Sleeping With My Step Daddy Chapter 23: "The Lunch"

The sound of glasses clinking filled the restaurant as the four of them enjoyed dinner. Miles was laughing, and Kai’s cheeks had turned red from the wine. Bast gently rubbed Kai’s cheek and said, "You’ve had too much. That’s enough for tonight."

Kai shook his head and mumbled, "No, I’m totally sober."

Ethan and Miles intertwined their fingers and posed for a picture. "I’m posting this," Miles grinned. "Officially engaged!"

Ethan smiled and teased, "So, Bast—when are you getting engaged?"

Bast’s eyes wandered to Kai. "You want a ring?"

Kai, flustered, looked away quickly. "Why would I need a ring?" he said before standing up abruptly. "I’m going to the restroom."

Ethan and Bast exchanged knowing smiles.

Miles chuckled. "He always says no to Bast, but the way his face looks whenever Bast is near... it’s obvious. He’s in love."

In the restroom, Kai splashed water on his face, whispering to himself, "Be sober. You’re not drunk."

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed behind him. "Why is it you’re always drunk when we run into each other?"

Kai froze at the sound. Without turning, he said coldly, "What are you doing here?"

Rico smirked. "Wow, you rembered my voice. I’m flattered."

Kai turned slowly to face him. "Why did you help last night?"

Rico leaned casually against the wall and replied, "You rembered that too. That’s even better."

Kai’s eyes narrowed. "Are you stalking ?"

Rico smiled calmly. "I’m not. I’m here for a business eting. We just happened to bump into each other. Pure coincidence."

Then he held out his hand. "Give your phone."

Kai hesitated. "What are you—hey—"

"Just a second," Rico interrupted, tapping sothing on the screen. "Done."

Kai snatched his phone back.

"If you really want to thank , have lunch with tomorrow," Rico said smoothly. "I’ll send you the location... or, if you’d prefer, I’ll pick you up." He winked, then turned and walked away.

Kai walked back to the table, his thoughts spinning. What does he really want from ? Should I even go? He rubbed his forehead and let out a quiet sigh.

Bast looked at him and asked, "Should we leave now, Kai?"

Kai nodded silently.

Miles squinted at him. "You look kinda drunk again."

"I’m okay," Kai replied quickly.

But Bast noticed sothing. Kai wasn’t acting like himself—he looked distracted, lost in thought.

Once they reached the parking lot, Bast suddenly asked, "Kai... before I found you last night... did you et soone?"

Kai froze. His heart skipped a beat.

Bast’s eyes narrowed. "When you were drugged... did soone approach you before ?"

Kai hesitated, looking away. "I... I don’t rember anything."

Bast drove in silence, but his mind was loud with questions. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Kai was hiding sothing from him—and he wanted to know what it was.

When they arrived ho, Kai went straight to his room without a word. Bast, still troubled, took out his phone and called his secretary.

"Reserve a dinner with Rico," he ordered, then ended the call.

anwhile, Kai took a shower and laid down on his bed. He looked exhausted—his body tired, his mind anxious.

A knock ca at the door.

Kai got up to open it. Bast stood there.

"I want to sleep here," Bast said, stepping into the room.

Kai frowned. "No. Go sleep in your own room."

Bast pretended to comply, standing up and heading for the door. But then, he suddenly turned around. "Ah—I forgot sothing."

"What now?" Kai asked with a sigh.

In one swift move, Bast scooped him up in his arms. "My baby, let’s go to my room," he said with a grin.

"No—no! Put down!" Kai protested, cheeks flaring red.

Bast carried him into his room and gently laid him on the bed.

"Why do we sleep in different rooms?" he asked softly. "Just sleep with ."

He leaned down and kissed Kai tenderly.

Kai turned his head away, flustered. "Okay, but don’t touch ."

Bast smiled, making an exaggerated cute face. "Only cuddles, I swear."

He pulled Kai into a tight hug. "Let’s sleep."

Kai huffed. "What are you doing? I said no."

Bast kissed him again. "Goodnight."

Kai blushed even more and couldn’t help but smile shyly.

---

Next day.

Kai and Miles were sitting on a bench, waiting for Eden.

"I think he skipped college today," Miles said, glancing around. "What should we do?"

Kai, looking bored, replied flatly, "You should’ve taken his Line ID."

Miles scratched his head with an awkward smile. "Ugh... I forgot."

He then pointed toward a girl walking nearby. "Hey, Kai—look. She’s always with Eden. Let’s ask her."

Kai didn’t even lift his head. "I’m too lazy. You go."

With a sigh, Miles stood and walked toward the girl.

Just then, Kai’s phone buzzed.

He answered, "Hello?"

"Hello, kid," ca Rico’s familiar voice.

Kai frowned. "Why are you calling ?"

Rico chuckled. "Oh? Don’t tell you forgot our plan. We have lunch together, rember? Should I co pick you up?"

Kai sighed, rubbing his temple. "No, I don’t want lunch."

Rico’s tone softened but still teasing, "Hmm... I thought you’d want to thank properly for helping you that night."

Kai closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "...Fine. Send the location. I’ll co."

Rico smiled through the phone. "That’s more like it. I’ll be waiting—don’t be late."

Miles approached the girl with a polite smile. "Hey, excuse ."

Henny turned to face him. "Yes?"

"You’re Eden’s friend, right?" Miles asked.

She nodded. "Yeah, I am."

"I’m Miles," he introduced himself.

"I’m Henny," she replied with a small smile.

Miles continued, "Do you know where Eden is? Could you share his contact with ?"

"Sure," Henny said, pulling out her phone. "He’s not feeling well today, so he took the day off."

"Thanks," Miles said. "I’ll reach out to him now." He smiled again and walked away.

Henny watched him go, murmuring to herself, "He looks cute when he smiles... Eden really has good taste."

Back at the bench, Kai stood up and grabbed his bag. "Miles, I’ve got sothing to do."

Miles glanced at him. "Where are you going?"

Kai simply said, "Let’s et later," and walked off.

Kai arrived at the restaurant, spotting Rico already waiting at a table. As soon as their eyes t, Rico smiled and stood up.

"Let’s go," he said, motioning to the table.

They sat down, and Rico handed Kai a small bouquet of flowers. Kai blinked in surprise and took them silently, placing them on the table.

"Why are you treating like your girlfriend?" Kai asked, brows furrowed.

Rico leaned back with a calm, unreadable smile. "Maybe because, in the future, you will be mine."

Kai imdiately stood up, irritation flashing in his eyes. "What do you want from ?"

Rico raised his hands in surrender, his voice soft. "Okay, okay. Please sit down—we’ll talk about sothing else."

Reluctantly, Kai sat back down just as the food arrived. He looked over the dishes, surprised. "Why are all of these Japanese?"

"Because I love Japanese," Rico replied casually.

Kai raised a brow.

Rico smirked. "The food, of course."

They began eating in silence. Kai looked hesitant, clearly still guarded. As he lifted his cup, Rico slyly snapped a photo of him. Then, without warning, he reached out and grabbed Kai’s hand, snapping another picture of their hands together.

Kai pulled back instantly. "What are you doing?"

"I’m making mories," Rico said nonchalantly. "Don’t worry."

Before Kai could say anything else, Rico uploaded the photo of their hands with a caption:

"Lunch with my love."