Chapter 56: The One Who Caught His Heart

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: The One Who Caught His Heart

~Reynold’s POV~

Once we were ready, we took the elevator down to the ground floor, where our cars were waiting.

A sleek, matte-black armored Mercedes-Maybach stood outside, with a black Cadillac Escalade parked behind it carrying Frederick’s security team.

The driver opened the rear door of the Maybach. Frederick gestured for me to get in first, and I slid into the back seat. He followed and sat beside me before the door closed.

The driver started the car and pulled out of the estate, while the Escalade followed closely behind.

As we drove toward the upscale lounge where Frederick was meeting his friends, I watched the city lights pass by the window. Frederick sat quietly beside me, his presence filling the small space between us.

~Author’s POV~

The car moved smoothly through the evening traffic before finally pulling up outside one of the most exclusive lounges in the district.

The driver stopped and quickly stepped out to open the door. Frederick got out first, adjusting his shirt before turning back and offering Reynold his hand. Reynold took it, and Frederick led him inside, past the velvet ropes and into the dimly lit lounge.

A few heads turned as Frederick walked in, but he paid them no attention.

Frederick spotted his friends across the lounge. Still holding Reynold’s hand, he led him toward a private VIP booth at the back, where Damian, Elias, and a few other close friends were already seated.

Damian and Elias stood to greet him, each giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder. Frederick greeted them back before their attention shifted to Reynold. They welcomed him with warm smiles and nods, and Reynold gave them a shy, polite smile in return.

Frederick waited for Reynold to sit first before taking the seat beside him, his thigh resting against Reynold’s.

He leaned closer and lowered his voice. "What do you want to drink, Reynold?"

Reynold shook his head, keeping his hands on his lap. "I don’t want anything."

Frederick raised a brow, his gaze narrowing slightly. "Why not?"

"I’m fine," Reynold murmured.

Damian and Elias exchanged a subtle look across the table, watching the effortless way Frederick hovered over the younger man.

Not taking no for an answer, Frederick slid his large hand around Reynold’s waist, his fingers resting firmly against his bare skin. "You can order whatever you want."

Reynold bit his lip and glanced around the upscale lounge. "I don’t really know what I want. Maybe... maybe I can go sit at the bar and ask the bartender to mix me something light, not too strong."

"Go ahead," Frederick agreed smoothly.

Reynold started to stand, but before he could even lift himself from the cushions, Frederick tapped his own cheek twice, giving him a demanding look.

Reynold’s cheeks flushed pink as he glanced nervously at Damian and Elias, who were openly watching them. He tried to brush it off, muttering something under his breath.

Frederick caught his hesitation. "Ignore them," he ordered softly.

Shyly, Reynold leaned in, intending to give Frederick a quick, innocent kiss on the cheek. But Frederick was faster. He turned his head at the last second, catching Reynold’s lips with his own. He cupped the back of Reynold’s head and pulled him into a deep kiss that lasted nearly a minute, right in front of everyone.

When he finally pulled away, he whispered, "Go ahead."

Reynold stood up quickly, face burning. Before he could take a single step away, Frederick delivered a sharp, open-handed spank right across his ass, his large hand fully cupping the curve of the black leather pants.

Damian and Elias visibly blinked, their eyes widening at the bold, possessive display.

Without missing a beat, Frederick signaled to one of the bodyguards standing nearby. "Follow him. Make sure he’s safe."

As soon as Reynold walked away and disappeared into the crowd toward the illuminated bar, Damian and Elias grabbed their drinks and slid across the booth to sit beside Frederick.

Elias let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "Fred, I have to admit... your boy is freaky gorgeous."

Frederick watched Reynold’s retreating figure with dark, possessive eyes as he took a slow sip of his drink. "I see what I choose. I see it, I like it, and then I make it mine. He’s mine."

Damian grinned, leaning back against the leather seat. "I can clearly see why you want him. But, Fred, this is the second time I’ve seen you bring him along. What’s the deal between you two?"

"Yeah," Elias chimed in, crossing his arms. "What is actually going on?"

Damian narrowed his eyes playfully. "The way we’re seeing things between you two... it looks a lot like you’re in love with this boy."

Elias smiled. "Tell us, Fred. Is he the chosen one?"

Frederick gave them both an unimpressed look. "I know you two are brilliant at making money, but when did you both become so nosy? Just mind your damn business."

"We’re not judging you, Fred," Damian said with a soft laugh. "If he makes you happy, that’s all that matters. We’re just curious about what’s really going on so we can support you."

Elias nodded toward the bar. "If I were you, I’d have claimed this boy already. Look at that. He’s barely been sitting there for a few minutes, and that’s the second guy already trying to shoot his shot."

Damian smirked. "If you don’t claim him soon, I think someone else definitely will."

Frederick followed their gaze toward the bar. From behind, Reynold looked striking in his black leather outfit, drawing a few quiet, appreciative glances as people passed by. Frederick couldn’t deny it, there was something about Reynold that always seemed to pull his attention.

Elias’s tone softened, the teasing fading into something more serious. "I think it’s time you let go of the past and truly move on, Fred."

Frederick let out a long, heavy sigh, his fingers tightening around his glass as he watched the man sitting beside Reynold at the bar.

Reynold briefly responded to him before turning his attention back to his drink.

Back at the VIP booth, Damian and Elias leaned closer, waiting for Frederick to finish his thought.

"Alright," Frederick murmured, his voice dropping as he looked between his two closest friends. "Listen to me... I admit I feel something for him."

Damian let out a short, disbelieving scoff. "Frederick, it’s not just ’something’—you love him. I’ve known you for years, and you’ve never brought anyone out with you like this. If you didn’t have serious feelings for him, you wouldn’t let him come everywhere with you. Be honest. You love him. Hell, you even make sure he looks damn good whenever you two go out together. I wouldn’t be surprised if you want him looking his best in case you happen to run into Eva. You want her to see exactly who you have by your side now."

Frederick’s jaw tightened. "You’re wrong about that. I dressed him like this tonight because I genuinely love the style, and I knew the outfit would look perfect on him. It suits him, and I like the way he looks in it. That’s all. I wasn’t trying to impress anyone or make a statement."

Elias waved a hand dismissively. "Enough with the excuses. Just tell us straight. Are you two together?"

"He’s young," Frederick muttered, his gaze drifting toward the bar where Reynold was quietly sipping his drink. "He’s only nineteen. What if he—"

"What if he what? Turn out like Eva, right?" Elias cut in sharply.

Damian shook his head. "He’s not Eva. More than that, sure, he’s young, but I’m damn sure you’re sleeping with him. Why didn’t you care about his age before you started anything with him? He’s apparently old enough for you to claim in bed, but suddenly too young for you to boldly admit you love him outside?"

"Come on, Fred. Give the boy a chance," Elias urged, leaning forward. "You can clearly see how much he cares about you. Why make such a big deal out of it? He’s not Eva."

Damian smirked, a sudden business idea coming to mind as he watched Reynold. "Actually, I like him. Let me sign him as a face model for my upcoming jewelry and clothing collection."

Frederick’s expression darkened instantly. "No."

"You’re too fast, Damian," Elias protested with a laugh. "I wanted him for my brand first! We have a new skincare line launching, along with a new men’s cologne collection. He’d be perfect for both."

"I called dibs first," Damian shot back. "Frederick, let your boy work for me."

"Let him work for me," Elias countered. "I’ll pay him more than anyone else in the city could offer."

"Will you both shut the hell up?" Frederick snapped...