Chapter 6: Secrets from the boss

The photoshoot should’ve been easy.

Keyword should’ve.

Kai had modeled before, but never with a partner, and definitely not with a partner who radiated unmedicated chaos like Jaden. The concept required chemistry, tension, closeness. Basically everything Kai did not have for this boy unless murderous intent counted as chemistry.

During the break, Kai stalked straight to one of the staff members, expression calm but eyes quietly screaming.

“The boy they paired me with,” he whispered, low enough to sound like a threat wrapped in silk, “why him?”

The staff blinked. “Oh, from what we got… Martin paired the partners up.”

Kai inhaled.

Another reason to kill Martin. Lovely. Just lovely. Today was a buffet of annoyances.

After the break, they changed outfits, posed again, and finally the shoot wrapped. Kai went to his father’s office to report like the obedient little heir he was expected to be.

His father didn’t even look up from his screen when he said, “I’ll be staying at the office. You can go home. Martin will drive you.”

Kai nodded and left, because his father’s office was not a place where you lingered unless you wanted trauma as a souvenir.

He went searching for Martin.

Martin was in the studio with the staff, helping pack up equipment. Kai stopped at the door, narrowed his eyes, and raised his voice like a judge delivering a death sentence.

“Martin! If you move an inch, you’re dead. You are actually dead.”

Martin froze mid-fold. “What? What did I do?”

Kai lifted a finger. “Do. Not. Move.”

But Martin moved. And the moment he twitched, Kai launched himself like a bull whose horns had been emotionally disrespected.

Martin screamed and ran.

The staff burst into laughter, already used to this exact brand of chaos. They had practically watched these two grow up; this was entertainment.

Martin was in college now, but his campus was close enough that he always stopped by the company. Which meant he had been providing Kai with annual harassment opportunities since childhood.

Eventually, Martin got tired of running, dropped to the floor dramatically, and pleaded for mercy like he was auditioning for a K-drama.

Kai let him live. Barely.

They were just about to leave when Martin’s phone buzzed. He checked it. A text from his college friends.

'Come hang out. We’re all at Tiana's.'

Martin readied himself to reply with a “Sorry, can’t, babysitting the CEO’s son,” but before he could type, Kai said, “You can go. I can go home alone.”

Martin blinked. “Seriously?”

Kai shrugged. “Yeah. Whatever.”

He should’ve never opened his mouth.

Because the universe hated him.

Jaden walked in like he’d been summoned from the underworld.

“I can take him home,” Jaden said casually, eyes locked on Kai. “If Martin doesn’t find that weird or strange.”

Martin grinned.

A traitor.

A full-time traitor.

“That’s perfect,” Martin said, already grabbing his bag. “Take him home, please.”

Kai stared at both of them like they were weeds growing in his sanity.

Perfect. Just perfect.

Now he was going home.

On Jaden’s bike.

With Jaden.

Voluntarily? No.

Cosmically forced? Yes.

This day needed to end.

---

The Superbike purred beneath them like it was holding its breath. Kai wasn’t scared of speed. Speed was freedom, and freedom tasted like rebellion. What rattled him was Jaden—because trusting that boy with his life felt like handing a grenade to someone who smiled too easily.

But Jaden… surprised him.

He rode quietly, almost meditative, the wind threading through Kai’s fingers as the world blurred. No unnecessary stunts. No sudden swerves. No reckless flexing. Just smooth, steady breathing and the warmth of someone who, for the first time in Kai’s life, didn’t try to choke him with expectations.

Kai almost felt… peaceful.

Disgusting.

By the time they arrived at Kai’s place—mansion, estate, palace, whatever label rich people pretended wasn’t embarrassing—Jaden cut the engine. His jaw dropped immediately. Like, cartoon-level dropped.

“Angel… just how rich are you?” He whispered it like the gates were holy.

Kai grimaced. “What is ‘Angel’ supposed to be?”

“That’s what I want to call you,” Jaden said with a grin that felt like a secret. “My nickname is Devil. People call me that when I get creative. So I want you to be the Angel to my Devil.”

Kai scoffed. “Before you brand someone with a halo, maybe find out who the hell they actually are.”

“I’m good at that,” Jaden replied. “Want proof?”

Kai raised a brow. “Fine. Free reading.”

Jaden leaned forward, eyes glinting with something too sharp to be friendliness. “In one sentence… you’ve never killed anyone. I can smell murderers, and you’re not one.”

Kai froze. The words hit his ribs like cold metal. Martin’s warning flashed in his head, loud and inconvenient.

His expression shut down instantly. “Leave. I’m going inside.”

He turned—barely took two steps—when Jaden grabbed him and yanked him back.

“Angel, I think you got that twisted,” Jaden said softly, almost kindly, which made it worse. “I didn’t tell you to leave. You don’t walk out on me. I only let it slide before because you didn’t know me yet. But now… no.”

Kai shoved him hard, slamming him into the wall. Fury burst clean, bright.

“What is your deal with me?” Kai snapped. “I told you to stay away. You could die being near me, so get the fuck out of my life.”

Jaden laughed. Quiet, low, unhinged enough to raise the hairs on Kai’s neck.

“And you look at me,” he said, “and genuinely think I’m scared of death? Cute.”

Kai’s fist flew on instinct. The punch cracked across Jaden’s jaw.

“You really don’t know me,” Kai growled. “Do your homework next time you stalk someone.”

He walked inside, slamming the gate behind him, heart hammering like it wanted to escape.

Once he reached his room, he dialed Martin immediately. Anxiety crawled up his spine like fire ants.

The line rang.

Rang.

Then connected.

“Martin, I need to talk to you,” Kai blurted. “Please, it’s about Jaden. Please talk to me.”

Silence.

“Martin? Hello? Martin?” His voice cracked. “Say something, you dummy.”

A pause. Long. Wrong.

Then a voice Kai never expected.

So calm. So familiar. So dangerous.

“So you’re keeping secrets from me now, son?”

His father.