THE CANVAS TEST

“What’s it?” Mrs. Hale asked, curious.

“It’s about the meeting with the Rodriguezs,” Aiden began, his voice shaking.

“What about them?”

“Th-them… um… they…” Aiden stuttered.

“We lied to you. The Rodriguezs rejected our new collection,” Aiden finally revealed as Mrs. Hale’s jaw tightened immediately.

“What do you mean they rejected it? How are the designs?” Mrs. Hale pressed, her voice laced with disappointment.

She turned to Rowan. “Both of you can’t work and bring out a unique design?” She spat at him, standing up as she stared at them with dissatisfaction.

“Since you can’t handle such a little task with the Rodriguezs, how do you plan on becoming CEOs?” 

She turned to leave, but then Aiden’s voice stopped her.

“Mum.”

He swallowed. “We promise to make this right… we’ll present Kai’s canvas to them.” 

She turned back slowly.

“Do whatever you can,” she said, sniffing. “Dinner is served on the dining table.” She added, with that she left for her room.

“We only made things worse by lying and giving her false hope that we got the contract,” Aiden muttered.

“Deal with it, since you dragged the supposed Kai into this,” Rowan scoffed, walking away.

Aiden sighed and turned to Kai. He rose from where he stood and approached him on the couch.

“I’m sorry about what happened… I sincerely apologize on his behalf.” 

Kai’s lips curled into a smile. “It’s fine. I should be the one apologizing.”

Kai’s gaze shifted to the bandaged cheek.

“Does it still hurt?” Kai asked softly, raising his hand and touching Aiden’s face.

The gentle contact sent a shiver down Aiden’s spine.

Their eyes locked, Kai’s hand still resting against his cheek, and they stared at one another lustfully before realization shot Aiden back.

He gently pulled Kai’s hand away.

“Uh… I want to let you know that we’ll be using your modeling canvas to present to a client of ours tomorrow,” Aiden said, avoiding his gaze.

“That’s fine,” Kai smiled.

“You’ll be joining us.” 

Aiden stood, went to the dining, placed his food on a tray, and headed upstairs.

In his room, he set the tray on his table close to his suitcase and sank onto the bed.

Kai's touch replayed in his mind: the softness, the way his heart had raced. 

“No, no,” he snapped at himself. “I shouldn’t be thinking of that.” he muttered, grabbing his dinner, forcing himself to eat.

Afterward, he remembered Rowan hadn’t eaten. He walked to his room, opened the door to find Rowan on his bed, speaking with his phone close to him.

“Get any artist you can get tomorrow to paint it out. I have an idea in mind but won’t want to draw it myself,” Rowan said.

“An artist?” Aiden whispered. That must be Anna.

He rushed in and grabbed the phone.

“What’s wrong with you?” Rowan snapped.

“Cancel everything I said, but make sure the Rodriguezs are available tomorrow,” Aiden ordered.

“Yes sir,” Anna answered, thinking it was Rowan.

Aiden ended the call and kept the phone back beside Rowan.

“I want to see the Rodriguezs tomorrow,” he said, turning toward the door. “Your dinner is on the dining table,” Aiden added, then left to his room and slept off.

**The Next Day**

Aiden woke, showered and dressed in a perfectly tailored suit. Carrying his suitcase and hurried downstairs.

Kai sat on the couch in casual clothes, eating with his canvas beside him.

“Good morning,” Kai greeted.

“I see you’re all set,” Aiden said, scanning him, forcing himself to stay composed.

“Yes, I am.”

Aiden spotted Rowan at the dining, eating with clear irritation.

He rushed back upstairs to his room, grabbed another tailored suit and returned, walking up to Kai.

“Please change into this,” he said, handing the suit to him. Kai’s eyes widened.

“Me?” he asked as Aiden nodded.

“Thank you so much,” Kai said, his voice catching Rowan’s attention. Immediately he lost his appetite, standing up and leaving.

“Wait, man,” Aiden called, but Rowan didn’t stop.

Aiden took a few slices of bread and sipped his coffee while Kai went to change.

Moments later, Kai returned dressed in the suit, and Aiden caught his breath at how good Kai looked.

“Please, can you help me with the wrist buttons?” Kai asked, stretching out his hands.

“I’m not used to this,” he added.

“It’s fine,” Aiden said, fastening them carefully.

“Thanks. Now I think I’m ready,” Kai said. 

 Aiden nodded. “Let’s go now, not to keep Rowan waiting,” Aiden said as they reached the door, a voice stopped them.

“I’m coming too,” Mrs. Hale said, already dressed in her elegant gown with slight makeup and her hair neatly styled.

Together they walked to the parking lot. The moment Rowan saw Kai, his jaw tightened, but he stayed silent.

They got into the car, Kai clutching his canvas while Aiden drove.

Minutes later, they arrived at the company.

Staff greeted them as they walked in. Just as they reached the elevator, Anna approached.

“Good morning ma and sirs,” she greeted, then turned to Rowan.

“Sir, the Rodriguezs are already here and waiting in the boardroom,” Anna revealed.

They rushed into the elevator, everyone was quiet until the door opened, they stepped out and entered the meeting room.

Rodriguezs stood immediately.

“Hello ma’am.”

“It’s been a while.”

“Welcome back.”

Mrs. Hale nodded and gestured for them to sit.

“Kai and Aiden, the floor is yours,” Mrs. Hale said, motioning to them.

Kai’s hands trembled around the canvas as he walked forward and Aiden followed, their hearts beating fast.

Rowan walked to where his mum sat and whispered.

“I never believed you agreed to this. This is crazy,” Rowan murmured, but Mrs. Hale ignored him.

“Do you plan on using the person you said you wanted to help, to your advantage?” Rowan pressed as she met his gaze.

Without raising her voice, she replied,

“If he helps secure this contract, I'll accept him fully as another son, that's if he agrees. But if this doesn’t work out, I’ll help him recover, fund his life, and let him go.” Mrs. Hale explained as a smirk curled on Rowan’s lips.

“Let’s see how he helps get the contract then,” Rowan chuckled.

“As long as I’m here, you’ll never be the one to help,” he muttered as Aiden and Kai began setting up the canvas.

This was the only chance Kai had to remain with the family, else he’d be gone, and Aiden would lose him before he ever understood what his growing feeling truly meant.