Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 230 - 16: Exchanging promises

Chapter 230: Chapter 16: Exchanging promises

"There’s no need to come here, Sir Steve. This is nothing," Killian spoke after a few minutes. He had a feeling his boss won’t even start a conversation with him if he didn’t initiate it.

Nathaniel furrowed his brows. Not just from being called by someone’s name but from the coldness of Killian’s voice. "You have a broken arm and a bruised face, and it’s nothing? Who are you trying to fool here?"

"I just don’t want to waste your time, sir. You seemed so busy these days." Killian tried, but he still sounded sarcastic.

Nathaniel halted. He pursed his lips and looked away. "Mr. Arden... I...I will settle the bill, stay here."

Killian watched Nathaniel leave. He felt exhausted for some reason. He lay on the bed and closed his eyes. It wasn’t even that late in the afternoon, yet he was sleepy already. Before he realized it, he drifted to sleep already.

When Nathaniel came back, he found Killian sleeping. On his hand was the prescription of the doctor. Guilt surged through him as he watched the omega peacefully sleeping. Was he the cause of his lack of sleep?

He approached Killian. "You’re like this because of a misunderstanding? Killian, I don’t think it is, though."

Killian was the one who helped Ingrid before, and maybe that was the reason why the female omega broke up with her boyfriend—because she found someone more kind, thoughtful, and handsome than her shitty partner.

He gathered Killian in his arms and carried him to his car. He couldn’t just leave him there, so he decided to bring him home. He remembered Killian’s unit uses a key, so he searched the omega’s pockets but failed to find it.

"Is it on his bag... I should call Steve." He took out his phone and called his secretary. "Bring Killian’s things here. He’s sleeping, so I’m going to take him home. Yes, right now."

Several minutes later, Steve came. Thankfully, Killian was sleeping or else he might have wondered why the chairman was following the director’s orders instead.

"Sir, should I take him home instead?" Steve asked hesitatingly.

Nathaniel dismissed him. "I’ll take care of him. Just go back to the office." With that, he got in that car and drove away.

All Steve could do was watch his master’s car disappear from his sight, with a worried look.

Thirty minutes later, Nathaniel arrived at the low-rise apartment building Killian was living in. He contemplated whether to wake Killian up or just carry him to his unit. In the end, he chose to do the latter.

It was quite an arduous task because the only elevator in the building wasn’t functioning. It looked like it was just put there to gain a building permit. The building was old and some walls were filled with graffiti.

"Is there where he lives..." Nathaniel mumbled to himself. His company was paying the employees well, and even if Killian had just started working there, the new recruit’s starting salary could afford to pay at least a month’s rent to a two-bedroom condominium.

Why is he living in this kind of place?

Finally, he reached the fourth floor. He carefully put Killian down on the floor to open his unit, and once he did, he carried him again to his bed, which only took a few steps away from the door.

Nathaniel was really speechless. A room where every basic space was crammed all in one. The narrow toilet was right after the door, and next to it was the small kitchen sink and a washing machine. Then, a small table facing the door with a folding chair on it. A single-size bed on the corner and a study table at its foot, facing the window.

This small room smelled exactly like Killian, which riled up something inside Nathaniel.

Killian grumbled in his sleep. He turned to his side, only to shout from the pain after squashing his injured hand. He woke up because of that.

"Ow...huh? How did I..."

"I brought you home," Nathaniel answered.

Killian stiffened. He rubbed his eyes and blinked twice. "Sir...how did you know which unit..."

Nathaniel replied, "I watched you until you entered your unit when I walked you home before."

"Oh... you should have left me in the hospital, sir," Killian said, his voice was cold.

"Is this what you say to someone who helped you?"

Killian chuckled bitterly. He stared straight at his boss and responded firmly, "Thank you, Sir Steve. But next time I need help, just ignore me. Or else, I will hope again. I’ll be like a fool grinning again after you made me feel we’re closer just to ignore me the next day. I’d rather you do that and don’t approach me. Don’t stare at me when I’m not looking. Don’t come to my aide when I get into trouble, because I’ll just keep hoping."

He glared at his boss with eyes full of hurt and resentment. Nathaniel welcomed them. He stood there like someone glued on the spot. His eyes shook at the sight of the male omega laying his feelings to him.

"You...Killian Arden, do you like me?" Nathaniel could only ask after a while.

Killian scoffed. He looked away. Does he like the guy?! Right now, if he wasn’t his boss, he’d smacked him on the head.

"Killian Arden. Tell me. I want to know," Nathaniel demanded.

Killian sighed. He was irritated. "Would I kiss you back if I don’t? Would I be feeling this shitty and irritated if I don’t have feelings for you? If you’re just going to play with it, reject me already, so I can move on and date someone."

"What?"

Nathaniel’s low voice rang in Killian’s ears. His head spun to the alpha and he repeated his words. "I said I’ll move on and find someone new to like."

"You can’t do that."

"What?" Killian exclaimed.

Nathaniel paused. The words he spouted just registered in his head. He pursed his lips and looked away. How many times does he need to remind himself that he shouldn’t be doing this; he shouldn’t be letting his instincts control him?

"Haaa...I won’t let you do that," Nathaniel whispered. He closed his eyes. He gritted his teeth, fighting the last thread of morals reining him in. "Damn it."

"Why are you like this? Why do you look like you’re doing your best not to like me? Am I that unlikable? Just someone to play with and not to be taken seriously?"

"No. You’re not just someone, Killian—

"Then, why can’t you let yourself like me more?" Killian innocently asked, unaware of Nathaniel’s inner conflict.

He bit his lower lip until it bled. Something inside him was pushing him to let go, it was stronger than he anticipated, much stronger than his will to keep his reputation and conscience untainted.

Killian looked very confused. He couldn’t understand why his boss was holding himself back. Slowly, he stood from the bed and approached the alpha. He lifted his uninjured hand and caressed his pursed lips, freeing the lower lip from being bitten.

He said all those things about moving on and dating someone, but they were all just empty words. He wanted to try being with this alpha—the only alpha that made him feel like he was more than just a scentless omega.

Nathaniel’s resolve was broken down by that light touch, and he threw away every worry he had. He caught Killian’s hand roaming on his face and pulled him closer, then without much ado, he kissed him, hungrily.

Killian kissed him back with the same fervor. Despite his worry that tomorrow, his boss might ignore him again, he was willing to give him everything right there. He opened his mouth and let the director insert his tongue into his mouth.

Nathaniel groaned from that provocation. He no longer hesitated and deepened the kiss, taking everything Killian was giving him willingly. He ravaged his lips, sucked, and licked until both of them were panting for air.

If Killian hadn’t groaned from the pain of his arm being squeezed between them, Nathaniel wouldn’t stopped kissing him. Nathaniel moved away a little, his eyes still clouded with desire. "Does it hurt?"

Killian shook his head. He wanted to continue. He wanted more, but Nathaniel was already back in his senses. He sighed and guided Killian to the bed to sit. "You should take a few weeks leave. Your injury will at least take six weeks to heal, and you won’t be able to work properly anyway."

"Six weeks is too long for a leave. I also need to earn money—

"Killin, it will be a paid leave. This happened because of someone’s recklessness and not your fault, and within the company’s premises too. If you’re worried about your salary, we can fix that. But if your injury gets worse, you’ll only be prolonging its recovery."

Killian was still reluctant to agree. If he agreed, then... "Then, I won’t be able to see you for six weeks..."

Nathaniel halted. Killian’s pouting face was too adorable for him. He gulped and held the male omega’s chin up. "I will visit you here. Let’s... go on dates."

Killian’s face brightened. A wide and hopeful smile appeared on his face. "Really?"

"Yes... so, promise me you’ll stay at home and recover quickly," Nathaniel replied as he tucked Killian’s loose strands of hair behind his ear.

"Then, I will promise if only...if only you promise you won’t ignore me again."

Nathaniel smiled at Killian. His heart swelled in happiness for being the subject of Killian’s affection, yet his smile did not reach his eyes, although he hid it well. "I promise."