Since the kidnapping, Swalha had not seen Kind for two weeks. She had been taken a break from work during the time Kind had been kidnapped, fearing her life might be in danger. She stayed at Todo's until Kind had been found and by the time she got back to her office, a heap of procrastinated and pushed forward appointments had been waiting for her. She'd constantly call Wale and Todo to follow up on Kind's well being but apart from the shock of what had happened to him, Kind seemed to handle himself pretty well.
Cherry had stayed with her a couple of days after leaving Todo's place though Swalha worried for her mental state of mind and considering Cherry was also pregnant, the child would eventually be affected by her decisions, thoughts and actions. Cherry had seemed anxious all the time, keeping to herself and always lost in thought but despite Swalha's efforts to talk to help her, she rejected and refused to cooperate.
Finally, it was the weekend and it made her very happy since she'd be able to meet the new lovely couple in town for dinner at Yummy Yum restaurant, after two weeks of gruesome hard work.
"I missed you so much Kind!" Swalha happily embraced Kind who had come together with Wale. Sitting down, Wale complained to have been left hanging, arms apart, wondering why Swalha had been stingy with affections. Ignoring him, she asked Kind, "How long has it been? Goodness I've really missed you!"
"Yea, it's always good to see you Swalha," Kind was ecstatic. It had felt suffocating staying indoors despite how big Todo's mansion was. Additionally, Wale was always there with the intention of breaking his back every single day and night, he figured he could use a break. Feeling desperate, he'd reached for Swalha using Todo's phone. "You look exhausted." Kind asked Swalha feeling concerned for her.
Wale watched the two in silence. He couldn't help but admire how close Kind and Swalha were, it couldn't compare to the closeness Kind had had with Cherry and him. Swalha brought out a cheerful Kind, more relaxed, and the longer he watched him, the more at peace Kind became just from simple meaningless words they shared with Swalha. It made him jealous. He rarely saw this side of Kind. If he could remember, Kind had been this relaxed when they were juniors in highshool. Come to think of it, of the two weeks they had stayed at Todo's, Kind showed the same expression whenever he conversed with Todo. He could understand why he'd tensed around Cherry all those years because of his unrequited feelings but him? He had been his best friend longer than anyone so why was he not showing this side to him now that everything had been cleared? Wale felt anxious.
"Wale you're going to stare a hole through Kind's head," Swalha alerted him while tapping his hand. "If you wanted a hug you could have just said it instead of looking all grouchy about it."
"Ah! I hadn't realized I was spacing out...you see, my boyfriend here is just so handsome i find myself constantly mesmerized by him." Wale smiled, reaching for Kind's hand holding it tight.
"We are not official dummy so stop misinforming people." Kind responded, his face back to normal and Wale was disappointed to see the smile gone. A part of him ached, he hadn't realized it showed on his face. "Are you alright? I thought you wanted us to come here as much as I did?" Kind had started getting concerned.
"Well...to say the truth, I'm still sad that you wouldn't be my top."
"Why you...!" Kind snatched his hand away from Wale's grip. He looked like he wanted to punch him in the face but was too embarrassed and besides, they were in public. Lowering his voice, he whispered to Wale, "Why would you say that inform of Swalha?"
Wale wasn't one to shy away from creating a scene especially if it involved Kind. "You know she can hear you K Bunny and besides, she is a practicing psychologist. I want her to help me understand your reasons which despite your explanations, I find it ridiculous that you wouldn't top me."
Kind knew what Wale was trying to do and the more he answered him back, the more Wale was going to find ways to use his words against him and what the heck! Swalha was here. She was the last person he'd want involved in this topic. She always loved this kind of discussions! "Can we not do this now Wale, let's just have a dinner and when we get home, we'll do whatever you want."
"Whatever he wants puts you at a disadvantage Kind," Swalha warned.
Damn it! She was hooked, Kind thought to himself. "This is not the right place Swalha to have this discussion and besides, Wale clearly knows it's none of your business." Kind had finished his last statement while grinding his teeth, his furious gaze back to Wale.
"I'm curious to know too Kind. Besides, Wale clearly stated he is looking forward to my professional opinion on this matter." Swalha insisted, amused to see an embarrassed Kind. No wonder Wale got a kick at teasing him.
Ignoring Swalha, Kind was more furious with himself. He should have realized Wale was going to pull a stunt like this, knowing full well how Swalha enjoyed such discussions. He was tempted to give in but stopped himself. "Did you by any chance have this discussion with Todo since I can expect that from you considering how resilient you have been pondering on this matter?"
"Yes of course, he was the one who gave me the idea." Wale shamelessly acknowledged.
"Oh my goodness I'm loving where this is going!" Swalha said excitedly. Kind was about to snap at Wale when suddenly their meals had been placed on the table and once the waiters were gone, Swalha urged them to go on but Wale insisted they eat first.
Surprisingly, Swalha cooperated and Kind thought they'd forget about the matter. After their dinner, they enjoyed a sweet finale together with a glass of wine, themed to celebrate Kind's quick recovery.
It had been a lovely get-together and as they bid Swalha farewell after dropping her home, she pulled Wale back and whispered, "remember my third wish, well I want to know everything."
On their ride home, Kind had been too embarrassed to talk but figured it was better to procrastinate the matter to a later date. Why did it matter anyway, Wale had a hunger for him every single minute, he barely gave him a break. Besides, in his fantasies all those years, Wale had always been his top and there was no way he was going to admit that to him. He'll start bragging about it after the stunt he'd just pulled. "We need to move out from Todo's place. I feel guilty considering how much he has done for you and me...and my past with him."
"Believe me, Todo is stronger than you know. When you were kidnapped, of course it took us all by shock. I for one went numb since you're my only family and the only person who cured my loneliness but Todo seemed to have been struck by your disappearance the most. He panicked at first blaming himself for being careless and handed your case to his mother but a few days into your disappearance, he worked tirelessly to find you. He was either out chasing his own clues or working with his mother's team to look for you. He is still clearing up loose ends to make sure everyone is safe, especially you and me knowing full well that we are screwing each other under his roof." Wale assured Kind as his eyes still remained on the road.
"I feel guilty about that the most Wale. He accepted my feelings towards you wholeheartedly. That's why I want us to move out of his place since things are much calmer now."
"Yea, he is a great guy and don't worry about us doing it. He doest seem to mind. He is a good guy, I like him."
"What the...! You've been mean to him this entire time you dummy and of course he minds! I used to date him and I really liked him you know!"
"You defend him so passionately I'm getting jealous Bunny. Besides, he is lonely in that big house all by himself so he likes the company and coming from a guy who lived a similar lifestyle, I guarantee you he'd be depressed once we leave."
Kind went quiet for a while. Wale had a point. When they had dated with Todo, he often felt lonely and that's why he easily become clingy with him. "We are going to move out eventually, though I'm afraid of staying at my place and hell no will I move in back with you at your place. Everywhere I've been reminds me of Cherry and whenever I think about her, I see her sister."
"I'll help you make peace with your fear for places...maybe we can do it together since I also have a place I need to make peace with too."
Kind looked at Wale, surprised at the new information. "Which place is this?"
"Remember the day you came to work to resign and I requested you to take me to my parents house?" When Kind nodded, "Well, I had prepared the house for Cherry, you and I to move in after we got married but seeing that that had been a terrible idea, I asked Frank again to make it ready for you and I since that place is the one we are going to stay."
"You know I really hate it when you do things like this, make decisions for me or decide on something without thinking of other people. Did it ever occur to you that Cherry hated me because of the way you treated me infront of her, and how can you confidently say you prepared a place for the three of us?"
"Well I assumed eventually, we will always be together which happens to be the case now that we are dating. Besides, Cherry felt jealous of you, however she needn't act on her jealousy towards you but me so you can't take the blame for the way she feels about you."
"I feel partially responsible Wale, I allowed you to treat me like that despite feeling uncomfortable and besides, I had told you not to do such kinds of things multiple times but you would even come pick me from home on your dates with her. You left me no choice but to tag along so eventually she got jealous, in fact, for a ten year relationship she has been quite patient."
Wale couldn't understand why all of a sudden, Kind was bringing Cherry up. "Why are we talking about her? You're the one I'm dating now."
"Wale there are times I really want to punch you so bad. How can you feign ignorance right now? I just told you to stop making decisions for me. When you decided by yourself I was going to move in with you, did you include me in your decision? Of course not. What about you , me and Cherry moving in together? Does it look like I have no life of my own to tag along with you and Cherry in your new house? You hadn't considered me in making that decision. You made it for me, therefore you telling me about it is just informing me without giving me a choice to decide for myself.."
"Bunny, we are not talking about Cherry here, you're the one I'm dating now that is why I want us to move in together as soon as..."
"Cherry is not the point Wale! You know exactly what I'm talking about so stop pretending because I know you are not that stupid!" Kind knew he had lost his temper therefore it would be better to have this discussion when they were both calmer but enough was enough. "You can put this act on others but not me Wale, I know you. Secondly, why would you embarrass me infront of Swalha like that asking about sex positions out of the blue? Teasing me constantly is all fun and games to you but you went too far today! Thirdly, why would you ask Todo about it too and speaking of Todo, when did you leave a bite mark on me for him to see? I know you Wale, you did that to Cherry a lot too and...oh! Let us talk about when you fought with Todo because I'm convinced you deserved his punch most definitely! So tell me now Wale, what kind of things are you doing behind my back and how much damage have you done so far?"
Wale had never seen Kind so upset before. The kidnaping experience must have traumatized him for him to loose his temper like this. They had already reached Todo's mansion so he stayed quiet and kept driving until he parked the car. Kind had been watching him, panting out from the rage he felt towards Wale and it angered him even more when Wale had remained quiet and expressionless, making him feel as if he was throwing a fit for nothing. He tried to open the door but Wale had not unlocked it. "Kind wait, let us talk here and calm down before we go up." Wale pleaded, hoping Kind would consider his request despite how angry he looked. "Every one is inside including Todo so looking at us now they will definitely know we had a fight."
"Let them! At least for once they will listen to a new song apart from the one they are used to of us having sex!"
Wale knew Kind was definitely mad at him. He tried reaching for Kind's hand but he pushed him away as if he burned. Begging, Wale pleaded, "I'm sorry okay? I'm sorry for assuming you'll be okay with my decisions and I also apologize for today. You wouldn't tell me why you didn't want to be my top that is why I hoped if I put some pressure on you, then maybe you'll tell me. Secondly, I didn't go to Todo to ask about sex positions, I had other intentions and I admit I teased him a little but that topic just came up! I wanted to know ways in which I can please you since I don't want you to get tired of me."
Feeling embarrassed about Wale's last statement, Kind almost gave in into Wale's act of playing innocent but he wasn't going to let him off the hook that easy. "What about the bite mark? And why do you keep picking fights with Todo especially after how kind he has been to all of us?"
"I just...I'm...you treat him with so much care, you smile differently whenever he is around you K. You laugh and seem more relaxed and that makes me jealous since you're rarely like that with me." Wale could feel frustration building up in him and he hated it. He didn't want Kind to push him away again or start avoiding him though, Kind had asked for his honesty so despite how embraced he was feeling at the moment, he just needed to know. "He said you were a good top...and I want to have the same experience too so why him and not me? You chose me didn't you?"
Damn it! Kind lost his resolve from the laughter that begged to come out from him. He couldn't understand Wale's track of mind but he understood jealousy well. Wale was a possessive jealous lover and as troublesome as it was, Kind found his vulnerability attractive. For one, he had scared Wale enough to not joke around when it came to matters that had angered him. "You are silly Wale, I hope you know that and secondly, you're already over satisfying me it's annoying which by the way, could you tone it down a little?" Wale immediately nodded in agreement. "Thirdly, you and I are the ones having sex so the best person to ask about ways to please me is me so stop putting Todo in an uncomfortable position. Whatever happened between me and Todo is in the past and it has nothing to do with you so live in the present you dummy and keep him out of our private affairs!" Kind warned.
"I'm sorry. I won't tease him anymore." Wale promised, hoping to end this interrogation. Kind definitely was scarier than Todo's mother, he thought. "Lastly, you keep forgetting you're going to be a father soon. There has been no mention of your child in your future plans and I'm worried."
"That shouldn't worry you Bunny. Cherry's parents reached out concerning her and we agreed to both watch over Cherry and the child until she gives birth then afterwards, depending on Cherry's state of mind, we will discuss on the way forward."
"Wale, do you know why I haven't yet accepted to officially date you?" Without a word, Wale shook his head. "Apart from the many reasons we've just addressed, there are many more to come but they are not important for now. Either way, have you ever bothered to ask me my thoughts on dating a guy who has a child with another woman?"
Wale didn't understand why Kind thought it was a big deal but was afraid to speak his mind, seeing that Kind had almost skinned him alive by using just his words.
"I've not accepted you as my boyfriend because I promised myself to never date a guy with a child."