Shen's eyes narrowed, his fists clenching. "Territorial? You have no idea who you're messing with. Stay away from him. I don't care who you think you are."
Ethan, flustered by the sudden confrontation, turned a deeper shade of red. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, avoiding eye contact. The man's intensity was overwhelming, stirring up memories of his own past and the protective, possessive love he had once known.
Temurí was unbothered by his boyfriend's outburst. He couldn't help but rub his temple while placing a firm hand on his boyfriend's arm. His voice, which was supposed to be neutral, now carried some tiny annoyance. "Shen, they're not interested in me. Back off."
Shen hesitated, glancing at Temurí, his expression softening slightly. Still, the possessiveness lingered as he shot one last hostile look at Aaron and Ethan. "I won't warn you again," he muttered, turning to leave, seating himself at the next table, sixteen centimeters away from them.
As Temurí's boyfriend walked away, sitting down at a corner table and giving fierce glares at them, Aaron let out a small sigh, looking at Temurí with a smirk. "He's got it bad for you, hasn't he? Cute, huh? Angry much?"
Temurí pursed his lips and shrugged nonchalantly. "He'll get over it," he said quietly, before turning back to Aaron and Ethan. His eyes flickered to Shen, seated behind them, giving him looks that screamed "traitor!"
"It's always like this when you work in a place like this. He gets too jealous and assumes things." He felt the need to explain, so no one would think he was in an abusive relationship or something.
Ethan, still blushing and deep in thought, couldn't help but think of his own husband.
The confrontation had triggered memories of Lucien, who had once been protective and possessive, before he got confused and left him behind.
He stared at his plate, lost in thought, memories of Lucien flashing in his mind like bitter dreams.
While the conversation went on, Aaron had gotten to know Temurí much better. All his life, he had always thought Solé were nothing but emotionless working machines, but now he regretted that.
He felt like a bad person for always thinking that way.
Temurí seemed to be a very good, cheerful Solé, though his cheerfulness wasn't obvious. But the truth was staring Aaron in the face: Temurí had a boyfriend. This showed everything.
A person said to be emotionless and feeling nothing couldn't possibly be in a relationship that brought jealousy, especially with the way Shen showed jealousy over Temurí.
Aaron smiled slightly. Causing chaos and disturbing Kris' bodyguards wasn't such a bad game after all. It was fun, thrilling, and he met new people like Temurí.
Besides, his worldview wouldn't have changed today.
Ethan, sipping his juice, blinked his eyes in confusion, wondering why Aaron was smiling for no reason, and the whole time his eyes were on Temurí.
Had Aaron fallen in love with Temurí?
No, no. It can't be.
Ethan shook his head, getting rid of that idea.
Aaron was a confusing person. No one knew what was on his mind or what gave him reasons to think.
Still staring at him, Ethan suddenly met Aaron's eyes. "What's wrong, Ethan? Is the juice not sweet enough for you? Do you need more sugar?" Aaron asked.
Ethan's face immediately turned red, and he shook his head back and forth, mumbling, "No, it's okay."
Ethan was almost scared for a second, thinking Aaron had read his thoughts, but thank God that wasn't possible.
Temurí, on the other hand, just drank his champagne elegantly, still talking about business and work. "Life is like a machine. Every day, you have to go to work. You have to be perfect and not make any mistakes. It's very tiring."
Ethan wanted to laugh. It wasn't what Temurí was saying that was funny, but the way he bubbled it up. He looked like he was drunk.
Aaron understood what Temurí was saying. For some reason, he thanked God he was born a Senirips and not a Solé. He might have nagged sometimes about how he hated being a Senirips and being locked in a marital home, but today he was grateful for it. Grateful that he wasn't born a Solé, that society doesn't care much about, and grateful he didn't marry a husband who would make him uncomfortable, though he was ready and expecting it. No Senirips' life can be so peaceful.
Aaron smiled at Temurí while checking his watch and said, "The time seems dark." After this, his mind drifted back to Kris and the bodyguards. Who knew if they had already found his location or if they were already here?
As his mind wandered, a commotion was heard from the restaurant entrance.
"Everyone, move."
"Excuse me, shift. Sorry to disturb you, ma'am, sir."
Many men in black all entered the restaurant at once.
Aaron: "..."
Aaron had a bad feeling about this.
Following his instincts, he wanted to hide under the table, taking Ethan with him too, but before he could do anything, the bodyguards had already seen him.
"Dear Master Senirips, there is no need to hide. We have already seen you."
"Yes, Master Senirips, don't make this harder for us."
"Master Senirips, please come out."
The bodyguards begged for Aaron to come out, as if they were about to cry if he didn't.
And they really were going to cry if Aaron didn't come out, because if not, Kris would finish them.
Aaron sighed, dusting his pants with an awkward expression on his face. "Hey, I'm having fun over here. Why are you all disturbing people eating by disturbing my meal!"
He was in a really awkward situation, but Aaron refused to be embarrassed, even with all the eyes in the restaurant on them.
The bodyguards shifted in their trousers and knelt with fake tears as they begged, "Master Senirips, please don't make things hard for us."
Aaron was in a tight spot. He felt like spanking the guards right then, but with his soft palms, he couldn't even hurt them. His cheeks couldn't help but turn rosy with anger and shame.
"Who says I'm not going home? Of course I'm going home, but I won't go with you until Kris comes here himself!"
Aaron thought that with this threat, the guards would leave him alone. But who knew, before they could move a foot, he found the guards staring at him with fear.
"Master Kris is behind you."
Aaron could only hear that sentence from one of the guards before his body reacted, and he turned, meeting Kris' handsome, dangerous face.
"How far, my dear senirips , does this look like Ethan's home?"
Kris's voice sounded sultry yet stern.
His lips carried a smile, but his eyes did not.
Aaron bit his lip, thinking,
Dog husband is here, will I get punished?!
And why in heaven is he so charming?
Aaron, wanting to be stubborn, pretended to feel no pressure from Kris. He frowned and pointed toward Kris's chest, saying, "What is it? Why are you here? Don't you want me to have fun?!"
Kris smiled slightly, his lips frowning but his eyes showing amusement. "Let's go home, my senirips."
Aaron pouted, confused as to why Kris did not look angry or show it.
Aaron said, "I won't go anywhere." He seemed to be challenging Kris.
Kris's expression finally cracked, and he stepped closer, holding Aaron's chin. Then he whispered into his ear, "You're not going home, you say... Okay, fine."
At the last of his words, Aaron was caught off guard when he was pulled into Kris's arms.
He struggled in his arms, saying, "Let me go... I'm not a princess, let me go!"
His struggles seemed like a joke in Kris's eyes, and he didn't even flinch.
"Behave, my dear," Kris said with a gentle smile.
Then Aaron's eyes widened.
"Did you just...!"
He was too ashamed to finish the sentence. Kris had just pinched his butt, and no one saw it.
Once again, his husband was acting like a dog man.
"Take Ethan home," Kris said, finally turning reluctantly away from his senirips and coldly instructing the guards.
"Yes, sir!" the guards said in unison, turning to Ethan as they led him to the car.
Ethan, the whole time, was so quiet. Aaron's husband was very scary to him, and he didn't want to offend him.
After that, Kris left the restaurant with Aaron.
Shen walked beside Temurí, holding his waist tightly.
"I miss you. I don't like you with others."
Temurí ignored what his boyfriend Shen said, about to continue his work.
"Temurí, you're different from the other solé. Don't make me regret dating you," Shen yelled after Temurí.
Temurí paused for a bit, turning to give Shen a neutral look.
"Fine, break up. I don't ask for you to be with me."
After that, Temurí walked back to the counter.
Shen, like a dog about to lose his owner, chased after him.
"Temurí, sorry! I regret saying that!"
Shen finally hugged Temurí at the counter, sticking to him like glue, not wanting to let go.
"If you're sorry, Shen, then stop nipping on my neck. We're in public!"
Temurí said, meeting the curious gazes of those around them.
The tone in his voice told Shen his true mood, and Shen couldn't help but let go.