The bar was especially bustling today because of the upcoming weekend and the two friends were sitting in the adjacent balcony connected to it, on either side of the table, facing each other. Declan's eyes were fixedly staring into the beautiful view of citylights and traffic movements that was visible from the height of the skyscraper. Elian, on the other hand was sitting with his legs crossed and taking small sips from the snifter in his hands, "I didn't expect you'd show up", he said hesitantly while trying to get Declan's attention, "I thought you were mad at me, maybe for real this time", he said with a forced chuckle that was intended to lighten the mood.
"Yeah, well I wasn't mad at you this time", Declan said, turning to Elian. "Really? You weren't ignoring my calls?", Elian questioned. Declan went back to staring at the view, "I was, cuz I was thinking", he said and Elian sat on the chair wearing a questioning look on his face. "I was thinking about what I should do, in this whole situation", Declan explained.
Elian tilted forward, "Look Deck-" he began explaining but was interrupted immediately. "You don't need to repeat yourself, just listen to me for now", said Declan taking a deep breath, "I came to apologise to you", he said with a dull tone. "What? Don't apologise. I'm the one who is guilty. You're missing your tournament because of me and it's alright if you don't pick up my calls. I get it-", Elian rambled before being interrupted again. "No, it's not that alright", he said, "I'm apologising because...cuz I told Irene about everything", Declan ended the sentence almost whispering. Elian's face grew even more puzzled, "What? When? Oh god...", he felt silent for a second and contemplated her reaction, "uh...I guess it's fine. She'd probably be fine with it", he said as if he was trying to console himself.
"And, I tried to reach Kian, to stop him", Declan added. "You what?", Elian yelped. "Don't worry. I didn't manage to find that little shit", the other man replied instantly, surprised by the blond's reaction. He took a deep breath and continued, "I realized before I reached him that I can't make decisions for you. And I shouldn't coerce you into making choices that you don't like, even if it is purely out of worry".
The apology was sincere and understandable, Elian wasn't mad at all at his best friend, if anything he was happy about the reconciliation. He knew he needed Declan to be by his side, especially since he knew he couldn't even count on his brother this time.
"I still believe that you are making the worst mistake of your life, but I shouldn't just leave your side because your dumb", Declan teased and Elian smiled back at him. The two fell silent, looking down at the glasses in their hands.
"So what are you going to do now? Tell Erik?", Declan asked, breaking the silence. "No, Couldn't reach him. He hasn't been in the office for the past couple of days. Plus He's not ready for it", the alpha replied with a hint of disappointment in his tone, "He's not in estate mansions and not in his old penthouse. I don't know where he disappears off to sometimes", he added, shrugging his shoulders. Declan squinched his eyes, "Your brother feels so shady sometimes. Like I've known him for so long but I still don't understand his deal", he said cringing. "Give him a break Deck. That guy has been through some serious stuff that you and I can hardly imagine. If he wants to blow off some steam and disappear, he should be allowed to", Elian defended his older brother, "And thankfully this'll give more time to deal with Kian, I need to find out everything about him and make sure he stays safe and hidden", he added.
"So are you going to bring him back home?" Declan questioned while implying uncertainty through his tone, "I mean he is quite stubborn, as far as I know, he won't come back there. What do you think?", he added, looking at Elian's face to observe his reaction.
Elian fell silent for a few seconds, "Whatever it is, I'm going to try my best to keep seeing him. I want to take care of him for now", he admitted.
Declan nodded in response, but was a little shocked to see how easily Elian confessed his feelings. At that moment he knew his father was right. Elian was indeed in love.
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The weekend was approaching and ever since the deal was closed, Kian had put all his focus into the bakery business for the sake of avoiding thinking of pregnancy and Elian. The most important thing now was to pay up all the loans, big or small, with the advance that had been deposited in his account ever since he signed the agreement. Since that day the omega had engrossed himself completely with settlement of pending expenses, rents, loans etc. So much so that it was starting to worry Will, who had hardly seen him working so tirelessly.
Kian was sitting on one end of the sofa, scribbling in his small notebook under the side lamp, with papers scattered around him and a calculator in one of his hands. Will, who kept eyeing him, whenever he passed through the hallway while he arranged things around the apartment. The aroma of coffee was diffused into the air as Will put the hot water from the kettle into two mugs, and walked to where Kian was sitting with them in his hands. "Coffee?", he offered it to his friend, who looked up at once and took the hot mug from Will's hold. "Are you working hard on purpose or is this some kind of freak-out session?", he asked sarcastically, while taking a seat next to him. Kian frowned at Will in response, "What do you mean 'on purpose'?", he asked. Will sighed, "You know what I mean. You shouldn't push yourself so much in such a state. It is not good for you". Kian turned away immediately from him, "Can you not remind me about that?", he groaned. "I'm not worried about your health. I don't want you to fall sick", Will consoled.
"Falling sick is the least of my worries right now. I have to make sure that this business works out for real this time", he said, shutting the notebook in his hands. "Thirty million should be enough. For me, you and Allis to be able to live safely, without the worry of dying on streets. For Uncle Lee's treatment and for the orphanage to run smoothly. And the Bakery could also use some investment", he sighed and took another sip from the mug. Will smiled at him, sadly. They shared a moment of silence as both of them drifted into their own thoughts.
Listening to Kian, who was almost like an older brother to him, Will could only imagine what was going in his mind. He wasn't just scared about what was going to happen but also felt impatient to break free of this commitment he had landed himself into. That's what Kian had always been like, he always seeks for the way out of any problem. Nothing holds him down, ever. He's passionate and optimistic whatever the situation may be.
On the other hand Kian couldn't help but think about the day before when he saw Elian. The face with which he looked at him was still deeply imprinted in his mind. The calmness and the longing in his eyes that almost tore into his soul, when he looked at him just for a few seconds. Although he knew he was enraged about the additions that Elian made into the contract, he felt constantly conflicted about his feelings for him. On one hand, he hated the privilege and status he owned but on the other hand every action of his left a deep impact on his mind. He was constantly thinking of the alpha, no matter how hard he tried to avoid it.
"So, are you going to stay with him at his mansion again?",Will interrupted the silence. Kian shook away his thoughts, "What? No. I'm never going back there again", he replied with disgust covering his face. Will narrowed his eyes, "Didn't you say he added the clause about living with you in that contract?", he asked, confused. "He did, but I'm not some idiot, who's just going to follow his orders", Kian smiled. "He said he wants to live with me, never said I have to move from my one bed apartment. And we all know what that means", he explained with a shrewd look on his face. "Oh, that means he has to live here if he wants to be near you, but an alpha of his status could never do that", he chuckled. "Exactly, he can't survive in this third world house and I won't leave. So, I win. He'll have to leave me alone", Kian smiled.