Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 223 - 9: I really like you

Chapter 223: Chapter 9: I really like you

"Excuse me for a moment," Nathaniel said abruptly, rising from his seat before anyone could stop him.

He strode across the restaurant with purpose, his eyes locked on Killian and Emily’s table. As he approached, the laughter and chatter around the table died down slightly, the employees sensing the change in atmosphere as the deputy director neared.

Killian looked up, startled to see Nathaniel—no, Steve—standing before him. His brows furrowed in confusion as Nathaniel’s eyes flickered briefly to Emily, who was still clinging to his arm.

"Sir?" Killian asked, his voice unsure. "Is something wrong?"

Nathaniel kept his expression unreadable, though his aura was darker. "Nothing’s wrong," he said coolly, his gaze briefly lingering on Emily before shifting back to Killian. "I just needed to speak with you for a moment. Privately."

Killian blinked, clearly confused by the sudden request. "Now?"

"Yes," Nathaniel replied, his tone leaving little room for argument.

Killian glanced at Emily, who gave him a dramatic pout. "Don’t go, Killian!" she whined playfully, her grip tightening on his arm. "We were just getting to the good part."

Nathaniel’s jaw clenched. "It won’t take long," he said, his voice laced with barely restrained impatience.

Killian, sensing the tension in Nathaniel’s demeanor, gently pried Emily’s hand off his arm and stood. "I’ll be right back," he told her, offering an apologetic smile before following Nathaniel outside the restaurant. They stood next to the glass walls, so Killian could still see Emily rambling about something to her colleagues.

That girl really doesn’t know how to hold back from drinking, Killian couldn’t help but think.

Seeing this, Nathaniel’s face only darkened more. "Can’t take your eyes away from her, Mr. Arden?"

Killian flinched. Why did the deputy director sound sarcastic and bitter? He eyed him, wondering if he heard him right.

Killian shook his head slightly dismissing the idea, though he frowned in confusion on why he was suddenly called. "Uhm, sir, what’s going on?" he asked, keeping his voice low.

"Are you really going to let her cling to you like that?" Nathaniel interrupted; his voice colder than he intended.

Killian blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in Nathaniel’s tone. "What? Emily? What...about her, sir? She’s just drunk—she doesn’t mean anything by it."

Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed. "It didn’t look that way to me."

Killian’s confusion deepened. "Why do you care?" he asked, his brow furrowing. "Emily’s just a coworker. It’s not like we’re..."

He trailed off, realization dawning on him as he looked at Nathaniel’s darkened expression. His heart skipped a beat as the pieces clicked into place, but he didn’t dare voice the thought aloud. Could it be... jealousy?

Nathaniel didn’t answer immediately, his gaze dropping to the floor as he took a slow breath. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet, but firm. "I care because...we’re in a public space, and I’m basically your superior. We’re dining with the higher-ups, so I’m afraid of what they think seeing my employees’ coquetry in public like that," he said. "At least, have some decency."

Killian’s smile thinned as Nathaniel’s words settled over him.

Public coquetry? Decency? Who was Nathaniel to imply that he and Emily were behaving inappropriately? Why did he even think that the man was...acting out of jealousy?

He kept his tone polite, though a trace of sarcasm crept in. "I apologize, sir, if it came across that way. Ms. Bran just had a little too much to drink, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. But I assure you, there’s nothing inappropriate going on."

Nathaniel’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t respond.

Killian raised a brow slightly, giving a half-nod as if the conversation was already over. "If there’s nothing else, sir, I’ll get back to my table." Without waiting for a reply, he turned and headed back inside, leaving Nathaniel standing there with a stormy expression.

Killian strode back to Emily, who was still chatting animatedly with her colleagues, though her eyes lit up when she saw him return. "There you are!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him as if they hadn’t just seen each other moments ago.

Killian shot a quick glance in Nathaniel’s direction, spotting him just as he re-entered the restaurant. His face was set in a grim expression, his shoulders stiff with irritation.

Killian couldn’t resist. He leaned a little closer to Emily, indulging her as she giggled and whispered something incoherent into his ear. It wasn’t hard to play the part—Emily was his best friend, after all, and he was used to handling her when she got a bit too tipsy.

"Emily, slow down," he chuckled, gently patting her back but making sure Nathaniel saw the interaction. He didn’t even need to look; he could feel Nathaniel’s gaze burning into them from across the room.

Nathaniel sat back at his table, his mood sour. He forced himself to engage with the conversations around him, but his attention kept drifting back to the other table, where Killian was now laughing with Emily. The sight only deepened his frustration.

Killian didn’t know what came to him, but throughout the night, he didn’t return to the table of the Payroll Division and spent it with Emily taking care of her.

The evening wore on, and Emily’s behavior grew wilder. She started waving her arms around, her laughter escalating into high-pitched squeals as she attempted to recount a story from work that didn’t quite make sense.

Killian, knowing her tendencies all too well, decided it was time to intervene before Emily lost face and dignity to come to work on Monday.

"Alright, Ms. Bran, I think it’s time to call it a night," Killian said softly, standing up and offering her his hand.

Emily pouted dramatically. "Already? But we were just starting to have fun!"

Killian smiled patiently. "We’ve had plenty of fun, but you need to get home before you pass out here." He turned to their colleagues, who were watching with amused grins. "We’re leaving together."

One of them, an older man named Patrick, gave a knowing chuckle. "Taking her home, huh, Killian? Good luck with that. Looks like it’s going to be a long night for you two."

A few others joined in with teasing laughter, but Killian just shook his head. "Don’t start with that," he said, waving them off. "I’m just making sure she gets home safely."

Emily giggled and clung to his arm, oblivious to the teasing remarks. "He’s my knight in shining armor," she slurred dramatically, much to the amusement of their coworkers.

Killian smiled at her fondly but said nothing. He was used to this kind of banter, and there was no point in explaining the platonic nature of their relationship. He gently guided Emily toward the exit, nodding his goodbyes to the rest of the group as they left.

Nathaniel, still seated at his table, watched them leave, his mood sinking further as he overheard the colleagues’ teasing remarks.

The implication that Killian and Emily would spend the night together gnawed at him. His fingers drummed against the table; his appetite long forgotten. The evening that had started with a professional dinner now felt like a personal defeat.

"Mr. Williams, is something the matter?" An employee asked Nathaniel and he simply just nodded at him. His behavior might have come as rude since the one who asked was in a higher position, so some of the employees sharing the table with them gasped at his answer.

The man was ready to scold Nathaniel if Steve hadn’t faked a cough and stole everyone’s attention. He furtively glanced at his master, before he declared, "Why don’t we end this night’s celebration already? It’s past midnight anyway and some of you had too much to drink too, so let’s wrap up tonight and see each other on Monday."

Now, that the chairman had spoken, no one was dared to complain. The employees started saying their goodbyes to their superiors and colleagues, and soon the restaurant was empty of people, except Steve and Nathaniel.

Meanwhile, once outside, Killian helped Emily into the backseat of a taxi and gave the driver her address. She mumbled something incoherent as she leaned her head against the window, eyes fluttering closed.

Killian sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as the taxi began its journey. "You really don’t know how to hold back, do you?" he muttered, though his tone was affectionate.

Emily stirred slightly, a faint smile on her lips. "You’re the best, Killian. Always looking out for me."

He smiled softly, but his thoughts drifted back to the deputy director. What was his game? He always picked on everything he did. Inappropriate? What’s inappropriate is his constant staring! If he had beef with me, spit it on me directly! Killian grumbled inwardly. He was beginning to get annoyed again.

However, his thoughts were pulled back into reality after Emily muttered something that astonished him.

"That’s why I really... really... really like you, Ian. So, don’t go falling for some alpha you just met. Notice me too...." Her voice broke as if she was about to cry.

Killian’s body stiffened. He didn’t know what to say. All he did was look down and check his best friend’s face, but Emily was motionless. Her eyes were tightly shut and her breathing was even, indicating that she was already asleep.

Killian was at a loss for words.