Dylan was pacing around in his office, recalling his confrontation with Natalie and thinking about what to do next. Suddenly his office door burst open, and Dylan angrily turned around, yelling," Didn't I tell you not to disturb..." He paused when he noticed his Dad and Mom standing before him, looking smug.
" F**k!!" Dylan cursed under his breath, thinking about why his Dad was there as he usually never visited him in the office.
" Why are you here?" Dylan asked, looking from his Dad to his mother.
" Look at you acting so cool after what you have done," Dylan's mother spat out.
" What is it now?" Dylan asked in irritation. Did Nat say anything to them?
" What is it that I am hearing, son," Dylan's Dad said. " You and Aiden?"
Dylan was shocked and looked at his mother accusingly.
" I had to tell him," Mrs. Hunt said defensively. " Even Natalie knows about it now. How do we face her family?"
" How did you know?" Dylan asked.
" I happened to be at the restaurant today," Mrs. Hunt replied.
" Are you following me? How is it that you know everything I do?"
" That's not the point..."
" It is. I am not a child, so stay out of my life," Dylan said with finality.
" You..." Mrs. Hunt started but was interrupted by her husband.
" I am not here to know what you do with your love life," Mr. Hunt said calmly. " I have known about your reckless lifestyle for a long time and was never concerned about who you date."
" Then why are you asking now?" Dylan asked.
" I was quiet because it wasn't affecting our family reputation, but now, if this thing gets out..."
" Nothing will happen. I will take care of it."
" We saw how you took care of it," Mrs. Hunt spat.
" That was a mistake. It wouldn't happen again."
" This isn't good, son. Even though I am the major financier for the political party, they wouldn't hesitate to get rid of us," Mr. Hunt said, still concerned about his political career.
" That's all you care about, your reputation and your politics," Dylan said, staring at his parents with contempt.
" After all we have done for you, this is what you say?" Mrs. Hunt said, appalled.
" You did all that because it's your duty towards your son."
" Look at how he's talking," Mrs. Hunt said to her husband. " All for that wretched boy."
" Keep him out of it. He's not your concern."
" Well... he very much is. Looks like we need to do something to get rid of him."
" Didn't I say I will handle it?" Dylan said a bit loudly. " Stop threatening me with that again and again."
" What is wrong with you, son?" Mr. Hunt said in concern. " Aren't you worried about what the people would think about you?"
" I am Dad. That's why I said you be rest assured I would handle this matter."
" Why can't you let the boy go? Everything would be fine then."
" I... just can't."
" I don't trust him, honey. We should handle it. I will even talk to Natalie and convince her," Mrs. Hunt assured.
" Mom... I am saying for the last time, don't try to control my life."
Even Dylan's parents were taken aback by the look in Dylan's eyes. It seemed like he was ready to kill someone.
Mrs. Hunt was about to say something, but Mr. Hunt stopped her and said to Dylan. " Okay, fine. You do what you must, but let me warn you, we won't sit quietly if things seem out of control. Even if we have to harm the boy, we won't hesitate."
Dylan clenched his fist at the mention of hurting Aiden. Controlling his anger, he said in a blank voice. " I won't disappoint you."
" We are leaving for now. Take care of yourself, son." Mr. Hunt patted Dylan on his back and dragged his unhappy wife out of Dylan's office.
" Why didn't you say anything?" Mrs. Hunt asked as soon as they were out of the office.
" Did you not see his face? He was too far gone," Mr. Hunt replied.
" What do you mean?"
" Honey, right now, if we force him, he might go against us and even abandon us. Do you want that?"
" How can he abandon us? His own parents? You are simply exaggerating the situation. You stopped him last time when he was 18, so you can do it again."
" I think you are forgetting something here. Dylan is no longer an 18-year-old who was dependent on us. He has singlehandedly increased the turnover of this company by 200% and is also the major shareholder. Currently, he holds more money and power than us."
" S-So w-what?" Mrs. Hunt stuttered. " Will you allow him to do as he pleases?"
" It's more like we are forced to let him do as he pleases. "
" There's no other way? Can't we force the boy to leave the country?"
" You do that and see the consequences."
" What's the worse that could happen?"
" I don't even want to know. Now that I think about it, the guy that Dylan had beaten up when he was 18..."
" You mean the Mayor's son?"
" Yes. Wasn't he trying to molest Aiden?"
" Yeah..."
" No wonder Dylan almost killed him."
" What are you trying to insinuate here?" Mrs. Hunt said defensively. " Dylan didn't like that boy at that time."
" I am not sure, Diana. It seems Dylan wasn't sure about his feelings then, but now he is."
" You are talking about it so casually. Doesn't this bother you at all?"
" I never wanted to involve myself in my son's relationships. It's something we cannot force upon anyone."
" So you will let him date a man? That's disgusting."
" It's all so complicated," Mr. Hunt said worriedly. " I just wish everything resolves by itself."
Meanwhile, Dylan called Aiden and asked him to immediately come to the parking lot. Aiden realized Natalie must have already spoken to Dylan, so he braced himself for the incoming storm. By the time Aiden reached Dylan's car, he was already seated in the driver's seat.
" Get in," Dylan said to Aiden in a crisp tone.
" W-Where do you want to go? I-I still have work to do."
" Get the f**k inside the damn car."
Aiden flinched at Dylan's tone and sat in the passenger seat without arguing further. The ride was silent, and Aiden didn't dare ask anything. After a while, he noticed Dylan was heading toward home. Why were they going home so soon?
Once inside the penthouse, Dylan paced around the living room, saying nothing.
" W-What is the matter?" Aiden asked with all the courage he could muster.
Dylan stared at Aiden for a few seconds and suddenly hugged him.
Aiden was shocked by his response. Of all the things he expected, it wasn't this at all. Not knowing what to do, he stood there as a statue while Dylan hugged him tightly, almost squeezing him to death.
After a good five minutes, Dylan backed away, and Aiden whispered, ' W-What happened? You look stressed."
" Stay here. Don't go out anymore."
" Sorry?" Aiden asked, confused.
" I said don't leave the house."
" W-What do you m-mean by that?" Aiden asked dreadfully. He didn't like where this was headed.
" Is it so difficult to comprehend?" Dylan said a bit aggressively.
" What about my job?"
" You don't need it for now."
" Why?"
" Why not? Why do you need the job anyways while you stay in my house and I feed you."
Aiden felt like Dylan had slapped him. " Not by choice," he spat, feeling hurtful.
Dylan was instantly angry and forcefully grabbed Aiden by his arm, pulling him toward his chest. " Then make it your choice, as there is no other option for you."
" Stop with your craziness Dylan. What's wrong with you?"
" Nothing is wrong with me. In fact, I should have done it a long time ago."
" W-What are you talking about?"
" Keeping you here at home so you can never leave."
" Are you p-planning to l-lock me up at home?" Aiden asked fearfully.
" I wouldn't have to if you behaved."
" Are you insane? I can't stay at home all day. I need to work." Aiden was trying hard to get out of Dylan's grasp, but he made Aiden sit on a chair and sat on another chair, placing it in front of him.
" You don't need to work."
" I have a pending project. Also, I didn't even let my boss know."
" I will inform him you won't be coming for now."
" So, can I go after a few days?"
" I don't know."
" What the hell, Dylan?"
" Mind your tone, Aiden."
" Then you mind your own business."
" You are my business."
Aiden was so frustrated that he wanted to pull his hair. " Why are you doing this?"
" I have my reasons."
" What reasons?"
" You don't need to know."
" It is about me, so I should be the first to know."
" It's... I just..." Dylan was flustered as he didn't want to tell Aiden about Nat.
Aiden gawked at Dylan in shock, as he had never seen him so unsettled. Now he was certain that Natalie had already spoken to Dylan, so there was no point beating around the bush. " Is this about Natalie?"