In the car, which Ronan was driving silence was palpable. Shael was looking out of the window, his eyes lost, one of his hands gripping onto Ronan's sleeve. He loosened his grip to let go, but Ronan placed his hand above his, "It's okay, keep holding."
Shael turned to look at him. They arrived. It was a mere fifteen minutes distance. Ronan took him to their reserved room in the hotel.
"Please freshen up," Ronan said walking to the telephone to call room service.
Shael entered the washroom, removed his clothes, opened the shower, and stood under it for a long time. He could hear Ronan speaking but couldn't quite make out what he was saying.
Ronan got worried as he didn't walk out for a long time. He knocked on the door before opening it and saw Shael huddled on the floor, the shower still running. Ronan walked to him, shut off the shower, and sat down in front of him.
"Your clothes will get wet," Shael panicked.
"It's alright," he looked at him for a while, "Something on your mind?"
"Amhmm."
"What is it?"
"I think," a pause, "I don't deserve you," Shael was looking down at the dripping water.
Ronan slid Shael's hair back and cupped his face, "Exactly, you deserve much more than me. I am sorry for being lacking."
Shael looked up, and Ronan took him in his embrace while he was still cuddled. He gave him a little peck on his forehead before standing up, "Please come out, let's talk about it."
[80]
Shael walked out of the shower and saw Ronan sitting on the floor, leaning against the bed. He plopped down beside him.
Ronan picked up the towel placed on the bed, wrapped it around Shael's head, and started dabbing gently.
"My Dad wasn't happy with the birth of an omega. He separated me from my mother and made sure everyone was hard on me to make me stronger." Ronan's hands froze.
"I was trained as an Alpha, but the more they trained me the more I denied being someone I was not. And my family hated me for that, that I could only be someone's pleasure, bring offspring, and nothing else," his fingers fidgeted as he looked down, "You know what, I never knew we had that many relatives, even Dad's acquaintances. I saw them for the first time at his funeral today. I thought Dad would take his time to accept me, but he never accepted me until the end."
He turned to Ronan, whose eyes were damp, "Am I too weak?"
Ronan was lost in his words, a person who suffered this much was yet supposed to be abused ruthlessly in this novel.
Ronan leaned in, touching foreheads, "You are not weak, believe me. Cause I know you are much stronger than anyone."
"I will never let this ruthless novel's plot ruin you, Shael," he thought.
[Author's note: Good luck with that.]
Ronan hugged Shael tightly, "Mock me all you want, I will prove you wrong," he replied in his head.
[Author's note: Still 20 points to go, sucker. You haven't even received my gift yet.]
A knock was heard at the door, "Room service!"
Ronan opened the door, brought in the food trolley, and organized the spread, "I know you might not have any appetite, but just eat something to regain energy."
"Mmm," Shael didn't want him to worry.
"How long are you staying?"
"One week or two, I guess," Shael picked up his spoon, "It's about Dad's assets, you know."
"What about your brother Kael? Did he say anything about framing you?"
"No, he pretended like he knows nothing."
"Are you still sure about staying alone here without any security?" Ronan curved his eyebrows, "What if..."
"Don't worry," Rao Ming interrupted, placing his head on Ronan's shoulder while snucking his spoon into the food, "If they attack me now, it would be so obvious. Moreover, Dad already passed away. No more games, I guess."
Ronan patted his head before gently kissing it.
Ronan dropped him in front of the hospital and drove off.
Kael was sitting at one of the tables in the funeral hall.
"Ding"
He glanced at his phone screen. He slid open the screen and clicked on the message notification.
"Mr. Ronan is leaving."
Kael looked at the entrance and noticed Shael entering.
"Wanna go out for a smoke?" he asked Rael, who was stuffing himself with food.
"Sure," he tagged along.
They settled down on a bench in the garden outside.
"Ronan left, and Shael is all alone now. It's better to make it look like a missing case. He will be visiting the house tomorrow," Kael's voice was low as he was constantly looking around, "But guess what, his mother is staying at the temple to pray for Father. It's your chance."
"And what if I get caught?"
"Just try to finish your job at all costs, I will get you out no matter what." Kael patted his shoulder before getting up and walking away.