The One

Chapter 23

"Long time no see!" Kao exclaimed, rushing to embrace Gulf with excitement.

"Hey, hey, hey... back off," Mew intervened, pulling Gulf away and protectively side-hugging him. One hand rested on Gulf's lower back while the other on his tummy.

"Okay, Mr. Possessive! I won't touch him. But he's my friend too," Kao whined, as Gulf looked on, confused and frowning.

"I told you, Kao, Gulf never forgets a voice," Mew grinned proudly. "Did you like your surprise, sweetheart?" Mew sheepishly asked Gulf.

Gulf was taken aback, trying to process this newfound friendship between Kao and Mew.

"I have to attend to some guests, so you enjoy your surprise. I will catch up with you later," he pecked Gulf's head and went on to mingle with other guests, but not before warning Kao not to get too close to Gulf.

"Since when are you so close to Mew?" Gulf asked, sipping his beer at the bar, not looking at Kao directly.

"Jealous, huh? But you know you were the one in my heart," Kao replied, feeling nostalgic.

"Am I not anymore?" Gulf asked bluntly glancing over at Kao.

"You were my friend!.. When you were the heir. Now... haha, we both are chasing the same man," the reply made Gulf freeze for a second.
"Stay away from him!" He growled at Kao.

Kao frowned at Gulf
"How can I? Look at his aura! He's so powerful, maybe more than your father! His power intrigues me. He is mine, dead or alive!" Kao winked at Gulf suggesting that he could easily kill Mew. Gulf's stiffened as he followed Kao's gaze that were fixed on Mew in the crowd, filled with lust.

Indeed, Mew looked strong and powerful, intimidating anyone who dared to approach him. He appeared like a true king, feared and respected by all.

Kao continued, now with a threatening tone and a serious face, "Word of advice - go back to your rabbit hole. If you want to see him breathing, disappear from his life like you did before."

He locked eyes with Gulf, trying to intimidate him. " If I have to send you back, it would be... messy" Gulf pretended to be brave and gulped down his beer.

"By the way, you have a lovely daughter!" Kao left, subtly threatening Gulf, making it clear that if he didn't comply with Kao's wishes, his daughter would pay the price.

Gulf's hands trembled at the thought of Alexa suffering any misfortune. He was sweating with fear, shaken to the core by Kao's not-so-subtle threats.

In the washroom, lost in his thoughts, Mew wrapped his arms around Gulf's waist and kissed his nape, causing Gulf to flinch.

"What are you thinking about?" Mew asked.

"Nothing," Gulf replied, deciding not to disclose anything about Kao and Mew's closeness just yet.

"Are you tired?" Mew showered him with more kisses.

"I need some energy," Mew inhaled Gulf's scent and turned him around in his arms without waiting for Gulf's response.

"You look tired," he said, gently pushing aside strands of hair from Gulf's forehead.

"A little bit," Gulf forced a smile.

Mew placed a kiss on Gulf's nose and then several on his lips. "I have to stay here for a while. You take Rose and Alexa home and rest. I will come see you tomorrow in the office," Mew said apologetically.

Gulf hummed contently during the kiss. When they finally pulled apart, Gulf inquired about the surprise, testing the waters.

"You two seem close now," Gulf commented.

Mew pondered for a moment. "I hated him at the beginning! I thought you liked him. But then I realized you left both of us heartbroken. We were desperately searching for you, but over the years, we accepted that you didn't want us to find you. He even became our security expert and we got closer talking about you, celebrating your birthdays, and arguing about whom you liked more. Tell me you like me," Mew said with a victorious smile before Gulf could respond.

Gulf's lips curved up slowly. "I don't just like you. I love you," he confessed, earning another passionate kiss from Mew.

"I hate that I can't keep my promise of ravishing you tonight, but I have to let you go for now. Let's go; I'll send you to the car," Mew said, still holding Gulf close.

Over the course of the next few weeks, Mew had become increasingly clingy to Gulf, seeking his company more often. However, Gulf's behavior seemed to grow distant from Mew.

One fine morning, Gulf surprised Mew by visiting him in his office. Mew quickly set aside his laptop and greeted Gulf with a peck on the lips.

"What a pleasant surprise!" Mew exclaimed happily. Gulf appeared hesitant but finally mustered the courage to express that he had something important to discuss.

Mew gently pulled Gulf by the wrist and guided him to sit on his lap while he settled in his swivel chair. Despite Tul's presence on the couch in the office, Mew didn't mind and focused all his attention on Gulf. "Yes?" Mew inquired, eager to hear what Gulf had to say.

"I want to take over the business," Gulf hesitated, anticipating Mew's reaction. "Really?" Mew exclaimed, clearly taken aback. Mew had previously offered to transfer ownership of the resort to Gulf, but Gulf had declined. Now, Mew was pleased that Gulf finally wanted to claim what was rightfully his.

Tul, who had been engrossed in his work until now completely ignoring the lovebirds suddenly became interested in their conversation.
Mew instructed Tul to get the papers ready for Gulf to take over the resort, but Gulf interrupted, saying, "I want all of the businesses transferred to me, not just the resort!" Gulf tried to sound authoritative, but his delivery lacked conviction, further piquing Tul's curiosity.

Confused by Gulf's demand, Mew asked, "What? Why? Do you have some financial problem?"

Gulf responded with irritation, "No reason! Just do it. After all, isn't all of this rightfully mine?"

Mew, taking a more dominant tone, replied, "Enough Nong! I don't know what's gotten into you today. Rest assured, I will transfer everything to you eventually, but not just yet." He had a meeting to attend and promised to discuss this matter further afterward. He kissed Gulf softly on his temple and left for meeting, leaving Gulf in the office with Tul.

As Mew left for his meeting, Gulf released a breath he didn't even realize he was holding and felt frustrated by his unsuccessful attempt. He had practiced his lines thoroughly, but Mew's intimidating presence had thrown him off guard.

Gulf's restlessness escalated when he noticed Tul observing him quietly. He began to fidget nervously as Tul casually inquired about Rose and Alexa. Gulf tried to maintain composure and answered that they were doing well, but Rose had taken Alexa to her parents' place.
Tul found it odd, especially since it was during the school term. Gulf hastily explained that Alexa was missing her grandparents, trying to force a smile to make it more believable.

Tul, being straightforward, cut to the chase, suspecting that something was amiss.

"It's Mew, isn't it? Who wants to harm him? Who's blackmailing you?" Gulf was taken aback, feeling caught like a thief with nowhere to hide.
But he also realised there was no point in keeping things from Phi Tul.

AN: As promised.. new update. Have a fun Saturday!☺️☺️