Chapter II

Thierry woke up with the alarm. 8h30. He still had an hour and a half until his brother brought back the twins from 'a weekend with the fun uncle' as he called. He lifted up his head and looked at the man sleeping by his side on bed.

"Dev", he called and kissed him on his lips. "You can pretend you are sleeping but I know you're not". He teased the man with his hands going all over his naked body. "C'mon, I know you want it. We still have some time left for us". Thierry kissed the man's neck and torso, going down.

"God", Deveraux moaned and grabbed Thierry 's head kissing him passionately. "You really are the death of me".

However, some half hour later, when they were in the middle of the fun, they heard a knock on the door.

"Mommy!", a childish voice that probably belonged to Collin called. "Mommy, come out. I want breakfast".

"Argh", Thierry grumbled. "I'm sorry", he whispered to Deveraux. "Collin, go back to uncle Emile, I'll just get dressed".

It was hard being twenty-five and raising two small kids. Add to that having a brother that apparently doesn't know how to tell time.

Thierry got a quick shower to wash away the sex smell and went downstairs. He told Dev that he could sleep a little more and go downstairs later, but he answered:

"Nah, I need to see my little godson".

Thierry met Deveraux when he was fifteen and looking to expand his recently created film platform. Deveraux was a nineteen-year-old film student with lots of debt, but lots of talent. Thierry financed some of his early films that easily exploded. They became friends, and then best friends. So when deciding who would be his son's godparents, it was easy. His brother became Killian's godfather and Dev became Collin's.

When Thierry got down, he saw three hungry puppies waiting for breakfast, their eyes as big as humanly possible. Thierry looked at Emile, a disguised anger in his eyes.

"Brother, I thought you knew how to read the clock". He asked, sarcastically.

"I do". Emile answered, already knowing what was coming next.

"I think I need to teach you again. When the smaller hand is on nine and the bigger is on twelve, it's 9h. And when it's on 10 and 12 it's 10h.". Thierry said with a raging smile.

"I know, I know", Emile answered looking down. "But the kids kept insisting they wanted to eat their mommy's pancakes. I don't even know how to make pancakes. When I told them that, Collin cried and Killian called me an ugly uncle. I'm not an ugly uncle!".

Thierry looked at the twins.

"You're becoming too good at manipulating your uncle. Just because he is naive and always falls for your tricks doesn't mean that I'll do too. You'll eat toast. No pancakes".

"Why? Please mommy! Please!", the two kids pleaded.

"Yes, mommy please. Don't make them cry". Dev, who just got down, pleaded with the twins.

Collin, seeing his godfather just behind him, opened a big smile and exclaimed as loud as he could.

"Daddy! Daddy is here". Collin said hugging his godparent. No matter how much Thierry explained, Collin always called Dev like that. And since they both enjoyed it, Thierry just had to bear the consequences and the misunderstandings.

Deveraux was always great with the twins, and almost like a father to them. But almost. That was the position he accepted. More like an uncle who cared for them, like Emile. His relationship with Thierry was similar. They were friends, and would do anything for each other. And it was even okay to have sex together. But that is where both drew the line. All their love was for friendship, never romance. At least, that is what they always tried to believe.

In the end, Thierry gave in and prepared the pancakes for the twins. As he mixed the ingredients, he recalled the original story and that eventful night that completely changed his plans.

Four years have passed since that night. The original story must have almost ended. Cael will get his redemption ark, after Devin fakes his own death to run away from him. In his loneliness, he decides to find his son and encounters him abandoned in an orphanage, neglected and famished. He rescues the little baby and takes him back home. There, he has to face his family and his traumas, and realizes that all he did against Devin was not a proof of love, but a reflection of all the trauma his family generated on him. He cuts his ties with his family and leaves. He rents a small apartment and tries to build his life from scratch, doing all sorts of odd work. All the times he remembers Devin and laments his death. On his son's one year-old birthday, Devin appears on his door. They all cry, and celebrate their son's first birthday together. The end. A happy family.

All that was happening far away from him and he had nothing to do with any of the characters. His focus was on his sons. That was his life, that he will protect with all his might.

"Mommy...", Collin called, "The pancakes ready?"

Lost in his mind, Thierry didn't answer.

"Thi?", Dev called. "Do you need any help?"

Awoken by the deep sound of Deveraux's voice, Thierry finally answered.

"Sorry, I got lost in thought. But I'm making the pancakes, just wait a little bit kiddos". Thierry smiled.

They spent the morning together, the five of them. In the afternoon Deveraux left for his studio and Emile for his company. Emile was in the entertainment business and his agency/producer company had some of the most sought-off stars in the industry. The company, GYE, operated in many countries with good results. Emile constantly traveled from one subsidiary to another to evaluate them, and used it as an excuse to visit Thierry and the boys. He was an overbearing uncle and an overbearing older brother.

Thierry waited for the nanny, as he had an important meeting in the afternoon. Ms. Kristin Jensson, or Ms. K, as the kids called her, arrived at 13h, just after lunch.

"Ms. K", the twins called her.

"Hello". She hugged them. "Ready to go to the park?"

"Yes! Mommy helped us pack our backpacks. He let us take our favorite toys!" Collin said.

"Yes! And my dino book!" Killian complemented.

"A dino book? That sounds really cool!" she said with a smile. She was really good with kids, and the twins loved her. "Now say goodbye to mommy kids, we will see him when we are back from the park".

"Bye, mommy!"

"Bye bye, my babies!"

He left just after them. His heart aches every time he has to let them go. But his work, his money and his power is what will keep them safe if anything happens. He wasn't doing this just for himself anymore; it was for his family.

The meeting in the evening is a little dangerous. His company made an open competition for a project of a set of games, movies and series that would span over a decade. The full project will be worth millions, or even billions. The animation studio that won the consortium is owned by Finnian Delaney, Cael's uncle. In the original story, Finnian had a poor relationship with Gearalt, Cael's father, because their world vision was completely opposite. Hence, Cael barely had any relationship with Finnian. Nevertheless, Thierry wanted to have as little as possible contact with anyone even remotely related to the Delaney family.

But he had no option. The Green Mint studio won fair and square and to refuse them without a good reason would stain his company reputation, and even create grounds for a lawsuit. Thierry had no option but to cooperate.

The Green Mint studio was an animation specialized studio that worked with movies and games. Although they were relatively small, compared to the other competitors, they were recognized in festivals and awards ceremonies for the quality of their work. Their art style was also the most compatible with the proposition. Also, they were developing a technique that was now unheard of, but that was used by the main studios in his original world. And there was the second reason to go ahead with this contract: Thierry hated losing money. And this contract was good money.

Thierry arrived at the office at 13h15. Nathaniel, his secretary, came running with some documents. He hated it when the boss took the morning off, because all the work piled up.

"Sir, here are the documents for the KSQ project that need to be revised. Those are the contracts that we need to decide whether to renew. This is the proposition from LHG, and this is the one from PDT. The decision must be finished tomorrow. And..."

"Nat, breathe, please. I'll check the KSQ project. Also, we need the report for the new laptop that should be launched next trimester. And an update on the bug on the XZ 10. And I asked to review the coding for the new AI interface - they keep butchering it. And, finally the documents for today's meeting with Green Mint. For today that's it. If we have time after that I'll revise the propositions from LHG and PDT". He said all with a smirk. "Now, Nat, breathe".

"Okay". He breathed slowly. "I will prepare everything".

"Ah... I think I still didn't get the list of who Green Mint is sending. If you could check and email me that. Thank you".

"Yes, sir".

Nathaniel was a competent and professional secretary, but his anxiety got the best of him many times.

Fifteen minutes later, the list from Green Mint arrived. As he read the names a fuck got stuck on his throat. Why? He asked himself. How? He questioned. Is this shit right? Among the names, as project manager, was the shitty male lead that he wished to avoid at all costs: Cael Delaney.

He breathed in and out multiple times. Counted to ten. Tried to meditate. But he was seeing red. Why is this fucker here? He moved countries to avoid him. Even changed his name. In all his companies and publicly he was known as Antoine Rayne, instead of Thierry Bélanger. Only his close friends and family knew him by his birth name. Even his kids were oriented to call him Mommy or Antoine. He did all that to disappear, but that shitty male lead kept following him.

But, he didn't know. Why would he? Thierry thought. He was completely out of himself that night. And we never met before or after that. There is also no way he knows about the twins, or he would have done something by now. I just need to keep myself calm and composed, like always. There is nothing to hide, because my life and my family has nothing to do with him.

He talked until he convinced himself. And then, he went back to work, acting as if nothing happened. He wrote a feedback on the KSQ project; he greenlighted the new laptop; he screamed with some bad programmers for not fixing the bug. And soon it was 16h30 (4h30 p.m.).

When he entered the room, all the eyes were on him, obviously. However, only one pair of eyes mattered, and they were looking down, avoiding direct eye contact. That was strange, considering his personality in the book. Important matters first, he thought centering himself and going back to business mode, all in a fraction of seconds.

The meeting went well. They were a small company, but very professional and well organized. Cael was a little timid, and, although he was sitting just two chairs away from him, he avoided looking at him as if he would catch the plague. What the hell is happening with this devil? He questioned every time Cael dropped his head and looked away.

After they finished the meeting, Cael waited and slowly approached Thierry.

"Mr. Rayne, could I have a word in private?"

Thierry was surprised by his behavior, and couldn't imagine what he could have to talk with him. Nevertheless, he had no reason to say no.

"Sure", he answered, "Let's talk in my office".

There, Thierry closed the door and invited him to sit. All the time, Cael kept his head lowered, his red eyes looking at the floor as if they could cry at any minute. When he sat, the chair seemed to devour him and the tall man who almost hit the door frame looked miniscule.

Are you okay? Thierry felt tempted to ask. The domineering and possessive man described in the novel couldn't be found anywhere in this timid and pathetic boy.

"You probably don't remember me", Cael started, "But we met four years ago, in the OPAS gala". He stopped for a few seconds, his voice trembling. "I wasn't feeling well that day and you helped me". Tears began to roll. "And I hurt you. I'm sorry. I know you left a note saying it was all consensual and that it wasn't my fault. But it was. I know I could never take it back, and never atone for what I did. But I will try to repent for my sins and will do everything in my power to help you, even if you never forgive me".

He was crying compulsively. He didn't look like a 27, but a seven-year-old. Was that some kind of new manipulation technique? Thierry wondered, petrified and not knowing how to deal with this situation. The curtains were open and people would soon ask why someone was crying in the CEO's office. Whatever is happening, Thierry thought, I need to deal with this situation fast.

First, Thierry closed the blinds. Then, he kneeled next to Cael and looked him in the eyes and held his hands. Thierry used all his knowledge acquired by raising Collin and Killian.

"I'm sorry, I'm not the person you're looking for, so I can't give you the forgiveness you seek. But, for all you told me, there is nothing to forgive. That person already told you there's no sin nor bad behavior. Something just happened. And that's how life is. Things happen, not all of them good. But we can't live the rest of our lives crying, or feeling guilty, for the bad things that happened".

Thierry grabbed some tissues he kept on his things for the twins and a bottle of water from the frigobar. He gave them both to him and held his hands once more.

"Now, please, compose yourself. Otherwise people will think I'm bullying you". Thierry smiled.

"Thank you", Cael said. "I'm sorry for disturbing you, but you look so much like the guy in the video".

Ah... the security cameras. I knew I was forgetting something. So that's how he found out. Thierry thought.

"Everyone makes mistakes. You don't need to say sorry for everything. Now, just take your time and calm down. I can wait".

"Thanks".

They stayed there for another fifteen minutes until Cael completely calmed down. During that time, Nat knocked on the door. Thierry excused himself and answered, keeping the door half closed.

"Sorry for disturbing you, sir. Ms. Jensson has arrived with the twins". Nat informed him.

Fuck. Thierry thought. He can't see the twins. Especially not Killian.

"Take them to an empty room. Make them comfortable. Tell them I'll be coming soon".

"Okay, sir".

He went back to Cael, who was still looking down, his eyes red. He was better. They spent the rest of the time in silence, until Cael got up and said:

"Thank you, sir. I think it's time for me to go".

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, thank you very much".

They parted in front of his office. As Thierry saw Cael leaving, he heard a well known scream.

"Mommy!", a blond boy said in his childish voice.

Thierry looked around and didn't see any other kid around.

Thank God it's only Collin. Thierry thought.

"What are you doing here, you spoiled brat?"

Afar, he saw that Cael was looking back at them. Thierry could see the thoughts moving in his head.

"Did you enjoy playing with daddy's gift?", this moment, Thierry gave thanks for Collin calling Dev daddy; and also for Dev giving Collin his new scooter.

"Yes! Daddy's gifts are the best!". Collin answered loudly.

Thierry saw Cael expression changing as he showed his back and went away. Still, the project was just starting, and they couldn't avoid seeing each other again.