Kai sat quietly in the corner of the café, his fingers tracing the rim of his coffee cup. His mind was a mess, still stuck on Rico's strange words.
His phone buzzed.
Kai glanced down — it was Bast.
He quickly answered, trying to sound normal.
"Where are you, my little baby?" Bast's deep, caring voice flowed through the speaker.
Kai pressed his lips together, lowering his gaze. His voice came out softer than he intended, "I'm going home."
Bast immediately caught the sadness in his tone.
"You want me to pick you up?" he asked, worried.
Kai shook his head even though Bast couldn't see.
"No, you have work. First, you finish it." Kai forced a smile into his voice.
Bast sighed, clearly unhappy. "Okay... Today I have a lot of meetings, so I'll come home late. And baby, don't get drunk at the party."
Kai gave a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "Okay."
They ended the call.
After hanging up, Kai stared at his phone screen for a few seconds longer, wishing Bast was right here to hug him.
Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out Rico's card again.
He stared at it, the gold letters catching the café lights.
"What secrets...?" he whispered to himself, feeling a cold shiver run down his spine.
Kai sat in his car, staring at his phone.
He wanted to call Miles, to hear his best friend's voice — but then he remembered today was Miles and Ethan's first official date.
Kai didn't want to ruin it.
"I should ask Bast about it...," Kai thought, gripping the steering wheel.
Then he shook his head. "No... I should wait a little longer."
With a deep breath, he started the car and drove home.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town...
Miles and Ethan walked slowly along the golden beach, the sunset casting a warm, dreamy glow over everything.
Ethan gently reached for Miles's hand, entwining their fingers together.
"I've always wanted to walk with you like this," Ethan said softly, smiling down at him.
Miles felt his heart skip a beat. "It feels like... like I'm dreaming."
Ethan chuckled, leaned in, and kissed Miles sweetly on the lips. "It's not a dream, Milk."
Miles laughed shyly. Before he could say anything, Ethan said, "I have a surprise for you."
"A surprise?" Miles blinked.
Ethan grinned and pulled out a handkerchief.
"Trust me," he whispered as he gently tied it over Miles's eyes.
Hand in hand, Ethan led him forward, the sounds of the waves growing louder, the scent of the sea filling the air.
The sunset bathed the world in orange and gold, the beach looking like a scene out of a fairy tale.
Ethan stopped and slowly untied the handkerchief.
Miles opened his eyes—and gasped.
A proposal table stood on the beach, decorated with flowers, fairy lights, and candles, right by the edge of the water.
Tears welled up in Miles's eyes.
Ethan dropped to one knee, pulling out a ring.
"Milk," Ethan said, voice full of emotion, "I liked you since I was younger... Since the first time I saw you."
He smiled warmly.
"My feelings only grew stronger. Now it's not just liking — it's love. I love you, my Milk. Please... be mine forever. Only mine."
Tears spilled down Miles's cheeks as he covered his mouth, overwhelmed.
He smiled brightly through his tears and whispered, "Yes!"
Ethan stood up, slipped the ring onto Miles's trembling hand, and then Miles did the same.
They hugged tightly, as if never wanting to let go, and then shared a kiss — sweet, deep, and full of love — under the orange sky.
Ethan and Miles arrived at the beach hotel, hand in hand.
Miles opened the door to their room — and froze.
His eyes widened in surprise.
The room was grand, luxurious beyond words.
The wide windows overlooked the glittering ocean, and the golden light of the sunset poured inside.
Red roses were scattered everywhere — on the bed, on the floor, even floating gently in a glass bowl on the table.
A small, elegant table was set near the balcony, covered with delicious-looking food and expensive bottles of wine.
Miles stood there, stunned, taking it all in.
The romantic atmosphere, the thoughtful details... everything felt like a dream.
Ethan came up behind him, wrapping his arms around Miles's waist.
"Do you like it?" he whispered close to his ear.
Miles turned slightly, his cheeks flushed, and smiled brightly.
"I love it."
After dinner, the two of them sipping expensive wine under the soft glow of the room lights.
The scent of roses filled the air, mixing with the sweet aroma of the wine.
Ethan set his glass down on the table and stood up.
Without warning, he gently scooped Miles into his arms, making him let out a small, surprised gasp.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Miles asked, his cheeks flushing pink.
Ethan smiled, leaning down to kiss the top of his head.
"I've waited for this moment for so long," he whispered.
He laid Miles down carefully on the bed covered with red rose petals.
Then, without breaking eye contact, Ethan leaned in and captured Miles's lips in a deep, passionate kiss.
Their tongues tangled as Ethan's hands found their way to Miles's shirt, quickly undoing the buttons.
He slid the fabric off, revealing Miles's creamy, soft skin. His pink nipples stood out, and Ethan couldn't help but lean down and kiss them, lick them, gently nibbling and making Miles let out soft, breathy moans.
"You know why I always call you Milk?" Ethan murmured against his skin.
Miles looked up at him with dazed, flushed eyes and shook his head.
"Because your body..." Ethan trailed kisses along his chest, "looks like milk... and tastes even sweeter than honey."
Miles gasped, his hands gripping Ethan's shoulders.
The bed was soon littered with discarded clothes, rose petals clinging to their bodies as they kissed desperately, as if making up for all the time they had held back.
Ethan reached for a condom, but Miles stopped him by holding his hand.
Ethan looked into his eyes. "Miles?"
Miles, shy but determined, whispered, "I want to feel you... all of you. Without anything between us."
A surge of emotion crossed Ethan's face.
He smiled, tossed the condom aside, and leaned down to kiss Miles again — slower, deeper, more tender than ever before.
That night, under the soft scent of roses and the sound of the waves crashing outside, they became each other's everything.
____IN THE CLUB ____
Kai arrived at the club.
The heavy beat of music thumped through the walls, mixed with laughter and the clinking of glasses.
Colorful lights flashed around, painting the whole place in neon colors.
Unnoticed by Kai, a boy followed him at a distance, keeping a careful eye on him.
The boy answered a call quietly.
"Sir, he has entered the club. The girl is waiting for him outside."
On the other end, Bast's voice came through.
"Good. Keep an eye on him. If anything strange happens, call me immediately."
The boy nodded, ending the call, and slipped into the crowd, never letting Kai out of his sight.
Meanwhile, Bast sat in his office, loosening his tie in frustration.
He leaned back in his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.
He thought about how, earlier, when Kai had called him, something had felt off — Kai's voice had sounded too quiet, too sad.
It had worried him enough to call Ethan and arrange someone trustworthy to shadow Kai tonight.
Bast closed his eyes briefly and murmured to himself,
"I never want to lose you, Kai."