Jeff took a step back and said carefully, "I should go… I have some work to finish."
But Rico caught his wrist before he could escape. "You turned me on, and now you want to run? That's not very nice, Jun," he said with a lazy smile. "Let's go to my place."
Jeff's heart pounded. He wanted to bolt, but Rico suddenly pulled him into a hug, his body warm and heavy.
"I think you're drunk, Mr. Rico," Jeff muttered, trying to stay calm.
Rico chuckled, resting his chin on Jeff's shoulder. "Yeah… I am. Can you give me a ride?"
Jeff swallowed hard. What a mess… "Alright," he said after a moment. "Please, just tell me where you live."
Rico grinned, slurring slightly, "Okay... let's go."
Jeff helped him to the car, doing his best to stay composed. After a tense drive, they finally arrived at Rico's place.
"We're here," Jeff said, stepping out and opening the door for him. "Mr. Rico, can you wake up?"
Rico lazily opened his eyes, lips curling into a smirk. "I can't get up… Walk me to my room?"
Jeff let out a sigh, hesitating. But in the end, he helped Rico up and guided him toward the house.
Jeff gently helped Rico into the room, guiding him toward the couch. He laid him down carefully and pulled a blanket over him. Just as he turned to leave, a hand caught his wrist.
"Please… stay for a while," Rico murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes, suddenly glassy with tears, locked onto Jeff's.
Jeff froze. For a moment, he just stared—wondering how someone who acted so smug and bold earlier could now look so fragile. Don't forget your mission, Jeff, he reminded himself. You're here for information. Nothing more.
But then, he touched Rico's face—hot with fever. Jeff's eyes widened. He's burning up...
Without a second thought, Jeff lifted Rico into his arms and carried him to the bed. He laid him down gently, then rushed to the bathroom for cold water and a towel.
Returning, he hesitated only briefly before unbuttoning Rico's shirt. His face turned slightly red, but he focused, carefully wiping down Rico's burning skin. After placing a cold patch on his forehead, Jeff sat by his side, watching the fever slowly subside.
Once Rico was resting more peacefully, Jeff slipped some medicine onto the nightstand, scribbled a note, and placed it beside the glass of water.
"After breakfast, take the medicine.
And don't drink so much… if you can't handle it."
With one last glance, Jeff quietly stepped out of the room, his heart a little heavier than before.
---
Ethan dropped Bast off at his house, where Kai was already waiting at the door.
As soon as Bast stepped inside, Kai rushed over. "Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes full of concern.
"He drank a little too much tonight," Ethan answered, ruffling Kai's hair with a small smile. "He just needs some rest."
Kai nodded, still watching Bast with worry. Ethan added, "Alright, I'll leave now. Milk must be waiting for me at home."
"Take care," Kai said, and Ethan gave him a small wave before heading out.
Kai offered his hand to Bast. "Come on. Let's get you to the room. You need to wash up."
Bast stared at him for a moment and smiled faintly. "You've grown up, my baby… Jennifer must be so happy seeing you like this."
"You miss Mama?" Kai asked quietly.
Bast pulled him into a hug. "I miss your childhood the most. You were so cute, especially when you cried for ice cream."
Kai chuckled. "Okay, that's enough reminiscing. Let's go."
—
At Ethan's house, he stepped into the dimly lit living room where Miles was already asleep on the couch. Gently, he draped his coat over the armrest and patted Miles' head.
"You must've waited long," Ethan whispered.
Miles stirred, his eyes fluttering open. "Yeah, I waited too long…"
"I'm sorry," Ethan said with a soft sigh. "Bast was drunk. I had to take care of him."
"Oh… why?" Miles asked, sitting up slightly.
"His ex, Rico, is back," Ethan explained, loosening his tie. "He's trying to come between him and Kai. Bast is frustrated… maybe even heartbroken."
Miles' eyes widened. "That's disgusting…"
Ethan nodded and pulled Miles into a gentle embrace. "Yeah. It was a heavy night. I'm exhausted."
Miles wrapped his arms around him. "Then you need rest."
Ethan pulled back slightly and pouted. "Can I have a hug, a kiss… and maybe some cuddles too?"
Miles chuckled, pushing his forehead against Ethan's. "Why do you work so hard?"
"Dad's coming next week. I have to finish all the pending work before then."
Suddenly, Miles' smile faded. His face turned pale, his eyes clouding with something unspoken.
"What's wrong?" Ethan asked, immediately sensing the shift.
Miles looked away. "Nothing… I'm fine. Let's go to sleep."
Ethan nodded, a little unsure, but didn't press. "Okay. I just need a quick shower—wait for me. When I'm back, we'll do something special."
He blinked playfully, trying to lighten the mood, but Miles didn't respond. His mind had wandered back—back to that awful night when Victor had forced himself on him. No matter how hard he tried, the past kept resurfacing. And now that Victor had returned, the fear of losing Ethan haunted him deeply.
Miles's eyes filled with tears as a painful memory surfaced…
That night, he had been sleeping quietly in his room, wrapped in the silence of the house. His mother had gone out to a party, and the house felt empty—until the door creaked open.
Victor stepped into the room without knocking.
He sat beside Miles on the bed, his presence sending a chill down Miles's spine. Then, with a voice too soft to be normal, Victor murmured, "How beautiful you are."
Miles's eyes blinked open in confusion. "Uncle? What are you doing here?"
He sat up quickly, but Victor reached out and grabbed his wrist. "Don't worry, I just wanted to see you," Victor said, his hand tightening.
Miles's heart pounded. "You should go back to your room. It's really late."
But Victor didn't move. Instead, he pulled Miles closer, wrapping an arm around his waist. "Your body… it's so soft," he whispered. "I know you like men. Have you ever been with someone before?"
Miles's breath caught. "Please let me go. What are you saying…?"
Victor leaned closer, his voice like poison. "You know why I married your mother? It was for you, Miles. The first time I saw you, I knew I wanted you."
Those words shattered something inside him.
Miles tried to pull away, but Victor was stronger. The rest of the night was a blur of fear, shame, and helplessness. He couldn't stop it. He couldn't even scream.
All that was left were the scars—unseen, but forever carved into his heart.
He never told his mother. How could he? Would she believe him? Could she bear it?
Weeks later, his mother and Victor divorced. Victor moved abroad for business, leaving a shattered silence behind. But even with him gone, the fear never fully disappeared.
Now, in the present, Miles clutched the edge of the bed, his chest rising and falling with uneven breaths.
He didn't want to lose the love he had now. But sometimes, the past whispers louder than the present.