Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 90: Don’t go anywhere without me [2]

Chapter 90: Don’t go anywhere without me [2]

Grumbling, Knox turned around and continued cooking, letting Azrael cling to him as he moved. Due to this, some of the pancakes weren’t flipped properly and some got burnt when Azrael’s hands started caressing and massaging Knox’s body, claiming that it was to ease his body’s soreness, but only made Knox more conscious of their position and lost focus in cooking.

"The burnt pancakes are yours," Knox remarked. Azrael just chuckled and kissed him.

After their brunch, Knox received a call. Seeing the registered number on the screen, he felt somehow nervous. He stood and excused himself from Azrael who seemingly understood who was the caller and let him walk away without a fuss.

Knox went to the terrace and answered the phone, "Yes, hello...f-father..."

"When are you coming home?" Chairman Nathaniel asked directly.

"O-Oh...uhm, did something happen to Knoa?" Knox asked back. He was asking the obvious because he didn’t know how to answer the chairman. He knew nothing happened, if there was, then Steve or Athan would have called him, and judging from the calm voice of his father, he was certain everything was alright. ’So then, why did he call me so suddenly?’ Knox couldn’t help but think.

"Nothing happened. But...I asked him to go fishing with me, and he said that he wanted to come with you, since you two have never been in the ocean before, as per Knoa’s words," the chairman responded.

Both of them sounded awkward over the phone since that call was the very first one between them. A warm smile tugged on Knox’s lips as he imagined Knoa’s animated response to the chairman’s suggestion.

"Are you really going to fish in the ocean?" He mumbled half-jokingly.

Chairman Nathaniel, "Of course not. I plan to fish in my usual place, but since my grandson said he wanted to go to the ocean, then...why don’t we? Tomorrow’s a holiday anyway. So..."

Knox went silent for a minute. It was the first time his father personally asked him to come with him. Although he was skeptical, thinking that the whole family would be there.

It was as though the chairman noticed his worry. He cleared his throat and added, "My wife and kids don’t have an interest in fishing, so they won’t be there. But...even if they were, you should get used to their presence, son. You know what I mean."

Knox muttered, "Yes...I’ll go, then. I’m going home first to take some extra clothes for Knoa. Then, I’ll head straight to the mansion."

With that, Knox decided to go back home. However, he had a hard time convincing Azrael.

"What if the person who’s been tailing us since yesterday comes again?" Azrael reasoned.

Knox pointed at the small screen on the wall showing the mansion’s gates, "Look, there isn’t any car or living being around! That means they probably lost interest already!"

Azrael insisted, "They’re just lurking in the shadows. It’s dangerous outside!"

Knox shouted back, "But my father asked me to come! It was the first time he asked me to spend time with him...can’t I go? I wanted to go..."

Azrael was rendered speechless. He looked at Knox’s dejected face and pinched the bridge of his nose. Indeed, he was just making excuses, but when he heard from Roy that there were two cars following them, he felt unsettled.

If one belongs to his father, then who was the other one?

"I’ll go with you," Azrael decided.

Knox gawked at him. Then, he slowly shook his head. Azrael arched his brows, "What? You said you wanted me to meet him already? So, why are you refusing now?"

"He’s....in a good mood now. I feel like his mood will go bad if I suddenly introduce you," Knox averted his eyes.

Azrael started to get annoyed. He ran his uninjured hands over his face frustratedly. Then, he looked at Knox, determined, "I’ll drive you back, then."

Knox, "You’re wound will bleed again!"

"Dammit, Knox! I won’t settle if you don’t let me do that at least!" Azrael yelled back.

Knox sighed in resignation. He nodded his head and let Azrael drive him back to his apartment.

"How are you going to your father’s mansion? I’ll drive you if you don’t have any means," Azrael suggested again once they arrived at the apartment building’s parking lot.

Knox unbuckled the seatbelt as he answered, "No way. That’s a two-hour drive from here! What if your wound reopens worse than before? No. Don’t push it. I’ll call someone to pick me up, don’t worry. I’m home now."

Azrael was going to say something defiantly again, so Knox lurched forward and sealed his lips with his own. Azrael was surprised, but soon his hand enveloped Knox’s neck and he deepened the kiss.

After a few minutes, they parted, both panting for air. Azrael bumped his forehead on Knox and begrudgingly agreed, "Fine. You win. Call me once you get there, hm?"

Knox, "Alright. I’ll go now."

Azrael, "Hm."

Knox opened the door and waved at Azrael. He waited for Azrael to leave but the car’s engine didn’t start. So, he bent down and peeked inside. Azrael rolled down the window and spoke, "What are you doing? Go now. I’ll watch you until you get inside."

Knox, "Oh, okay. Bye!"

Azrael waved back. He watched Knox until he entered the building. After a few minutes of staring blankly at the swinging door, he sighed exasperatedly and started the car. Then, he reluctantly drove away.

At the same time, Knox called Athan, but his phone just kept ringing, so he dialed Steve’s number instead. Once the line connected, he politely asked a favor, "Can you send someone to pick me up, Steve? I’m at my home, packing some extra clothes."

"Then, I’ll send someone who’s nearby, young master," Steve answered immediately. Knox mumbled his gratitude and began packing everything he and Knox might need on that little trip. After arranging his bag, he took a bath and dressed comfortably since they were going on a beach.

When the doorbell rang, he carried his bag and looked at the screen. A man in a black suit wearing dark sunglasses stood outside. Thinking it was one of Athan’s hired men, he opened the door and welcomed the bodyguard with a wide smile.

However, Knox was immediately struck with a strong, repulsive smell that blurred his vision and made him extremely dizzy. He reached for the figure before him that soon gradually became a shadow, then in his fading consciousness, he heard an unfamiliar voice, "Get him in the car. And search the room. Find out anything that can be used against this guy."