace, throwing a warm welcome while shouting, "Grampa!"

Nathaniel bent down and lifted Knoa by the armpits. He comfortably settled the kid in his arms, as he answered the question visibly plastered in his son’s face, "I was nearby, so I decided to check your new place."

Knox suddenly felt nervous. It felt like he was caught doing something wrong already. Maybe it was because of the guilt of breaking their agreement. He noticed Steve behind his father, who simply gave him a curt bow, but stayed outside with the bodyguards.

Remembering what happened the last time they saw each other, Knox wondered if the secretary reported it to his father.

’But it’s not the time to think about that! He said he’ll come soon, what if they bump into each other?!’ Knox thought, his chest pounding loudly at that possibility. He gulped and hid his anxiousness by flashing an embarrassed look, "I’m sorry the state is a mess, father. B-But, how do you think about this place?"

’I need to act normal, or he might get suspicious...’ Knox thought inwardly as he gestured to the living room full of brown boxes. He silently prayed that his father won’t stay longer.

Nathaniel glanced around the place with that stony face of his. With Knoa clinging to his neck, he walked inside and inspected the whole unit. Knox felt a bit moved to watch his father scrutinize every lock and window, and personally check the safety of his new home.

After a while, Nathaniel nodded, seemingly satisfied, "I’m acquainted with the owner of these housing complexes, so I know this building is safer than your old one. However, both of you will still be escorted by those two whenever you step out. Understood?"

’Step out? Step out of the building or the unit? Please, may it be the former!’ Knox silently prayed as he nodded reluctantly. With his fingers crossed on his back, he asked to confirm, "Are they going to live here as well?"

"Of course, no. They will be one call away. So, I trust that you will inform them of your schedule or unplanned trips, son. Within these walls, I don’t worry about your safety, but it’s different outside. Is that clear?" the chairman’s voice was calm and gentle, yet there was an underlying warning on them.

Knox had no choice but to concede.

Nathaniel was pleased by Knox’s obedience. Fortunately, his father didn’t stay long and soon left after reminding him to be mindful of his surroundings and be careful of the people he would interact with.

After the door slammed shut, the omega’s knees buckled and he fell on the floor, greatly relieved that the chairman left without bumping into someone.

Knoa tilted his head at his father who slumped on the foyer after the door closed. He walked to Knox and poked his father’s arm, worriedly asking, "Papa, are you tired? Are your knees hurt?"

"No, baby. I’m just relieved," Knox responded, ruffling the head of the child. At the same time, the doorbell rang and the father and son exchanged looks. Knox carefully stood and checked the visitor on the monitor on the wall.

His anxiety flew after seeing that handsome face, staring directly at the camera as if he knew Knox was looking at him. Knox smiled widely and mumbled to his son, "Can you open the door, baby? Daddy’s home."

The kid’s face brightened. In an instant, the door opened and he was scooped up from the ground, his face was rained with kisses by his father, and giggles reverberated in that spacious place.

Azrael muttered between his endless kisses, "I miss you, little guy, you smell like the sun, hm, no wait...you smell like an...alpha," he frowned. He gave Knox a questioning look, which was then answered by the latter, simply mouthing the word ’Grampa’.

Azrael’s frown disappeared and was replaced with worry. He lowered Knoa to the floor and handed him the toy he bought as a gift. Knoa gratefully accepted and kissed his father on the cheeks before running to the living room and unboxing his new toy.

Knox reminded the kid, "Be careful with the boxes, Knoa!" He took the paper bags from Azrael’s hand after, probably containing their late dinner, but he was pulled instead. He bumped into his broad chest, startled by the sudden movement, and made him almost fall backward as he lost his balance, but Azrael’s strong arms caught his waist.

Concern was etched on the alpha’s face as he asked, "Are you, alright? Why did your father visit you as soon as you moved? Is he taking you back? Or, did he already learn about me purchasing the unit next to you? Damn, I made sure to ask Sandro to buy it with his name, so I wouldn’t be found out."

Knox halted, narrowing his eyes at the alpha, he incredulously replied, "You...what?"

Azrael’s gaze moved down to Knox’s lips, he responded as he inched closer to them, "I said I bought the unit next door, Mr. Arden. So, now I’m your handsome boy next door," he turned to the other side and pointed at it with his lips, "Or shall I carve a door in that side to connect our units?"

Knox shook his head. He could see the serious intent in those grey eyes, so he already declined the suggestion before Azrael could drill a hole in the wall. Lifting his free hand, he held the alpha’s cheek and turned his face on him again, then without further ado, Knox tiptoed and closed the gap between their lips.

The sounds of the paper bag rustling after being snatched back by Azrael were quickly replaced by their ragged breathing. Knox’s face flushed when Azrael licked his lips again, after mumbling how much he missed him as well, but when the alpha tried to score a deep and passionate kiss once more, Knox collared him and dragged him to the dining area.

Then, something grumbled, stealing both of their attention.