Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 62: Kayden’s request

Chapter 62: Kayden’s request

Fifteen minutes after the clock struck five, Athan stood and pressed the intercom, "Knox, I’ll be heading out now. No need to see me out, I know you’re catching up with your work."

Knox answered from the other line, "Are you visiting Shawn’s father?"

"Yup, see you tomorrow," Athan replied and unpressed the button. He put on his coat and left. On the other side of his office wall, Knox was busy on his computer. His eyes darted to his phone, seeing the current time, he remembered his appointment with Kayden at seven in the evening.

’If Athan went to the hospital, what would be the chances of bumping into each other...I hope none,’ Knox prayed inside. He was already practicing his speech on how he would explain and convince the doctor to ride his boat for the time being.

At exactly six, he finished half of the work that piled up when he took a vacation. He gathered all his things and was about to leave when someone knocked on his door. His brow shot up after seeing Rona opening the door and peeking out her head.

She wore a haughty look on his face, and she even seemed reluctant to step inside his office. "Try checking your emails, Sec. Arden! The product development department said they’ve been trying to reach you to enquire about the president’s feedback on their sample mock-up! Have you forgotten to send them?

"Also, the styling department is asking who will be the primary model in the womenswear collection. They need to know so they can finalize the draft for the models’ fashion and overall aesthetic of the shoots and shows."

Knox furrowed his brows, "I’ve already sent the president’s feedback equipped with pointers and suggestions. As for the model, Mr. Horace hasn’t talked with HR yet and hasn’t told me his prospective candidate for the position."

"Well, the Prod. Dept. said they haven’t received anything. Check it again. Also, ask the president about the model. Do that much, at least. The styling department will be waiting for your answer, so email them as soon as possible!" Rona barked. She immediately turned her back to him and mumbled to herself as she walked away, "Gosh. Everyone’s working overtime but he’s leaving already. Tsk."

Knox massaged his pulsing temple and sighed. If he gets on it quickly, then he won’t need to cancel his meeting. He hung his coat at the back of his chair and logged in on the computer again.

Checking the files in the sent folder of his work email, he scanned the names only to heave out a disgruntled sigh. The document wasn’t in there.

"Shit. Have I really forgotten to send it?" he found the file and quickly emailed it to the Prod. Dept., and sent another to the styling department informing them to stand by. He then called Athan and inquired about the matter.

"I will call the HR to help with that," Athan responded. "Right, Knox, I forgot something. Can you deliver the printed file A to the marketing dept? They sent me their plans, and I forgot to send back the evaluated one."

"Sure," Knox did as he was told. He brought the file on his way out, however, he got stuck for another thirty minutes helping out with the assessment of some planning strategies that weren’t even part of his work. He felt troubled just bolting out after witnessing the busy department, and could somehow understand their desperation to seek help from other employees since it seemed like they were all taking overtime work for the upcoming launch.

All the designs in all categories were already approved. Although womenswear was the first one to complete production, the rest were still in the making, yet the styling and marketing departments were already planning how to advertise the items to the masses.

They’ve been working on a tight schedule, meanwhile, Knox’s job was to handle clerical and administrative tasks as well as provide support and assistance to the president, and arrange meetings and attend conferences with him.

However, even Knox admits that Athan was lightening his work and taking some that he should be doing. He was being considerate because of Knoa, and that was why rumors of his preferential treatment haven’t died down yet, since it was basically true somehow. He tried to bring up the issue but his older brother would only nod and agree, yet never taking action on it.

"Thank you, Sec. Arden! You’re a big help!"

Knox just smiled and waved his hand. He then bid goodbye and quickly ran to the elevator, fearing to bump into someone begging for his help again. He arrived at the lobby, but then he froze in his tracks after meeting Athan.

"What...why are you back?" he asked, surprised at their encounter.

Athan replied, "I can’t just go home while my employees are taking overtime, can I?"

"What? Then, I should—

"No. You’ve done your work for the day. You can go home now," Athan dismissed him and walked to the VIP lift. Knox tried to follow but Athan glared at him. In the end, he was left facing the closing door with a worried look.

His phone rang, and he saw Kayden’s number, only then did he remember. He quickly ran out of the building and hailed a taxi, while apologizing to the doctor for being late.

"Then, Knox, can we just meet up at the hospital’s sky garden? In Med’s Café, in the left wing. Text me once you arrive," Kayden spoke hurriedly. He seemed to be in the middle of something so Knox agreed immediately.

He arrived at the hospital fifteen minutes later. On his way to the meeting place, he texted Franz and checked on Knoa. He was informed that his child was having fun playing with Franz’s boyfriend, saying that he’d wait for his Papa to arrive home before going to bed.

"Sorry, I came late. Did you wait long?" a cool voice came from behind Knox. He looked back and noticed Kayden’s attire. He was wearing his scrub uniform, which earned a quizzical look from the omega.

Knox answered, his voice sounding concerned, "No. Are you in the middle of a surgery?"

The doctor laughed lightly and responded, "I can’t be here if that’s the case. I was asked to stand in, but the doctor in charge arrived before it started. I just didn’t bother to change clothes since I’m on standby. That’s why, let’s cut this conversation short, Knox."

"Right."

Kayden smiled knowingly. He took a sip of the coffee Knox ordered for him, before he blurted out, "I will keep your secret, the of them by the way, but on one condition."

Knox gulped. From the glint in the doctor’s eyes, he couldn’t fathom what it was yet he was certain it was something difficult. He slowly nodded his head as he held his breath back. The smile on the doctor’s face widened.

Kayden continued, "I’d like to know more about Shawn Williams."

Knox’s fingers stiffened around the mug. He wasn’t expecting that condition at all, especially when he finally remembered where he heard the doctor’s last name. He asked curiously, "Why...are you asking me this? I mean, your family owns that famous security agency. I’m sure with just a few words from you, you can already find out everything about him."

"That’s not what I meant," Kayden leaned back and looked out the glass window, staring blankly at the garden illuminated with lamp posts and track lights placed on the ground and scattered throughout the whole area.

The cafe they were in wasn’t crowded, a few people wearing white lab gowns were chatting silently tables away from them, and some civilians in casual clothes were just passing time scrolling through their phones.

Suddenly, Kayden chuckled, as though he was remembering something funny. He turned to look at Knox again and added, "You’re right, but I already did that. Now that I think about it, how come I never heard from my family about Azrael asking for the same services? I mean, I heard he was searching for you as well."

Knox grimaced, "I’m not sure."

"If he used Montgomery, then he won’t be as clueless as a fool about all these things. But I guess he was keeping it to himself back then, considering his relationship with Diva and the possibility of his father interfering once he heard it from my family," Kayden remarked. He finally understood his cousin’s actions. The man might have been trying to protect Knox ever since then.

He probably asked some private investigator, but that person couldn’t have possibly found out everything about Knox.

Knox sighed. He was somewhat relieved that Azrael didn’t find everything about him, but he came to meet the doctor not to talk about which private investigator he hired. He stared at Kayden, impatience etched on his face, "So if you already know ’everything’ about Shawn, what else do you still want to know?"

"I want to get to know him better," Kayden gave an immediate answer, ever so blunt and honest, devoid of embarrassment and hesitation. His eyes shone with desperation, and at the corners peeked a glint that refused to receive an answer of ’no’.

Kayden, "I’d like you to help me get closer to him—

Knox cut him off sharply, "If you had someone investigate him, then you must already know he was already in a relationship."

"Yes. An arranged one," Kayden frowned, "With your brother."

The mug of coffee Knox held almost slipped in his hands upon the doctor’s words registered in his head.