He doesn't remember me. Otherwise, I'd be in jail. Caelen gulped. There's nothing to be afraid of.
"Are you done with shooting?" Caelen walked up to Soren.
"Are you married?"
Soren's breath trembled as he clenched Caelen's shoulders, tightening his grip. Caelen flinched at the pain.
"I asked, are you married?" Soren's breath quickened, his chest rising and falling.
What's wrong with him?
"Answer me!" Soren almost yelled.
"Wait—you're hurting me!" Caelen tried to slip Soren's hands off. "Let go of me, what are you doing?"
"Tell me, are you married?"
"No, I'm not! Now let go of me!" Caelen struggled against his sturdy hands.
Realizing the force of his grip Soren quickly released him. "I'm sorry."
"Then why was that kid calling you papa?" Soren's voice softened this time.
Caelen's eyes widened words caught in his throat. "He… he's my nephew," he stammered. "Wait—were you eavesdropping?"
"No, I wasn't," Soren replied firmly. "But I heard it. Why does he call you papa?"
"It's my personal matter," Caelen said in irritation.
"You're my manager. You'll be managing my personal matters, so why can't I ask such a simple question?"
Caelen retorted, "Because it's my job."
"But things get awkward if we're not close enough," Soren tucked his hands into his coat pockets. "You can feel that awkward atmosphere right now, can't you?"
"Fine," Caelen dragged out the word wanting to end it. "It's because I'm the one looking after him. And what's wrong with my nephew calling me papa?"
"Nothing, I was just asking," Soren let out a deep breath.
"My arms still hurt. Please don't touch me casually like this again. I don't like it."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize that I was hurting you," Soren scratched his eyebrow. "I'm done with shooting. Let's go." Soren turned around and disappeared behind the bushes.
"Sigh," Caelen looked at his trembling hands. "He doesn't even remember me. Why am I getting so nervous?"
Soren's feet froze and his eyes rounded. He thinks I don't remember him? No wonder he was acting weird. His lips curved into a smile. That means he clearly remembers me.
Soren turned around to look at Caelen behind the bushes who was taking deep breaths to calm himself.
Oh right, it must be because of the scandal. I met him but didn't do anything nor even ask why he did it back then. He must have assumed that I don't remember him.
Soren's eyes were fixed on Caelen as he was settled in the passenger seat while Caelen was driving. His eyes traced the bulging muscles under Caelen's shirt.
He has been working out. He is pretty tall for an omega but a little shorter than me, and it's extremely cute.
"That's why I told you to sit in the back," Caelen complained. "You are distracting me."
"I couldn't see you well back there," Soren had a faint smile as always.
"You creep me out with that look and smile. Are you a pervert?"
"This is the second time you are calling me a pervert," Soren leaned over. "Why do you think so negatively of me?"
What's so positive about you? Caelen wanted to ask but stayed quiet as Arsha's advice came to his mind.
Soren clicked his tongue as no reply came back.
Caelen parked the car near the convenience store that was given by the company and ran upstairs. Uncle Shu lived upstairs from the convenience store. He could hear Eiran crying, but his voice felt like he was exhausted from crying.
"Papaaa~~" Eiran called through cries as soon as he saw Caelen and extended his arms from a female who looked like a teenager's lap. Caelen quickly took Eiran into his arms and patted his head, kissing him all over the head.
"I am sorry Eiran, I am really sorry," Caelen's voice went weak seeing Eiran's puffy eyes, "Papa had to work."
Caelen glanced at the teenager.
"She is Aunt Mary's daughter. Eiran wasn't calming down, so she came to help," Uncle Shu explained.
Caelen bowed, "I am really sorry about that," he turned to Uncle Shu, "I am sorry, I thought he would behave since he isn't demanding. He is usually easy to deal with."
"I know, I know," Uncle Shu sensed guilt in Caelen's expression, "he has been staying with you all day. Now that he couldn't see you, that's why he panicked. Don't worry, it's normal, he will get used to it. He is just a little kid."
"Thank you so much for the help," Caelen bowed to the teenager once again. Eiran wasn't crying anymore, but he was hiccuping sobs. Caelen kissed Eiran's forehead.
"You should hire a nanny," the teenager suggested, "they are really good at calming kids by diverting their attention."
"I agree," Uncle Shu added.
"I am actually looking into it," Caelen started collecting Eiran's things while Eiran was resting on his chest, "I just don't want to choose someone who is not responsible, that's why I am being cautious, doing my research."
"I have a friend, she is very good with kids," the teenager opened her cell phone, "she took care of my nephew for two months. How about you talk to her?"
She showed a QR code, and Caelen scanned it on his phone. A girl in her twenties appeared on the profile picture.
"What does she do?" Caelen asked, saving the contact.
"She is a writer," the teenager bowed to Uncle Shu, "you can interview her, and if you like her, she might be able to help. Then I would take my leave." She walked out.
"I would get going too. I am really sorry for keeping you awake this late." Caelen grabbed the bag that had Eiran's belongings.
"No worries, it's fine," Uncle Shu replied, "how was work today?"
"Not bad," Caelen clicked his tongue, "maybe it's just starting, that's why it was quite easy."
"Alright, take care."
"Take care, Uncle Shu." Caelen walked out with Eiran in his arms.
Soren was settled in the study room going through his script. His phone vibrated, and he slid it open.
"He lives with a four year old kid apparently his son," a message read.
"Might be his nephew."
He slid the cell phone onto the table, the message still open. Moren entered the study and noticed Soren's smile. He stood frozen at the sight that was so difficult to witness, especially after the scandal.
"You seem to be in a good mood," Moren settled across from him and glanced at the cell phone. "You found him?"
Soren looked up at him peeping over his phone and quickly grabbed it, putting it into his pocket as he got up to walk away.
"Brother," Soren froze and turned around. "By any chance, are you tailing him?"
"What has this got to do with you?" Soren's voice was emotionless similar to his expression.
"I think you should not."
"What?"
"Just think about it. If you want to build trust, then you should not. He is bound to find out someday that you were tailing him and that could become the reason he starts hating you," Moren opened the files he was carrying earlier. "Your behavior might push him away. That's why you should give him his privacy."
"But why are you telling me this?" Soren's voice was sharp.
"'Cause you don't have dating experience."
"You don't either, bastard."
"But I communicate with others a lot, and we talk about a lot of things. You don't even have someone to talk to."
Soren squinted his eyes and walked away.
"Stop tailing and no need to look into him further," he sent out a message as soon as he entered his room. He rubbed his hands against his face.