owlsbooks Chapter 65:
Chapter 65:
Chapter 65: "Precious Son"The door creaked open, revealing Kai standing behind it. His expression softened when he saw Eden.
Kai: "Oh... Eden."
Eden offered a warm smile.
Eden: "Yeah. Last night, we didn’t get to talk properly thanks to that bastard, so I thought I’d drop by."
Kai stepped aside to let him in.
Kai: "Great. Come in."
They moved to the plush sofa in the center of the large, elegantly decorated room. Eden glanced around, visibly impressed.
Eden: "Kai, seriously... this mansion is huge. It’s like something out of a luxury magazine."
Kai gave a small nod but didn’t smile.
Eden (lowering his voice): "Kai... why haven’t you contacted Bast? Why are you staying away from him?"
Kai looked down, his voice quiet.
Kai: "Eden, I’m just—"
Before he could finish, a firm knock came at the door. It opened almost immediately, and Takeshi stepped inside with his usual commanding presence.
Kai stood quickly.
Kai: "Dad..."
Eden rose to his feet and bowed politely.
Eeden: "Hello, sir. I’m Eden, Kai’s friend."
Takeshi’s face remained serious, but he returned the nod.
Takeshi: "Son, I need to talk to you. Alone."
Kai gave Eden an apologetic glance.
Kai: "Eden, we’ll talk later, okay?"
Eden: "Sure."
Kai followed Takeshi out, leaving Eden behind. Eden sighed and mumbled under his breath.
Eden (to himself): "So that’s why he hasn’t contacted Bast... they must be threatening him. What a rude family..."
He turned toward the hallway to make his exit, but before he reached the main doors, Aiko suddenly appeared with her usual cheer.
Aiko: "Hi! I’m Aiko—Reiji’s sister, and Kai’s cousin."
Eden smiled politely.
Eden: "Nice to meet you. I’m Eden, a friend of Kai’s."
Aiko’s eyes lit up.
Aiko: "You’re so handsome... are you single?"
Eden chuckled.
Eden: "Nope. Not available."
Aiko pouted and murmured under her breath.
Aiko: "Why are all the handsome ones taken? Why?"
Eden cleared his throat.
Eden: "Miss Aiko, could you tell me where Reiji is?"
Aiko: "He’s in his room. I’ll show you."
The two walked down the hallway together.
---
Meanwhile, in a private room...
Kai sat silently across from his father. Takeshi finally broke the silence.
Takeshi: "Son, you need to stay away from Americans. I don’t like them."
Kai looked confused.
Kai: "Why, Dad? If you’re talking about Eden—he’s just my best friend."
Takeshi sighed, visibly frustrated but trying to remain calm.
Takeshi: "Alright. I understand..."
Kai reached across the table and held his father’s hand.
Kai: "Don’t worry, Dad. I won’t leave you alone. I’m always with you. You don’t have to be scared."
Takeshi looked at his son with softer eyes, touched by his words.
Takeshi: "Your eyes... they look just like your mother’s. You know, I still miss her."
His expression darkened slightly.
Takeshi: "That bastard, Sebastian Vaughn... he stole my wife."
Kai shook his head firmly.
Kai: "No, Dad. You’ve got it wrong. Bast didn’t steal anyone. You’re thinking of it the wrong way. He always saw Mom like an older sister. They weren’t a real couple. He only helped her when she asked—because they were childhood friends."
Takeshi looked at Kai, stunned. His eyes
Takeshi: "So, my suspicion was right... Sebastian Vaughn."
Bast smiled—charming, unbothered, and confident—as he stepped forward and pulled out the chair across from Takeshi.
Bast: "That’s right. Sebastian Vaughn. The new partner in your empire. I hope we’ll get along."
A beat of tense silence.
Then, one by one, the other business partners began to move, nodding, standing, offering handshakes.
Businessman: "Welcome, Mr. Vaughn."
Another: "An honor to have you on board."
The tension eased—at least, for everyone but the two men at the center.
Takeshi’s sharp gaze never left Bast. Like a snake coiled in stillness, waiting.
Bast remained cool under the stare, his smile never fading.
The meeting began. Papers were laid out, projections discussed, strategies unfolded. But beneath the formalities, an unspoken war of eyes and wills simmered at the table.