Chapter 8

Roderick Bradford had dinner with the Kaphtan family before he joined his family for dessert. The Kaphtan family was another rich family that Roderick had eyes for, he'd been looking for ways to partner with them and he found one. He has been looking for a reason to ask his son to marry into from the family and the reason presented itself. He had asked Henry to do a background check on the Kaphtans which only consisted of the chairman, wife and his only heir, Arsalan. Henry was a retired private investigator and worked for the Bradfords since his thirties, looking up the Kaphtans was just warming up his skills.

He found out Habib Kaphtan, the chairman's dirty secret; he slept with younger women from different industries most of them were upcoming celebrities, he did all this behind his wife's back. It was unknown to them if their son knew. They couldn't find anything on Habib's wife, Hassanat, she was a housewife and devoted Islam who preferred being a mother and a wife to having a white collared job. The greatest opportunity came when they found out that Arsalan was openly gay through his instagram account and all plans were laid. 

A week ago, Roderick visited Habib's company without an appointment to show him the pictures he had of him taking three different celebrities to one of his hotels. Roderick promised to keep his secrets if he listened to him and stated an arranged marriage between their sons. Habib found the idea as a big opportunity, merging of two powerful families, they would defeat other powerful families in the business world. 

They designed the dinner to tell Hassanat and Arsalan about the marriage. His goons have told him about Theodore's new fiance to which he detested and used his power to silence the media mouth shut about any scandal about his son knowing that his son is purposing being reckless by showing intimacy in public. He couldn't have his son marrying a billionaire that nobody knew anything about not even his business partners, he was sure good at hiding. Noticing his son taste in Arabian men he picked one his son wouldn't easily resist.

The dinner was a formal one but they kept all business talks away from the table courtesy to Hassanat rule. Ford's Chairman admired the relationship between father and son, they didn't seem close but they tolerated each other and didn't argue with his son like he did with his. They looked like a peaceful family even though the husband is a cheat, the family was better than his.

'Alan, what do you think of marriage' Habib said to Arsalan, he preferred being called Alan than his real name.

'Not my style, I know I still have to produce an heir but I haven't found the one' Alan replied

'I have a son who is gay as you, do you think it can work out' Roderick said using the tone he used to discuss business while Hassanat watched them silently. She is opened to her son sexuality and would always support her son but the thing was that he hasn't found love. 

'It depends, if he pings my interest' Alan said, causing Roderick to smile to himself he knew about his sons beauty that attracts both men and women, just with him biting his lips could make you crave for him.

Roderick bought out his tablet from his suitcase and passed it to Alan. The tablet displayed a picture of Theodore, a photoshoot he had done recently, Alan looked at the picture and bit his lips, it was just a random picture of Theodore smiling, the photographer did a good job outline the young heir body as he sat on a couch.

'Definitely picked my interest' Alan groaned, he could feel himself having an hard on. Alan has never been in a relationship, just few hook ups which happened occasionally, most times he was focused on taking over the family business as he was the fourth generation. 

He passed it to his mother who was eager to see the man that got her son interest, the man is beautiful, she thought, he could make a good wife rather husband. Roderick smiled at the fast progress of the plan, it's time to get to the hard part. 

'I'm happy you like my son but there is a tiny problem' he said and Alan smile disappeared at the statement.

'What's that' he asked 

'My son, Theodore is against the marriage and even got himself a fiance to rebel' Roderick said and Alan chuckled

'And who is standing between me and my love' his lips had a sinister smile that sent chills to his mother face. 

'If Theodore doesn't want it don't force him, marriage is a lifetime choice' she protest

'Mother, I don't need the lectures' Alan shunned, Roderick gestured for the tabled and scrolled to the next picture. It was a picture of Theodore and Malik on their first date, the picture showed them standing outside the restaurant, Theodore had stood on his toes and placed a kiss on Malik's cheek. Alan glared at the picture for few seconds before he smirked. 

'It only made it spicy' 

'Don't force him if he doesn't want to marry you, I don't want an unhappy in law'

'Spare me the advice' he barked at his mother. 

Roderick smiled as his plans were coming to its climax. 

Meanwhile, at New York, Hayden had curled up his condo, crying since he arrived. He heard a bang and consenent ringing of the door bell. He sighed triedly and moved to the entrance door. 

Without looking at the small screen close to the door to see who it was, he swung it open. He saw Malik standing in front of him. 

'Found you' the billionaire exhaled

He still couldn't believe that he was real. He slowly lifted him hand and touch his cheek. It felt real it wasn't a dream. The man he loved was standing in front of him. 

He didn't want to think about his next action. He have always thought before he act and that led in nowhere. He was done with using his head, he was going to use his heart. 

He moved closer and stood on his toes, he placed a kiss on the billionaire's lips. His eyes close a he absorbed the comfort he felt. Tears left his eyes once again as he remembered this was what his body ached for but he couldn't have it.