The sharp ring of his phone stirred Kayden from sleep. Groggy, he reached out, grabbed it, and squinted at the screen. It was his mother.
He slid his thumb across the screen and placed the phone to his ear.
"Hello?"
"Kayden," his mother's soft voice came through. "Did we wake you?"
"A little, but it's fine," he said, voice rough with sleep.
How is everything over there? Are you settling in? Is school okay? She asked.
His father's voice chimed in from the background. And how's your uncle treating you? Hope you're behaving yourself.
Kayden smiled faintly. Everything's fine. Uncle Thad's been good. I've just been adjusting.
"Adjusting?" his mother echoed. You're not giving him a hard time, are you?
Kayden hesitated, the memory of the night before still lingering in his chest. He remembered his tone, his defiance, the way he left Thaddeus standing at the dining table like nothing mattered.
"No, not really," he said. I was just tired yesterday. I'll talk to him today.
"Alright," his mother replied gently. Just make sure you focus. We trust you, Kayden.
After the call ended, Kayden stared at the ceiling. His obsession with Thaddeus had clouded his actions the night before. He already knew how he felt, and that hunger to be seen and wanted had pushed him to act out. But now that the tension had faded, he realized he had been unfair.
He sat up, pushing the covers aside, and planned to go down and apologize. But just as he moved, there was a knock at his door.
He blinked.
Then stood.
Thaddeus was already dressed for work, his suit crisp and fitted, the scent of his cologne lingering faintly in the air as he stood outside the door. His hand was on a cup of tea.
"Good morning," he said. "Can I come in?"
Kayden stepped back and opened the door wider. "Yeah... come in."
Thaddeus walked in and placed the cup gently on the table beside the bed. "It's a hangover tea. Thought you might need it."
Kayden glanced at the cup, then looked up at him. The sincerity in Thaddeus's voice was calm, but it only made Kayden feel more foolish.
He cleared his throat and stepped closer, eyes flickering with something bolder. His voice dropped a little as he spoke, softer, with a teasing smile tugging at his lips.
"I'm sorry for yesterday," he said, his fingers brushing his hair back. I guess I let myself act out. I shouldn't have been so rude... especially to someone I care about.
Thaddeus looked at him, his expression unreadable. "It's alright. I understand. That's why I'm here. I want you to let the driver take you to school this morning. I'll come pick you up myself later."
Kayden's eyes lit up. "Wait... for real?"
Thaddeus gave a short nod. "Yes. But I have a busy schedule today. I need to attend a few meetings. Still, I'll make time."
Without warning, Kayden stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Thaddeus, his head resting briefly against his chest. You don't know how much that means.
Thaddeus didn't move away, but after a moment, he gently pulled back. "Get dressed. And behave at school."
Kayden grinned. "I will."
He left shortly after. Once the front door closed, Kayden sat back on the bed, staring at the cup of tea still warm on the table. His heart fluttered.
The plan was working.
A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he rolled back into bed, arms behind his head.
"I'm sorry to be obsessed with you, Uncle Thad," he murmured. "But I need you to be mine. I don't care what it takes... I'll try everything to own you."
Thaddeus stepped into the back seat of his car. The engine purred to life, but it wasn't the smooth ride or early morning calm that brought a faint smile to his face. He didn't even realize he was smiling at first until the driver glanced through the mirror.
He sat back, one hand resting on his knee, trying to understand the strange feeling that had settled inside him. It was ridiculous. He was a grown man, focused, successful, the head of a company that demanded every minute of his time. And yet, the idea of Kayden riding to school with another boy, or laughing beside someone new, was still bothering him more than he cared to admit.
He exhaled, glancing at his phone but locking it again without checking. Whatever it was he felt, he couldn't explain it. But he wasn't ready to face it either.
Meanwhile, Kayden stepped out of the house looking fresh and alert. The driver opened the car door, and he got in without saying much, though a hint of excitement played around the corners of his lips. His chest felt lighter than it had in days.
At school, the moment he got out of the car, Darren spotted him walking across the front lot and quickly fell in step beside him.
"Wow, someone woke up on the right side of the bed today," Darren teased, raising an eyebrow. Is it the weather or is there a new secret girlfriend I should know about?
Kayden rolled his eyes but smiled. None of that. Just feeling good, I guess.
"You guess?" Darren nudged his side with his elbow. Come on. That's the happiest I've seen you look all week. If I didn't know better, I'd say someone promised you a shopping spree.
Kayden laughed, brushing the comment off.
Back at the company, Thaddeus's day wasn't going according to plan.
The investor meeting from Milan dragged on longer than scheduled. Every point needed clarification, every clause another round of negotiation. After that came the quarterly review meeting, then a board discussion about the Yanth merger.
By the time he checked the clock again, it was already past three. He rubbed his temple and leaned back in his chair, then called for his driver.
"Go to the campus," he said, his voice steady but low. "Pick up Kayden. Let me know the moment you see him."
The driver nodded and left.
Thaddeus pulled out his phone and typed a message.
He stared at the screen for a moment before pressing send.
Kayden had just exited his last lecture when he spotted the familiar black car parked beside the main building. The driver stepped out reaching for the door handle.
His chest dropped.
A second later, his phone buzzed. It was Thaddeus's message. He read and didn't reply. He got into the car quietly and stared out the window the entire ride.
In the front seat, the driver sent a quick message.
He followed me. We're on the way back.
At the office, Thaddeus didn't check the reply. His thoughts were already back at home, thinking about Kayden's expression when he opened the car door and found him missing.
He stood up and adjusted his suit jacket. Elisa, his assistant, appeared at his door with a file in hand.
Sir, the media team finalized the guest list for the gala. You confirmed you'd be attending alone. Shall I send the approval?
Thaddeus paused.
"No," he said after a moment. Get me an extra invitation.
Elisa raised her brows just slightly but said nothing. She made a quick note on her tablet.
"Understood."
He checked the time again as he stepped out of his office. The hour was later than expected. His shoulders felt heavier than usual, weighed down by long meetings, endless signatures, and a constant tug in his chest that had nothing to do with work. He knew what it was. He had broken a promise.
Instead of going straight home, he made a detour and stopped at a high-end dessert shop, ordering Kayden's favorite treats. It was a weak attempt at making up for the disappointment he caused, but it was the best he could offer right now.
By the time he stepped into the house, the lights were dim and the silence deep. The staff had gone to bed. Only the soft hum of the refrigerator and the ticking wall clock filled the air.
He walked slowly to Kayden's door and knocked.
No answer.
He turned the knob. The door was unlocked.
Kayden was already in bed, facing the window. He didn't move. But Thaddeus knew he was awake. The tension in the air said it all.
Thaddeus placed the dessert box gently on the desk and stood there for a moment, unsure. Then he walked over and sat carefully at the edge of the bed, maintaining a respectful distance.
"Kayden," he said softly.
He turned slowly to face him. His eyes met Thaddeus's without hesitation. His voice came quietly but firmly.
"You didn't keep your promise."
The disappointment in his tone was sharper than anger. Thaddeus swallowed hard. The moment felt heavier under Kayden's gaze.
Kayden was too close now. His beauty was striking in the low light. Soft hair falling over his eyes. Smooth skin. Pink lips that parted slightly when he breathed.
Thaddeus shifted, trying to find a safer distance, but the bed left him no space. He cleared his throat.
"I got you something," he said, reaching behind him for the dessert box. I thought maybe... it would help.
Instead of answering, Kayden leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Thaddeus's lips. It was warm. Gentle. Full of tension that had been building for days.
Thaddeus froze. His body stiffened, unsure of what to do.
Kayden began to pull away.
But Thaddeus reached for him.
In one motion, he pulled Kayden back and kissed him deeply, his mouth opening, tongue sweeping against Kayden's lips with a hunger that betrayed the control he usually kept.
It wasn't supposed to happen.
But it did.
And neither of them pulled away.
What happens next...