Chapter 19: An Invitation to His World

The next morning, Thaddeus was awake before the sun fully rose, seated by the window with his phone in hand. The soft hum of the city outside barely distracted him as he typed back and forth with Ryland.

Ryland: So? How did the date go with Lena?

Thaddeus leaned back, fingers moving steadily.

Thaddeus: She's not bad. Actually… she's smart, independent, doesn't talk too much, just the way I like it. Beautiful too, not overly flashy.

Ryland: Sounds like you're impressed.

Thaddeus gave a small smirk.

Thaddeus: I am. She's not like the others.

Ryland: So, what's next? A second date?

Thaddeus stared at the screen for a moment before typing.

Thaddeus: We'll see. I'm not rushing anything.

Just then, he heard a faint rustle behind him. He turned to see Kayden stirring under the sheets, his hair messy, eyes barely open.

"Mm… Daddy?" Kayden mumbled, his voice still laced with sleep. "Why's it so bright?"

Thaddeus set his phone aside and walked over. "Morning. Are you okay?"

Kayden blinked slowly, then nodded. "A little dizzy... but I'm fine. Did you bring me back last night?"

Thaddeus chuckled. "Yes, you were already asleep by the time I got there. You called me, remember?"

Kayden groaned softly, embarrassed. "I did? What did I say?"

"You said your friend was drunk, but you weren't. Then, you proceeded to speak complete nonsense," Thaddeus teased, brushing Kayden's hair from his face.

Kayden buried his face in the pillow with a muffled groan. "Kill me now."

Thaddeus chuckled again, more softly this time. "Relax. "

From the bed, Kayden peeked out with one eye. "Thanks for taking care of me... Daddy."

Thaddeus ruffled his hair gently, his tone warm. "Anytime."

Thaddeus stood by the bed, arms lightly crossed as he now watched Kayden slowly sit up, his expression still hazy from sleep. After a moment of silence, Thaddeus spoke, not harshly but with calm firmness in his voice.

"I know you're still young," he began, his gaze steady, "and it's normal to want to drink, to have fun with your friends. I understand that."

Kayden looked up at him, blinking, sensing what was coming.

"But getting drunk like this..." Thaddeus shook his head slightly, "It's not just careless. It's dangerous. Anything could have happened last night. You were lucky Darren had the sense to send me the location."

Kayden lowered his eyes, guilt slowly creeping onto his face.

Thaddeus moved closer, his voice softer now. "I'm not angry, Kayden. I just want you to be safe. Drink responsibly. Know your limit. And if you ever feel it's too much, just call me. I'll always come for you. Understand?"

Kayden gave a small nod. "Okay… I get it. I'm sorry."

Thaddeus sat on the edge of the bed and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Good. I care about you, Kayden. Don't make me worry like that again."

There was a quiet pause between them before Kayden mumbled under his breath, "You sound just like my dad."

Thaddeus smiled faintly but didn't respond. Instead, he gave Kayden's shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Just as the atmosphere began to settle, Thaddeus stood up and walked over to the drawer beside his bed. He opened it calmly and retrieved a sleek, cream-colored envelope, embossed with gold details.

Turning back to Kayden, he extended it toward him. "Here," he said.

Kayden took the envelope curiously and raised a brow. "What's this?"

Thaddeus returned to his seat beside him. "It's an invitation to a charity gala. Next Saturday. It's formal, high profile… and I want you to come with me."

He opened it slowly.

> GREY & HAVEN INTERNATIONAL

ANNUAL CHARITY GALA

Grand Rive Hotel Ballroom

Black Tie Only | 8:00PM

Kayden's eyes widened as he stared at the invitation in his hand. "For real? You want to take me with you?"

Thaddeus gave a small nod, calm as ever. "Didn't you say you wanted to learn how the business world works?"

Kayden nodded eagerly, still processing the moment.

"Then let's start by meeting some of my colleagues," Thaddeus said, his voice firm but encouraging. "Most of them are also your dad's investors. They've worked closely with him for years."

A spark of excitement lit up Kayden's face. It wasn't just about the gala. It was about being included about stepping into a world he had only seen from a distance.

Thaddeus offered a small smile, then gestured toward the door. "Now get up and get dressed. Don't you have class today?"

Kayden blinked. "Yes, I have class."

Thaddeus gave a soft nod. "Alright. I'll drop you off before I head to work."

It wasn't entirely accurate; Thaddeus's office was in the opposite direction from Kayden's university. But that didn't matter this morning. The hotel Lena was staying in happened to be along the same route as Kayden's school. It was a convenient excuse, though he didn't say that aloud.

After Kayden got dressed and Thaddeus finished knotting his tie, both men sat down for a quiet breakfast. The atmosphere was calm, warm even, the kind that made mornings feel less heavy. Kayden spoke about his schedule, while Thaddeus nodded in between bites, correcting him gently on how to balance studies and social life.

Not long after, they both stepped out, Kayden in a fitted shirt and jeans, Thaddeus in his sharp charcoal suit. The driver opened the back door, and they slid into the car together, side by side.

When they arrived at the familiar drop-off point near Kayden's campus, Thaddeus glanced at him. "Focus today," he said.

Kayden smiled and waved. "I will. See you later, Daddy."

Thaddeus gave a small nod but stayed silent, eyes following the boy as he stepped out. Kayden walked a few steps, adjusting the strap of his backpack when suddenly.

Two hands came from behind and covered his eyes.

Thaddeus sat forward slightly, his breath catching.

But then Kayden's reaction stopped him cold. The way he laughed softly, tilting his head back and playfully slapping the stranger's arm, it wasn't just friendly. It was familiar.

Then the tall figure stepped beside him, revealing a lean young man with dark hair and sharp features. Ariz.

"Good morning, Kayden," he said.

"Morning, Ariz." Kayden grinned, tucking his hair behind his ear.

They stood close.

Thaddeus leaned back into his seat, his jaw tightening. Something in his chest twisted not quite anger, not quite jealousy, but unsettling all the same.

Without a word, he tapped the door, and the driver pulled away.

Destination: the hotel where Lena was staying.

But Thaddeus couldn't focus. Not on Lena. Not on anything else.

His mind had betrayed him.

The image kept replaying, Ariz's hand over Kayden's eyes… and that smile.

Kayden stepped into the lecture hall just as the professor was settling in. He scanned the room and found Darren seated in their usual spot, a seat already pulled out and waiting for him.

"Morning," Kayden said with a soft smile as he dropped his bag and sat down.

Darren didn't respond immediately. Instead, his eyes stayed fixed on Kayden, not just looking, but searching. Observing.

Kayden blinked, slightly uncomfortable. "Is there something on my face?"

Darren shook his head, his lips parting as if to say something, but he chose silence instead. Throughout the lecture, Kayden could feel his gaze now and then, like a quiet itch on the back of his neck.

After class ended, the two walked together to the library without much talk, each settling into a quiet corner with textbooks spread in front of them. It wasn't long before Kayden noticed it again, Darren, staring.

He looked up, finally unable to ignore it. "Okay, seriously. What is it now? Do I have a pimple or what?"

Darren hesitated, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. Then, in a lower voice, he asked, "Do you… Normally, call your Uncle Thaddeus… Daddy?"

Kayden blinked, caught off guard. The question wasn't just curious, it was cautious. Loaded.

"Yes, I do," he replied simply, brows knitting. "Why?"

Darren exhaled slowly. "You call your dad's best friend… Dad?"

Kayden leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Yeah. Is there anything wrong with that?"

There was a beat of silence between them. Darren's eyes flicked down to his book.

"No. Nothing's wrong. I was just… surprised."

Kayden sighed and softened his tone. "Uncle Thad has taken care of me since I was a baby. He's more than just a family friend. He's like a father to me. I don't see anything wrong with calling him Dad. I mean… he's been there."

Darren stared at him for a long moment, something unspoken in his eyes. Then he mumbled, "Hope it's not…"

Kayden cut him off before the thought could find breath. "It's not anything. Don't overthink it, Darren. The man we're talking about is my dad's best friend. There's nothing weird about it."

But the air between them felt heavier now. The way Darren looked at him had shifted, curious, cautious, almost protective.

Kayden opened his book again, pretending to read.

But neither of them turned a page for a while.