Chapter 37: Acceptance? Don't be fooled.

"Thank you for your help today, Kai

We look forward to working with you more." Mrs Lyn said to Kai with a smile after her husband had closed and locked the cafe.

"We'll see you tomorrow then. Good night." Ava waved at him and they all went their separate ways.

It was evening and well past six almost to seven. Kai had decided to stay till the cafe closes it's usual time of six PM since it was his first day, then he would start his four PM closure fully the next day.

Kai still stood in front of the cafe and watched as the jovial family retreated in the opposite lane of the street. When he lost their figures in the settling darkness of the evening, he decided to go on his way.

He was off work this early. Aiden usually comes home by ten PM on a normal day but nothing was set in stone for today. It was just his intuition that told him the former was already home.

He was a bit hesitant on returning but at last, he still had to. Just to make things clear, it wasn't as if Kai was terrified of Aiden or anything of the sort, he just felt bad going against the wishes of the person who he had been with all this time so it's just normal that he would feel guilty about it.

He already predicted how their conversation would go so he had settled on the art of seduction to win him over. One thing was for sure... he wouldn't take no for an answer.

Kai's foot halted in the snow when he felt a weird tingling sensation behind him. It felt as if someone was following him behind but when he glanced behind him, he didn't see anyone so he casually shrugged the feeling off.

He turned back to continue on his way when, coincidentally, he saw Donovan approaching him from the other side and their eyes met. A crease settled between his brows while Donovan approached with a bright smile on his face.

"Fancy running into you here, now I'm glad I didn't bring my car." He greeted but the merman didn't reply. He glanced down at what the former had in his hand and saw him holding onto a black laptop bag.

"Are you just getting off work?"

"Yes. I usually close earlier but today I decided to work late so I could get things done. Meeting you twice in one day after bumping into each other, must be destiny." Donovan smiled,

"Don't flatter yourself I'm going home." Kai shrugged him off and was about to walk past him when Donovan suddenly held onto his wrist tightly so he wouldn't leave.

Kai was caught off guard by this and quickly turned back to claw the other but thankfully Donovan caught his wrist on impulse... it was as if he had predicted the next attack.

"Woah, easy! I didn't mean to scare you."

Kai shot a death glare at the man and he knew better to let go of the boys wrist,

"Why would I be scared? If you were a threat I'd just take you down in one go." If hypnosis was classified as a fighting strategy. Donovan chuckled lightly at this as if it was impossible and this earned him another glare and he cleared his throat,

"I'll keep that in mind next time."

"There's no next time. I told you I'm leaving good night –"

"- Wait."

Kai glanced at the man from over his shoulder, waiting. Donovan's professional looking face flushed red and he scratched his cheek with his index nervously. Him getting flustered? This was a very strange for someone with his overall look.

"Would you mind grabbing a drink with me? Just a warm drink I promise and I'll send you home... or you don't have to drink! Just keep me company..."

Donny's face burned even more and Kai couldn't help but giggle... it was really a sight indeed, he looked cute.

Well Kai wasn't at all trusting of the guy but he still wasn't ready to return home so one drink wouldn't hurt

"I don't drink alcohol so no bars." Kai warned, not after what happened.

Seeing this as a positive response to his request, the latter beamed,

"juice is fine too. It's my treat."

"Of course it is I never thought of paying anyway."

"Right..." Donny replied

"So where are we going." Kai glanced around at the numerous options of restaurant, pubs and lounges surrounding them.

"I know a place. And don't worry, it's walkable."

Just what he needed... a nice evening stroll.

The duo walked into the fancy east side lounge and took their seats at the counter. Kai glanced at the small menu card on the top and rose a brow,

"They don't serve food here though." Donovan said when he saw the expression on the boys face and Kai casually nodded, he didn't have the appetite so it was no big deal anyway. The bartender behind the counter came up to them and took their requests. Donovan got himself a bear while Kai got himself a normal glass of orange juice,

"You really don't drink huh?" He said when the boy took a sip from his glass.

"Is it so hard to believe?"

"Yeah. I mean people of your generation are all about alcohol, clubs and sex... you're different."

"What do you mean people of my generation?" Kai frowned and Donovan sighed,

Of all the things he said, that was what the merman could pick out of it.

"I mean the kids of nowadays."

"I'm not a kid, I'm be twenty by April. Just how old are you anyway? You've been talking all high and mighty,"

"I'm thirty one."

PFFFTT!

Kai spat out the orange juice he had just taken into his mouth and coughed,

"Surprised?" Donny used his white handkerchief to wipe the dripping liquid from the boys lips,

"Yeah, you're quite old." Kai hit him in the critical area and Donny groaned,

"Do I look old."

"Well, not really. You're quite a looker honestly and muscular too."

My, how honest.

"Are those glasses for show or do you really use it?"

"I use them."

"Well, they make you pretty and I like pretty things." Donny burned as he stared at the blonde boy in front of him, he said that with such ease that it caught him off guard, his smile made it worse, how could he be so adorable... He quickly cleared his throat before his thoughts could wander even more,

"Are you finished with your drink."

"Yeah... I needed that, thanks."

"Good. How about we go somewhere else. It's not too late so we still have time."

Kai felt like he was forgetting something he should be worried about but he couldn't remember what it was,

"Sure."

Donny settled the bill for their drinks, and they rose from their seats, ready to leave. As they stepped out the door, the cold breeze that caressed Kai's skin sent a chill through his body, causing him to shiver involuntarily. Ever the gentleman, Donovan took off his overcoat and draped it over his small frame, fastening every button with care. The result was Kai appearing snugly wrapped, resembling a well-secured burrito.

"Thank you." the boy sniffled, his face flushed from the cold. "Where are we going anyway?"

"You'll know when we get there." Donny smiled.

They strolled along the snow-covered sidewalk, engaging in a casual conversation based on different topics. Kai laughed heartedly, the kind that hadn't been heard in a while, and he was glad he had accepted the invitation for that drink.

After a while of walking, Kai couldn't help but express their discomfort and sighed. "How much longer do we have to walk? My feet are practically getting frostbite in these shoes."

"If you wanted to take a cab, you could have just said so. I just wanted to give you a chance to warm up a bit." Donovan responded playfully,

Kai's phone buzzed in his pocket, interrupting their conversation, and he immediately remembered what he had forgotten: Aiden. Hastily retrieving his phone, he intended to answer the call, but it disconnected before he could even swipe. When the screen lit up again, he was taken aback to see that it was already past eight.

Donny noticed the change in Kai's expression and asked, "Everything alright?"

Kai quickly composed himself, putting on a smile so he wouldn't worry. "It's okay, I need to go."

"Is this request still valid? We can reschedule if you want."

Kai pondered for a moment, then replied, "Yeah, sure." With that, he hailed a cab since taking the bus would take more time.

Donovans gaze narrowed as he stared at the car. It was until it was out of sight that he left.

Kai inhaled deeply, his hand gripping the door knob tightly before he gently pushed it open. The overpowering smell of alcohol immediately wafted into his nostrils, causing an instant throbbing headache. The penthouse was shrouded in darkness, with the drawn curtains obstructing the moonlight, yet he could discern the empty bottles scattered across the centre table. Aiden was nowhere to be seen downstairs, and the dead silence amplified Kai's growing concern.

There was no way he could be asleep because he had called not long ago,

"Aiden?" he called out but there was no reply.

Carefully, he went up the stairs to their room. He hesitated outside the door, contemplating his next move when suddenly, the door flung open, and he was grabbed by his wrist and pulled inside, the door slamming shut behind him.

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