Free Web NovelChapter 73: _Ruined A Perfect Morning
Han didn’t wait for Ambrose to give a response, brushing past him while maintaining eye contact. However, before he could get far, a hand grabbed his wrist.
He froze, head angling slowly back to the C-Rank. His face was calm, but inside, he was taken aback.
’When did his grip strength get so strong?’ he thought to himself.
"What the fuck do you think you’re doing?" Ambrose asked, voice low and cold. "Waltzing into my suite like you own the place—this needs to stop or—"
"Rose?"
Both of them turned their heads to Devon. He had a plate of pancakes and a fork in one hand. His golden eyes narrowed on Han, flicking from his face to Ambrose’s hand around his wrist.
Then, "What do you want, Guide Han?"
Han gave Ambrose a smirk before slipping his wrist out of his vice-like grip. "Devon," he faced the S-Rank fully now. "What a surprise. I didn’t expect—"
"Cut it." Devon took one step forward. "I don’t want to ask you again... what are you doing here?"
Han smacked his lips. "You’ve always looked so hot when you’re serious," he grinned, making sure to glance back at Ambrose. "Don’t worry though. I won’t be here for long. I just want to... point out things I still can’t grasp."
Ambrose was inching closer to his breaking point. "Things like what?" Then he raised a finger. "You know what? Never mind. You can keep trying to grasp them once you’ve stepped the fuck out."
He gestured at the open door, all while Han’s grin widened.
"And there it is," the A-Rank cooed. "You know, ever since that night at the alleyway you’ve been acting differently."
The anger on Ambrose’s face faltered. He threw Devon a glance, noticing the way his eyes flickered with interest.
"What are you talking about?" Ambrose queried carefully, tone tighter now.
Han noted that change. "Or maybe it’s since the S-Rank dungeon raid. Whenever it was..." he brought his face dangerously close to his. "... You’ve changed."
"People change all the time, Han Jae-won."
"Within a week?" Han squinted. "Not quite."
’Aura,’ Ambrose grew increasingly anxious. ’What is this? Could he have found out about my transmigration?’
[It’s possible he might’ve noticed something is off. But of course, there’s no way he has concrete proof.] Aura assured. [Just do what you do best—deflect.]
"Han," Devon strode toward them. "Enough of this. I don’t know what you’re trying to insinuate here but it’s way too early for this."
No sooner did he grab Han’s shoulder than the Guide snatched his wrist, eyes locking with his. Devon jerked but before he could pull away, Han got what he needed to confirm.
"Your mental space has NEVER," he whispered, letting go of him, "felt so peaceful. So clear."
Devon blinked, his shoulders stiffening. "What—what are you talking—"
"You know what, Han Jae-won?" Ambrose placed himself between the Guide and Devon. "Since you brought up that night at the alleyway, why don’t we talk about how you and your lackeys almost killed me?"
Han’s expression didn’t shift for a second. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
"Listen here you manipulative bas—"
"Papa, I got the mop..." Orion scurried out of the kitchen, swinging a mop in both hands. He halted, noticing Han and the tense atmosphere instantly. "... Uhm... good morning."
Han’s head tilted at the kid while Ambrose quickly rushed to him.
"Daddy wants you to go to your room," he pried the mop out of his little fingers. Once he pointed at the door, he leaned down and added. "What have I told you about being around strangers?"
Orion seemed to hesitate for a beat before walking away, occasionally stealing glances at his parents. Once his bedroom door shut, Han sniggered.
"Do my ears deceive me," he began yet again, "or did that kid just call Devon ’papa’? I don’t recall you saying anything about having a kid."
Devon was about to say something when Ambrose spat. "And do my eyes fucking deceive me or are you still in my suite?" He pointed at the open door. "Move. The fuck. Out."
His fingers twitched, heat building up between them. If this pushed on too much he wasn’t sure how long he could hold before blasting off the Guide’s head with a fireball.
"Fine," Han raised his arms in mock defeat, backing away. He chuckled, eyes wandering from Devon to Ambrose repeatedly. "You might be hiding it now but I KNOW something is up. And I’m definitely going to find out what soon enough."
Ambrose paced to the door, seizing Han by the shoulder. Before the latter knew what was happening, he was shoved out of the suite, and the door slammed on his face.
"Jesus," Devon huffed. "What was that all about?"
Without looking back, Ambrose blurted. "I don’t know, man. You dated the guy. He’s probably out to get me for being around you."
"I dated the guy?"
"Didn’t you?" Ambrose straightened now, pivoting to Devon. "And if you did, you should know Han has a reputation to keep. You breaking up with him—"
"What then was I supposed to do?" Devon spread out his arms, dazed and confused. "And what was all that stuff he was talking about? The night in the alley, you acting ’different’... How does he know you well enough to know you’re acting off?"
Ambrose didn’t answer immediately.
He headed for the kitchen, brushing a hand through his hair. "I really don’t have the mental energy for this, Devon."
When he got to the kitchen counter, he stopped, eyes falling on what lay on it. A plate of pancakes and a full glass of parfait. Like magic, his muscles relaxed.
Fuck.
He just let Han come in here and ruin what could’ve been a good morning.
"Devon, I—" he swung his head back to the living room only to see the door shutting with a bang. The Esper left without a word, leaving him standing there.
Ambrose’s jaw worked.
His eyes slid back to the parfait and pancakes.
He shouldn’t have done that. He shouldn’t have pushed him away over something so trivial.
As his chest tightened, something pulsed deep within the system storage...
The black key had started to glow.
