Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 68: The truth unfolds [5]

Chapter 68: The truth unfolds [5]

Azrael chuckled. He leaned on his seat and spoke, "Are you perhaps an angel? You just saved a life, Mr. Arden."

Knox’s face crumpled. Hearing Azrael’s playful voice from the phone, he doubted the truth in his words. ’No, why am I even doubting him? It’s obvious he’s just joking,’ Knox thought as he shook his head.

"So, to what do I owe the pleasure of being called by you? Did you call ’coz you want to cook me dinner, or did you, ’coz you missed me?" Azrael crossed his feet and swayed his leg like a happy puppy getting attention from his master. "But what to do? It’s already past eight, Mr. Arden. People at this time are done eating dinner and would go sleep together instead."

Hearing that reply, the tips of his Knox’s brow twitched. The alpha was teasing him, implying something indirectly. How could the man be shameless? Moreover, what the hell was he even thinking of calling Azrael as he waited for his bus?

It was ridiculous. Of all people, he’d call someone he’d been trying to avoid from the very beginning. Walking alone in the bustling streets with groups conversing about their work and daily lives, couples walking clinging to each other or holding hands, and friends or colleagues going out for drinks and chats, made him feel out of place, and very lonely.

His friends were busy with their businesses and solving their own problems, and he had no close work colleagues besides his boss, lastly, he had no lover to share a walk back home together. The only stress reliever he had wasn’t at home. And he couldn’t muster the courage to go into the mansion to take him back.

Sitting under the shed at the bus stop, as his eyes changed colors from the night lights filling the city, he suddenly had a strong urge to hear someone’s voice. But it still baffled him that the person his hand automatically called was Azrael.

Knox pressed his lips together. He’s being so dramatic for no reason. "I feel anxious that you’d drag me one day asking me to do this and that just because I can’t cook for you. But, if you’d eaten already, then it can’t be helped. I’ll just eat at some fast-food chain. Bye now."

"I said ’people’, Knox. I didn’t exactly say ’I’. I want some swordfish steaks with peppercorn butter or chicken tagine with apricots and almonds. I’ll be home in ten minutes. I expect to see you there cooking, then."

Knox let out a chuckle, "That’s absurd. Does your fridge or pantry have every ingredient needed for your request? And, I can’t be cooking in just ten minutes. The ride to your mansion from the business district is at least half an hour."

He heard Azrael click his tongue, feigning his disappointment, but beyond the phone, a small smile tugged on his lips after hearing Knox’s laugh. "Where are you?"

Knox yawned, his voice a bit muffled, "Bus...stop."

He rubbed his eyes and narrowed them after spotting an approaching bus. The number on the front sign was the one he always took. He opened his mouth to end the call, but Azrael interrupted him, "Wait for me. I’ll pick you up."

Knox, "Huh?"

Beep. The call ended. He stared at his phone, thinking – ’Right. I’m going to cook his dinner, but...did I tell him which bus stop?’

He pondered too long that his bus already stopped and unloaded passengers then left after taking a few again. He pocketed his phone and leaned back on the board behind him. He watched the passing vehicles blankly.

’Knoa’s probably asleep already,’ the thought dashed in his head, seeing that Steve or the chairman did not call him again. His stomach grumbled loudly, earning the amused and quite pitying looks of the other passengers waiting with him at the bus stop.

He glanced at his wristwatch and slightly frowned, ’Why does time run slowly when you’re waiting, but quickly when you’re enjoying? It’s only been a few minutes. I want to go home already. I shouldn’t have said I’d cook for him. Why did I do that?’

"Why are you frowning?"

Knox was startled by the figure that suddenly appeared on his side, looking down at him. He lifted his head and saw Azrael’s handsome face. His lips curved into a smirk, then he added, "What were you thinking earlier? Are you afraid I won’t come?"

Knox, "Hell, no."

He yawned after answering. Azrael arched his brows and stared at the omega’s appearance. With his eyes almost becoming that of a panda, there was no denying that the poor guy had been losing sleep or stressing about something.

Knox blinked his drowsy eyes and asked again, confused, "Where you in the vicinity? How come you find me so easily?"

Azrael shrugged his shoulders. He looked away and answered, "How else?"

Knox’s heart pounded in nervousness. He anxiously thought, ’Surely, the man did not plant a tracking—’

"Let’s go," Azrael dragged him by the arm, cutting off his thought. Knox assumed he was just nearby, that way, he’d feel less stressed. He was dragged by the alpha to the car, and he was even shocked to see him act so gentlemanly, opening the door for him and placing his hand on his head as he sat inside, making sure he won’t bump into the roof.

"It doesn’t suit you," Knox whispered but his voice was caught by Azrael.

He replied as he maneuvered the car out of the loading/unloading area, "What?"

Knox relaxed on his seat. "Nothing."

Sitting leisurely beside Azrael, unconsciously letting his guard down, and trusting him so openly, made it feel like they were back in the past, when he was still his servant. ’I’m still working for him though. But he, somehow, kept acting differently. Is he really serious? Can I believe him?’

Those thoughts weighed on his mind as he closed his eyes slowly. His eyelids were so heavy that no matter how he tried to keep awake, with his companion acting considerately by not talking to him, and with the soft and comfortable seat of the car, his eyes stayed closed until morning came.

He was astounded to see himself wearing a comfy shirt with only his boxers on. He rushed out of the bed and went in front of the mirror. Nothing happened as it seemed. His body was just sore because of work, but it didn’t hurt down there.

"Wait...why am I thinking ’that thing’ automatically? I wasn’t drunk! I would have woken up if he tried to do something. Ugh, now I feel embarrassed and guilty."

He saw his clothes folded neatly above the table. So, he quickly washed himself, but as he wiped his naked body while looking in the mirror, he spotted two red marks just below his collarbones. His face flushed. Then, it got crumpled.

He got dressed and stomped his way to the kitchen. Fortunately, he didn’t need to be afraid of Azrael seeing the bite mark on his nape, as the mark of bonding only gets visible during mating. Unexpectedly, Azrael was nowhere in sight when he came down.

There was food on the table and a sticky note beside – ’Something came up. Eat. Use your car. It’s fixed. See you.’

"I’m having goosebumps," Knox mumbled as he looked at the tray of breakfast before him. "Is he really not possessed by a kind spirit?"

Still, he ate the food and left using his flashy car. He set aside confronting Azrael about the hickeys. He drove back home to change clothes.

On his way to work, Steve sent a picture of Knoa waving at the camera with his classmates, along with a message that he dropped the kid at the daycare safely, and asked him that if he’s working overtime again, he’s willing to pick the child.

Of course, Knox was aware of his intention. He delayed his reply and focused on work. He was relieved that nothing major happened, aside from his busy schedule becoming more hectic as the launch was approaching.

At lunch, he declined Athan’s offers to eat together and drove to the daycare center to see his son.

"Papa! You’re here! Knoa missed you!" Knoa greeted him enthusiastically, waddling toward him with his little plumpy legs.

Knox scooped the child and nuzzled his head on his chest. The little guy giggled, and Knox was healed of all his stress for a moment. He planted a kiss on his son’s forehead and asked sweetly, "Did you have fun with Grampa Steve?"

Knoa answered cheerfully, "I did! Also, with Grampa Nate! Papa, you don’t tell Knoa has three grampas?"

Knox paused. He forced a smile and replied, "Ah...papa...forgot, haha."

Knoa patted his father’s head, still smiling brightly as he chatted, "It’s fine, Papa. Grampa Nate said that Papa was so busy. So, ’til Papa is not busy anymore, can I play with Loki?"

Knoa’s eyes sparkled with delight when he agreed after careful consideration. Three days in a row, Knoa stayed in the Horace Mansion, and Knox would only see him during lunch at the daycare center.

Finally, the date of the launch arrived without any problems arising. The issue of design theft was cast aside, and everyone was focused on delivering a splendid show. Invitations were sent to famous personalities and well-known individuals in the fashion industry.

The venue was in another country, a luxury resort named Casa del Cielo – where all structures are inspired by old Egyptian architecture. The Hypostyle Pavilion built next to a cliff overlooking the ocean will be the setting of the show.

Knox and Athan, along with the teams, already arrived before the date. They supervised the decoration and the rehearsal, until the wee hours of the last day before the show.

Knox was glad that the chairman was taking care of Knoa. Because of that, he was able to work properly, yet his body and mind were still so tired. The entire show, he was at the backstage overseeing the staff.

The chaotic place rushing with dressers and stylists helping the models wear the clothes; the yelling of the assistants of the show director guiding the models to the runway; and the complaining of some arrogant models over clothes that didn’t fit them, were like a jackhammer drilling holes in his head.

Luckily, the show ended just fine. However, as Knox glided through the mess of clothes and people backstage to step out, his shoulders unintentionally bumped into a rack where an unfinished cold coffee was placed.

The cup toppled over before he could catch it, and the dark liquid splattered over someone’s dress.

"Oh, my god! What did you do?!" A shrill voice echoed in Knox’s ears. His head throbbed even harder at the commotion. He looked up to apologize, only to see the main model of the show, Elise Chen, staring down at him coldly.