22: "I...like him"

Ian stays with Daniel the whole night. Ian wanted to leave but when the younger man kept clinging and wanted to cuddle with him, he didn't have the heart to push him away.

Daniel wants to preserve the gentle and warm arms that hold him as long as he can. Because tomorrow, he might be in the devils' arms.

"Are you alright?" Ian asks worriedly when he notices the watery eyes. He slightly pushed Daniel to have a better look.

Daniel wipes the tears with the back of his hand. He nods, "I'm fine."

Ian sighs. He pulls Daniel's head back onto his neck and strokes it. "Tell me if you feel uncomfortable, okay?"

Daniel just hums.

Around 5:30 am, Ian wakes up and gets ready to leave. If it's the weekend, he might prolong his stay but he still needs to go to work today so he has to go home and change his clothes.

He stares for a good minute at Daniel who sleeps soundly. He pecks on his forehead and whispers, "I'm going first."

Before leaving, Ian turns to take a final look. He clenches his fist and his face turns grim. He mumbles, "Don't worry. I'll protect you."

Ian is going to work as usual. The first thing he did was report to Randi about his visit to Evo.

Being an honest guy, Ian didn't hesitate to tell the truth that he slept with one of the specimens last night.

Randi, of course, is quite surprised to hear that because he knows Ian is not someone who is easily tempted and gives in to seduction. If not, with that face he can be "Tsujihara Kevin No.2".

Ian also tells Randi what Daniel has to experience as a 'special employee'. Randi clenches his fist then slams the table. "Bastard! What a scum!"

"Sir, can I request something?" Ian said.

"Request? Why sound so formal? Sure what do you need?"

Ian takes a deep breath before speaking out his wish. Randi was a little bit surprised but he didn't reject it. He pondered for a moment before agreeing. Ian keeps bowing, showing his gratefulness.

Looking at the pumped-up young man in front of him, Randi faintly smiles. "Do you...like him?"

Ian rubs his nape bashfully. "It's just... I can't help but feel pity for him. I kinda want to protect and save him."

Randi nods, understanding. The reason he agreed to help Kevin was because of a stranger, a young guy named Yuki that Kevin told him. As a good Samaritan, Randi couldn't tolerate any harsh treatment against humans, especially if it involved big names and politicians.

Hearing a similar story, Randi can assure Ian that Daniel was telling him the truth. That is why he didn't hesitate to agree to Ian's request.

As soon as Ian leaves Randi's office, Randi makes a phone call. It takes two rings before it is picked up.

"Hello. Good morning, Mr. Hamada," Randi greets.

"Oh. Morning, Mr. James," Kenji replied excitedly.

"Mr. Hamada, it seems like you treated my man so well last night. He can't stop praising you."

"I'm really glad to hear that. I always give the best for the best."

"But my man seems satisfied about eight out of ten only."

"Oho? Why not ten out of ten? Is there anything that I can improve? Just tell me. I can always change for the better."

"You see...he likes the one you sent...but he feels a hundred times better if you reserve that one for him. Exclusively for him. You know, a young man like him is kinda possessive. They don't like to share with others."

Hearing the request, Kenji hesitates to agree. Daniel or "No.2" is usually requested by clients who usually like to have group sex. If Daniel stops receiving other clients, it might anger the other clients and cause a huge loss for him.

"...hmm...B- but Mr. Kenji, you know, that one is quite favored by others so...if he is being reserved..."

Randi knows what Kenji tried to say so he interrupts, "How about I add another 30% from our deal?"

Kenji's eyes widened. Hina Corp is already their largest investor. The "30%" is not a puny amount but it can cover all the stingy politician's money.

The politicians or the well-known clients prefer to get men from Evo because they have better security in terms of infectious diseases. It is much safer for them to do it with the specimen than random boys or men at the bar or meeting online.

But the condition to do it with the specimen is they need to invest at least 10,000 dollars. For them, giving 10,000 then getting to do it as many times as they want is profitable.

Despite having a lot of investors, most of them also give out the minimum amount. Therefore, the "30%" from Hina Corp. can easily make up for all of them.

"Deal!" Kenji instantly agreed, not giving a chance for Randi to take back what he said.

Randi chuckles. "Good. Then, deal. Later, my man will bring you the new agreement. Make sure you keep your promise. Keep that one exclusive for my right-man."

"No worries. No worries. I will carry out your request immediately. As for the agreement, I will be waiting. Thank you, Mr. James. It's nice to do business with you."

"Same here." Randi hangs up. His voice sounded friendly but his face was distorted the whole time.

Right after, Randi calls Kevin. He said he wants to meet Kevin this weekend and if it's possible he wants Kevin to see Yuki too.

......

At Tsujihara mansion, every day goes on as usual. Yuki is busy with his lesson during the day and being lovey-dovey with his lover during the night.

Walking around the garden after dinner, the couple is sitting on the swing with Yuki being half-hugged by his clingy boyfriend,

"Baby, this weekend, Raiden's father, uncle Randi wants to meet us," Kevin said while stroking Yuki's arm to produce some heat.

"Us? Me too?" Yuki lifts his head to face Kevin.

"Hmm. I also don't know why he wanted to meet you but he said he wanted to introduce us to someone. He didn't mention who it was."

Yuki puckers his lips and frowns. He never meets with Raiden's father but he guesses Kevin might tell uncle Randi about him. But he can't help but wonder the reason for the meeting.

"Don't worry. Uncle Randi is a good person. I'm sure he wants to introduce us to someone nice too. Besides, I'm always with you, so no need to worry, okay?" Yuki just hums.

On Saturday afternoon, Raiden drives to Tsujihara mansion. He took along his father and Ian.

Ian was a little bit nervous about who he was about to meet. Randi didn't tell him anything. Randi just said, "Come with me this Saturday. I'll bring you to meet someone important."

When he asks who it is, Randi just smiles and it makes him even more curious. Thus, he follows Randi blindly.

Raiden is a regular guest at Tsujihara mansion so if he parks his car under the garage, no one would say anything.

Kevin personally greets them at the door. "Come in," he invited.

Kevin leads them to the couch in the living room. He turns to the kitchen and raises his voice, "Yuki, come here. Our guests have arrived."

A moment later, a young guy in dark blue jeans and a white loose sweater ran out of the kitchen. Feeling all the eyes on him, Yuki hides behind Kevin.

Yuki notices Raiden waves and smiles at him. As for the other two unknown people, he just bobs his head.

Both Randi and Ian were surprised when they saw Yuki. This is the first time they saw such a beautiful guy. But for Ian, Yuki somehow reminds him of Daniel.

"Uncle, this is Yuki, my lover. The one I told you," Kevin pulls Yuki to his side. He leans to the right side and whispers to Yuki, "He is Uncle Randi, Raiden's father."

Yuki politely bows, "Hello uncle."

Randi's heart softens looking at the young man in front of him. He can guess why Kevin is infatuated with him. Yuki's presence can make everyone feel like they want to protect him.

"...this is?" Kevin asks Randi when the older man can't stop watching at Yuki like a doting father.

"Oh. Sorry. Forgot to introduce to you. This is Ian Lewis. He is the team leader for the project with Evo and Ian, this is Tsujihara Kevin, CEO of Tsujihara Group."

"Just call me Ian," Ian holds out his hand.

Kevin gladly grabs the hand reaching out to him, "Kevin."

Kevin and Yuki take a seat and they are practically joining at the hips. Yuki keeps holding onto Kevin's arm and the latter didn't seem to mind it.

"So what's the occasion? It was so sudden that you wanted to meet me, with Yuki too."

Randi as the middle person takes a deep breath before explaining to all of them.

"Ian, I told you that I made a deal with Evo because I want to help someone expose their underground business. That person is Kevin." Randi first explains to Ian.

"O..kay. But why would Mr. Kevin suddenly want to do that? Is there any particular reason?" Ian looks between Randi and Kevin.

Randi wanted to answer but Kevin raised his palm, stopping him. He pulls Yuki closer and embraces him tightly. "Because my lover is one of their victims. He managed to run away from them and now they are looking for him. If I don't destroy them, my lover's life will never be at peace."

Ian's eyes widened. He directly turns to look at the long-haired guy. 'No wonder he reminds me of Daniel.'

"Ohh... I see." Ian bites his lips, hesitates to tell them that he slept with a specimen last week. He is afraid that Kevin might see him the same as those devils.

"Actually, last week... I... slept with one of the specimens." As he dropped the words, Kevin immediately glared at him.

Ian quickly explains the details. In the beginning, he didn't even have the intention to sleep with Daniel. He just wants to dig up some information from them. But he ends up doing it because he doesn't want Daniel to suffer later on. Kevin's expression finally eased.

"...cuse me... perhaps...d- do you know his name?" Yuki suddenly asked.

"Daniel. Daniel Thompson."

Yuki unconsciously clenches Kevin's shirt. His eyelashes tremble and bite his lips.

Daniel Thompson. The guy was brought in the same year as him. However, he is the opposite of Yuki.

Yuki was treated with specialty but Daniel was treated so lowly. Yuki was not allowed to have sex with clients until this year before he escaped. But Daniel was forced to have sex with clients when he is seventeen and a year after that, Daniel was forced to be involved in group sex.

Yuki knew him because they were usually placed in the same lab. Given injection and treatments at the same time. He is lucky to be considered as a 'special specimen' but Daniel's life is just too pitiful. He is amazed how the other party still could hold on and live until this day.

"H- How is he?"

Ian sighs. He shakes his head. "Not good. He said that the number of men he had to serve at one time keeps increasing. The punishments were harsher if the clients complained about him."

Yuki is on the verge of tears.

"But don't worry. With the help of Mr. James, Daniel will be saved for now. I have reserved him and he will no longer accept clients...other than me."

Yuki leans on Kevin's and heaves a sigh of relief. "Pl- please...take good care of him and please treat him gently."

"I will," Ian firmly answered.

Three of them continue the discussion and Yuki just sits on Kevin's side, listening to their conversation. When the conversation is getting more serious into business, Yuki couldn't grasp the content and excused himself to the kitchen to help Aunty Emma prepare lunch for their guests.

After lunch, Kevin and Ian exchange their contact number. Ian promised Yuki that he will update Daniel about him. Yuki was so happy but he asked Ian not to tell Daniel that they met each other. It might hurt him more when he knew Yuki managed to escape from hell but he is still stuck there.

Raiden, who acts as the driver for the day, sent Ian to his house then the latter rushed inside, grabbed his car key, and sped up to Evo Org. He wants to meet Daniel as soon as possible. Right at this moment, he wants to hug the other person tightly. He wants to let him know that he will be fine and he will be freed soon.

They just met for the first time but in just one whole night, Ian feels attracted to Daniel. He wants to care for him, be kind to him and give all his love. This is a first for Ian but he is sure that...

"I...like him."