The drive home was smooth and quiet. The air inside the car was still warm, but Kayden had already fallen asleep, his head resting lightly against the window. His breathing was soft and even, lips parted just slightly.
Thaddeus glanced at him a few times during the ride. His expression unreadable.
When they arrived at the house, Thaddeus stepped out first and moved to Kayden's side. He opened the door gently and leaned down, brushing his fingers lightly across Kayden's shoulder.
"Kayden," he whispered, his voice low and calm. "We're home."
Kayden stirred slowly. He blinked his eyes open, still groggy and drained from the alcohol, the party, and everything that had happened between them that night. He didn't say much. Just mumbled something under his breath and stepped out of the car.
Thaddeus watched him walk into the house, quiet and sleepy, his steps unsteady but not sloppy.
Inside, the maids had already brought up the gifts to Kayden's room. The house was silent again.
Without speaking, Kayden made his way upstairs, opened his door, and disappeared inside.
Thaddeus stood at the bottom of the stairs for a moment, listening to the faint sound of a door closing.
That was how the night ended.
No more words.
No lingering touches.
Just the silence after everything.
Both of them slept in their own rooms that night.
The next morning came softly.
Thaddeus's phone buzzed softly beside his bed. The screen lit up with a message from Ryland.
Ryland:
We're heading out now. Catching our flight in a bit. I'll keep you updated once we land.
Thaddeus rubbed his eyes and sat up slowly. He typed back quickly.
Thaddeus:
Safe flight. I'll be flying out this morning too. It wasn't planned for today, but I got a mail.
They need me there earlier.
He dropped the phone beside him and sighed. The room was quiet, still carrying the scent of the cologne he'd worn the night before. His mind drifted to Kayden.
He went back to the kitchen, brewed some hangover tea, poured it carefully into a cup, and placed it on a small tray with a note beside it.
Meanwhile, Kayden's phone vibrated once. A call from his mom. Then a message followed.
Mom:
I tried calling but no answer. I figured you were still asleep. Hope you had a great night. We'll talk later, sweetheart.
Thaddeus packed lightly and moved quietly through the house. Before leaving, he went to Kayden's room.
The door was slightly ajar. He stepped inside slowly.
Kayden was still asleep, curled up in bed with the covers tangled around his legs. His hair was messy, his mouth slightly open as he breathed. There was something peaceful about him in that moment.
Thaddeus didn't try to wake him.
He knew Kayden needed the rest.
So he walked to the nightstand and placed a warm mug of hangover tea beside a small folded note.
>Drink this when you wake up. And don't skip class. I'll be gone for a few days. Be good.
He took one last glance at the sleeping figure before stepping out and closing the door gently behind him.
Downstairs, he spoke briefly to the maid.
"Let him sleep. But please wake him around noon. He has class."
The maid nodded.
And with that, Thaddeus left the house.
His car disappeared down the street.
And the quiet returned.
Upstairs, Kayden turned slightly in his sleep, unaware of the space that had just opened between them.
The business trip wasn't just a trip.
It was a setup.
One arranged by the investors, especially Ms. Clarisse Venn, a wealthy sponsor with more than just business interest in Thaddeus. Everyone in the circle knew it. Her infatuation wasn't subtle. The way she looked at him during board meetings, always requesting his input, always finding ways to linger around him longer than necessary.
Thaddeus knew.
And so did everyone else.
But this wasn't about feelings. It was about the deal. A major property expansion deal that had to go smoothly. Thaddeus agreed to attend the trip with her and the team, because it was business. And business came first.
He made that clear from the start.
This was not personal.
But deep down, a small part of him didn't like how it looked.
So as the car took him toward the airport, Thaddeus sat back in the seat, fingers drumming quietly on his thigh. His thoughts drifted back to Kayden, how he looked last night.
To how he fell asleep on the ride home.
To how fragile he had seemed.
He hoped the note would be enough.
He hoped Kayden would understand.
But part of him feared that his absence, even if brief, would leave a heavier silence between them than either of them were ready for.
He took out his phone and stared at the screen for a second, debating whether to send a message.
Then he locked it and put it away.
No.
Let Kayden rest.
He didn't need mixed signals now.
Not after everything.
Still, the weight in Thaddeus's chest didn't lift as the car sped toward the airport.
And when he saw Clarisse at the terminal, all bright smiles and effortless elegance in her designer heels and silk coat, waving at him like they were lovers off to a weekend escape, he almost turned around.
But he didn't.
Because this was business.
And business meant sacrifices.
Even if it meant walking into something that might destroy the very thing he wasn't ready to admit he wanted.
The sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, warming the side of Kayden's face. He turned with a groggy sigh, feeling the dull weight of tiredness from the night before too much alcohol, much energy, and everything else that had happened.
His body ached slightly, not in a bad way, just the kind of ache that reminded him the night had been real.
He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. The room was quiet, reached for his phone and noticed a missed and new message from his mother.
>We just boarded. Let me know if you need anything. Love you, dear.
He replied quickly, typing with a soft smile, Safe flight, Mom. I love you too.>
After sending the message, he sighed and dropped the phone beside him. The silence in the room felt heavier now.
Then he noticed the mug on the bedside table, steam long gone, but the scent still lingered.
Hangover tea.
Beside it was a small folded note.
He reached for it, stretching a little, and unfolded the paper.
> Didn't want to wake you. I'm off on a short business trip and should be back in three days. Be good. Don't skip meals. Drink the tea.
— T.
Kayden read it again, then just stared at the handwriting for a moment.
He wasn't upset exactly. Just… surprised.
He could've just tapped me awake and told me directly.
It wasn't a big deal. It wasn't a fight. But something about being informed by paper, instead of in person, left him with a quiet sense of distance.
He got up, carried the note with him to the bathroom, brushing his teeth slowly. His head still felt heavy, and his thoughts drifted from last night to this morning.
Three days, he thought. That's not long.
Still, the house felt quieter without Thaddeus.
After a light breakfast, he moved lazily around the house. One of the maids reminded him about his afternoon class, and he nodded, already preparing to head out. His body wasn't in a rush, but his mind was pacing.
By the time he got to school, he was back to his usual self. A few classmates waved. Darren gave him a look, smirking.
"Still recovering?" Darren teased as they entered the lecture hall.
"I'm fine," Kayden muttered, sliding into a seat beside him.
Classes passed without much drama. The lecturers talked about assignments and test dates, the same chaos of a university system where plans shifted, and nobody ever really knew if the class would hold until the last minute.
During the break, Kayden checked his phone.
Still no message.
He thought maybe Thaddeus had landed by now, wherever he was going, but his screen was empty. No missed calls. No texts.
He shoved his phone back in his pocket.
After class ended, he lingered a little longer outside before heading home. The street vendors were already packing up, and a breeze brushed over him as he stood at the campus gate.
He'll message when he's settled. He always does.
When he got home, the house was still.
Just silence and the soft steps of maids moving around.
He went upstairs, dropped his bag, and laid on the bed staring at the ceiling.
Just then his phone lit up with a message. It was from Thaddeus.
>Just arrived. How was your day?
Kayden smiled a little and quickly replied, It was fine. I missed you.
Right after, he tried calling him on video, but Thaddeus didn't pick up. A moment later, a text came in.
>Just settling down. Talk later.
As Kayden stared at the screen, the video call finally connected, but only for a second. In the background, a female voice called out Thaddeus's name.
Then the call ended abruptly.
Kayden sat there, phone still in hand, a strange feeling settling in his chest.