Chapter 128: From His Bedmate to His Beloved

Chapter 128: Chapter 128: From His Bedmate to His Beloved

~Third- POV~

He stared at the breathtaking sight, still trying to understand why Frederick had brought him here instead of to his supposed friend’s house. Before he could make sense of it, several photographers and videographers with high-end cinema cameras came into view, discreetly capturing them from multiple angles.

Confused, Reynold looked up at Frederick and clung a little closer to his arm. "Babe... why are we here? And why are there people filming us?"

Frederick didn’t answer. He simply looked down at him, his eyes brimming with a soft, mysterious warmth, and offered a gentle smile before leading him smoothly toward the mansion’s grand entrance.

Reynold bit his lip, trying to make sense of the situation. Maybe he brought me here so we could stop and have fun first, Reynold thought to himself, a tiny blush creeping up his neck. Maybe he wants to satisfy me here before we go to his friend’s party.

From the outside, the mansion looked like a magnificent private residence, so Reynold hadn’t suspected anything unusual. The only thing that puzzled him was the group of photographers and videographers following them.

If we’re here to have fun, why are there camera guys following us? Is he trying to film something private, or capture the moment he enters me?

Reynold’s eyes widened at the thought, and he quickly covered his mouth, embarrassed by his own imagination. He shook his head slightly, his heart fluttering.

Whatever it is, as long as I’m doing it with him, I’m not scared.

The mansion’s heavy double doors swung open silently, revealing a magnificent grand foyer.

Reynold’s breath caught in his throat.

Hundreds of tea lights and crystal lanterns illuminated the towering space, casting a warm amber glow across the white marble floors. Thick trails of fresh red and white rose petals stretched across the floor, framed by elegant golden balloon arches that curved toward the grand staircase. For a moment, Reynold didn’t know where to look first. The romantic decorations were breathtaking, but the sheer grandeur of the mansion was just as overwhelming.

Then, a beautiful instrumental melody drifted through the foyer from concealed speakers. The familiar tune of ??Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez?? filled the hall, its gentle, romantic notes making Reynold’s heart flutter.

As they began ascending the grand staircase, Reynold leaned closer to Frederick and whispered, still utterly confused, "Daddy... is your friend using your house for his proposal? And why is the cameraman still following us upstairs?"

Frederick glanced down at him, a handsome smirk tugging at his lips. "After everything you’ve seen, you still think this is about my friend?"

Reynold blinked, his eyes widening. "Then who is it about?"

They reached the top landing of the staircase and continued down a long, opulent hallway lined with golden moldings and glowing wall sconces.

"Look around, sweetheart," Frederick murmured, gently guiding him by the waist. "Tell me what you see."

"I see the beautiful decorations..." Reynold replied, his gaze moving over the rose petals scattered along the corridor. "Did your friend plan all this for his partner?"

"Baby, can you stop talking about my friend? Tonight is about us, Reynold," Frederick replied, his deep voice carrying a quiet sincerity that Reynold couldn’t quite understand.

Reynold turned to look at him, confusion written all over his face. "Daddy, what are you talking about? I don’t understand you anymore."

They climbed a short, private staircase leading to the highest floor of the mansion, where a pair of grand double doors awaited them. The hallway outside was just as lavishly decorated as the foyer. A massive heart made entirely of deep-red roses adorned the wall beside the doors, surrounded by glowing candle lanterns and elegant arrangements of silk helium balloons.

Frederick stopped in front of the doors and turned toward Reynold. Taking his hand, he laced their fingers together before pushing the doors open and leading him inside.

The room was pitch-black. Reynold couldn’t see a thing.

He opened his mouth to ask another question, but Frederick stepped behind him, wrapped his arms around his waist, and drew him gently against his chest. Lowering his head, Frederick brushed his lips against Reynold’s ear and whispered in a low, velvety voice.

"I am the friend... and you are the partner who’s getting proposed to tonight."

The words had barely left his mouth when the room suddenly came alive with soft, golden lighting.

Reynold gasped and spun around in Frederick’s arms, his voice trembling. "What...?"

Frederick smiled tenderly, placed his hands on Reynold’s shoulders, and gently turned him back toward the room. "Look, baby."

Reynold immediately covered his mouth with both hands. His body trembled as he took in the breathtaking sight before him. "No... Please tell me I’m dreaming."

"You’re not dreaming, sweetheart," Frederick whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to his temple.

The lights revealed a sprawling penthouse suite with soaring ceilings, polished hardwood floors, and luxurious furnishings. At the center of the room stood a long, elegant marble dining table with a richly veined surface and a solid marble base. Flowing white silk draped over one end, while fresh rose petals, flickering candles in crystal holders, and exquisite crystal tableware adorned its surface.

But the dining table was only the beginning.

Every corner of the vast room had been transformed into its own romantic display, carefully arranged to reflect Frederick’s love for Reynold. Nothing felt random or hastily put together. Every flower, every candle, and every thoughtful detail had been chosen for him.

In the background, the camera crew continued filming discreetly, their cameras capturing Reynold’s tear-filled eyes, trembling lips, and every expression of disbelief as he struggled to take in the surprise Frederick had prepared.

Frederick held Reynold’s hand and led him toward the first illuminated section of the room.

Above a magnificent display of cascading flowers, a large neon sign glowed in elegant cursive lettering:

?? HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY, MY LITTLE ANGEL. ??

Beneath it sat twenty luxurious velvet gift boxes, each wrapped in gold ribbon and numbered from one to twenty.

As Reynold stared at the display, the music playing softly in the background transitioned into the emotional strains of ??Ordinary by Alex Warren, ??filling the penthouse with a heartfelt melody.

Tears immediately welled up in Reynold’s eyes. He stared at the glowing words, unable to move or speak.

Frederick stepped beside him and gently cupped his trembling face in his hands.

"Happy twentieth birthday, baby."

Reynold’s breath caught, and a tear slipped down his cheek as he looked at Frederick in disbelief. "Is... is today my birthday?"

"Yes, sweetheart," Frederick replied, his eyes filled with adoration. "Today is your birthday."

"How... how did I forget my own birthday?" Reynold whispered, wiping his tears with the sleeve of his tailored jacket.

Frederick drew him closer and brushed the tears from his cheeks with his thumbs.

"You forgot because, for so many years, you felt like your birthday wasn’t important enough to celebrate. You watched your family make your brother feel special while your own day passed unnoticed, until you stopped expecting anything at all."

Frederick gently cupped Reynold’s face, wiping away his tears with his thumbs. "But not anymore, baby. From now on, you have me. You will never have to feel forgotten or wonder if you matter to someone. I have more than enough to give you the life you deserve, and I intend to spoil you in every way I can. Every birthday, every special occasion, every ordinary day—I want you to feel how much you mean to me. You deserve the world, my little angel, and as long as you want me by your side, I’ll make sure you never have to face life alone again."

A choked sob escaped Reynold. He threw his arms around Frederick’s neck and buried his tear-streaked face against his shoulder. "Thank you... Thank you so much, Daddy..."

Frederick held him tightly against his chest, stroking his back as the cameras quietly captured their emotional embrace. "Do you love it, baby?" Frederick murmured against his hair.

"Yes, Daddy... I love it so much. Thank you," Reynold whispered tearfully.

He lifted his face and peppered Frederick’s jaw with grateful kisses, unable to contain the happiness welling up inside him.

Frederick smiled, his heart full as he watched Reynold smile through his tears. He gently brushed a stray tear from Reynold’s cheek, savoring the sight of the happiness he had brought to his little angel.

After a moment, he murmured, "All right, come with me," before kissing Reynold’s damp cheek and taking his hand again.

He led Reynold across the rose-petal-covered floor toward the second decorated section of the room. A grand archway adorned with thousands of rare white orchids and red roses stood before them. Hanging at its center was another glowing, custom-made neon sign.

PLEASE, REYNOLD, WILL YOU BE MY BOYFRIEND? ??

Reynold gasped, taking a step back as he read the words again and again. Fresh tears streamed down his cheeks, and he covered his mouth with both hands, overwhelmed by the realization of what Frederick was asking him.

When he turned around, Frederick was standing beneath the glowing floral archway, holding a breathtaking bouquet of one hundred long-stemmed Ecuadorian red roses wrapped in black silk paper and tied with a silk ribbon.

For once, the usually composed billionaire looked almost nervous. His eyes remained fixed on Reynold, his expression carrying a tenderness he rarely showed anyone else.

"Reynold..." Frederick began, his deep voice filled with sincerity. "Earlier today, you told me you wanted a real title. You wanted to know that you weren’t just someone who shared my bed, but someone who held a place in my heart."

He paused, his gaze softening...