He looked around as he soon as he left the washroom and then headed to the entrance of the mall. As soon as he left the mall he headed to the bus station, got in and headed to his apartment. As soon as he arrived at his place he quickly got changed and then laid down on her bed with a groan, he checked his notifications and then groaned more,
Back in his apartment, Kian laid exhausted on his bed with his phone lighting up from messages. He didn't have the energy to fix things with what just happened and so he decided to go to sleep, trying to forget about the kiss, but he just couldn't, and every time he'd remember it his face starts burning up. He slapped himself lightly and tried his best to sleep.
The next day, Kian barely got some sleep, his eye bags evident. He was thinking about a lot of things, his studies, the money his brother gave, the spy, and most importantly the kiss, he got little to no sleep. Before he knew it, his alarm went off and he immediately jolted up. He checked the time and yawned before getting up. His apartment was simple, when you enter it theres a small living room and a small kitchen next to it, then there's a bathroom and one small bedroom.
Eventually, Kian managed to stand up, he charged his phone and took a bath, putting his uniform on. After fixing himself, he got his bag and headed to school, taking the bus and finally checked his messages. He sighed to himself and still didn't reply to his brother. He then suddenly got a call from an unknown number, he didn't answer it at first but then it called again.
This time, he answered "hello?"
The person on the other end spoke "go to the company when your school ends."
Kian immediately knew who it was, it was his father. Kian didn't say anything and just hung up. He got down from the bus and walked to school going straight to his class.
His day went by as usual, he was just a normal college student, attending classes, stressing out, and having fun with his friends.
However, as he walked towards the school gates, he noticed a black car parked just in front. It didn't look like just any ordinary car. It looked expensive, as if it's owner was bragging to the whole world of how wealthy they were.
Looking at it strangely, a man in a black suit went out as Kian passed by it. "Sir Kian Elrod, you're father has sent me to pick you up, he has some matters to talk to you about" the man says.
Kian was immediately irritated at what he called him and so he quickly turns to him. "Apologies but it's Astor. Kian Astor." He spoke. "And I am not coming with you, I'm afraid I have some matters to attend to.. so if you exc-"
Before Kian could say more, the man interrupted him "Sir, if you do not cooperate then we'll have to take you by force".
Kian looked at them with an amused expression before smirking rolling his eyes before he continued walking. The man frowned and nodded to signal the person inside the car.
The person inside the car drove at the same speed as Kian's pace, being side by side with him.
Seeing this, Kian quickened his pace, eventually running. However, another man came out, blocking him and two more grabbed both his arm and dragged him inside of the car.
Of course Kian was struggling and trying to push them away. "what the fuck?!" He was frustrated and confused right now. What would the Elrod family suddenly want with him now?!
They drove him to the company building, dragging him out of the car and into his father's office. They pushed him inside the room and closed the door behind him, leaving him with his father in the room.
Sighing, Kian tapped his foot as he crossed his arms, waiting for the man to speak.
"Kian, what are you doing" the man spoke and oh god Kian hated that voice.
Kian just stared at him, he had no respect for the man. "What do you want"
"What do I want? I want you to cut whatever relationship you have with the Fell family."
"What the fuck is that?" He asked, acting oblivious to the man's real identity.
His father looked at him with no emotion "Arsen Fell, I've received information that you two are dating".
Kian scoffed, he wanted to laugh. Him and Arsen?! Dating?! Please. He want to say that, but that'd be boring.
"And so what? What's that have to do with you? Why do you care all of sudden?"
"You are from the Elrod family-!"
"am I?" Kian scoffs. "I have no rights to claim the Elrod last name, remember? And I've accepted that, but why are you suddenly concerned? My actions won't do anything to your company, and no one knows about your mistake, so?"
His father furrowed his eyebrows, visibly upset. "Just stay away from Arsen Fell, you have no idea how dangerous he is, besides, he's probably just using you".
This made Kian laugh as he turned towards the door "well whatever happens, it'll be my business and my fault, so please don't concern over my life again, I don't need it" he says and leaves the company, he looked irritated, the audacity of the man. He found himself shifting his route, instead of going home, he ended up in the bar again.
Arsen was already sat in his private room just right beside the counter. It was a secluded place where he usually drank either alone, with friends, or sometimes with hook ups. The other day, right after the spy incident and after he separated with Kian, his father had called.
Arsen at first assumed that they were going to scold him for hanging out in public but to his surprise, it was completely different.
"Son, great news! I figured out a way to take down the Elrod group.
I've found their flaw. Their weakness and their well-hidden secret.
We're going to find the illegitimate child of the Elrod family. Expose their filth and take them down"
At those words, Arsen furrowed his eyebrows. They had an illegitimate child? This was the first he's heard of it.
"How could that be? There's no news of the Elrod family having another child"
"Well isn't that odd? That's exactly my point. What a shame it is to have an illegitimate child, and to a lowly classed human at that. But to add to that, is it not most despicable to not care for it? Sure it's a disgrace to the high class but the rest of the population would have a different view would they not? To them it is a despicable and inhuman act. It'll do well for us if the son is living poorly too. Won't it be such a headline, the Elrod family's illegitimate child left almost starving to death." his father chuckles.
"Here's what I'm planning son. First, we find him. He would obviously have some grudge towards them and with that, we leak his info and have the press after him. Things will fall into place from there. I doubt we'd have to do anything. The child will take care of it and we meddle if needed. Hehe, Elrod really dug his own grave with this one"
Arsen was silent for a few moments as if processing everything. So, the Elrod family has an abandoned child out there by themselves?
"How are we supposed to find him?" We're the first words he spoke in response to the info.
"That's the difficult part. We haven't found any leads. We can't identify him yet. You see, I first stumbled upon this info during my business meeting with them a couple of days ago. I was late to the meeting, I came 30 minutes late and so when I entered the room, Elrod was reading over a file so intently that he hadn't noticed me enter. I was curious and so I walked quietly as I can and could only read the big words since he quickly noticed me and closed the file. All I remember is "Cidel city list of babies born on November 4"
At that time, Mr. Fell found it suspicious but quickly forgot about it as the meeting progressed. However, right after, as he was heading out, he overheard some employees talking loudly in the hallway.
"Ah, Mr. Elrod surely doesn't look his age! He's very serious and strict you'd assume he looks old by how the higher ups talk about him! I was expecting wrinkles! Forehead wrinkles! BUT GOD! It's the opposite!" A woman employee spoke.
"Right?! He looks incredibly handsome and young! It's a surprise he only has one wife. I mean! Not that I'm encouraging it. Just.. usually CEO's have some mistresses right? If your rich you're more prone to paying for prostitution or getting other rich ladies sticking to you. He should have some sugar babies right? I mean with that looks I'd be one myse- Ow!" Another woman spoke and winces as the first woman who spoke nudged her to shut up and they started lowering their voices as they gossiped more.
"And that lit something up in my mind. It was odd indeed.. didn't Elrod get tied up in cheating rumors? And a maid at that.. plus the files.. why was he looking at birth documents?" Mr. Fell explains to his son.
Arsen hums "that is.. quite a coincidence. Then I'd say this is another rumor. There is no concrete evidence yet you talk as if you've confirmed it."
"I did! I mean what other reason would he have to look at babies birth? Damian isn't born in November.. he isn't.. I'm not and your not! His wife isn't too? Nor is his father or mother.. or my father and mother.. or his relatives.. I'm not sure but anyways why would he be looking at it!"
Arsen sighs "alright father, relax, I'll look into it.. even though I don't know where to start.."
"I can start it. I'll give it to you when I get some leads."
Back to the present, Arsen finishes his glass and stands up to go get some fresh air but on his way, he saw a familiar face.
Kian was staring off into space as he held the glass on his hand, spinning it a little. He took a few sips, surprisingly he wasn't being reckless, he was taking it slow. The bartender looked at him "You're coming here more often than usual.. and surprisingly you've been having company" he spoke.
Kian only chuckles, not saying anything further as he finished his drink and ordered another glass. A few minutes have passed and he felt a presence sit themselves right beside him. Kian turned his head to the side and looked at the oh so familiar person.
"We've been bumping into each other often recently.." Arsen spoke fondly. "You know, I've heard that if you coincidentally meet someone 3 times, it's destiny" Arsen joked as he ordered himself a glass.
"Mhm is this you trying to justify the kiss?" Kian looks at Arsen's bewildered expression.
"Hm? Kiss? What kiss?.. oh! No I'm not justifying it. I did what I had to do" Arsen leaned back. At his angle, Kian got a good look of the male's body, he looked away. Why was he wearing such tight fit clothes.
"did you walk here?" Arsen was also looking Kian up and down.
"Why?"
"Your shoes are all muddy" Arsen answers him, receiving his drink and taking a sip. "About the spy. Apparently it wasn't sent by my family. Which is a little suspicious. It's either the paparazzi or my enemy. But seeing as nothing came out to the public yet.. it's either they didn't find anything good or.. they'll use it in the future.."
Kian takes another sip "then maybe it's just some paparazzi. Or maybe one of those obsessed stalker fans."
"I'm honored, but I'm not a celebrity though" Arsen chuckles but Kian didn't have the same energy.
"With your reputation it's almost like you are"