Sleeping With My Step Daddy-Chapter 44: "We Are Friends"

The next day, Ethan dropped Miles off at college. As soon as Miles got out, he pulled out his phone and dialed Kai’s number. It rang, but there was no answer. He called again.

At the hotel, Kai and Bast were still wrapped in soft white sheets, tangled in each other’s warmth. Kai’s phone rang again and again until he finally groaned, cracked one eye open, and answered.

Kai: "Miles, is it you? Are you always this ready to ruin my mornings?"

Miles: "Kai, why aren’t you at college today?"

Kai yawned and lazily replied: "I think I can’t come today..."

Miles: "Oh? Have you forgotten the deadline for our assignments?"

Kai’s eyes shot open. He sat up in a flash. "Wait—what?! Today’s the deadline?"

Miles: "Yes. And you’ve only got 40 minutes left. So come fast!"

Kai: "Okay, okay, I’m coming!"

He hung up quickly. Beside him, Bast stirred and opened his eyes. Seeing Kai flustered, he reached out, hugged him from behind, and placed a gentle kiss on his neck.

Bast: "Good morning."

Kai turned his head and smiled. "Morning."

Bast: "Is everything okay?"

Kai sighed. "Today’s the assignment deadline. I totally forgot. I need to rush to college."

Bast wrapped his arms tighter around Kai’s waist. "But I planned to spend the whole day with you."

Kai smiled apologetically. "Me too... but I completely forgot about the assignments."

Bast gave him a teasing grin. "Okay, then give me unlimited kisses, and I’ll let you go."

Kai giggled, then leaned forward and kissed Bast all over—his cheeks, eyes, nose, lips, and finally his forehead.

Bast grinned and hugged him. "Alright, alright. Let’s get ready. I’ll drop you at college."

Kai nodded and got out of bed, heading to the bathroom. Bast followed a moment later with a smirk.

Bast: "What about washing up together? It’ll save time."

Kai playfully pushed him back and laughed. "Nope!"

Bast chuckled as Kai shut the door, his smile lingering.

Bast pulled up in front of the college and parked. He leaned toward Kai, gently patting his head like he always did.

Bast: "Take care."

Kai smiled at him warmly.

Unbeknownst to them, someone standing at a distance was secretly snapping photos of the two.

Kai: "Okay, then... I’ll go."

Bast gave him a final look before starting the engine and driving off.

Inside the classroom, Miles and Eden sat together, both casually chatting while waiting. The moment Kai walked in, Miles spotted him.

Miles: "Heyyy, Kai!"

Kai took his usual seat, sliding into the chair beside them. Miles leaned in a little.

Miles: "So... how was your date yesterday?"

Eden, surprised, glanced between them with wide eyes.

Kai (calmly): "It was good."

Then, without a word, he raised his hand and showed them the ring on his finger.

Miles (gasping): "OH MY GOD! My friend, I’m so happy for you!"

Eden: "Congratulations, Kai!"

Kai smiled shyly, a soft blush coloring his cheeks.

Kai: "Thanks."

Eden tilted his head curiously.

Eden: "Kai... how’s your girlfriend? I’ve never seen you with a girl."

Kai looked down for a second, unsure how to respond.

Miles laughed, nudging Eden playfully.

Miles: "He doesn’t have a girlfriend. He has a boyfriend."

Eden’s expression shifted to one of delighted surprise.

Eden: "That’s amazing! I’m happy for you."

Kai lifted his head again and smiled, nodding in appreciation.

At the office, Bast sat in a meeting, his eyes occasionally scanning the room. During the presentation, he noticed Ethan staring intently at Rico, who sat calmly, focused on the slides in front of him.

After the meeting concluded, chairs shifted and papers were gathered. Rico approached Bast with a relaxed smile.

Rico: "Mr. Sebastian, how about dinner tonight? My treat."

Bast (coldly): "I’m busy."

Rico (chuckling): "Now that we’re business partners, you’re still acting cold, Mr. Sebastian?"

Without waiting for a reply, Rico stepped out of the meeting room, his secretary trailing behind him. The room now only held Bast and Ethan.

Bast turned toward him, frowning slightly.

Bast: "Ethan, what’s going on? Why do you look so weird today? And why were you staring at Rico the whole time?"

Ethan (quietly): "I’m just curious why you accepted their business proposal."

Bast: "Don’t worry. He hasn’t done anything wrong lately. And now he knows—if he tries anything again, he’s dead."

Ethan stood up without another word and walked toward the door.

Ethan: "Okay. That’s fine... if you say so."

As he stepped out of the room, his eyes immediately found Rico standing outside, leaning casually against the wall.

Rico (with a sly smile): "I figured you’d want to talk, so I waited."

Ethan’s expression darkened.

Ethan: "I’m warning you—stay away from the kids."

Rico (playfully): "You mean Kai and Miles?"

Ethan’s glare intensified, but Rico simply shrugged.

Rico: "Come on, I just gave Miles a ride last night. That’s it. I see him as a little brother, nothing more."

He smiled and added, almost in a whisper:

Rico: "He’s really cute, though."

With a wink, Rico turned and walked away. Ethan remained still, his jaw tight, hands clenched at his sides.

Ethan (to himself): "What a psychopath."

Rico sat in his car, his expression dark and unreadable. His fingers tapped slowly on the armrest as he stared out the window.

"Have you found him?" he asked coldly.

His secretary, seated beside him, replied with a hesitant tone, "No, sir. We haven’t found him yet. Our men have been watching his house, but... he hasn’t returned home these past few days."

Rico’s jaw tightened. He didn’t respond right away. His gaze remained fixed on the window, the city lights reflecting faintly in his eyes.

"Where have you gone... Jeff?" he murmured under his breath.

Miles’ phone buzzed. A message flashed on the screen.

"I’m waiting outside."

He stood up without a word and walked out. Kai, who had been nearby, noticed and immediately followed. Outside, Rico stood beside his sleek black car, removing his sunglasses as Miles approached.

Miles frowned. "Why did you come?"

Rico gave a calm smile, tucking his glasses into his coat pocket. "I just wanted to see you. Are you feeling better now?"

"I’m okay," Miles replied quietly.

Rico’s expression softened. "Did he... that bastard Victor, message you again?"

Miles shook his head. "Nope. He hasn’t contacted me since."

Rico nodded and placed a hand on Miles’ shoulder. "If anything happens, call me."

From a distance, Kai watched the scene unfold. His eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, he stormed over.

"Miles, what are you doing?" Kai demanded.

Miles was startled to see him. "Kai, I’ll tell you everything, okay?"

Kai glared at Rico. "Is he trying to manipulate you now...?"

Miles quickly grabbed Kai’s arm and dragged him aside. Rico remained standing, silent but alert.

Miles spoke in a low voice. "Listen, Kai. I didn’t want to hide anything—I was going to tell you. Last night, Victor tried to hurt me again... Rico showed up and stopped him."

Kai’s eyes burned with anger. "Miles, I’m your best friend. Why didn’t you tell me?"

Miles looked down. "I just... didn’t want to ruin your date."

Kai clenched his fists, trying to stay calm. "Miles... why would you—" He took a breath, then muttered, "I’ll kill that bastard."(Victor)

Miles touched his arm. "Rico isn’t a bad person, Kai. He helped me."

Kai looked at him for a long moment, then walked back toward Rico. His tone was stiff, but honest. "Thanks... for saving Miles."

Rico smiled lightly. "Kai, you know me well. I don’t like to receive thanks."

Kai sighed. "So now what—you want to have lunch with me again?"

Rico chuckled. "Nope. Just be my friend."

Kai gave him a look. "Seriously?"

"I’m serious," Rico said with a grin. "Unblock me. Answer my calls. That’s enough for me."

Kai exhaled sharply. "Fine." He pulled out his phone, tapped on the screen, and held it out. "Look. I unblocked you."

"Good boy," Rico said, clearly amused. "Now I’ve got work to do. Let’s meet later." He got into his car and drove away.

Miles turned to Kai. "Are you mad at me?"

Kai didn’t answer. "Yes, I’m mad," he finally said, and started walking off.

Miles ran after him. "Kai, don’t be mad, please! Kai, listen to me—!"

Miles (grabbing Kai’s hand): "Kai, please don’t be mad at me. I just didn’t want to ruin your date..."

Kai (angrily): "Miles, what if Rico didn’t show up? What if something happened to you? You think you can handle it all by yourself? Am I not your friend anymore?"

Miles suddenly hugged Kai, his voice trembling as tears spilled from his eyes.

Miles (crying): "Kai, I’m sorry..."

Kai sighed, tapping his back gently.

Kai: "Don’t do that again."

He wiped Miles’s tears softly, his voice firm.

Kai: "We need to do something before that bastard—Victor—makes another move. We should talk to Ethan."

Miles (quickly): "Nope—I can’t tell him. If I tell him, he’ll leave me. He’ll hate me, Kai. I don’t want to lose him..."

Kai: "Miles, he truly loves you. He won’t leave. He deserves to know the truth—how Victor forced himself on you and abused you."

Miles’s eyes welled up again, overflowing with silent pain.

Miles: "No, Kai... I don’t want Ethan to know about it."

Kai wiped his tears again, his voice gentler this time.

Kai: "Don’t worry. We’ll find a way."

He grabbed Miles’s hand firmly.

Kai: "Let’s go."