Chapter 38: A Strange New Happiness

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: A Strange New Happiness

~Frederick’s POV~

He crawled across the mattress, stopping in front of me with a wicked smirk.

"Sugar daddy."

"Reynold," I warned, reaching out and catching his chin. "Did I say something wrong just now, or..."

"Everything you said is perfect. You don’t have to be confused. It’s just... from now on, I can finally start living for myself. I get to enjoy the privilege of being with you without worrying about my family or what anyone else says. And now that I know the truth about what they really did, I can finally enjoy this life without feeling guilty. It’s the perfect way for me to silently pay them back for everything they’ve done to me."

I looked at him for a long moment, studying the dark, unreadable glint in his eyes. "Promise me you won’t get yourself into trouble, and that you’ll always tell me everything."

"I promise," he whispered, leaning his forehead against mine. "You’re all I have now. I have to tell you everything. At least I’ll have someone looking after me for the next five years before I have to face everything on my own."

A strange, heavy unease settled in my stomach. I stared at him in silence.

He tilted his head, a sultry smile spreading across his lips.

"Kiss me, Daddy."

I leaned in, capturing his lower lip. He opened up for me immediately, sliding his tongue against mine in a hot, demanding kiss, deepening the kiss as our lips moved together.

I broke the kiss just enough to murmur against his lips, "Promise me you’ll always be a good boy."

"I promise," he breathed instantly. "I’ll always be someone you can be proud of. A good boy... for myself and for you."

Something felt off—a strange, unsettling edge beneath his sudden transformation that I couldn’t quite shake. But when I looked into his wide eyes, I simply nodded slowly. "Alright."

He turned to slip off the bed again, but my hand shot out. I grabbed a handful of his bare ass and pulled him back sharply, bending him over the edge of the mattress.

Without warning, I brought my hand down hard.

Smack.

Reynold let out a sharp, breathless gasp. "Ah... Daddy."

I chuckled darkly, sliding my palm over the hot, reddened skin. "If you’re going to sound like that, you’re going to get your ass fucked this morning."

He looked back over his shoulder, biting his lip, eyes dark with hunger. "I’m at your service, Daddy. If you want me... take me."

I smiled, though the lingering confusion still buzzed in the back of my mind.

"Go shower. I’ll order us breakfast."

"Alright," he purred, turning around and swaying his hips as he walked back toward the bathroom.

"What the fuck is wrong with him?" I muttered to the empty room.

I rubbed the back of my neck, letting the thought linger for a moment before finally shaking it off. I picked up the bedside phone and called the kitchen.

I placed our breakfast order, making sure to tell them to add extra portions and include a hot mug of hangover tea.

"Alright, sir," the chef replied. "We’ll have it brought up in a few minutes."

"Thank you," I said before hanging up.

I stood up from the bed and walked over to the mahogany desk. I opened my laptop and quickly went through a few urgent work emails before we left the island.

Not long after, Reynold stepped out of the bathroom with a thick white bathrobe wrapped loosely around his slim frame. His damp hair clung to his forehead as he walked over to the desk and leaned slightly against the edge.

"Are you busy?"

"Just trying to get some work sorted out before we head back," I answered without looking up from the screen.

"Alright," he murmured. He shifted his weight, his fingers tapping lightly against the wood. "So... we’re going back today. Classes resume tomorrow."

"Yes."

He paused, biting his lower lip.

"So... we won’t see each other again until Friday, right?"

I stopped typing and looked up at him, narrowing my eyes. "Actually, yes. But I’m thinking I might come with you."

His eyes widened slightly. "Why?"

"I’m just not sure you’re completely fine yet."

He flashed a bright, seemingly effortless smile, though I could still see the faint shadow behind it.

"Of course I’m fine! I’ve got this. Trust me, I can handle myself."

I studied him for a moment, noticing the stubborn tilt of his chin.

"Alright. But call me if you need anything at all. Anything. Okay?"

"Alright," he agreed softly.

Just then, a sharp knock echoed through the suite. Reynold turned and hurried over to answer the door. A member of the island staff stood in the hallway, wheeling in a large cart covered with silver domes and steaming plates of food.

Reynold stepped aside, allowing the staff member to wheel the cart inside and arrange everything neatly on the dining table. Once everything was in place, the staff member bowed and quietly left the room.

The moment the door clicked shut, Reynold hurried over and pulled out a chair. "I can’t wait for you to finish working. I’m actually starving."

"Go ahead," I said, closing my laptop. "I told them to add the hangover tea for you, too."

Reynold wrinkled his nose with a small smile. "My headache actually went away on its own."

"Drink it anyway," I commanded lightly.

"Okay," he relented.

I watched him eat. He was eating with a good appetite, but beneath it, I could tell he was only putting on a brave face, trying to act unaffected so I wouldn’t worry about him. The sadness was still there, lingering beneath his calm expression.

Once he finished his meal, I went to take a quick shower. When I returned, I sat down and had my breakfast. After I finished eating, we both got up and started packing our bags, getting everything ready for our departure later that day.

The rest of the morning passed quickly. We spent some time relaxing before it was finally time to leave. We made our way to the helipad, where the helicopter was already waiting. Its rotor blades were spinning, sending a steady gust of wind across the island.

One of my security staff stepped forward to take my bag and held the cabin door open. I let Reynold climb in first and slide onto the leather seat before stepping in behind him and pulling the heavy door shut, blocking out the wind.

The pilot turned around from the cockpit and gave me a sharp nod.

"Good morning, Mr. Corvin."

"Morning. Let’s get moving," I instructed.

The engines roared to life, and the helicopter lifted smoothly from the concrete pad, tilting forward as we flew away from the turquoise waters of the private island.

The journey back was surprisingly light. Reynold pressed his face against the window for the first half of the trip, watching the coastline blur beneath us. But as we settled into the flight, we slipped into an easy conversation. We talked and joked so effortlessly that the time seemed to pass quickly.

Before we knew it, the pilot’s voice crackled through the cabin speakers.

"Mr. Corvin, we’re beginning our descent. We’ll be touching down on your private helipad in approximately three minutes."

A few minutes later, the helicopter landed smoothly on the concrete pad atop my main residence in the city. Once the rotors slowed, one of my security staff opened the cabin door from the outside. Reynold and I stepped out into the crisp city air before walking straight to the private elevator that took us up to my penthouse floor.

Once we were inside, I dropped my things on the entryway counter and turned to him. "Is there anything you need before the car takes you back to campus?"

Reynold shook his head, pulling his jacket tighter around himself. "No, I’m fine."

"Alright." I knew I couldn’t let him linger too long. He has classes early tomorrow, and I didn’t want him getting back too late.

I pulled out my wallet, took out a thick stack of bills, and placed it in his hand. At the same time, I used my phone to send him a digital transfer.

"Here. In case you need anything while you’re there."

Reynold looked down at the money, a soft, appreciative look crossing his face. "Thank you, Mr. Corvin."

"Take care of yourself," I said, reaching out to give his shoulder a firm squeeze.

"Alright, I will," he whispered, nodding.

I followed him downstairs, where the car was already waiting by the curb, the driver standing beside the open rear door. Reynold climbed into the back seat and settled against the leather seat. The driver closed the door, and Reynold rolled down the window. He looked out at me, his eyes lingering.

"Mr. Corvin?" he called softly.

I paid attention to him and took a step closer to the open window. "Yes? Do you need something else?"

He bit his lower lip and shook his head slightly. "Never mind."

I knew that look. I knew damn well he wanted to say something else, but pride or hesitation was holding him back. He gave me a small, hesitant smile before settling back against the seat and lifting his hand in a quiet goodbye as the driver rolled up the window.

But before the car could shift into gear and pull away from the curb, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out and glanced at the incoming message from him.

You didn’t give me a goodbye kiss... or is that not allowed in our contract?

A slow, involuntary smirk pulled at the corner of my mouth.

I raised my hand sharply toward the driver. "Wait."

The driver hit the brakes instantly.

I walked a few steps toward the rear window. Reynold rolled it down, blinking up at me with a mixture of surprise and bashfulness.

"Mr. Corvin? Did you forget something?"

I leaned down, bracing one hand against the door frame, and reached inside. I cupped his chin, gently tilting his face upward.

"Yes. I forgot this."

I pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his forehead, then brushed my lips gently across his flushed cheek before finally capturing his mouth in a deep, deliberate kiss that made his breath hitch.

When I pulled back, Reynold was smiling brightly, his cheeks flushed a deep, rosy red.

I looked down at him, my chest tightening with a strange, undeniable fondness. "Be a good boy, okay? And call me if anything comes up."

He nodded eagerly, his eyes shining. "Okay, sir."

He leaned closer to the window, lowering his voice so the driver couldn’t hear. "Thank you... Daddy."

I chuckled and shook my head. "Don’t be naughty."

"Bye, Mr. Corvin," he said brightly.

I stepped back from the vehicle and tapped the side of the door, signaling the driver. "Drive safely."

"Bye, little pet," I called out one last time, raising a hand as the car smoothly pulled away from the curb, carrying him back to campus.