Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)

The following days became hectic for Knox. From waking up early, preparing Knoa to send to daycare, going out of his way to cook for Azrael and driving him to work, then going to his own and working relentlessly for the upcoming launch of their brand collection. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

At night, before going back home, Knox would sometimes cook dinner for Azrael at home first and would have to endure his endless bickering. As soon as he arrived at his apartment, Knoa was already sleeping, the house was swept clean and there was already food cooked for him.

Shawn yawned as he stepped out of his room after he heard the entrance door open. He pointed at the food over the table by his lips as he rubbed his eyes, "I cooked for you. I can reheat it for you if you want to eat now."

Knoa smiled gratefully, he sat on the chair after putting his backpack in the corner, "I’m sorry about all this, Shawn. You were supposed to only take care of Knoa, but you’re taking care of me as well. I’m so thankful."

Shawn rolled his eyes at him, "Geez. It’s not like you’re a stranger, you know. And I’ve been looking out for you even when you were still studying here. You always look like you’re about to faint anytime. I really wanted to approach you back then and befriend you, but you were so wary toward people."

’Ah, the old days,’ Knox thought as he reminisced how guarded he was back then. People were considerate of his situation but their pity and awkward smile only added to his burden back then. He was immature then, feeling uncomfortable from receiving help from other people, instead of appreciating their efforts to lighten his load.

Shawn pushed the reheated braised pork and a bowl of rice to him as he spoke, worry was evident in his voice, "But how come nothing change even now? You still look so exhausted. Don’t push yourself too hard, Knox."

Knox nodded and mumbled his ’thank you’ to Shawn with a small smile. He started eating even though his body really just wanted to lie down. If he even skips meals, then his health will surely deteriorate.

Shawn quietly sat on the seat across from Knox. He cleared his throat to steal his attention, and when Knox lifted his head and looked at him, Shawn scratched his temple and parted his lips to speak, "Uhm...I may not...working in a corporate setting but I still know how it works."

Knox stared at Shann, puzzled. Shawn added, "I mean, it doesn’t make sense that you go to work at six and go home at eight. You’re literally working twelve hours a day...every day. Knox, is young master Athan enslaving you?"

Knox paused. He averted his eyes and coughed, "No."

Shawn, "You’re bad at lying."

Knox sighed and repeated, "It’s not him. I’m just caught in this...situation and am just trying to settle it as quietly as possible. Don’t worry," he drank water and changed the topic immediately, asking Shawn about Knoa’s day.

Before they parted that night, Knox informed Shawn, "Tomorrow, I might come home later than eight. Your uncle came and visited me, relaying a message from the chairman. I’m going to meet someone."

"The chairman?" Shawn asked.

Knox shook his head slightly, "No. Someone who he wanted me to meet."

"Ah..." Shawn understood him quickly. Isn’t the reason he was kicked out of his home because he refused to marry someone his family intended for him? He sighed, tapping Knox on his shoulder, "If that man ever did something funny, don’t hesitate to kick him, alright?"

Knox laughed. He patted Shawn’s back to show his appreciation, then he waved goodnight. He went to bed and tucked Knoa under the covers, kissed his forehead, and relaxed after feeling Knoa’s warmth. He hoped that tomorrow’s luck would be on his side.

However, it was as though the heavens were trying to sabotage all his hopes the following day.

"Explain why you can’t go."

A voice deep and low drowned the noisy chatters of Knox’s colleagues sitting on a kiosk in the employee’s lounge area. He was having his coffee break when he decided to call Azrael to tell him he wouldn’t be coming for the night.

Knox replied firmly, clearly sending his intention that he wouldn’t take no for an answer, "I have an important appointment, Mr. Del Valle," his voice lowered when he mentioned Azrael’s name to avoid unwanted attention. "I can’t forgo this one. So, I’m telling you in advance now that I won’t consider your refusal. Besides, you owe me money, so..."

It sounded laughable that he was using money to convince Azrael, so his voice trailed off. He cleared his throat and added, "Anyway, that’s it. Don’t expect me. Bye."

His phone rang but he just put it in silent mode after seeing the same number he just called earlier.

On the other side, Azrael kept calling Knox with an arched eyebrow. After trying a few times and being left unanswered, the corner of his lips twitched in vexation. He pressed his intercom and asked Luis, "Send me Knox’s bank details. Right now."

Luis obliged.

Azrael was about to transfer money to Knox when his phone was interrupted by a sudden ringing. His face grimaced after the caller’s name registered on his screen. However reluctant he was, he still slid the green button in and brought his phone to his ear.

"Hey, I’m having trouble seeing you these past few days. I have something to discuss, can we meet?"

A sophisticated voice came through the phone. Azrael answered as he whirled his chair and faced the window panes, "About what? Aside from business, I can’t find any reason for meeting you."

Diva on the other side harrumphed, "Are you so busy to indulge your best friend just this one time? And, partly, it’s about business as well. I’m the one managing the Idol now, but I have still many shortcomings. I feel devastated. Cheer me up, at least."

Azrael, "Now, you’re regretting your choice now. Tsk. Call Rian or Kayden. I have something to do."

Diva, "Kayden is on duty. Rian is on the other side of the world chasing his short-lived romance. And I just called Luis, saying your schedule for the night is cleared."

Azrael clicked his tongue. Diva rolled her eyes and added, "My official retirement to the modeling world seems to be postponed. I received an offer from a clothing brand as a main model for their soon-to-launch collection. Honestly, I felt a thrill in thinking of modeling again, though it’s a fashion catalog."

"Which brand?"

Diva, "HZ Clothing Brand. They’re famous."

Azrael paused after hearing the company’s name. His interest was piqued so he agreed to meet with his fiancée. He completely forgot to transfer money and was occupied by his thoughts about the company’s president.

’Athan Horace...’, Azrael mumbled in his head. Then, he spoke out loud, "He f*cking pisses me off."

Meanwhile, after Knox clocked out from the office, he received a message from Secretary Steve confirming if he would come. He sighed as he typed a reply. He took a cab and headed to the same hotel where he and Azrael had dinner.

The events of that night resurfaced in his head as he walked to the reception area. He couldn’t help but be flustered so he lowered his head, only lifting it again after his face turned back to normal. He asked where which table was reserved under the secretary’s name, and he was immediately guided to the right one.

He came thirty twenty minutes early, but he wasn’t bored as the same nightscape was entertaining him. From below, he could see the highways narrowed and small from the distance, and the vehicles that passed through them looked like ants from his sight.

The blinking lights and the clear sky made him feel nostalgic. He used to admire them sitting on his scooter parked on a bridge, while on his way to his night deliveries.

"Mr. Knox Arden?"

Knox’s reverie was interrupted by that kind voice. He looked up and saw a tall, handsome man with a small smile on his face. He was even slightly taken aback that the man looked gentle and thoughtful.

He thought that his father wouldn’t even care about whoever he ended up with, as long as it could benefit his side.

Knox stood from his seat and extended his hand, answering eloquently, "Yes. I’m Knox Arden. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Meyers."

Rikard Meyers, the second son of the chairman of Meyers Electronics and a dominant alpha, shook his hand gently and replied, "Nice meeting you as well, Mr. Arden."

His smile widened after Knox returned a curt smile. He even waited for Knox and pushed the chair as he sat. Knox was really caught in disbelief. Before coming to that place, he felt dreadful and nervous about meeting an arrogant and condescending alpha, so he stoned himself and anticipated it.

’Turns out he’s a gentleman...unlike a certain someone,’ Knox thought to himself. He was beginning to consider taking the date seriously, until from the corner of his eye, he felt a chilling aura directed at him. He turned to that direction, only to see that ’certain someone’ standing at the entrance with his fiancée on his arm.

Knox choked on his food. Rikard quickly moved closer and tenderly patted his back, asking with a voice dripping with concern, "Are you okay?"

’Hell, no!’ Knox yelped inwardly.