Damien sat quietly for a while after reading Aiden's request to be sent back. He remained still until the doctor completed a thorough examination of Aiden.
"How is he now?" Damien asked.
"He responded well to treatment. He'll be discharged by evening. How are you feeling?" the doctor asked Aiden.
"I'm fine now," Aiden replied, managing a small smile.
"No signs of headache?" the doctor probed.
"Not at all," Aiden assured him.
"Good. Rest assured, you're safe now. We flushed the drugs from your system," the doctor said with a reassuring smile.
"Thank you, Doc," Aiden said gratefully.
After the doctor left, Damien walked to Aiden's bedside. "I'm sorry I put you in danger," he said softly, patting Aiden's head gently. "And I never called you a toy boy. I never did and I never will."
Before the moment could settle, Charlie and Charles barged in, breaking the quiet.
"Ahem! Hey buddy, how are you feeling?" Charlie asked, rushing to Aiden, who had already sat up. Charles adjusted the bed to make him more comfortable.
"I'm fine," Aiden replied calmly.
"I'm so sorry, dear, that your trip to Tokyo ended like this," Charles remarked kindly.
"It's not your fault," Aiden smiled.
"Yeah, never was. It was his fault, neglecting his boy," Charlie jabbed a finger at Damien.
"It's okay, really," Aiden reassured them, and the room chuckled softly.
"Okay, let's leave you to rest," Charles said, signaling to Damien that they should step out.
---
Damien, however, still had burning questions.
"What do you mean you couldn't catch the guy?" he asked sharply.
"Yes, sir. We couldn't. He was fast, and we were outnumbered," Sean replied.
Damien sighed deeply. "Hmm."
"Did you think he would move so quickly without planning everything in advance? Knowing we'd be coming, he prepared an escape," Charles commented.
"Hmm… you're probably right," Sean nodded.
"So, you mean there's a mole?" Damien's voice was heavy with suspicion.
"Then who is he?" Damien asked after a long, tense silence.
They all agreed: the mole had to be found before things spiraled further.
---
Back at the Mansion
Twenty-four hours later, Aiden was discharged and taken to Damien's mansion, where everyone lived — except Charles, who stayed with his husband.
"Master Damien, welcome home," Mrs. Kate, the head maid, greeted with a respectful bow.
Everyone settled in. Mrs. Kate announced that lunch was ready, and they moved to the dining area.
While eating, Charles asked Aiden, "So… did you see the kidnapper's face?"
"No. My face was covered the whole time," Aiden replied.
"Hmm," Charles muttered, clearly frustrated.
"Do you remember how it happened?" Damien asked finally.
Aiden nodded and recounted the entire ordeal — from the garden until he woke up tied to the bed.
"So, he didn't say anything to you?" Charles pressed.
"Are you sure?" Damien asked.
"Yes. Nothing," Aiden confirmed firmly.
Just then, Jessica walked in.
"Hey, darling," she said, leaning in to kiss Damien, but he dodged gracefully. She turned to greet Charles.
"Hi, Charlie."
"Hey," he replied, continuing to eat.
Jessica glanced at Aiden. "Can I join you for lunch?" she asked Damien.
"Help yourself," Charlie said flatly.
Jessica dropped her purse and moved toward Damien, gesturing for Aiden to make space.
Aiden immediately stood, picking up his phone. Damien looked at him, surprised.
"What's wrong? Are you done eating?" Damien asked.
"No… yeah, I'm done," Aiden said, forcing a smile.
"Stop that. The doctor said you need to eat more to rest," Damien reminded, pulling him gently back toward the table, noticing Jessica still hovering nearby.
"What do you want? Sit down and eat," Damien said firmly.
"But I want to sit with you," Jessica pouted.
"Oh, come on, Jessica. Stop being pushy. The seat's taken. Sit somewhere else," Charlie said.
"Hey, Damian, your brother is—" Jessica stopped mid-sentence, seeing Damien's annoyed expression.
"I think I'll head in now. Besides, I'm full," Aiden smiled at Damien and quickly left the table.
He stopped when he heard Jessica mutter under her breath, "Pack these filthy plates off the table. I can't believe this place is for dogs and cats."
Damien stood, watching as Aiden left.
"Jessica, what do you mean by that?" Damien asked sharply.
"Nothing," she replied, sitting down quietly. Damien, frustrated, stood and left the dining area.
"I knew your sharp tongue would get you in trouble. Enjoy your lunch," Charlie said, chuckling, and followed Damien out.