THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW
Ice clinked against crystal as Kidd leaned his elbow on the dining table, swirling his drink in slow, tight circles. The amber liquid caught the overhead light, but his eyes weren't on it. They were fixed on the grain of the wood beneath his hand, his thoughts looping back to the same question: Why would a man like Lucian tie himself to anyone?
"You look like you're carrying half the planet on your shoulders, my boy."
Madamé Cathy's voice pulled him out of his reverie. He sighed, set the glass down, and slumped back in his chair, his brow still etched with lines he couldn't smooth away.
"Madamé, I just… I can't wrap my head around it."
She took the seat across from him, setting down a porcelain cup that steamed with jasmine tea. The scent filled the space between them, soft and familiar.
"Hmm? What's eating at you so deep?"
"You know what we do. You know the rules. A wife building a family it's all it's not supposed to be possible." Sorrow edged his words as he stared past her shoulder, at nothing in particular. "Sooner or later, they'll find out about her. We can't let that happen. It's forbidden. So why go through with it?"
A small smile touched her lips before she sipped her tea. Her gaze settled on his right eye, the one he never covered with his eyepatch.
"I know you're confused, Kiddeon. Truth is, so am I."
His frown deepened. "What? I thought this was your plan?"
She chuckled softly, setting her cup down with a quiet clink. "It was. But Lucian turned me down so many times we nearly came to blows. All I wanted was to repay the woman who saved my life Sera. I told him just to fetch her, nothing more. But when he brought her here…" She paused, her eyes going soft with something like wonder. "For the first time in years, I saw my grandson as human. You should have seen his face like he'd forgotten how to breathe, then remembered all at once. There was something new in his eyes like he was saying, Look I can be more than this, can't I?"
Silence stretched between them. Kidd could see the joy in her gaze, and curiosity flared hot in his chest. What kind of woman could do that to Lucian?
"Can I…?" The words slipped out before he could stop them. He shook his head sharply, dismissing the thought. "No. Of course not. I know what happens when we cross those lines. I know my place."
Kiddeon Vasquez wealthy, powerful, one of Thailand's most prominent names. Like Lucian, he had everything: looks, fortune, influence. But one thing was always out of reach, and he'd made his peace with it long ago.
A real family.
All of them Lucian included were barred from that life. Too dangerous. Too risky. Which was why he'd been stunned to learn Lucian had signed a marriage contract. Even a paper one was unthinkable. And yet a part of him admired the man's nerve.
"Alright then. I'm off to rest shopping wears an old woman's bones out." Madamé Cathy stood, her movements slow but steady.
"Of course, Madamé." Kidd nodded to the housemaid waiting nearby, who stepped forward with a quiet bow.
Alone in the dining room, Kidd stared into the empty space until boredom pricked at him. He pulled out his phone and dialed the only number that mattered beyond this house.
"Hey bro!" He grinned as the video call connected.
His twin Kieran filled the screen sweaty, shirtless, his eyepatch covering his left eye. Kidd laughed; he could practically smell the gym on him.
"Aww, you must love me something fierce to pick up," Kidd teased, batting his eyelashes.
"Sick freak what do you want?"
Kidd rolled his eyes. "Come get me! You gonna leave me stranded here? Where's my ride?"
"Why should I? If you hadn't gone snooping through files that weren't yours, I'd be the one at Lucian's place right now. Face it you're stuck."
Kidd pouted dramatically. "That hurts! We share a womb, remember? Is this how you treat me just 'cause you're my contact?"
Kieran flipped him off. "Spare me the drama. If you're that miserable, book a cab you're not exactly scraping for cash." He ended the call with a sharp click.
Kidd sighed and slid the phone back in his pocket. They'd always been this way bickering like cats and dogs, opposites in every way but blood. Kieran had a temper and a tongue like glass, but Kidd knew he cared.
His brother was right he didn't need to stay. He owned a condo just ten minutes away. He just didn't feel like moving; his car was parked at a colleague's office downtown.
"Ah! I'll call him to come get me"
"Put me down! I said I'm blind, not broken!"
The woman's voice cut through the quiet, sharp and clear. Kidd froze, his instincts kicking in as he turned toward the door. Then he winced not at the sound, but at the sight: Lucian carrying her in his arms, his grip steady but gentle.
Stunned didn't cover it. The look on Lucian's face was one Kidd had never seen not the cold focus of a leader, not the casual detachment of a friend. Something softer lived there now. Lola had been right. This wasn't the man he'd known for years.
Lucian raised an eyebrow as he approached. "Oh. You're still here."
Kidd laughed, his eyes fixed on the woman in Lucian's arms. "Kicking me out already? It's barely seven."
"W Who is that?" she asked, her head turning toward Kidd's voice.
"Ahh. Don't mind him. He's my pet dog."
"WHAT?!" Kidd shot back, mock-offended.
She let out a soft laugh warm, genuine. "Are you really his friend? I didn't think anyone could handle him he's such a jerk!"
Kidd didn't know whether to be amused or insulted. He stayed quiet as Lucian set her down in a chair, her hands moving to steady herself on the table.
"Tch! Acting like I can't walk you'll pay for this someday!" she muttered, and Kidd felt a grin pull at his lips.
Woah… I did not see this coming.
Lucian getting married was big news. But this? This was something else entirely.
His wife was blind. Feisty, sharp-tongued, and blind the last person Kidd would have guessed could rattle Lucian Vitale.
"Well? Where's my ice cream, Mr. Grumpy?!" she demanded, raising an eyebrow even though she couldn't see him.
Kidd watched as Lucian turned and headed straight for the kitchen, his shoulders tight.
"Woah, woah, woah! This is so not what I pictured," Kidd said out loud.
She turned toward his voice, her face surprised. "A Ah! You're Lucian's friend…"
"Kiddeon Vasquez call me Kidd."
"Hello. I'm Seraphina everyone calls me Sera."
"Sera huh. How long have you two been married?"
He saw her jaw tighten. "I've been here less than a week. And for the record he lied to me. I thought I was signing a care contract. As you can see…" She gestured vaguely to her eyes. "I'm blind. I don't even know what he looks like could be handsome, could be a bald old miser for all I know."
Kidd burst out laughing genuine, belly-deep laughter he couldn't hold back. "Shit! You're hilarious! I like you already."
She giggled in response. "Thanks!"
She was about to ask something else when Lucian returned, a bowl in his hands. "What are you two talking about?" he asked, his tone sharp.
"Why do you care?" Sera shot back. Kidd bit his lip to hold in another laugh as Lucian's face soured.
"Chocolate flavor. Like you wanted."
"Hehe! Finally. You're good at bribing me I'll give you that. You moved fast to get this. Though I guess if you trick someone into marriage, the least you can do is be nice. Are you insane, Lucian? If you had to pick a wife, why me? Blind, broke, and not exactly a model."
Kidd and Lucian exchanged a glance words unspoken but clear as day. They needed to talk. Soon. They had to address what this marriage meant for all of them.
"You talk too much, Sera. Eat your ice cream so we can get to the shaving"
"Son of a seven-headed sacred cow!" she yelled her go-to curse, sharp and colorful.
Woah… this is priceless. The Lucian I know getting chewed out by a woman. Kidd shook his head, smirking.
Lucian's glare could have cut steel. Kidd stood up quickly. "Ah if you'll excuse me. I should go sort out my things." He let out a wry laugh.
"Okay, take care, Kidd!" Sera called out and the warmth in her voice caught him off guard.
He nodded at Lucian. "Heading up, man. You look like you're about to strangle me."
As he walked out, Kidd pressed a hand to his forehead. The higher-ups are never gonna let this slide… what the hell are you thinking?
"So? Well? Where's the spoon? I can't eat this with my hands!" Sera frowned, sitting still as she stared into the dark space before her. She'd been waiting ages, and still no spoon.
Lucian was just looking at her his eyes fixed on her mouth, lost in thought until a mischievous glint sparked in them.
"Wait let's do this with a twist." His voice was lighter than usual, playful in a way she'd never heard.
"What now? Great…"
He laughed, picking up the tablespoon that sat beside the bowl. He scooped up a dollop of chocolate ice cream, rich and cold, but didn't bring it to his own lips.
"What's taking so long mmph!"
Her words were cut off as he moved beside her, his lips crashing against hers. She hadn't heard him move, hadn't felt his warmth until he was right there and the shock left her breathless.
It wasn't just a kiss. His tongue slid into her mouth, and the rich, sweet taste of chocolate flooded her senses. Her mind went blank. She tried to push him away, but his hand came up to cup the back of her neck, holding her steady as he deepened the kiss. She didn't know how to respond, so she let him lead every touch sending a jolt through her body.
"Hmmph! Lu " She tried to speak, but he wouldn't let go. It felt like forever before he pulled back, leaving her gasping for air.
"Haah! D Damn you ha !" She panted, her cheeks burning hot.
"Fuck!" Lucian cursed under his breath, his face going pale as he finally registered what he'd done. Without a word, he stood up and stormed out of the room.
"Shit this can't be happening," he muttered to himself as he paced down the hall.