Zane
"He is my friend, Vien," I replied.
Hearing my reply, Viktor nodded, but he kept glaring at Vien — who was doing the same in return.
These two are so weird. It's their first time meeting, yet they're acting like sworn enemies from centuries ago.
As I was thinking that, Viktor stepped closer to me, stopping right in front of me with a smile.
"Zane, I'm hungry."
When he said that, my gaze automatically went to his arm. It must still be hurting — it's only been a few days since he got injured. I doubt he wants to eat outside food either.
I was about to answer, but before I could, Vien spoke up.
"Why are you telling Zane you're hungry? If you're hungry, go and eat. It's not like Zane is your parent that you need to report everything to him." Vien's tone was sharp, his words more like thorns than concern.
"Such idiotic behavior. You're this grown up and still don't know how to cook?" Vien scoffed, his eyes full of disdain.
Viktor's expression darkened, and I could tell he was about to lose his temper. I knew Vien was powerful too — but Viktor's background made him far more dangerous.
"Vien, please stop. Viktor is hurt because of me," I said firmly. "And Viktor, come inside. I'll cook something for you and your friend since we've already had dinner."
"He's not my friend. He's my assistant, Black," Viktor corrected.
"Oh, such a unique name," I muttered, nodding anyway. I motioned for Vien to come in with my eyes, and we all went inside. With Nico in my arms, I headed toward the bedroom, while Viktor followed, carrying Nilo.
We laid both Nico and Nilo on the bed, covering them with blankets. I pecked their foreheads gently before looking up — only to see Viktor staring at me. His hands were behind his back, and he was biting his lower lip. His eyes met mine, but then drifted down and stopped at my lips.
"What are you looking at?" I asked.
His gaze lifted again, meeting my eyes. "You pecked your sons. What about me? When are you going to give me a kiss?"
I rolled my eyes. He was being too much again. Ignoring his words, I turned toward the door — but he grabbed my hand.
"Aren't you going to give me what I want?"
I sighed, took a deep breath, and faced him with a calm smile.
"Listen, I know you said you're interested in me, but I don't have any kind of interest in you. I only let you in because you were hurt because of me — it's sympathy, nothing else."
I said it directly, knowing it might hurt him. But it was the only way to keep him away from me. I wasn't ready for a relationship.
To my surprise, he didn't look hurt. He just smiled and said, "Then give me your sympathy as much as you can."
With that, he loosened his tie and took off his coat. I blinked, watching in confusion as he placed his coat neatly on the bed. Now he stood there in just his white shirt and pants.
I didn't say anything — I wanted to see what he was planning next. But unexpectedly, he just turned around and left the room without a word.
Not that I was expecting him to do anything.
I glanced once more at Nico and Nilo before stepping out.
When I came into the living room, I saw Viktor's assistant, Black, standing near the TV, which was turned off.
"Black, why don't you sit down and switch on the TV?" I said.
He immediately did as I told him, sitting down quietly.
I went into the kitchen to cook something for Viktor and Black. A few minutes later, Vien walked in.
"Let me help you," he said.
I nodded. Vien really was a good friend — always ready to help.
"Zane, who is that Viktor? How long have you known him? He doesn't seem like a nice person, so be careful," Vien warned.
I knew Viktor was dangerous. But still — when someone's hungry, you feed them, not chase them away. I was about to reply when Viktor suddenly stepped into the kitchen.
"What is this bull doing here?" Viktor said coldly.
Wait—did he just call Vien a bull? Oh no. Please, not again.
Vien dropped what he was holding and turned around sharply. "Who are you calling a bull, you wild dog?"
"You're wrong," Viktor replied coolly. "I'm a tiger, not a dog."
Vien's temper flared, and he was about to snap back, but I shouted before he could.
"Both of you, stop right now! Vien, don't fight with Viktor — he's still injured. And Viktor, he's my friend. You can't talk to him like that!"
Viktor fell silent. A moment later, Vien's phone rang. He showed me his phone, gesturing that he needed to take the call, and stepped out of the kitchen.
As soon as he left, Viktor picked up the knife Vien had been using and started chopping chilies.
"Hey, Viktor! Don't do that — your arm hasn't healed yet."
"It's fine. I can do this. It's nothing big," he said.
I quickly snatched the knife from his hand. "Just stand still and don't do anything else. If you want to help, then just talk to me."
He smiled faintly and stood beside me, chatting as I cooked. He started telling me funny stories about artists, making me laugh while the food sizzled between us.
As soon as the food was ready, I served it onto plates and placed them on the table for Viktor and Black.
"Enjoy your food," I said.
Black immediately started eating, shoveling the food into his mouth with surprising speed.
But Viktor didn't touch his plate. Instead, he fixed his eyes on me. "Zane, sit with us. How can I eat when you're not?"
He was being stubborn. No matter how many times I told him to eat, insisting that I wasn't hungry, he refused to listen and kept urging me to sit.
So, in the end, I sat down beside him and took a few bites. Vien was already at the dining table, sipping coffee as he watched us.
Once dinner was done, Vien helped Black wash the dishes.
It was already late, so Vien decided to stay the night.
"If he's going to stay, then I will too," Viktor said immediately.
"Viktor, you literally live next door. Why are you being so stubborn? Take your assistant with you and go back to your own apartment," I said, exasperated.
Viktor didn't need to stay here — his house was just next door. Yet he had already stayed over the previous night.
"If this bull is staying, then no one can stop me from staying the night here," Viktor replied firmly.
I sighed. In the end, Viktor and Black stayed as well. Black slept on the floor, Vien too. Viktor settled on the sofa. Even though the guest room was empty, none of them chose to sleep there.
What could I do? If that's what they wanted, then fine. I went back to my room to sleep.
As soon as I lay down beside my babies, I drifted off.
But in the middle of the night, I woke up — thirsty. Quietly, I slipped out of the room and headed to the kitchen.
I took a bottle of water from the fridge and had just started to drink when, all of a sudden, a pair of arms wrapped tightly around me from behind.
My eyes widened. I hadn't sensed anyone's presence.
I turned around quickly — and froze. Honestly, I thought it was Viktor — who else would hug me like that? But when I saw the person's face, my eyes widened even more.