Luca ignored Vernon, dealing with a shameless man who was just wasting his time.
He took a crew-neck sweater and a black suit from the closet, then went back into the bathroom to put them on because Vernon was reluctant to leave his room.
Coming out of the bathroom, he applied skin care products, combed his hair, and put on perfume whose scent made everyone drunk, including Vernon.
"Where are you going dressed up like that? You don't usually wear semi-formal clothes," asked Vernon. He sat on the sofa, his eyes fixed on Luca without missing a beat.
"I'm not going anywhere. I just want to visit someone," he replied.
Luca sat down on the sofa and grabbed a plate of bread and jam. After spending the whole day locked in his room, he was really hungry.
"Are you going to visit a man named Daniel?"
Vernon's question made Luca stop what he was doing.
Luca turned his head, "Yes. I want to confirm a few things."
"You... aren't thinking that Daniel is your brother, are you?"
There was a hint of doubt in Vernon's question. But he had to ask it clearly. This concerned Luca's trauma and past.
"You're too sensitive, Vernon. You know this," Luca smiled bitterly.
"Do whatever you want to do. You still have me to support you."
"I know."
"It's good that you're not as depressed as you were last night. Just so you know, you caused me a lot of trouble when you were drunk and unconscious."
"Shut up! It's your own fault for entering my room without permission. And it was your own idea to clean my room without me asking. Next time, don't interfere with my privacy if you don't want to be bothered."
Luca got up from his seat after finishing the glass of milk Vernon had brought him.
He took his smartphone, which had been charging, and his wallet from the table. He was about to leave, but Vernon stopped him.
"Last night, I found out about Daniel. He is the younger brother of Julian Monroe—one of the people who played an important role in Luzen's life because he saved Luzen's parents during an ambush about 5 years ago."
Luca smiled dismissively, "Pfft! So, with the excuse of saving lives, someone can easily manipulate guilt? Ridiculous!"
"Daniel is indeed cunning. I spent the whole night investigating him and found that he is connected to people from the Veridian organization."
Hearing Vernon's words, Luca clenched his fists. The veins on his forehead were faintly visible, and his eyes turned sharp and dark.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. I won't miss anything related to the underworld, including several branches of the Romanov family who are secretly connected to Veridian."
"Keep watching Daniel and Veridian. Maybe we'll find something."
"Tonight, you might actually find something."
"Then I'll see what Veridian and Daniel can offer to satisfy me."
The sharp glint in Luca's eyes said it all. He was thirsty for blood.
He left his room and headed to the garage to pick up one of the sports cars he usually drove.
The time was 9:30 a.m. Halfway there, Luca stopped in front of a supermarket to buy some groceries to fill the refrigerator and fresh fruit as a gift to visit Daniel—Luzen's beloved younger brother.
After that, he continued his journey to the apartment to put away the groceries and see if Luzen had returned.
Luca's hands were full of groceries and he still had to carry the fruit basket. He had trouble opening the door.
Someone opened the door from inside, and it was Luzen, still wearing his black shirt.
"Honey... where were you last night?" Luzen asked sarcastically. However, unlike his sharp words, his gaze seemed to hide something.
Instead of inviting Luca in, Luzen blocked his way with questions. He stood leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
Without answering, Luca handed Luzen the fruit parcel and two other shopping bags.
"I intended to visit your beloved younger brother. But it seems unnecessary."
Ignoring Luzen, who was stunned to receive so many groceries, Luca went inside and saw the living room littered with wine bottles and cigarette butts.
Luca then held his head, which felt like it was about to explode at the sight of how dirty the apartment was, which was always kept clean.
"Dominic Luzen Vadelard, what the hell is this mess? Do you want to turn our apartment into a garbage dump?" Luca shouted.
He was a clean freak, especially when it came to the apartment where he lived and rested.
Seeing the mess Luzen had made while Luca was away was enough to make him furious.
"As you can see, I'm crazy about you, dear."
Luzen came from behind after putting the groceries in the kitchen. He possessively hugged Luca.
Luca's body immediately tensed up. Even though he had wanted Luzen more than once or twice, Luca was finding it increasingly difficult to control himself.
"Let go!"
"I won't. If I let go, you'll definitely leave." Luzen said, tightening his embrace. He rested his chin on Luca's shoulder.
"Luzen, don't cross the line," Luca said coldly. There was no tenderness or humor in his voice.
"I'm not. I just miss you. You didn't even come back last night. Even though I was waiting for you."
Luzen ignored Luca's cold words and became even more spoiled. Who knows what kind of drugs Luzen had been taking lately that made him act so differently.
"Mr. Dominic, are you playing with my feelings—your paid mistress?"
Luzen released his embrace and turned Luca around so they were facing each other.
The apartment was quiet, but not the two men who were now staring at each other.
Without warning, Luzen cupped Luca's face with both hands and brought his face closer.
Luzen kissed Luca's sweet lips.
The kiss turned into a deep kiss. He sucked and pulled Luca's tongue with his own to follow the rhythm of his game.
The intoxicating kiss made Luca wrap his arms around Luzen's neck.
"Ah... Eugh..."
Soft moans and heavy breathing now echoed throughout the apartment.