Chapter eighteen
Julian eased the car into its spot in front of the towering glass façade of Maison de la Croix. He killed the engine, then exhaled as though he'd been holding his breath the entire ride. Kairen unbuckled, already halfway out when he paused and leaned closer.
"Thanks, Julian. Really," he said, his voice warm with sincerity. Then, without much thought, he tilted forward and pressed a quick peck against Julian's cheek.
Julian went rigid. For a second, his brain blanked, his pulse hammering as though he'd been jolted with electricity. He blinked hard, nearly forgetting how to move until Kairen was already stepping out of the car.
Kairen turned back, grinning at Julian's stunned expression. "Don't stand there daydreaming, come on."
Julian coughed into his fist, fumbling for composure, then quickly got out to follow him.
Across the drive, another car had just rolled to a slow stop. Inside, Sebastian lounged in the back seat, one arm stretched lazily over the leather, his mood unusually light. Today, for once, the empire was his playground no father breathing down his neck, no board members to scold him.
But his ease snapped the moment his eyes caught movement near the entrance. Julian and beside him, someone unfamiliar. Someone that made his jaw slacken for just a beat.
"Driver," Sebastian said smoothly, his hazel eyes narrowing, "who the hell is that fine shit with Julian?"
The driver glanced in the mirror. "Not sure, sir. Must be a new staff, maybe."
Sebastian smirked, leaning back against the seat. He let his gaze sweep boldly over the figure slim waist, sharp in leather trousers, braids catching the morning light. A living temptation walking beside Julian as though he owned the space.
A heat curled in Sebastian's chest, something between hunger and irritation. "Tch. Lucky bastard. Well" his lips curled, wolfish, "after I'm done putting Kairen in his place today, I'll make time for that one. Let's see if he can handle me."
He dragged his tongue slowly across his lips, eyes still locked on the figure.
And just then, Kairen, in all his new energy, glanced back at Julian with a playful wave. His smile radiant, his shirt hugging his frame in a way Amara had intended confident, sharp, untouchable.
Sebastian didn't even realize the cruel irony: the stranger he was coveting, the one he promised himself he'd conquer, was none other than Kairen the boy he swore to hate.
Inside the car, the driver caught the flicker of obsession in his master's eyes but said nothing, pulling the brim of his cap lower as Sebastian leaned forward, gaze sharp as a blade.
Morning sunlight spilled across the polished marble of Maison de la Croix's lobby, the low hum of keyboards and clipped footsteps filling the air with its usual rhythm. Nothing ever startled this building of glass and steel until the doors opened and in walked Julian…with Kairen by his side.
Heads turned almost immediately. Kairen's stride was calm, but the shirt Amara had given him tailored and body-hugging with that teasing cut at the waist paired with sleek leather trousers, demanded attention. He wore it like it was second skin, every line of him sharp and deliberate. He didn't flinch under the stares; instead, he carried on as if unaware, as if being noticed had long ago stopped meaning anything.
From the far corner, Ms. Jo nearly dropped her mop. "Lord have mercy," she whistled, squinting at him with mock severity. "Keep dressing like this and one of these days, you'll end up in the boss's chair."
A ripple of laughter broke the silence. Even Kairen cracked a smile, bowing his head toward her. "I'm fine now, Ms. Jo. Thanks for yesterday."
"Fine? Child, you look more than fine," she shot back, wagging her finger. "Now go on, before half this office forgets how to breathe."
Kairen chuckled softly and moved past. Behind him, Elodie had stopped mid-typing, her eyes widening as though she'd never seen him before. She quickly leaned toward Julian, who was trying unsuccessfully to bury himself in his desk.
"So…" she sang, narrowing her gaze. "Now you two come to work together? Don't think I didn't see you walk in side by side."
Julian shook his head, lips twitching with a helpless smile. "Don't start, Elodie."
"Oh, I'll take that silence as a yes." She crossed her arms dramatically. "We are officially a couple, then. Congratulations, lovebirds."
The nearby coworkers snickered, earning Elodie a round of teasing.
"Jealous much?" one called out.
"Of course I am!" Elodie fired back without shame, tossing her hair. "If I could look even half that good, maybe Mr. Cross would finally notice me."
"Or maybe he'd run the other way," someone teased, and the group burst out laughing.
Kairen, already halfway down the corridor toward his office, lifted a hand in a casual wave to Julian before disappearing from sight. The room didn't quiet right away—it buzzed, still stirred by his presence, as though a spark had walked through and left everyone blinking in its wake.
******
Sebastian lounged back in his chair, one arm slung lazily over the armrest, the other drumming out a slow rhythm on polished wood. His office was a kingdom in glass and steel, the skyline blazing behind him like it existed only for his view. He had just ended a call, smoothly rescheduling a boxing match with the kind of casual authority only he could wield. Everything bent to his convenience. Always.
But his thoughts wandered.
That "shawty" he'd seen earlier with Julian too fine, too put together, too daring to catch his attention so easily. He could still picture the sway of movement, the glow of confidence. For a moment, he almost forgot himself. Then his jaw tightened. How dare Julian get to walk beside someone like that?
And then, as if his mind couldn't help circling back, came Kairen. His little Nu Nu. His favorite toy. The weakling who never truly bent but always broke just enough to make the game satisfying. The corner of Sebastian's mouth curved. He didn't know what he wanted more right now to uncover that mystery figure with Julian or to see just how far Kairen could endure today before shattering.
Leaning forward, he pressed the silver button on his desk. The one that summoned his PA.
The soft click echoed in the office.
Sebastian leaned back again, smirk curling deeper, legs spread in careless authority, already savoring the thought of Kairen stepping through that door. Whatever today was going to be, he promised himself it wouldn't be ordinary.
It never was, when it came to Kairen.
---
Kairen sat curled in his office chair, one leg tucked under him, the heavy company rule book spread open across his lap. His phone was pressed to his ear, Amara's voice spilling through like static sunshine.
"Don't play dumb, babe. I saw the way Julian was looking at you. Man was about ready to drop on his knees," she teased.
Kairen rolled his eyes but smiled despite himself. "You're exaggerating."
"Exaggerating? Please. If he stares harder, you'll combust. Admit it, Julian likes you."
He waved a dismissive hand at the empty office, laughing softly. "Whatever. Anyway this outfit? Killer. I almost broke necks this morning. People couldn't keep their eyes to themselves."
Amara barked a laugh. "Finally! My boy embracing his power. Jaws were dropping, weren't they?"
"They were," he admitted, grin tugging at his lips.
"Good. But don't get too cocky, bitch. You're supposed to be reading that boring-ass handbook."
"I am reading it, bitch."
They both cussed at each other, laughter overlapping until the call faded into warmth. Kairen slipped the phone onto the desk, sighing as the quiet returned.
He leaned forward, eyes scanning the dry print of the handbook. Paragraphs blurred until a certain line hooked him still: this is to inform that,your services, loyalty and work stability,belongs to Mr Victor cross,and only Mr Victor cross,determines the work flow system of everyone and anyone in this company
Kairen sat back slowly, the realization spreading like a spark inside his chest. So Sebastian's little games,his demands, his childish orders weren't law. They were a side gig. Babysitting. A daycare. Kairen's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile.
"For once," he whispered, "I have the upper hand."
The thought filled him with something close to relief, even boldness. Maybe today he'd stop being Sebastian's plaything. Maybe today he'd remind him who really held the pen on his employment.
And then the sharp beep cut through the office. The small button on his desk pulsed red: a summons. Sebastian wanted him.
Kairen exhaled, shutting the book. "Perfect
timing," he muttered. His hand tightened around the edges of the rule book before he placed it neatly aside. He was ready to stand up to him now.
But outside his little office, behind the glass walls of power, things had shifted. Victor Cross was out of the country. In his absence, Sebastian wasn't just the spoiled son to endure he was acting head. Temporarily, but absolutely.
Kairen smoothed down his shirt, spine straightening with false courage. He thought he was walking into the lion's den with armor. In truth, he was stepping straight into the lion's jaws.