Midnight Reunion

Asahin drifted in and out of sleep on the armchair, his limbs heavy with exhaustion. The room was steeped in shadows, the low glow from the bedside lamp casting amber pools of light across the dark wooden floor.

His phone lay buried beneath a fortress of pillows and blankets — a precaution against Tarya's prying ears. He suspected she had installed listening devices into his phone.

After all, the original Asahin's phone had been thoroughly compromised, every word and breath likely monitored. Losing it to that mugger had almost felt like a blessing. Almost.

A soft knock at the door shattered the fragile quiet. Asahin's eyes snapped open. His heart hammered as he stumbled to his feet and rushed to open the door.

Kaylen stood there, tall and composed, his gray eyes sharp even in the dim light. He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, his gaze sweeping over the room with calculating precision.

"You were right," Kaylen said quietly, the edge of his voice cutting through the haze of sleep. "Security is tighter this time."

"I told you." Asahin's mouth curled into a bitter smile. "Tarya was furious about the whole pheromones incident. I lied, obviously. Didn't tell her anything about getting mugged or… spending the night at your house." He let out a dry chuckle. "If I had, she might've killed me."

"You're exaggerating," Kaylen said, his brows drawing together.

Asahin's smile vanished. He took a step closer, his eyes hard. Of course Kaylen wouldn't believe him. Tarya was careful — nothing ever left a mark. No evidence, no bruises. Only hurt and pain inflicted by pheromones.

But Asahin had seen the truth behind those cold brown eyes. He had felt her intent coil around his throat like a snake.

"Maybe you need to pay closer attention to your boyfriend's family," Asahin said, voice low and sharp. "Don't let yourself be fooled by appearances."

"What are you talking about?" Kaylen's eyes narrowed. "Be clear."

"No." Asahin's lips curled into a ghost of a smile as he stepped back toward the armchair and sank down. "You strike me as the type who needs to see things for yourself to believe them."

Kaylen didn't respond. He remained standing in the middle of the room, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the floor. The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. The lamp's dim glow bathed Asahin's face in soft light, catching the delicate curve of his cheekbones and the slight furrow between his brows.

Asahin's gaze sharpened as he studied Kaylen. He was gambling now, pushing just hard enough to see how much Kaylen would lean in. After being locked up and tortured with pheromones, Asahin understood just how deep Tarya's malice ran. The killing intent in her eyes had been unmistakable. She didn't just want him gone — she wanted him dead.

And Darrien? His half-brother's hatred was different. Colder. Contempt ran in his veins, but Asahin had never sensed that sharp edge of lethal intent from him — not like Tarya.

Memories flickered through Asahin's mind like broken glass. The original Asahin had trusted the wrong people. The nanny and Evan — those two had been Tarya's puppets all along. He had overheard them conspiring with her once, discussing the vacation Tarya had insisted on.

Asahin had never understood the reason behind it, but now it seemed obvious. Tarya had been preparing to do something. Maybe even kill him. And if things had gone wrong, she would have masked it as a suicide — with no witnesses to contradict the story.

Asahin's fingers curled into the fabric of the armchair. His life was hanging by a thread. He could feel it.

Kaylen's footsteps sounded muffled across the floor. Asahin's breath caught when Kaylen crouched down before him, their eyes almost at the same level. Kaylen's gray gaze had darkened in the low light, the shadows deepening the sharp lines of his face.

"I apologize," Kaylen said quietly. His voice was uncharacteristically gentle. "For the pheromones. It wasn't intentional… I just couldn't seem to stop."

Asahin's eyes widened. He hadn't expected that. Kaylen's gaze softened, and something flickered beneath the calm surface of his expression — regret? Concern?

"My recklessness caused you trouble," Kaylen continued. "I can't change what happened. But I'll be more careful next time." He paused, his eyes sharpening. "And… I'll do as you say. I'll pay more attention to the people around me."

Asahin's lips parted. He could barely believe it. Kaylen had agreed that easily? And the apology — that was new. Kaylen wasn't exactly known for humility.

They stared at each other, caught in a strange silence. The tips of Asahin's ears started to burn under the intensity of Kaylen's gaze. His chest tightened, heat creeping up his throat.

Asahin coughed and looked away. "You should… probably avoid contacting me through the phone you bought," he said, his voice strained. "Tarya might have installed tracking and listening devices."

Kaylen's eyes sharpened. "What?"

"I told you to look closely at your boyfriend's family," Asahin said, his voice steady despite the fluttering pulse beneath his skin. "You have the resources. Use them."

Kaylen's expression darkened with quiet understanding. His gaze lingered on Asahin's face a beat too long.

Asahin shifted, preparing to stand — but Kaylen's hand suddenly pressed down on his shoulder, pushing him back into the chair.

Asahin's heart hammered painfully hard. Kaylen's hands slid to the sides of the armchair, trapping Asahin between his arms as he leaned down, their faces inches apart.

"What… what are you doing?" Asahin stammered.

Kaylen's breath brushed against his cheek, sending a shiver down his spine.

"Shouldn't I also look closer at you?" Kaylen's voice dropped, low and dark. "Maybe there's something about you I haven't seen yet."

Asahin's heart lurched. "Don't be ridiculous," he said, his voice barely steady.

Kaylen's hand slid to his cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over Asahin's skin, forcing him to meet his eyes.

"I don't know how," Kaylen murmured, "but you're not the same as before. You feel… different. And yet, somehow, familiar."

Asahin's breath stuttered. His heart was racing painfully fast now. He shoved Kaylen back and stood abruptly, his cheeks burning.

"You're imagining things," he said. "I just… decided to change. Remember? I told you about that the other day."

Kaylen's hand shot out, curling around Asahin's wrist. Asahin froze.

"I'll believe that — for now." A faint smile curved Kaylen's mouth. A real smile.

Asahin's almost gasped. He had never seen Kaylen smile like that before.

"Just as you suggested," Kaylen said, "I'll investigate everything. Thoroughly."

Asahin yanked his hand free. "Fine. But be careful. Tarya's watching me. It's best if you stay away."

Kaylen's smile deepened. "If I need to talk to you," he said, "I'll sneak in like this again."

"You—" Asahin's scowl deepened. He didn't like the idea of Kaylen casually breaking into his room whenever he felt like it. But what choice did he have? He couldn't call or text him. And another phone would only put him in more danger.

"I'll go now." Kaylen said as he stepped toward the door.

"Good night," Asahin uttered quietly.

Kaylen glanced over his shoulder, his gray eyes gleaming. "Good night."

The door clicked shut behind him.

Asahin stumbled back, his hand pressed over his chest, feeling the rapid thud beneath his palm.

He let out a shaky breath.