Chapter 23: Deadlines to Devotion

Ariz stared at him for a second, stunned into silence. "What?" he blinked. "Kayden… things like that aren't usually shared so casually."

"I know. I just… I've been curious," Kayden admitted. "It's not for gossip or anything. I just need to understand something."

Ariz studied him closely, then leaned back in his chair with a sigh. "Alright. I'll answer, but only because I can tell this matters to you."

He folded his arms and said calmly, "I'm a top."

Kayden nodded slowly, taking it in. "And do tops… I mean, do they usually prefer someone soft, or someone strong and confident?"

Ariz tilted his head, thinking it through. "Personally? I like someone strong. Not just physically, but emotionally, too. I'm not saying every top is the same, but most guys I know feel the same way."

He paused before continuing. "You can only genuinely love someone soft if your desires aren't purely physical. But when it comes to attraction, especially long-term, being with someone who's emotionally or physically soft can become tiring. Even boring."

Kayden frowned slightly. "So… being soft isn't a good thing?"

Ariz gave him a small smile, but it wasn't teasing. It was honest.

"No, Kayden. It's not. Not in most cases."

Kayden leaned back in his seat, Ariz's words echoing inside his mind.

Soft… not a good thing.

He wasn't sure why it stung. He wasn't even certain who he was trying to become. He just didn't want to feel like he wasn't enough. Not for himself. And not for Thaddeus.

Kayden went quiet again, gaze fixed on the open book in front of him, though he hadn't read a single line. The words blurred together, meaningless.

Then, without looking at Ariz, he asked again, his voice calm, but heavy with something he couldn't name.

"So… if someone tells you you're soft in bed, what exactly does that mean?"

Ariz blinked at him, then leaned back in his chair with a sly smile creeping onto his lips.

"Kayden, you're being really suspicious right now," he said with a chuckle. "Are you… dating someone? Like… having an affair with a guy or something?"

Kayden lifted his eyes, staring at Ariz with no expression. He didn't answer.

Ariz raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. Let's say someone tells you to your face that you're soft. That could mean they didn't enjoy anything intimate with you the way they wanted. Maybe they like you, but you're just not their match… in bed."

Kayden narrowed his eyes. "I never said I was the one. So why are you referring everything back to me?"

Ariz smirked, unbothered. "It's just an example, bro. Chill."

"Okay," Kayden muttered. Then, after a second, he asked again, "So… what if someone wants to stop being soft, how does that even happen?"

Ariz shrugged, leaning back. "Eat well. Like, healthy stuff. Not too much sugar. Start working out. You're kinda too soft-looking, you know?"

Kayden's eyes flicked up sharply. "I never said I was the one, Ariz. Stop talking like you know it's me."

Ariz grinned, folding his arms across his chest. "If it's not you, then who, my friend?"

He burst into laughter.

"You can't even keep a straight face. You suck at lying. You always get caught."

Kayden didn't respond. He just stared at him, face unreadable, lips pressed together. His silence only seemed to make Ariz laugh harder, but beneath that calm mask, something inside Kayden twisted.

He didn't like being seen through.

And especially not when everything felt so confusing inside him already.

"I never said I was the soft one, you know," Kayden said quietly, not meeting Ariz's eyes.

Ariz gave a little chuckle. "You keep saying that, but you also keep asking like you are. So which one is it?"

Kayden didn't answer. He just shrugged.

Ariz leaned forward again, resting his elbows on the table, voice softer now.

"Hey, I'm not judging you. I told you because I trust you. But if something's going on… if you're with someone, especially someone older..." He paused, eyeing Kayden carefully. "Just be careful, alright? Power dynamics can get messy."

Kayden's heart skipped slightly, but his face remained unreadable.

"I'm not stupid, Ariz."

"I didn't say you were. I said Be careful.""

They both fell silent after that. The library remained still around them, the occasional sound of pages turning in the distance.

Kayden's mind was loud, though. Louder than it had been in days.

He thought of Thaddeus's words.

You were soft. Gentle. Untouched.

He thought of the maids' gossip. The way they whispered about him like a child, like someone who couldn't possibly be loved by someone like Thaddeus.

And he thought of Ariz, honest and well-meaning, but still confirming what Kayden feared most. Being soft meant not being enough.

His eyes drifted to the window, where sunlight bled through the blinds, cutting shadows across the floor.

He didn't want to feel this way anymore.

But what exactly was this feeling?

Was it jealousy? Insecurity? Or something deeper, something far more complicated?

He wasn't sure yet.

But something inside him was shifting.

The clock on the wall ticked past 4:15 p.m., casting its shadow across the sleek glass desk in Thaddeus's office. A quiet hum of productivity buzzed through the floor assistants typing, printers whirring, muted conversations held over headsets. The glow of late afternoon sun bled in through the blinds, striping the dark wood panels with gold.

Thaddeus stood by the window, arms crossed over his chest as he surveyed the city skyline. His phone buzzed on the desk behind him.

Reminder: Pick up Kayden – 4:50 PM. Fitting: 5:30 PM – Maison du Luca.

He turned back to his desk, grabbing the phone with a flick of his wrist. With precise fingers, he swiped the screen and scanned his calendar one last time.

A knock came on the door. "Come in," he said without looking up.

Elisa, his sharp-eyed executive assistant, poked her head in. "Sir, the revised proposal for the Riyad account is ready for sign-off."

"Leave it," Thaddeus said, nodding toward the corner of his desk. "I'll go over it tonight and have it back to you first thing."

She hesitated. "And the call with Hong Kong?"

"Rescheduled. Monday morning. 7 sharp." He closed the file on his desk and slid it neatly into a folder. "Tell legal I need those contract updates by noon tomorrow."

"Yes, sir."

When the door closed, Thaddeus exhaled quietly and rolled his shirt sleeves back down. Everything about him, his watch, his cologne, the subtle cufflinks engraved with his initials, reflected his precision.

Thaddeus signed the final document on his desk, his pen gliding across the paper with a confident flourish. He capped it with precision and placed it on the stack for collection. The day's work was officially done.

He stood, straightening his tall frame, and reached for his suit jacket draped neatly over the back of his chair. Sliding it on, he glanced at the digital clock.

Right on time.

"Elisa," he called, stepping out into the hallway.

"Yes, sir?"

"I'm done for the day. I'll be out until Monday. The new assistant starts then, making sure their desk is set and briefing them properly."

"Understood, Mr. Grey."

He gave her a simple nod and walked toward the private elevator. As the doors closed around him, he allowed himself a small breath of relief.

A new assistant. Finally, he thought. That should ease the load. At least a little.

The car was already waiting when he stepped out of the building. The driver, punctual as always, opened the back door for him.

"Good evening, sir," the driver greeted.

Thaddeus gave a curt nod in return and slid into the leather interior. The door shut behind him with a soft thud, and the vehicle pulled away from the curb, heading toward Kayden's school.

Kayden stood by the gate, his hands gripping the straps of his backpack, eyes scanning every car that passed. The moment he spotted the sleek black vehicle turning into the school drive, his heart jumped.

The car came to a gentle stop, and even before the driver could step out, the door was already opening.

"Daddy," Kayden said softly, eyes lighting up as he rushed forward.

Thaddeus leaned out, offering a rare, warm smile as he helped Kayden into the car. No words were exchanged, but the simple "thank you," Kayden whispered as he settled into the seat held more weight than any long speech.

Thaddeus reached over, gently patting his head. "Buckle up. We're going straight to the fitting."

Behind them, unnoticed but watching closely, Ariz stepped out of the school building.

He paused when he saw Kayden's figure disappear into the car and the door close smoothly behind him. The boy's expression said it all, peaceful, safe, like he'd been waiting all day just to feel that way again.

Ariz tilted his head slightly, watching the car glide down the road.

"I'm sure to Kayden," he murmured under his breath, "this man means everything."

He stood there for a moment longer, watching the car until it vanished around the corner.

To be continued...