Stolen First Kiss

Everyone had a great time. After eating, everyone moved to the living room for tea while Riley received gifts one after the other. Draco gave him a watch. It was the expensive kind. He was very reluctant to accept it at first, but Draco insisted.

"You have been very diligent. That is your reward."

"Thank you, Mr. Sy. You have given me so much. I hope one day I can repay you for the kindness you have shown me," Riley said, eyes shining. His words were very heartfelt.

"I trust you will."

Just as the atmosphere was getting solemn, Riley's phone rang.

"I'm sorry, I have to take this call." Riley got up and excused himself. 

From where Draco was sitting, he secretly eavesdropped on Riley's phone call.

"Hey, Jake! Yeah, sure. Is around 6:00 okay? Well, thanks again. Yeah, see you later. Bye!"

After the call, Riley went back to sit on the sofa. 

Getting back from the bathroom, Dylan inquired what the call was about. 

"It was Jake. Reminding me of the party later."

"At Andrew's? The one you, student council guys' organized?" Dylan clarified.

"Yes, that one. I almost forgot about it."

"Do you need me to drive you there?"

"Oh, no need Dy. Thanks, but Jake said he'll pick me up later, and we'll go together."

Then Riley turned to Draco, looking apologetic. "How long is your stay in L. Country, Mr. Sy?" 

Actually, Riley really did not want to go to the party. Draco Sy went out of his way to come today, and Riley would rather stay.

However, he has no way out. Riley had to go to the party as one of the organizers. It was a bummer.

Draco hid his smile, delighted at the thought that the young man was reluctant to go because of him. "I still have a business to settle. I will stay here for a week or so."

Riley instantly brightened. "That's great! I thought you would leave soon."

In fact, the reason why Riley was asking was that he wanted to discuss something significant with the man. Only he did not know how to talk to Draco about it. Or how much time he has to summon up the courage to really do it. Knowing that Draco would stay for a week was a relief. He still has time. 

At around 6 PM, a red convertible car stopped in front of the house. On the wheel was a handsome blond teenager.

Inside the house, a sequence of footsteps sounded running down the stairs. What followed was the opening and closing of a door.

A few seconds later, Draco, who was smoking on the balcony on the second floor, saw Riley come out of the house and get into the passenger seat.

Even after the car had gone for some time, Draco continued to gaze at that empty lot where it was parked. In his mind, the scene of Riley getting into the car. And talking animatedly with his blond friend, Jake, kept on replaying. It was the first time that Draco Sy realized what a very jealous man he was.

Riley is a very attractive young man. And seeing him get into another man's car to the party makes Draco imagine the worst things that could happen: sweet innocent Riley at a party with lots of alcoholic beverages and wild young hot-blooded teenagers. The last part was a blaring red sign.

What if Riley gets drunk? What if he gets taken advantage of by others? And so on… He just couldn't stop.

When Draco's mind considered the nth thing that could possibly go wrong, his face was already dark as a brewing storm. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed a number. When the call connected, one can hear him saying, "Chief Chan, have Riley followed. I don't trust that boy, Jake."

Chief Chan, who was recovering from jet lag, was stupefied, "…"

Boss, it's just a graduation party! Let the boy have fun. And that Jake guy is a friend, not just some random guy. But Chief Chan kept all his opinions to himself and unquestioningly complied with the boss' orders. 

Getting off the call, Draco went back to his room. He sat on a chair and opened a file on his phone. A moment later, a pair of light hazel eyes on a beautiful face jump up on the screen. Then he continued to swipe left; once, twice, and so on… Each swipe revealed stunning photos of the same person. It was of Riley's. Of him walking to school, laughing with friends, and winning the student council election. The pictures go on.

In fact, contrary to Riley's belief, Draco put a lot of interest in Riley's life. Since that day the youth left P. Country, Draco had been keeping tabs on the boy's activities. He was well-informed in just about every aspect of Riley's life. It was as if he was always present, sharing every woe and joy with Riley. Only that the other had no idea whatsoever.

Draco's heart and mind were in shambles. The boy had always been special to him. 2 years ago, he wanted to protect him and help him live a peaceful life away from his family.

Then today, he personally witnessed Dylan and Riley's interaction. They felt so at ease with each other. And when Dylan put an arm around the boy, Draco saw red. He had to stop himself from ripping that wayward arm. Evaluating his feelings, Draco did not want to admit it but felt possessive towards the boy. He wanted to monopolize his attention.

He had never felt such intense feelings for anyone before.

Since he was young, he had been hurt by those close to him. His parents abandoned him and left him to his paternal grandfather without ever considering the effect on a young Draco. They were absorbed in chasing the life they wanted without each other. In the end, it alienated Draco from his parents and made him aloof and distant. 

Later, as Draco got older, he got pushed into the middle of an inheritance war between his uncles and cousins. He grew up surrounded by schemes and lies. Everyone has their own agenda. Every gesture, every smile was a hidden ploy. Draco grew suspicious of others' intentions toward him. It made him the cold and indifferent man he was now. Incapable of affection and warmth.

Then came that one fateful night he found the boy Riley. His peach blossom eyes were like a pool of tranquility. Clean and pure. Untainted. Trusting. Like a budding lotus flower in muddy water.

With a heavy sigh, Draco decided to head downstairs for a drink. He remembered the cellar was full of dated wines. He had an inkling this would be another long sleepless night. He might as well wait for Riley.

Sometime after 8 PM, a sound of a car engine alerted Draco, who was enjoying his wine. Guessing it must be Riley back home from the party, he went out to check.

As soon as he did, he saw Riley getting assisted by Jake, obviously intoxicated. There was nothing unusual about helping a drunk friend but what Draco saw next made his blood boil. The young man started to hug Riley closer. His face was inching closer and closer to Riley's as if to kiss him.

"Don't even think about it." Draco almost could not recognize the growl that came out of him. He rushed over and snatched Riley from the guy, holding him close.

"I-I'm sorry, man. I-I wasn't gonna do a-anything." The blond teen was so nervous about getting caught red-handed. His words came out as a stutter. Walking backward, he almost stumbled on a flower bed before running back to his car and driving away. All the while, Draco's murderous glare trailed him.

Draco was so furious. Then looking at the unknowing youth peacefully sleeping in his embrace, cheeks pink in drunk blush and his luscious red lips slightly open, Draco snapped. And before he could stop himself, he seized Riley's mouth with his and bit his lower lip, nibbling at it a few times before finally releasing it. However, to Draco's utter frustration, the boy just wrinkled his face. Then groaned in dissatisfaction, all the while, his mind deep in dreamland.

Annoyed, he pinches the boy's cheeks. "You…! Making me this angry."

It was no use venting his displeasure when the person involved was oblivious. And Draco knows he was being irrational. It was not Riley's fault.

Sighing, Draco gave up the idea of "punishing" the boy and carried him to the room adjacent to his. He then laid Riley on the bed, took off his shoes, and pulled the quilt to keep the boy from getting cold. Through all this ministration, Riley never once stirred.

After making sure Riley was comfortable, Draco stretched to switch off the bedside lamp. Then bending down, he gave Riley a light peck on the forehead.

But before he did, he paused to whisper, "I guess you will have to take responsibility for that first kiss you stole from me… Little Riley, I am very old-fashioned. I will expect no less than a life-long commitment from you."

Riley, who had been quiet all this time, unexpectedly hummed in his sleep.

Draco smiled. Even when asleep, the boy really pleases him.

"Then, I will take that as you agreeing… You can no longer take it back."

With that, he left, closing the door after.

In the room, the innocent Riley slumbered, unaware that he had unknowingly sealed his fate to the wily Draco Sy…