Free Web NovelChapter 24: Futur Era / 4.9&10 : People change, and promises are broken
Eden walked to the meeting room and took a seat at the end of the table. Everyone was already there, he smiled at everyone besides the Zhus. He smiled last at Dorian and his eyes softened when he saw the twinkle of happiness in his eyes. Eden leaned back and he listened as everyone shared news of their clan. Arman said looking at Eden:
"How about Eden starts with the renewal of the contracts?"
He wants to hear Eden talk about the huge deal he just signed with Chen Tech since the Qin Empire will be his. Plus it looks better if Eden renews the contract with Zhu Security before the company is his. He doesn’t want anyone to think that he is responsible for Eden’s death once Qin Empire is his. He needs to show people that the Zhu and Qin clans are close.
Eden looked up from his tablet and said looking at everyone:
"First I would like to change the duration of the contracts from 1 year to 5. Everyone agrees?"
Arman immediately nodded his eyes shining. Everyone agreed beside Dorian, he looked at Eden hesitantly. He doesn’t know if Eden will want to keep his distance from him after he talks to him. Having a 1-year contract gives him reason to see him. He’s not letting him go anyway so it doesn’t matter if the contract is 1 or 5 years. When Eden smiled at him his eyes softened.
"I agree."
Arman felt his heart beating faster in excitement. He can’t believe Eden managed to convince Dorian to change the length of the contract. That means he has a 5 years contract with Chen Tech. Dorian probably loves Eden thanks to that spaceship he designed for him. He can’t believe how well things worked out, Eden wanting to run Qin Empire is the best thing that could’ve happened to them.
Eden looked at Sirius and said:
"I’d like to sign a five years contract with Wangineer."
Sirius looked at Eden curiously.
"What would like to be manufactured?"
"It’s an electronic chip."
He created White Wolf to take down Zhu System and he already has a lot of customers. To secure any device they just have to download a program and it will be safe. But he came up with another thin chip, it’s magnetic so it stays in place plus there’s a deflector that makes it invisible. That way it won’t get in the way and your device will be safe. It’s easy to create new technology no matter what era he lives in since he lived in all eras.
Sirius smiled.
"I would love to help you with that."
"Good I’ll send you the blueprints and we’ll ship you all the materials needed. I’ll send you the contract read it tonight and let me know if you want to change or add things. I’d like to sign the contract tomorrow if you’re okay with that."
"Yes of course I’ll read it tonight."
Eden smiled at him and Sirius smiled back. He was also one of the Zhus victims but he won’t let him die again.
Arman felt even more excited, he doesn’t know what the chip is for but knowing Eden now it should be something that will bring the Qin Empire millions. Ryker looked at Eden and he felt worst than he did before. How could he be so blind to Eden’s brilliance after being with him for two years? They lived together but he knew nothing of him. He does know him now since he did some research after he couldn’t stop thinking about him. He knows that he is making things worst since he’ll die soon.
Eden looked at Dorian.
"I agree to renew the contract between Chen Tech and Qin lab but the fees will be different. For two years you’ll pay 35% more than what you used to pay than the rest of the time will be 20% more. You’ll have to reimburse what you should’ve paid in the first place those past two years."
When he thinks about the ridiculous amount Ryker made Dorian pay he just wants to kill him. No matter how much you love someone it doesn’t mean you should give away money freely when business is involved. He’s not angry at Dorian since he was smart to agree, if someone is stupid enough to make you pay less of course any smart businessman will agree.
Everyone looked at Dorian worried about how he’ll deal with Eden. They do not doubt in their mind that he’s going to lose it. Eden’s bodyguards started to approach him but Eden waved his hand and they went back. Even if Dorian were to do something he has more than enough strength to stop him.
Ryker looked at Eden worried. This is all his fault if he wouldn’t have drawn those contracts he wouldn’t have to ask for the money Qin Lab lost. He was so blinded by love that he was willing to lose millions for Dorian. Even Eden is a better businessman than him since he’s making him pay the fair price and asking for the money back. He was about to say something in Eden’s defense when Dorian said:
"Okay."
Everyone was surprised and Arman felt like hugging Eden. He always thought that Ryker was a fool to make Dorian pay less just because he is in love with him. To think that that spoiled brat Eden managed to get the right price for the service is unbelievable to him. He has to admit that he is fairing better than he thought he would.
Despite hearing that Eden was still pissed and he couldn’t stop himself from saying:
"This is ridiculous Qin Empire didn’t become an empire by giving the Rissian Blend for free. We’re a business, not a charity."
Everyone looked at Dorian. They felt that Eden was already lucky that he accepted so maybe he should just take the victory and move on. They were stunned when they saw that Dorian was just looking at Eden with an amused smile.
Dorian felt like Eden looked adorable. He had his arms crossed and he was pouting his lips. He just wanted to take him in his arms and kissed his rosy lips. Of course, he understands how he feels, he and Eden’s minds are similar. They could never understand someone drawing a contract based on how he feels. You have to separate business and personal. He frowned when he saw the way Ryker was looking at Eden. It seemed like he isn’t the only one who thought he looked adorable like that. He doubted Ryker’s feelings toward Eden but now he is sure. He narrowed his eyes at him. Eden will be his, he doesn’t care who he has to get rid of for that.
When Eden didn’t speak for a long time Arman coughed. Eden was still tapping on his tablet.
"Eden?"
"What?"
"You should finish the renewal so we can move on to someone else."
"I’m done." freeweɓnovel.cøm
Arman chuckled.
"Son you forgot about the contract between Qin Empire and Zhu Security."
Eden looked up and he said with a smile:
"I didn’t, I’ll be using a company called White Wolf from now on so there’s no need to renew our contract."
Arman looked at him wide-eyed.
"Our clan has been working together forever, you can’t change that just because your feelings are hurt. It’s business not personal."
Eden burst out laughing.
"You probably should’ve taught that to your son maybe then he wouldn’t have drawn such a ridiculous contract just because he’s in love with Dorian."
Ryker gaped at Eden. Did he know all along that he was in love with Dorian? And is that jealousy he feels? He feels like Eden’s words were laced with bitterness. He felt happy to see that he still has feelings for him.
Arman looked at his son angrily then he looked at Eden. He should focus on this situation first then he’ll deal with his useless son. Eden said that he’ll be using which means he hasn’t signed anything yet.
"Eden our four clans are allies so we work with each other. Your father would be disappointed to see you break tradition."
Eden’s murderous aura filled the room and Arman unconsciously shivered. He met Eden’s cold eyes.
"If you speak about my father again or anyone from my family I’ll kill you."
Arman looked at him wide-eyed. He believes his words he can tell how ruthless he can be. Arman swallowed and murmured:
"I just meant that Zhu Security is the best this is why everyone uses it."
Eden chuckled.
"The only reason everyone uses it is that your son signed contracts with big companies while he was president of Qin Lab in exchange for using your joke of a security system. The rest followed suit because of Zhu Security’s connection to Qin Empire and Chen Tech. It has nothing to do with your useless system. I trust myself more than I trust your knowledge of security."
Arman and Ryker were shocked that Eden had found out all of this. Arman was about to argue when Eden projected something. He looked at the article wide-eyed. Four of the biggest companies he managed to get as clients thanks to Qin Lab have been hacked. It said that despite using the Zhu Security system the hacker got through the firewall and stole important information. It says that the information was damaging to the four presidents of the companies. He looked at the date and hour and saw that it had only been released an hour ago. Why didn’t someone from the company call him?
He looked at Eden and he had a mocking smile on his face. Those for presidents were aware that the Zhus were responsible for his death but all they cared about was having the Rissian Blend. Eden will destroy their company than them. They were accomplices so they should pay too. He raised an eyebrow when Arman asked him shocked:
"You’re responsible aren’t you?"
"Are you asking me because I’m a genius and you’re a fool? To be fair anyone smarter than you which is everyone can breach Zhu Security’s firewall."
Arman stood up and he banged on the table.
"How dare you speak to your Elder like that!"
"Respect has nothing to do with age. If you respect me I’ll respect you it’s that simple."
Arman was about to insult him when Dorian ordered:
"Sit down."
He immediately took a seat. Eden went back to using his tablet. Once Sirius and Idriss spoke it was Dorian’s turn.
"I’ll renew my contract with Wangineer and Qin Empire."
When they agreed on the details Dorian looked at Eden. Arman was trembling in rage. Not only did Eden choose White Wolf as a security system but Idriss and Sirius did too. He should’ve known better, one his Eden’s best friend the other his father’s lapdog. He looked at Dorian waiting for him to say that he’ll renew the contract with them. He and Ryker have known each other since they were kids and he is his only friend there’s no way he’ll betray them.
Dorian said:
"I’ll be using White Wolf as well. Eden send me the contract."
Arman turned his head slowly and when he met Eden’s vicious eyes he knew that this was his plan all along. Ryker asked:
"White Wolf is your company?"
Eden ignored him and he looked at the rest of the room.
"I’ll send you the contracts for the security system."
Dorian nodded and said:
The meeting is over you can all leave."
Eden stood up and left. Arman looked at him leave with hatred and he stood up. He walked to the door but he turned around when he didn’t feel his son following him. He yelled:
"Ryker!"
Ryker woke up from his thoughts and he followed him. When they arrived in his bedroom Arman grabbed a vase to throw it but Ryker stopped him in the nick of time. He held onto the vase and said:
"Father stop! This vase is ancient do you want Dorian to kill you? You know how obsessive he is."
Ryker pulled the vase down when his father hesitated.
Arman sat on the bed and said in anger:
"That son of a bitch Eden has destroyed us! Did you see what everyone is saying about us? He did it so everyone would use his company, White Wolf. He’s known all along how we’ve been using Qin Lab to better our company. He didn’t say anything because you two were together but now that you’ve been avoiding him he’s getting revenge."
Hearing that Ryker felt his heart clench in pain. Eden has known all along what he was doing and even if he didn’t agree he didn’t say anything because he loved him. Because of the way he treated him Eden has changed into this vindictive person when he’s always been sweet to him. It makes him miserable to think that he turned someone so nice and innocent into a malicious person.
After riding the rest of the day Eden ate in his room and took a shower. He lay in bed unable to sleep for a long time. He doesn’t know why but he had a terrible feeling concerning his husband. He sat up and used Versem. Once he saw him he immediately stood up and used the secret tunnel to his room. He pushed the door and entered his chamber, he stood in front of the bed distressed. Dorian kept tossing and turning, he was breathing loudly like he was retaining himself from screaming. Eden went to the bathroom and filled a bowl with water and grabbed a towel. He pulled out a vial from Versem and he poured it in his mouth. Once Dorian swallowed he settled. Eden sat at the edge of the bed wiping his forehead and neck. While he was wiping his neck he saw a scar, he put the towel down and opened his shirt.
Once he saw his chest he looked at it seething. Dorian had more than twenty cuts and Eden could tell that they were deep before. His eyes flashed in disgust when he thought about Dorian’s uncle. So this is what that son of a bitch did to him for Chen Tech. He reached out to his chest but his wrist was caught before he could touch it. He looked up and met hostile blue eyes. Dorian tossed his hand away and he sat up. After buttoning his pajama again he asked fuming:
"What are you doing here?"
Eden ignored the rejection and the venom. He caressed his cheek and asked worriedly:
"Are you okay?"
Dorian pushed his hand away before he could touch him and he asked again:
"What are you doing here?"
Eden looked at him silently for a few seconds then he said:
"I wanted to make sure you’re okay."
He is a little confounded by Dorian’s reaction. He was going to tell him what happened with his uncle tomorrow so why is he so furious right now?
"Don’t pretend anymore. Get out!"
"What?"
Dorian felt even worst when he saw that he was pretending. He’s seen the disgust in Eden’s eyes when he was looking at his chest he was awake. His biggest fear came through and as if it wasn’t enough Eden acts. He thought they were past that but clearly, he was wrong. Dorian pushed Eden and he fell on the floor. Eden looked up incredulously. He woke from his stupor when Dorian yelled:
"I said get out!"
Eden stood up crestfallen. He glimpsed at Dorian and when he saw the lack of remorse for his action and the coldness in his eyes he left. He went back to his room and he lay in his bed. He closed his eyes but tears still fell.
Eden woke up feeling numb. After taking a shower he left for breakfast. When he entered the dining-room he saw that everyone was present beside Dorian. He ate in silence and when he finished and he changed for the hunt. Once they arrived there Eden picked a riffle and a horse. He stood in place with everyone when they were called. A man stood in front of them and said:
"Hello welcome to the hunt. I’m clan leader Chen’s second in command and I’ll be officiating the hunt since he had to leave the planet for urgent business. He’ll be back for the last hunt. The same rules apply and the one with more body counts gets a favor."
Eden’s hold on the reins tightened.
"Go."
Eden immediately bolted and his racing mind slowed as he rode faster. After making sure he’ll be the winner of the hunt he went back to the river and after tying the horse to a tree he sat on the ground. He is so angry now he can’t stand it. He’s been feeling disheartened since last night but now it’s over. Maybe it’s a good thing that everything happened that way with them.
After a few hours, Eden went back when he was called. After it was announced that Eden was the winner he got into his hovercar and left. When everything was packed he walked out of the room and nearly hit Sirius.
"Sorry I didn’t see you."
Sirius looked at him with worry.
"It’s fine. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I’m not hurt."
"That’s not what I meant. I can see since this morning that you’re sad."
Eden looked into Sirius’ eyes and bit his lip. When Sirius pulled him in his arms his vail fell off and he buried his face in his chest. Sirius patted his back when he felt his shirt dampening. He felt terrible seeing Eden like that.
He wasn’t the only one. Ryker wanted to talk to Eden before he left and happened to catch this scene. He felt heartbroken seeing Eden like that. Even if he acts like he doesn’t care and that it’s nothing to him to destroy Zhu Security he knows that it hurts him. It kills him that Eden is crying because of him. He should be the one hugging and comforting him. He turned around and left silently.
Eden pulled back and he quickly wiped his tears. He smiled.
"I’m okay."
"Come to my house tomorrow for dinner so we can talk."
"I can’t I have too much work."
"Then Tuesday."
"I..."
Before Eden finished his sentence Sirius cut him.
"It wasn’t a question. If you don’t come I’ll come to your house or office with food."
Eden smiled.
"Fine, I’ll come."
Sirius smiled.
"Be there at 7."
Eden nodded with a smile. He and Sirius haven’t seen each other besides on the hunt since he’s been in this universe. They would speak on the phone every night though it’s a habit of theirs. He should spend more time with him, it’s rare for him to have a friend let alone such a sweet best friend.
Eden walked out of the hovercar and he knocked at the door. A woman opened.
"Good evening Master is waiting for you in the dining room."
Eden followed her. Everyone knows him since they would see each other two or three times a week. He took a seat on Siruis’ left and he smiled.
"Hey."
"Hey. How are you? Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah, I am."
As they ate Sirius asked:
"What happened?"
Eden swallowed with difficulty and said:
"I lost someone I cared about."
Sirius could see the pain in Eden’s eyes and he felt awful.
"I’m so sorry Eden."
After what happened with Gege he decided to give him space and not check on him using Versem. When he didn’t show up at the hunt Eden looked for him but all he saw was darkness. He checked on his second in command and he heard that Dorian took a spaceship and left. From Versem he knows that it isn’t the first time since he has everything he needs in it and can stay there for months but usually 24 hours after leaving he would call his second in command and tell him how long he’ll be gone. But this time he didn’t do it.
The only way he can’t find someone on Versem is if that person died, that plus Dorian not contacting anyone Eden is sure that he had a fatal accident. He feels that maybe it’s for the best. He’ll just finish this mission and leave Idriss in charge of the Qin Empire then leave for the next universe. The previous two universes were easy because Gege was the same but this time he isn’t. When he loves someone he loves unconditionally so him being different doesn’t change that. What bothers him is the fact that he is being different too. He’s been acting contrarily and he’s been more than patient with Dorian.
When he is upset with Gege he always talks to him but Dorian didn’t. He told him that he doesn’t want someone who keeps things from him but he did. He’s way too emotionally invested with him and he is losing himself. If things would’ve gone smoothly with Dorian he never would’ve noticed that. He doesn’t want that so in the next universes he’ll keep his distance from him. The best way to do that is to stay in character. He would usually act the way he wants since this is his previous life but this time he’ll follow his personality. He is usually shy, cold, or haughty either way it’s useful to push someone away. This is too much, he thought that everything he would go through each universe before being with Gege for the lifetime ahead of them was worth it but he doesn’t think so anymore so he is done.
Eden went back home in a good mood. He only has a couple of days before he deals with the Zhu and his destruction plan is going quite well. More than half of their customers left them for White Wolf. Once they saw that embarrassing things kept being leaked about the companies who had been hacked they became scared. Everyone has skeletons in their closet so they are scared. When they found out that all the clans used White Wolf people followed suit. Before the final hunt, the only thing left of Zhu Security will be ashes. He’s been working on the warp drive and Chen Tech has been busy building the spaceships. Dorian’s second in command is just as good as him so Eden is satisfied.
Everything is going perfectly, he couldn’t feel better if the tried. When he walked into the house he immediately stopped and he felt his heart beating faster. He used Versem to check his house and he ran up the stairs. He opened the bedroom door and looked at Dorian who was standing there. Eden walked to him looking into his nervous eyes. Quickly Dorian’s nervousness was replaced by astonishment. He turned his head who had flown to the left because of the strength of Eden’s slap and he looked at him stunned. Before he could understand what happened Eden slapped him again harder but this time his head flew to the right. Thank you for leaving me Gege if you hadn’t I would’ve never known. You broke your promise to never leave me so I shall break mine to always find you.
