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Kenan's action certainly caused a shock on Austin's part. The man was silent for a moment as Kenan pressed his lips to his. Austin felt like his time was distorted for a moment before the kiss was broken. Paying no attention to the motorists or road users passing by them. Kenan looked up at Austin to watch the man's expression. His eyes blinked twice, his lips pressed tightly together—a little stunned at Kenan's audacity to kiss him in public.
To be honest, kissing in public was something Austin was used to. He often kissed Helena after he won the MotoGP match he participated in—before officially becoming the CEO of the Keano Company Hotel in place of his father. However, this time the sensation was different. Not because he wasn't winning races, but the person kissing him this time made him feel something different, because it was Kenan.
"Let's go!" said Kenan. He ended their gaze, then took the helmets and put them back on.
Austin's eyes followed Kenan's figure, then he approached the bike and put his helmet back on.
"Just this once, I'm letting that lunatic go at your request," Austin said, the corners of his lips twitching in an attempt to make a smile, but he decided against it.
Austin got on his bike, followed by Kenan who sat at the back immediately hugging his waist. The man's lips formed a smile. After being kissed, now being hugged. Austin felt his heart blossom even though he had been attacked by extreme anxiety.
The motorcycle engine came back to life, and they continued their journey.
In the back, Kenan frowned because Austin was running the bike so slowly. What was his speed? 20km/h. I wanted to curse so badly. After a tense race at a crazy speed, now the man was slowing down just because Kenan had hugged him from behind without coercion. The time it took to get to his destination was only three minutes, but it became seven minutes because Austin wanted Kenan to stay behind him, hugging him.
Entering the building area, Austin circled the parking lot and reasoned by looking for a safe parking space to park his motorcycle, because Kenan had reprimanded him for not stopping. Hearing that excuse, Kenan rolled his eyes in boredom. What was the point of installing CCTV in this place? If the bike was lost, the man would just have to buy a new one. Wasn't buying a motorcycle to him like buying a toy bike? Austin could even buy the factory if he wanted. I don't know how many minutes of wasted time Austin finally stopped the motorcycle. Immediately, without thinking or waiting for Austin, Kenan got off and left without saying anything.
"Kenan," Austin called.
Kenan turned his head reluctantly.
"The helmet."
Kenan had forgotten. He almost worked while wearing a helmet.
"Want me to help you take it off?" asked Austin, but Kenan had already taken it off and placed it on the seat of the bike.
Kenan didn't answer, and didn't intend to. He quickly turned away to get to his office. Followed by Austin on the side. They walked hand in hand without saying anything. Beside him, Austin silently glanced at Kenan who was walking with his face down. As he continued to walk, his eyes wandered downwards. It was obvious that there was something Kenan was thinking about, the burden involved was so heavy.
What are you thinking? Austin asked inwardly. He wanted to ask, but knew the man would definitely change his expression while coming up with some alibi.
Reaching the front of the elevator, Kenan's foot accidentally tripped over something. His balance faltered. Before his body collapsed to the floor, from behind Austin immediately hugged his waist so tightly that Kenan didn't have time to fall. Just as they were in that position, the elevator doors opened. Showing a male figure.
Ryan was holding a small cup of coffee from a retail machine—his expression wide—eyed, looking at the Director and his manager embracing each other in the morning. Roughly releasing a pair of Austin's hands, Kenan smiled stiffly as Ryan greeted the two. While Austin just put on his signature flat expression, as if nothing had happened. Furthermore, they parted ways at that place with Ryan who continued on his way while sipping his coffee.
*
While driving the sedan car, Ivan occasionally glanced at Helena through the corner of his eye. After he offered to drive her home, the two did not speak to each other. Even after they woke up at the hotel.
The night Helena called him to meet, Ivan had already found her sitting at the stoll bar in a state of rage. Ivan had warned her to stop drinking, but Helena didn't comply and ended up with him taking her to a hotel.
The reason was that Ivan couldn't take Helena — directly to where she lived. After all, she was still Austin's wife. There would be a lot of bad speculation if someone saw Helena being driven home by a man who was not her husband in a drunken state. Especially if it reached Austin's ears. Well, even though he probably didn't care—because he was preoccupied with his mistress. However, Ivan didn't want to cause anything bad in the future—even though he knew, Kenan would do something bad sooner or later. Nothing happened, even though the two of them spent one night, sleeping in the same bed last night. Ivan didn't even dare to do more because he loved Helena. Should he be a hypocrite, saying love doesn't have to be possession?
It's the opposite of Austin. If he already loves someone, no matter if it's forbidden love, the man will definitely do whatever it takes to get it. Because for him, every thing he loves must belong to him.
During the beginning of the trip, the two of them only had a silent dialog in silence. Neither Ivan nor Helena wanted to open their mouths. She only asked to be taken to Austin's office.
On the way, Helena was startled out of her seat. Her eyes widened—she caught a sight she never thought she'd see again.
There, at the crossroads near the Keano Company Hotel building. For the second time, Helena found Austin—her husband shamelessly kissing her adopted brother Kenan, who was now his affair partner.
Ivan was equally surprised. The man did not expect that Kenan's guts were bigger than he thought, daring to kiss with the same sex in a country that is sensitive about it.
What were you thinking Kenan? Ivan cursed his friend's behavior. It wasn't Kenan he was thinking about, but the feelings of the woman beside him whose eyes were already glazed over. What man could not bear to see the woman he loved sad?
Trying to comfort Helena, Ivan called out to her, "Helena ..."
But she cut in, "Do you know?" there was a moment's pause, Helena was staring intently at Ivan, while he was focused on the road ahead, but his ears were waiting for what Helena would say, "Do you know what Kenan is planning?"
Ivan gasped at the question. Of course he knew what Kenan was up to from the start. But would he tell Helena and betray his best friend?
"He's your best friend, right? You guys have been best friends since middle school, there's no way you wouldn't know. She's also bound to tell me about something..." Her lips trembled, unable to finish her sentence. "Tell Ivan!" she urged.
In the next second, Ivan stopped his car and pulled over to the side of the road. Helena didn't seem to care about that, so she said again, "You don't want to tell me?"
Letting out a long sigh, Ivan turned off the engine and replied, "Helen, listen! I don't know," he laughed. Staring back at Helena, Ivan's hand reached out to touch her cheek. However, before he could do so, Helena brushed his hand away.
"If you don't want to tell me, that's fine. I'll find out for myself." Helena then opened the car door.
"Helen wait—"
Too late, his voice was muffled by the car door that Helena closed roughly. With clenched fists, Ivan punched the steering wheel then. Guilt, disappointment, cowardice mixed together in him. He wanted to say it, but he knew what the consequences would be. If Kenan failed in his goal, his life would not be at peace in Markus' hands. Meanwhile, his heart could not bear to witness what was happening to Helena. Truly, this dilemma left Ivan in turmoil.
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