Capture - Volume 1 Chapter 30 Meet The Friends
Keigo loosened his tie as he looked out of the window of his hotel suite in the foreign city.
It was late and there was a stack of papers was on the desk, waiting for his attention. His jacket slung over the chair. The weather was depressing at this time of the year. Rainy and gloomy.
In the past, there would probably be a half-n.a.k.e.d stranger in bed. Today, there was none and there would never be.
His phone rang. He knew who it was without even looking at the number.
“Keigo!” a cheerful voice greeted him when he picked it up.
“Kaoru.” Keigo smiled.
“How was your day?”
“Eventful.”
They spoke briefly about their respective days. More than just their conversation, Keigo loved hearing Kaoru’s voice.
“I’ll be back this Saturday,” he said. “I want to see you.”
“Me too,” Kaoru suddenly sounded a little bashful.
A picture of Kaoru biting his lip, as he often did when he was nervous or shy, flashed through Keigo’s mind.
Honestly, this business of dating was proving to be one of the best decisions in his life.
An idea occurred to Keigo.
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Kaoru dropped his jaw when he opened the door.
“K-Keigo! Why are you here?”
“I wanted to see you? My lover? Whom I’ve not seen in a week?” Keigo responded pointedly.
“I thought you will be back tomorrow!”
“Got an earlier flight back. Can I come in?”
Kaoru was fl.u.s.tered and stepped aside. “Sorry, I’m just surprised!”
“You’re so cute.” Keigo chuckled and gave him a quick peck on the forehead before stepping into the apartment. “I brought wine.”
Kaoru was going to retort when he saw that Keigo was holding a duffel bag as well.
“What’s in that?”
“Oh, this?” Keigo placed the bag beside the couch. “Pajamas, toiletries and a change of clothes. Can I borrow a towel though?”
“Are you staying over?” Kaoru widened his eyes.
“Yes, since you won’t move in with me,” Keigo answered as if he was talking about the weather. Then he turned around to face Kaoru. “Is it a problem?”
Kaoru was flabbergasted.
“Yes!” he sputtered. “I mean, no! It’s just that..”
“Just what?” Keigo asked intently.
Kaoru could have made up a million excuses but he chose honesty.
“My place. It’s probably not what you’re used to, that’s all,” he said in a tiny voice.
Keigo shook his head. “Come here.”
Kaoru went over and Keigo pulled him in for a kiss.
Did he melt? Kaoru thought he might have.
“Any objections?” Keigo murmured.
Kaoru shook his head.
A sensual, promising smile crossed Keigo’s face. Kaoru gave in to his impulses and leaned forward for another kiss.
Keigo was only too happy to oblige. Then Kaoru remembered belatedly why he had food cooking on the stove.
“I need to tell you-”
“What?” Keigo’s attention was focused on reaching under his sweater.
Kaoru tried not to be distracted. “Nakamura and Miyagi. They’re coming over for dinner.”
A deep sigh. Keigo retracted his hands reluctantly.
“Your best friends?”
Kaoru nodded weakly.
“You look worried,” Keigo noted.
“A little,” Kaoru confessed. “They are not exactly your biggest fan.”
Keigo arched an eyebrow. “Impossible. Everyone adores me.”
“Keigo” Kaoru started in exasperation.
“I see. I am the rich bastard who is just going to ravish their innocent friend,” Keigo commented with a smirk.
“This is not funny.” Kaoru pouted but he couldn’t correct Keigo.
“Well, you’re hardly innocent now,” Keigo teased.
“And whose fault is that?” Kaoru mumbled and nudged Keigo away. “I’m-I’m going to check on the curry.”
He heard a soft chuckle.
Keigo was having too much fun with this. Perhaps he should cancel on Nakamura and Miyagi. However, they were probably already on their way.
Surely, they wouldn’t be too antagonistic.
Then the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it!” Keigo announced almost too cheerfully.
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Keigo opened the door and found two men standing there.
“Hello,” he greeted with a winning smile.
He received stares in return, which quickly turned into hostile and suspicious glares.
“It’s you,” the taller one, with bleached hair, scowled.
“What are you doing here?” the other one asked with narrowed eyes behind glasses.
“If you must know,” Keigo began. “We were just about to-”
“Miyagi, Nakamura!” Kaoru rushed up behind him as if he could sense an imminent showdown. “You’re early!”
“We are right on time,” Nakamura corrected him.
“Move, we’re coming in,” Miyagi growled.
Keigo held back a laugh and gave way to the two disapproving friends graciously. Kaoru looked up at him with concern.
“Don’t worry about it,” Keigo whispered.
“They’re just protective,” Kaoru fretted.
“It will be fine. Trust me.”
Kaoru gave him a skeptical look.
Keigo gave him a squeeze on his shoulders and headed to the living room.
“Does anyone want a drink?”
“I do. Maybe not with you though,” Bleached Hair was already opening a can of beer.
“Would you want a beer?” Spectacles asked a little too sweetly.
“I should introduce you,” Kaoru announced nervously. “Miyagi, Nakamura, this is my boyfriend, Wada. Keigo, they are my friends from high school.”
The duo grimaced at the use of his first name.
Then Nakamura frowned. “Your name sounds familiar.”
“It’s a common name,” Keigo said smoothly. “Pleasure to meet you.”
Usually, he wouldn’t be so modest about who he was (was he ever modest anyway?). However, Keigo’s instincts informed him that his wealth or day job would probably undermine his credentials in this instance.
If looks could kill, he would be buried six feet under by now.
He felt compelled to add, “You will warm up to me.”
Miyagi stared at him in disbelief. Nakamura snorted. Kaoru stifled a groan.
Keigo widened his smile.
This was going to be enjoyable.