Chapter 21: Unwrapped Emotions

A call flashed across the screen... Lena.

Kayden caught the name in a glance but didn't say anything. He stepped back quietly and gave Thaddeus a small nod.

"You should take that," he said gently. "I'll be in my room."

Without waiting for a reply, Kayden turned and walked upstairs.

Once Kayden left, Thaddeus sighed softly and answered the call.

"Lena." Their voices muffled and soft in the quiet space.

They spoke casually for a while before Lena finally asked, "Thaddeus, Her voice was light on the other end, as if she hadn't just waited hours for a reply. "I know you're busy, but I was wondering…" She paused, tone casual but edged with meaning. "Would you mind if I stopped by your place sometime this weekend? Just for a short visit."

Thaddeus hesitated. The question caught him off guard.

"I… I'll make time for that," he replied gently, unsure of what else to say.

Not long after Lena ended the call, Ryland called him. The older man didn't waste time getting to the point.

"Lena said she wants to visit," Ryland began, voice playfully accusing. "But you turned her down?"

Thaddeus rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't turn her down. I just said I'd make time for her."

Ryland chuckled knowingly. "But why? You once told me yourself how smart and beautiful she is. So what's holding you back?

Thaddeus gave a quiet breath of a laugh. "I'm not rushing anything."

"Right, not rushing. Because thirty-nine is so young," Ryland joked.

"Watch it."

Ryland chuckled. "Fine. But honestly, what's holding you back? Are you seeing someone secretly?"

"No," Thaddeus said calmly. "No one."

"But there's someone, isn't there?"

Thaddeus let out a dry laugh. "There's no one else, Ryland. I just don't want to rush things. I want to be sure."

Ryland's voice was firm but lighthearted. "You're not rushing. You should invite her over. Let her accompany you to that charity gala Elisa mentioned. She said you got an extra invite, right? Must be for someone special."

Thaddeus grew quiet for a moment. "Yes… someone special."

Ryland perked up. "Oh? Who?"

Thaddeus hesitated, then finally said, "Kayden."

There was a pause on the other end of the line.

"Kayden?" Ryland sounded surprised. "He's never liked those kinds of events. Sure, he's special, but the person you take to something like this should be someone you have an affair of the heart with, not Kayden."

Thaddeus kept his tone calm. "I've already invited him. He's looking forward to it. I can't change that now. And besides… he's your son, Ryland. You should understand better than anyone how he might react if I suddenly changed plans."

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Ryland replied, "I do understand. I know how Kayden can be when it comes to changes... But he's like a son to you too, Thaddeus. I'm sure if you talk to him, he'll understand."

Then Ryland added with a teasing tone, "Or would you prefer I explain it to him?"

"No. No, Ryland... don't," Thaddeus cut in, his voice firm and urgent.

Ryland chuckled. "Alright, alright. I just think he'd be happy to know you're finally moving on. You know he can't wait for you to have a wife of your own."

Thaddeus's voice softened. "I know. But please... don't say anything until things are final between Lena and me. It's still too early."

Ryland hummed in agreement. "Understood."

And with that, the call ended, leaving Thaddeus staring at the silent phone in his hand, his thoughts already spinning. The idea of Ryland telling Kayden sent a jolt of unease through him, he wasn't ready for that conversation.

Meanwhile, in Kayden's room…

Kayden's room still held the remnants of his last birthday, a stack of unopened gifts gathering dust in one corner. He hadn't felt like opening any of them until today. Maybe it was boredom. Maybe it was something else. But as he scanned the pile, his eyes fell on the most important set of gifts to him. Thaddeus's.

Kayden had unwrapped a few things before, but Thaddeus had gone above and beyond. There were more packages than he remembered. Smiling faintly, he knelt and began unboxing each one carefully. His parents and friends had given him expensive items, sure, but none of them compared to Thaddeus's gifts. He set them aside, arranging them with extra care, placing each item on a clean velvet cloth beside his bed, almost like they were sacred.

Thaddeus stepped out of his room and walked downstairs toward the dining room.

Thaddeus passed by Kayden's room on his way to the dining hall. He paused at the open door, catching sight of Kayden sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by colorful wrapping paper, ribbons, and opened boxes. The gifts that had been sitting untouched in his room for days were now finally being unwrapped with careful hands and quiet excitement.

A small smile tugged at Thaddeus's lips.

"You finally opened all your gifts," he said, leaning against the doorframe.

Kayden glanced up, slightly startled, then smiled. "Yeah. Almost done already."

Thaddeus stepped inside. "I came to call you for dinner. Let's go eat."

Kayden looked down at the last few items beside him, his hands still busy arranging them. "Daddy, wait a little bit," he said gently, not even looking up. "Let me finish first."

Thaddeus crossed his arms with a soft sigh, trying not to smile. "Just leave the rest, the maids will take care of it."

Kayden finally looked at him, his expression stubborn yet sweet. "I know, but... these are important. Just give me a little more time, okay?"

Thaddeus nodded, watching him with quiet fondness. "Alright."

A few minutes later, Kayden stood up, brushing off imaginary dust from his pants. Without hesitation, he walked straight to Thaddeus and wrapped his arms around his waist tightly, his cheek pressing against his chest.

"Thank you, Daddy."

Thaddeus blinked, his hand instinctively going to Kayden's back. "For what?" he asked, voice low.

Kayden looked up at him, his eyes shining softly. "For waiting… and for the gifts. They mean so much to me."

He said it like a boy in love with the simple things, like someone who treasured every second of the attention he received, every gesture, every thoughtful item carefully chosen just for him.

Thaddeus looked down at him, quietly taking in how adorable he looked, his tousled hair, the slight pout on his lips, the pure sincerity in his eyes. He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Kayden's forehead.

"Let's go and eat."

The dining table was already set when they arrived, neatly arranged with a lavish spread only the wealthy could afford. On the glossy marble surface sat golden bowls of creamy truffle risotto, butter-seared scallops, a platter of grilled lamb chops with rosemary glaze, and a bottle of imported red wine resting beside tall crystal glasses. The faint aroma of freshly baked cheese soufflé filled the air, mingling with hints of herbs and warm bread.

Kayden took his seat across from Thaddeus, and for a moment, they ate in peaceful silence, each bite deliberate and elegant, the way people raised in refinement often did.

The clinking of silver cutlery and the soft hum of the air conditioner were the only sounds between them until the stillness was broken by the ring of a call.

Thaddeus glanced at the screen and picked up. "Hello?"

It was his sister.

She spoke briskly, her voice sharp and efficient. "I have some business to attend to in your city, meetings with investors, and overseeing the launch of the new property. I'll be staying for a week."

"That's fine," Thaddeus responded calmly, his tone neutral but respectful.

When the call ended, he turned to Kayden. "Rassel's coming to the city. She'll be staying for a week."

Kayden's eyes lit up slightly. "Oh, that's cool. It's been a while since I last saw her."

They talked casually, finishing the last bites of their meal. When Thaddeus set his napkin down, he looked across the table and said, "Let's go for a fitting tomorrow."

"For the event?"

Thaddeus nodded. "It's just a day away. I'll wrap work early tomorrow and come pick you up from school. Then we'll head there together."

Kayden nodded. "No problem."

They both stood, chairs gliding softly on the marble floor. As they made their way up the grand staircase, Thaddeus glanced at him with a faint smirk.

"Sleep in my room tonight," he said casually. "You've already messed yours up with all the gift wrappings and boxes."

Kayden blinked at him in surprise, lips curling into a teasing smile. "Wait, are you inviting me to your room?"

Thaddeus raised a brow, amused. "Why? You don't want to?"

Kayden chuckled, eyes sparkling. "I'd love to."