Ethan called out, "Miles, hurry up! We're getting late!"
Miles finally stepped out of the house, arms full of bags.
Ethan's eyes widened. "That's so much stuff!"
Miles huffed, balancing everything. "It's important—sunscreen, lip balm, shades..."
Ethan raised a hand, cutting him off. "Enough! We're only going for one day!"
Miles slid into the car seat, crossing his arms. "They're important, okay?"
Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "It's our first date, and I'm already excited. First, breakfast—"
Before he could finish, Ethan's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and sighed.
It was his father.
Answering quickly, Ethan said, "Hello?"
His father's stern voice came through. "Why haven't you answered my calls lately?"
Ethan leaned back against the seat, rubbing his forehead. "I've been busy, Dad. You know how crazy the workload is at the company."
Ethan continued talking with his father, while Miles sat quietly, his face turning pale, lost in thought.
Victor Hayes—Ethan's father—was a strict and powerful businessman.
After Ethan's mother passed away, Victor had married Miles's mother for a short time, but they eventually divorced.
Miles had never liked Victor.
And now, fear gnawed at his heart.
What would happen when Victor found out about him and Ethan?
Miles knew one thing for sure: Victor would never accept their relationship.
He would find a way to tear them apart—he always wanted Ethan to marry a beautiful, perfect woman, not... someone like Miles.
But even more terrifying was the memory Miles kept buried deep inside—
What if Ethan ever found out about that night... the night Victor came into his room?
Suddenly, Ethan hung up the call and turned to him.
"Milk, what are you thinking about?" Ethan asked, concern in his voice.
Miles hesitated, forcing a small smile.
"Nothing... I was just looking at the weather," he lied.
Ethan smiled back, trusting him too easily.
"I'm done talking. Let's go," Ethan said warmly.
Miles nodded, pushing all the painful memories back into the shadows of his heart.
Kai grabbed his car keys and headed toward the door, but before he could leave, Bast caught him by the waist and pulled him back.
"Where are you going?" Bast asked, his voice low and teasing.
Kai struggled lightly in his arms.
"What are you doing? The housekeepers might see us like this!" he whispered urgently.
Bast chuckled and said, "I don't care."
Kai sighed, trying to push him away.
"It's the weekend. I can do whatever I want!" he said stubbornly.
Bast leaned in closer.
"Fine... then I'll come with you."
Kai quickly shook his head.
"Didn't you say you have a meeting today? And Ethan's on leave too."
Bast smirked.
"I'll cancel everything."
Kai rolled his eyes.
"No way. You have to go. I'm just going shopping," he said, trying to sound firm.
But Bast only tightened his grip around Kai's waist, whispering near his ear,
"If you give me a sweet kiss, maybe I'll let you go."
Kai turned red and said stubbornly,
"Nope!"
Bast grinned mischievously.
"Then... we should head to my room. I still have time left," he teased.
Kai's face heated up even more.
"Fine, fine!" he said quickly, and leaned up to kiss Bast passionately.
When they finally pulled apart, Kai pouted,
"Now can I go?"
Bast chuckled, kissing Kai's cheek gently.
"Take care of yourself, baby," he said softly.
Kai smiled shyly before finally stepping out of the house.
Rico sat lazily in his office when his phone rang. He picked it up, and the boy on the other side quickly gave him the information — Kai was at the mall.
Without wasting a second, Rico grabbed his car keys and left.
Meanwhile, at the mall, Kai was wandering through the stores, searching for the perfect gift for Elina.
He stopped at the perfume section, remembering how Elina had once told him she loved perfumes.
Kai murmured to himself,
"She's my friend... I need to find the best one for her."
Just as he was carefully examining a bottle, a sudden spray of perfume mist hit his neck.
Kai flinched, startled, and turned around — only to see Rico standing right behind him.
Rico leaned in shamelessly, inhaling deeply at Kai's neck.
Kai's eyes widened in shock.
"What are you doing?!" Kai demanded, taking a step back.
But Rico just smiled mischievously and said,
"It smells so nice... I want to smell you all night."
Rico chuckled and said,
"Let's grab some coffee. I'm alone here... and you are too. How about we shop together? I'm sure I'll be good company — and trust me, my taste is excellent. Just look at Bast... he was my choice once, after all."
Kai ignored him, his face cold.
"I don't want your company," he said sharply, turning to walk away.
But before he could leave, Rico grabbed Kai's wrist, pulling him closer.
He slipped a small card into Kai's pocket and leaned in, whispering,
"Call me... when you're ready to know Bast's secrets."
Kai froze for a moment, feeling the weight of Rico's words, before shaking him off and walking away without looking back.