Sleeping With My Step Daddy
Chapter 72: "Same Rings"

Chapter 72: "Same Rings"

After dinner, Takeshi and Kai sat together in a private room. The air was still, heavy with anticipation.

Takeshi leaned back in his chair and said calmly, "Son, what did you want to talk about?"

Kai hesitated. He was scared—his chest felt tight. "Dad, just... something about business," he said, dodging the real topic.

Takeshi smiled slightly. "Okey..."

Kai looked down at his hands. They were trembling with nerves. He wanted to speak the truth but couldn’t gather the courage. His heart raced.

Takeshi studied him carefully. "Son, I’ve noticed... lately, you’ve been spending a lot of time with Sebastian Vaughn."

Kai slowly lifted his eyes, looking at his father. "Dad..."

Takeshi interrupted gently, "It’s okay. I know. He raised you like his own child. And you’re attached to him. That’s understandable."

He reached out and held Kai’s hand firmly. "Kai, I’m your dad. You can share anything with me."

Then, with a softer tone, he added, "Reiji told me you have a boyfriend. Is that true?"

Kai silently nodded, unable to speak.

Takeshi’s eyes dropped to Kai’s hand—and there, shining on his finger, was the ring Bast had given him.

Takeshi noticed it and said, "Alright then. Invite him tomorrow for dinner. I want to see the person who makes my son happy."

Kai looked at his father, emotion filling his eyes. "Thank you, Dad... for everything."

Takeshi patted his back warmly. "You’re my precious son."

Kai smiled at those words. Takeshi looked at him again, his expression nostalgic. His eyes... they’re just like Jennifer’s, he thought. He’s completely like his mother.

"Dad..." Kai said softly.

Takeshi blinked and shook his head as if clearing old memories. "Son, now you should go and rest."

Kai nodded, standing up. "Good night, Dad."

Takeshi gave a small smile. "Good night, son."

Kai quietly left the room, leaving his father alone with his thoughts.

Takeshi still sat silently in the private room, his expression unreadable. His eyes remained fixed on the closed door Kai had just walked through.

His gaze dropped to the table, lost in thought. That ring... he had seen the exact same one on Sebastian Vaughn’s finger. Slowly, he leaned back in his chair and muttered under his breath, "I hope... I’m wrong about what I’m thinking."

---

Meanwhile, Kai entered his room and quietly shut the door. He moved straight to the bed and lay down, his body heavy with nerves. Slipping his phone from his pocket, he stared at the screen for a moment, then dialed Bast’s number.

Far away, in a luxurious high-rise apartment, Bast was soaking in a warm bubble bath, trying to unwind. The city lights from the massive window reflected softly across the steamy glass.

His phone rang. Bast looked at the screen and immediately picked up.

"Hello, baby. Are you missing me?" he said, his voice calm and affectionate.

Kai’s voice came through the phone. "Yeah... maybe."

Bast smiled faintly, eyes still on the glittering skyline. "What happened?" he asked.

Kai replied, "Today, Reiji told my dad that I’m in love with someone."

Bast smirked, amused. "Really? And then?"

Kai sighed. "Dad said he wants to meet my boyfriend... He told me to invite him to dinner tomorrow."

Still watching the lights of the city, Bast responded smoothly, "Alright then. I’ll meet your family tomorrow at dinner."

Kai’s voice was soft, hesitant. "Do you really think it’s that easy?"

Bast said calmly, "Kai... don’t stress. I’ll take care of everything."

Kai exhaled deeply, lying flat against the bed. "Okay..."

Bast’s voice turned gentle, filled with quiet longing. "I really want to hold you tightly in my arms."

Kai stared up at the ceiling and whispered, "I want to..."

Meanwhile, at a dimly lit club, Reiji sat at the bar, slowly sipping his whiskey. His sharp gaze was fixed on the swirling liquid in his glass. Eden sat beside him, a teasing smile playing on his lips as he watched Reiji silently.

Finally, Reiji turned to him with a dangerous glare.

Reiji (coldly): "What the hell are you staring at?"

Eden (grinning): "Why’s my wifey being so dangerous tonight?"

Reiji (snapping): "Who the hell is your wifey?"

Eden only chuckled and leaned in closer, sliding an arm around Reiji’s waist.

Eden (softly): "You are."

Reiji immediately pushed him away.

Reiji (frustrated): "What the hell are you doing?"

Eden smirked and picked up his own glass, taking a calm sip of his whiskey.

Reiji: "Tomorrow, we’re having dinner with my family. Don’t be late."

Eden (teasing): "Why? Am I getting married?"

Reiji (deadpan): "It’s just a fake drama. You’re playing the role of my boyfriend. Time to take responsibility. You already lied to Kai and my sister."

Eden (serious): "I didn’t lie. It’s the truth—we are a couple."

Reiji (in disbelief): "When did we become a couple, huh?"

Eden leaned close to Reiji’s ear and whispered darkly,

Eden (low): "The night you moaned my name and spread your legs for me."

Reiji’s face instantly turned red.

Reiji (embarrassed, warning): "Eden..."

Before Eden could say more, a voice interrupted.

Girl: "Hello, Eden."

They both looked up to see a pretty woman approaching. Eden smiled casually.

Eden: "Rose. Long time no see."

Rose (surprised): "Ah, what a coincidence to run into you here in Japan."

Eden: "Yeah, I just moved here recently for studies."

She glanced at Reiji, then back at Eden.

Eden: "Rose, this is Reiji—my boyfriend."

Rose’s eyes widened.

Rose: "Wait... what? Eden, you’re into boys?"

Reiji sighed and took another sip of whiskey.

Rose (smiling): "Hello, Reiji. I’m Rose, Eden’s friend."

Reiji (polite but distant): "Hello, Miss."

Rose (teasing): "Eden, you really have a handsome boyfriend."

Reiji stood up suddenly.

Reiji: "Excuse me."

He walked off toward the restroom without another word. Eden watched him go, then stood as well.

Eden: "Rose, I think my boyfriend’s not feeling well."

Rose (smiling): "Sure. Go check on him. See you ...."

Eden followed Reiji toward the bathroom. Inside, Reiji was hunched over the sink, vomiting, his face flushed red.

Reiji (to himself, breathless): "It’s the first time I’ve vomited after drinking... This is strange... I feel so exhausted..."

Eden rushed in and immediately went to his side, placing a hand on his back.

Eden (concerned): "Reiji, what’s wrong?"

Reiji kept vomiting, unable to respond. Eden gently touched his forehead.

Eden (worried): "You’re burning up... Come on, we’re going to the hospital."

Reiji tried to resist but couldn’t even stand properly. Eden held him steady, pulled his arm around his shoulder, and carefully led him out of the club. He helped Reiji into the car and drove off, his expression shifting from playful to deeply serious.

At the hospital, Reiji lay on the bed, fast asleep. A drip was attached to his hand, delivering fluids slowly into his system.

The doctor stepped out from behind the curtain and looked at Eden.

Doctor: "It’s nothing serious—just a high temperature and something he ate probably didn’t sit well. We’ve given him medicine. After a little rest, you can take him home."

Eden nodded silently, his expression unreadable. Once the doctor left, he sat down beside Reiji’s bed, his eyes quietly studying the boy’s pale face.

Eden (softly, murmuring): "You scared me... little puppy."

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small black box. Opening it revealed two simple but elegant couple rings. Eden smiled faintly.

He gently took Reiji’s hand and slipped one of the rings onto his finger. Then he wore the other one himself.

Carefully holding Reiji’s hand, he took out his phone and snapped a picture of their hands together, the matching rings glinting under the hospital light.

Eden (softly): "Now... we’re officially a couple."

He leaned back in the chair, still holding Reiji’s hand, and watched him sleep peacefully.

After some time, Reiji’s eyes slowly fluttered open. He blinked, adjusting to the bright lights of the hospital room.

Reiji (groggy, murmuring): "I’m... in a hospital?"

His gaze shifted to the side, where Eden sat beside him, resting his head on the edge of the bed, still holding Reiji’s hand tightly in his sleep.

Reiji stared at him quietly.

A moment later, Eden’s eyes blinked open. He looked up and immediately noticed Reiji was awake.

Eden (relieved): "You’re awake!"

He quickly straightened up in the chair.

Eden: "How are you feeling now?"

Reiji (rubbing his temple): "I’m okay... just a little dizzy."

Eden: "Good. Then let’s go home."

He stood and gently helped Reiji sit up. Supporting him, Eden guided him out of the hospital room and into the car.

Reiji sat quietly in the passenger seat, staring out the window without saying a word. Eden occasionally glanced at him, but neither broke the silence.

After a while, they pulled up in front of Eden’s apartment building.

Reiji (confused): "Why did you bring me here? Drop me off at my house."

Eden: "I already called Kai and told him you’d be staying with me tonight."

Reiji: "Why...?"

Without answering, Eden stepped out of the car and came around to open Reiji’s door.

Reiji (irritated): "I can walk by myself. No need to act like a nurse."

He pushed Eden’s hand away and stepped out on his own, walking toward the building with unsteady but determined steps.

As Reiji stepped into the elevator, he slipped his hand into his pocket to take out his phone. The screen lit up, but something else caught his eye.

A ring.

He paused, brows furrowing.

Reiji (muttering): "What the hell...?"

It was a sleek, silver band wrapped neatly around his finger—definitely not something he remembered putting on himself. He lifted his hand, turning it slowly in the light, inspecting the unfamiliar piece of jewelry.

His eyes immediately snapped to Eden, who stood beside him silently, scrolling through his own phone. Reiji’s gaze dropped to Eden’s hand—and there it was. The same ring.

His mouth parted slightly.

Reiji (murmuring): "When... did he do this?"

He stared at the matching rings in disbelief, heart skipping a beat, unsure whether to be furious, flustered, or frightened by what it meant.