Sleeping With My Step Daddy
Chapter 65: "Precious Son"

Chapter 65: "Precious Son"

The door creaked open, revealing Kai standing behind it. His expression softened when he saw Eden.

Kai: "Oh... Eden."

Eden offered a warm smile.

Eden: "Yeah. Last night, we didn’t get to talk properly thanks to that bastard, so I thought I’d drop by."

Kai stepped aside to let him in.

Kai: "Great. Come in."

They moved to the plush sofa in the center of the large, elegantly decorated room. Eden glanced around, visibly impressed.

Eden: "Kai, seriously... this mansion is huge. It’s like something out of a luxury magazine."

Kai gave a small nod but didn’t smile.

Eden (lowering his voice): "Kai... why haven’t you contacted Bast? Why are you staying away from him?"

Kai looked down, his voice quiet.

Kai: "Eden, I’m just—"

Before he could finish, a firm knock came at the door. It opened almost immediately, and Takeshi stepped inside with his usual commanding presence.

Kai stood quickly.

Kai: "Dad..."

Eden rose to his feet and bowed politely.

Eeden: "Hello, sir. I’m Eden, Kai’s friend."

Takeshi’s face remained serious, but he returned the nod.

Takeshi: "Son, I need to talk to you. Alone."

Kai gave Eden an apologetic glance.

Kai: "Eden, we’ll talk later, okay?"

Eden: "Sure."

Kai followed Takeshi out, leaving Eden behind. Eden sighed and mumbled under his breath.

Eden (to himself): "So that’s why he hasn’t contacted Bast... they must be threatening him. What a rude family..."

He turned toward the hallway to make his exit, but before he reached the main doors, Aiko suddenly appeared with her usual cheer.

Aiko: "Hi! I’m Aiko—Reiji’s sister, and Kai’s cousin."

Eden smiled politely.

Eden: "Nice to meet you. I’m Eden, a friend of Kai’s."

Aiko’s eyes lit up.

Aiko: "You’re so handsome... are you single?"

Eden chuckled.

Eden: "Nope. Not available."

Aiko pouted and murmured under her breath.

Aiko: "Why are all the handsome ones taken? Why?"

Eden cleared his throat.

Eden: "Miss Aiko, could you tell me where Reiji is?"

Aiko: "He’s in his room. I’ll show you."

The two walked down the hallway together.

---

Meanwhile, in a private room...

Kai sat silently across from his father. Takeshi finally broke the silence.

Takeshi: "Son, you need to stay away from Americans. I don’t like them."

Kai looked confused.

Kai: "Why, Dad? If you’re talking about Eden—he’s just my best friend."

Takeshi sighed, visibly frustrated but trying to remain calm.

Takeshi: "Alright. I understand..."

Kai reached across the table and held his father’s hand.

Kai: "Don’t worry, Dad. I won’t leave you alone. I’m always with you. You don’t have to be scared."

Takeshi looked at his son with softer eyes, touched by his words.

Takeshi: "Your eyes... they look just like your mother’s. You know, I still miss her."

His expression darkened slightly.

Takeshi: "That bastard, Sebastian Vaughn... he stole my wife."

Kai shook his head firmly.

Kai: "No, Dad. You’ve got it wrong. Bast didn’t steal anyone. You’re thinking of it the wrong way. He always saw Mom like an older sister. They weren’t a real couple. He only helped her when she asked—because they were childhood friends."

Takeshi looked at Kai, stunned. His eyes searched his son’s face as if trying to process the words he just heard.

Kai (gently): "Yes, Dad. Mom loved you... so much. She never told me about you, but I remember—she used to cry alone at night."

Kai’s voice trembled slightly as he continued.

Kai: "And she never really married Bast. That marriage was fake—just a cover."

Takeshi’s expression darkened with old pain.

Takeshi (hoarsely): "Then why? Why did she leave me? Why couldn’t she wait for me...? Why did she take you away from me?"

Without answering immediately, Kai stood from his seat and walked over to his father. He sat beside him and wrapped his arms around Takeshi in a warm, unexpected embrace.

Takeshi’s eyes widened.

It was the first time in two years his son had hugged him like this.

Kai (softly): "She didn’t leave you because she stopped loving you. I think... she was in trouble. I don’t know what kind, but I’m sure she had her reasons for leaving the country."

Kai pulled back slightly, looking into his father’s eyes.

Kai: "But one thing I do know—she was never truly Bast’s wife. That marriage was just a front. She loved you, Dad. Only you."

Takeshi’s hands slowly came up, gently holding his son in return. His arms were firm yet trembling with restrained emotion.

And for the first time in many years, Takeshi felt something he had long forgotten.

Warmth.

Comfort.

Meanwhile, Eden quietly knocked on the door to Reiji’s room. When no response came, he slowly pushed it open and stepped inside.

Reiji was lying on the bed, fast asleep, his chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm. Eden closed the door softly behind him, careful not to make a sound, and walked over to the bed.

Without a word, he lay down beside him, resting on his side as he looked at Reiji’s sleeping face.

Eden (softly, with a small smile): "I don’t know why, but this punk actually looks kind of cute when he’s sleeping like this..."

His gaze lingered on Reiji’s relaxed features. Then, unable to resist, Eden pulled out his phone from his pocket and quietly snapped a few photos. A mischievous smile touched his lips as he admired the shots for a moment.

Eden (to himself): "Okay, that’s enough. I don’t think I should wake him."

He slid the phone back into his pocket and stood up carefully, not wanting to disturb him.

With one last glance, Eden turned and silently slipped out of the room, closing the door gently behind him.

Some time later, Takeshi sat in the private lounge of his casino, a glass of wine in hand. For once, his expression was calm, and a faint smile played at the corner of his lips.

Around him, the guards and staff exchanged shocked glances. It was rare—almost unheard of—to see the infamous Takeshi looking so relaxed, let alone smiling.

His secretary hesitated by the door, unsure whether to interrupt. Then, cautiously, he stepped forward.

Secretary (carefully): "Master Takeshi... you seem to be in a good mood today."

Takeshi took a slow sip of his wine, his gaze distant but content.

Takeshi: "Because I have a son... and he’s a great one. The only thing I truly treasure."

The secretary blinked, unsure how to respond. A stiff, awkward smile tugged at his lips—he didn’t quite understand what Takeshi meant, but he nodded respectfully.

Secretary: "Yes, sir. Also, today we have a scheduled meeting with the new casino partner."

Takeshi (setting the glass down): "The outsider?"

Secretary: "Yes, sir."

Takeshi (a gleam in his eye): "Good. I’ve been curious to see who this outsider is."

The secretary nodded again, then checked his tablet before continuing.

Secretary: "One more thing, sir. About Yamada—our men still haven’t found him. He left no trace behind."

Takeshi didn’t answer right away. The calm in his expression slowly disappeared, replaced by a cold, sharp edge. The smile vanished, and his aura darkened.

Takeshi (quietly, with danger in his voice): "Keep searching. Don’t stop until you find him."

The room fell into silence again—heavy and tense—until Takeshi leaned back on the couch, eyes fixed on nothing, but his mind clearly calculating.

Evening fell over the city, casting a golden hue through the tall windows of the casino’s exclusive meeting room. Inside, Takeshi sat at the head of the long table, calm and unreadable as ever. His expression betrayed no emotion, but his sharp eyes held a flicker of anticipation.

Around him, the other business partners chatted in low voices, curious murmurs drifting across the room.

Businessman (whispering): "I wonder who the new investor is... buying up such a large share without a word?"

Another leaned in: "Whoever it is, they’ve got serious money."

Just then, the door opened with a click.

A tall handsome, commanding man stepped inside, his aura bold, his presence silencing the room. Behind him followed a sharply dressed secretary—Jeff, calm and professional as always.

The atmosphere shifted instantly.

All eyes locked onto the man.

Takeshi’s eyes narrowed. His voice was cool, but carried weight.

Takeshi: "So, my suspicion was right... Sebastian Vaughn."

Bast smiled—charming, unbothered, and confident—as he stepped forward and pulled out the chair across from Takeshi.

Bast: "That’s right. Sebastian Vaughn. The new partner in your empire. I hope we’ll get along."

A beat of tense silence.

Then, one by one, the other business partners began to move, nodding, standing, offering handshakes.

Businessman: "Welcome, Mr. Vaughn."

Another: "An honor to have you on board."

The tension eased—at least, for everyone but the two men at the center.

Takeshi’s sharp gaze never left Bast. Like a snake coiled in stillness, waiting.

Bast remained cool under the stare, his smile never fading.

The meeting began. Papers were laid out, projections discussed, strategies unfolded. But beneath the formalities, an unspoken war of eyes and wills simmered at the table.