章節 25: Friendly get-together
"Do you, Azrael Del Valle, accept this man to be your lawfully legal husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love him and honor him all the days of your life?"
Azrael answered with a smug face, dropping his gaze at the man beside him, "I do."
The priest looked at the man beside Azrael and repeated the same question. However, the poor man struggled and shook his head repeatedly, unable to speak a word as his lips were sealed with duct tape and his body was wrapped in chains.
Azrael smiled wickedly and turned to the priest, "He said 'I do', Father."
"Mm!"
"He said, he certainly does, Father," Azrael said as he pulled the chains which made the poor man lose balance. The insane groom caught the poor one by the waist, he ripped the duct tape on the shackled groom's lips and dived down. However, Azrael's face was whacked by a flying alarm clock, thrown by a child from the crowd.
"Argh!"
The sheet flew off the bed after Azrael yanked his hand to cover his face from the alarm clock. After a minute passed of utter silence, he blinked and looked around.
"A dream…what the f*ck. Where did that child come from?! I was already in the exciting part!"
He grumpily reached out for the ringing digital alarm clock on his nightstand and turned it off. Then, he stood from the bed, went to the bathroom, and washed his face. Seeing his reflection in the mirror, he remembered the dream and smiled viciously.
Even though the face of the shackled groom in his dream was vague, he knew who it belonged to. His smile turned into laughter, and he pointed at the mirror, at the nodding reflection with a proud look and wide grin.
"That dream…is so on point."
Knox chained beside him wearing a veil and wedding dress certainly made his day and woke him up in a good mood. But why that kind of dream all of a sudden?
Did he dream of a wedding scene because his father was trying to rush the engagement with that woman? Azrael wondered. His parent had been pestering him to give them grandchildren, unaware that his fiancée didn't even want to touch him.
Azrael and Diva's relationship started as childhood friends with Kayden and one other male alpha. All of them have the same sub-gender and the three male alphas' families even compete for the hand of Diva, but the two backed out first as they claimed that they fell in love with someone.
However, Azrael, who hated omegas, found the agreement in his favor, thus he gladly accepted it. Diva, on the other hand, was completely uninterested in him. Even that was in his favor. He finds falling in love and succumbing in the palms of a stranger so troublesome and insignificant.
So, he never thought of falling in love. Rather, he never allowed himself to fall in love.
He never expected to see himself desperately looking for someone for years, and even dreaming about a ridiculous wedding yet feeling satisfied after.
"So, am I in love?" Azrael asked himself as he twirled his glass in his hand, the golden liquid swayed and the melting ice cubes clunked inside.
Beside him, someone reached for the ice bucket and vomited air, then he gave the dazed man an astonished look, "Are you drunk?"
The bartender wiped a flute champagne glass while wearing a royal blue long-sleeved polo with a few upper buttons undone, letting a silver chain necklace peek from his clothes, laughed at Kayden, and spoke, "That's only his first glass, dude. And it hasn't even halved."
Kayden grunted and shook his head, "Unbelievable. Is the world ending right now, Rian? Why is this bastard asking if he's in love? Dude, you can't be in love! You need a heart to be in love!"
Thud!
The noisy fellow got kicked out of his stool and fell on the floor loudly. Kayden gasped in shock and pointed at Azrael, "See! You're a heartless jerk! How dare you kick me, after calling me out here?! I would have been spending this precious time of mine playing tic tac toe with my patients!"
Azrael sipped from his glass as he side-eyed Kayden, then he put the glass quite heavily to the counter and answered, "I'm not heartless. I was just taught to use my heart less. That's different, stupid."
"Shakespeare, is that you?"
The bartender laughed and threw the cloth to Kayden, "I believe it was said by Joker, not the English writer. Our friend here is joking," he poured a Moet and Chandon on the flute glass, swirled it on his hand and smelled it before taking a sip.
The bartender named Rian, the last alpha in their childhood group, continued, "What made you ask yourself if you're in love?"
Azrael almost cringed at the overly graceful and modest act of Rian, but he answered properly otherwise, "I dreamt of my wedding—
"Oh, right, I heard there's a date for your engagement. Congratulations, dear cousin."
Azrael gripped his shot glass and wondered if Kayden's thick skull would bleed if he smashed it with the glass.
He breathed heavily and spoke again, "As I was saying—
"Did you call us here to celebrate your engagement? I thought you and Diva were still in a decade-long battle of the fittest. Did the tides have changed? Should I write a will already?"
"Dude, I told you the world is ending!"
Crack.
Both the doctor and the bartender zipped their lips immediately after hearing the shot glass crack. Kayden even moved a few stools away while Rian just pretended to wipe another glass with his sleeve.
Azrael glared at the two before he declared, "I'm here to collect a debt. Rian, I helped you elope with your lover and let you borrow my island only to get dumped because you act like a princess, and you Kayden, if I didn't push you away, you're thick and stubborn skull would have been buried underneath a pile of debris. You basically owe me your life."
Rian gaped and acted hurt, while Kayden just shook his head resignedly. He asked what Azrael wanted, "Alright. What do you want?"
Azrael answered without hesitation, "Swap places with me."
Kayden sighed and stood. He walked to Azrael and replied seriously, "Sure. Now move."
A kick on the shin answered Kayden's antics. He grunted and complained before he settled down next to Azrael. He pushed his empty glass to Rian and the latter poured it with milk, but Kayden didn't realize as he was already focusing on Azrael.
The doctor asked seriously, "Why the sudden change of plans? You've been looking forward to this engagement because of the merging and the benefits. Why are you backing out now?"
Azrael played with his glass and vaguely answered, "I have reasons."
"That's why I'm asking," Kayden insisted. He sipped on the glass and coughed after tasting milk.
Rian laughed and moved away. He picked up his flute glass and leaned on the other side of the counter, "So, is it true then? You're in love?"
Kayden gaped at Azrael, waiting for his answer with a nervous heart. He already pities the one who recycled Azrael's trashy heart.
Azrael pursed his lips and gripped the glass tightly. If it hadn't cracked again, he wouldn't let go of the tension on his hand. He mumbled, sounding uncertain, "Not sure. What's it like to be in love?"
Rian, the ever-romantic guy in their group, answered with twinkling eyes, "You always wanted this person by your side. Do you feel that way?"
Azrael nodded as he thought – 'I want to tie him up in a place I can always see him.'
"You want them to think of you, miss you, and smile for you. You want to be part of their life so badly, you want to be closer, you dream of your future together, you find everything they do adorable, your heart palpitates whenever you see—what's that smell?"
Azrael looked beside him and grimaced at the sight. Rian screamed, "Ew, Kayden! Go puke at the toilet! Damn you, man!"
Rian leaped over the counter like a skilled agent, he grabbed Kayden by the collar and dragged him to the restroom. Azrael watched the two disappear in his sight. He sighed and massaged his temple.
He met with his friends, except Diva, to ask them to snatch Diva away. After he saw Knox that day, he made a decision. He went to his father after and explained his choice, but the old man only kicked him out without listening to him.
Once they are married, the Idol Entertainment, which is owned by Diva's family, will be under the DV Group, in exchange, the DV Group will give Diva a generous share and be part of the board of directors if she produces an heir for the Del Valle.
With two competent, intelligent, and beautiful genes combined, the next generation of the Del Valle will surely rise to the top.
Azrael grabbed the flute glass and drank the champagne in one gulp. The burning sensation he felt in his throat made him remember that night four years ago. He was in love? With that person?
He chuckled and shook his head. He wanted to find him to make him pay for deceiving him, breaching the contract, and disappearing without permission. That's all.
"How absurd."
Indeed. It was absurd, Azrael thought.
創作者的想法 
superAyan
superAyan had fun writing the interaction with the friends...is it good to add side couples or just focus on the main couple??
thank for reading anyways^^
章節 26: Almost got caught
Knox glanced at his wristwatch and tapped his finger on the table. It's past half an hour after working hours ended, and yet Athan Horace, the president of the HZ Clothing Brand, along with the team leaders of the design department, and the creative director, showed no sign of finishing the ongoing meeting.
He sighed in dismay. He promised to cook Knoa his favorite dinner, but it seems he won't be home soon.
He took his phone under the table and texted Franz about his situation. He wanted to call and excuse himself, but the meeting was still on fire as all leaders were trying to shove their designs and ideas for the upcoming new release of the summer collection.
Athan showed focus in every design and listened to the ideas and concepts behind them with Dalia, the creative director.
Rona, team leader of the womenswear design team, pointed at the portfolio and commented, "This design is unique and very trendy, we should finalize this as one of the new collections. What do you think, president, ma'am Dalia?"
Athan leaned back on the sofa and stared down at the portfolio before him, "The design is unique, yes, but the length, make it longer, and the neckline is too low, pull it up a little higher."
Rona complained, "But, president, this is for summer! Summer clothes are short, lighter, and comfy."
"Yeah, but," Athan turned to Knox who was sitting silently beside him, jotting down notes and aiding the team leaders with their presentation, "Sec. Arden, what was your first thought after seeing this dress, excluding the fact that it was for summer?"
Knox gulped. He cursed Athan inside for asking his opinion right in front of the designers, who looked at him with anticipation. He cleared his throat and answered, "Honestly, I thought it was lingerie."
Rona frowned and counter-replied, "But we're only hearing from a man's opinions, president. Let's ask Ma'am Dalia—
"A lingerie…is on point. We might just include that in the lingerie set instead," Dalia answered, cutting Rona off.
After approving some of the designs in the womenswear, they moved to the menswear and other categories. Another two hours passed before they finalized the list and began tidying up their things.
"Uh…another overtime, why can't we do this in the day, huh?" Sean, team leader of the menswear design team, grumbled.
"You might as well ask the president why he's so busy," Dalia responded, giving Athan a sour look.
Athan laughed and scratched his head, "I'm only late this time because I was suddenly called in by the chairman. I won't be late next time."
Knox flinched after hearing his reason. Athan glanced at Knox as he stood. He started helping him gather his belongings and some files while whispering, "I'm sorry about this. Let me take you home."
Knox did not refuse. He simply nodded and stepped back to keep distance between them. However, that curt interaction never escaped the eyes of the people inside. They pretended like they didn't see or hear anything and just walked out.
"Good work, everyone. Have a good night," Athan added. Some of them answered simultaneously and left.
Rona even gave Knox a scrutinizing look before leaving, followed by Sean who glanced at the secretary with curiosity. Dalia eyed Athan and Knox, before exiting without saying anything. All of this was unbeknownst to Knox, as his focus was on his phone trying to reply to Franz's messages.
They both arranged a few things in their respective offices before deciding to go.
"Where should I drop you?" Athan asked, he briefly glanced at Knox sitting on the passenger seat. "Is Knoa still in the café?"
Knox replied, "Yes. Can you drop me off at the next block? I promised him I'd cook dinner but it was already too late. I'll just buy some fried chicken."
"I heard fried food is not good for toddlers, Knox," Athan replied cautiously.
Knox, "I know, it's for me. Franz said he already fed him after he cried a lot and now, he's asleep. I'm going to get scolded for not keeping my promises once he wakes up, I'm sure."
Athan chuckled. He stopped the car in front of the chicken and barbecue restaurant a few blocks away from Franz's café. He pulled his seat belt off and decided to accompany Knox out, but got dragged back by him on his seat instead.
"You don't have to go with me. My back hurts from hours of sitting in the meeting room, so I might as well take a short walk to the café. Go home and rest, your schedule for tomorrow is packed," Knox said and opened the door to his side, he waved at Athan after stepping out, "Thanks, A. Drive safely. Goodnight."
Athan sighed and only watched Knox enter the small restaurant before driving away. It was obvious that Knox was putting distance between them at work, and even treating him professionally. He wanted to abolish the walls he built around himself, but that would be disrespectful and pushy.
Four years passed since Knox came to them, but he was still distant and guarded. He wants to, at least, be a good brother to him. He gritted his teeth after recalling his meeting with the chairman. He promised himself, he wouldn't let anyone hurt Knox and his son.
Meanwhile, at the same time, Azrael was inside his car, parked at the front of an office building where the person he asked to investigate Knox goes to work. It was past seven in the evening already.
After clocking out at work, he decided to pick up the report himself after receiving a text message that it was completed.
A man in his twenties came out from the door and looked around. Azrael honked the car and brought his window down. The man waved the brown envelope at him as he walked to the car.
"Yo, Azi~" Sandro, an alpha who works as a private investigator, greeted Azrael amicably. They were college friends and stayed in contact because of Azrael's often requests to dig into his enemies' identities and weaknesses.
That was why it was a surprise to Sandro after receiving a request to locate an omega four years ago, and four years after, he received another request to investigate the same person again.
Sandro, "Why don't we discuss this over dinner? I haven't eaten dinner yet."
Azrael snarled, "Just give it to me."
"Sure, but there are some data I can't put down, as I don't have enough evidence to back my claims. Better to hear them now rather than later, eh?" Sandro wriggled his eyebrows.
Azrael annoyingly averted his gaze, "Get in."
Sandro's smile widened. He cheerfully pointed at a small chicken and barbecue restaurant across the street, a few establishments away from them, "The food there tastes good. Let's eat there."
The door chimed as they entered, gathering the attention of some of the customers inside. Their heads turned to the two handsome men by the entrance, one was wearing casual clothes of pants and a leather jacket, while the other stood like a conglomerate heir wearing a grey vest over his white long-sleeved shirt and black tie, and a grey coat overall, paired with grey trousers.
Almost all men and women swooned at the appearance of the two alphas, walking like models to the corner table. Waiters rushed to take their orders, crowding over them.
Due to this, Azrael failed to notice the person at the counter, waiting for his takeout order. Knox's face paled and his heart started beating faster. He was stunned and frozen at the spot after recognizing Azrael.
"Sir, your order is here…"
Knox jolted. He quickly snatched the plastic and ran to the kitchen. The woman who gave his order shouted, "Hey, that's not the exit!"
But Knox ignored the woman and proceeded to leave by the kitchen that led him to the back door.
The shout garnered the attention of other waiters near Azrael's table, "What happened?"
"Some man exited by the kitchen's door. How rude…"
"Did he pay before leaving?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, he left his receipt though."
Azrael clicked his tongue and glared at the servers, "Can you scram now? You're disturbing us."
The servers panicked and scurried away from the deathly glares, but some customers even squealed at Azrael's cold expression.
"Wow~ you're still so popular, Azi," Sandro mentioned, grinning from ear to ear, enjoying his college friend's irritated face.
Azrael ignored the teasing and just grabbed the envelope. He took the papers out and a sly grin formed on his face after a photo clipped on the document came to his view. It was a stolen shot of Knox Arden waiting at the bus stop at night.
Sandro witnessed the satisfied grin on Azrael's face and he thought, 'Oh, boy~ that grin will get wiped out after he reads the rest…'
A male server came and delivered their orders while stealing glances from the rich-looking handsome man, but his face paled and his forehead broke into a sweat after the man's eyes in mention blazed with fury and his aura oozed with danger.
The server left in haste.
創作者的想法
superAyan
superAyan
thank you for reading^^
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
<3<3<3
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