Beneath the Surface: Secrets of an Obsessed Heart-Chapter 140 - 139

Miss Ling chuckled, shaking her head. "Everything’s ready. I’ll wait for you outside, sir."

The employees followed her out, their cheerful “Happy birthday, Boss!” still echoing in the air.

Raiden turned to Hiro and without a word, he scooped him up effortlessly, carrying him bridal-style toward the bed. Hiro let out a soft gasp but didn’t resist, only giggling as he tightened his arms around Raiden’s neck.

Raiden laid him down gently, his smoky grey eyes filled with warmth as he leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss to Hiro’s lips.

“I love you,” he whispered, pulling back just enough to meet Hiro’s champagne-coloured gaze. His thumb traced soothing circles in the center of Hiro’s palm, his voice dropping to a tender murmur. “Thank you. For everything. You have no idea how much this means to me, baby.”

Hiro’s heart fluttered at the raw emotion in his voice. He felt that it wasn’t a big deal. It was just a small party he had put together but why was Raiden’s voice like that? Like he was about to cry.

Raiden hesitated, his fingers momentarily pausing before continuing their slow caress. “I... I’ve actually never celebrated my birthday before,” he admitted, his gaze flickering downward. “The one I had with you last night... it was my first.”

Hiro’s breath caught. Never?

His brows furrowed, his heart already aching at the thought. “Why not?” he asked softly. “Your mom and dad never celebrated it with you?”

Raiden shook his head, exhaling lightly. “My mom passed away when she gave birth to me. My dad blamed me for her death, remarried, and then... acted like I didn’t exist.” He let out a small, dry laugh, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “But that’s in the past. I don’t want to talk much about it. Now I have you. I’m not alone anymore.”

But Hiro could see through him. He could see the pain Raiden was trying to bury, the wounds that still lingered, no matter how much time had passed. His chest tightened at the thought of little Raiden, growing up without love, without warmth, without the simple joy of having someone celebrate his existence.

Without hesitation, Hiro lunged forward, wrapping his arms tightly around Raiden’s broad shoulders. He held him close, pressing his cheek against Raiden’s chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

“You’re not alone anymore, Raiden,” he whispered fiercely, pulling back just enough to look into those stormy grey eyes. He could clearly see the vulnerability Raiden tried so hard to hide, and his heart clenched even more. Raiden was amazing. Raiden was the best person on earth. His family had no idea what they were missing out on.

“Just like you said, I’m here now." Hiro said, holding Raiden’s hands. "We’ll celebrate all your birthdays together. I’ll always be here for you, no matter what. I’ll never leave you, Raiden. I promise.”

His ears tinged pink as he smiled shyly. Then, barely above a whisper, he added, “I love you.”

Raiden’s breath hitched. His heart seemed to stutter, then swell with an emotion so powerful he could hardly contain it. He didn’t hesitate. He leaned in and kissed Hiro hard and fast, pouring everything into the kiss before pulling him into another crushing embrace.

“I love you more, baby,” he murmured, pressing a lingering kiss to Hiro’s shoulder. “Now rest. I’ll wake you up when it’s time for lunch.” He felt like if he stayed any longer, he’d cry. The situation was making memories and emotions he buried deep resurface.

Hiro nodded sleepily, warmth spreading through his chest as Raiden kissed his nose before standing.

As Raiden left, Hiro let out a soft, contented sigh, stretching lazily on the plush mattress. Although content, he was truly tired. Besides, with what he hinted to Raiden about the party, he needed all the rest he could get. His eyelids grew heavier, but before he could drift off, his phone buzzed loudly in his pocket.

Frowning, he fished it out and when he saw the name flashing on the screen, he chuckled.

Michi.

Shaking his head, he answered the call.

“HIRO, YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT!!!”

Michi’s voice practically exploded through the speaker, and Hiro yelped, jerking the phone away from his ear.

“Ugh Michi, do you want to make me go deaf?” Hiro winced, rubbing his ear as he brought the phone back.

“You deserve to go deaf!" Michi shouted once again. "I gave you advice and helped you plan your boyfriend’s birthday but you didn’t even tell me how it went! Did you even read my messages?!"

Hiro swallowed down a wave of guilt as Michi’s words hit him. He completely forgot to reply. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

"W-Well, I read some but then—" Hiro started, fumbling for an excuse.

"You ignored them!" Michi cut him off immediately, his voice rising in outrage. "You read them and ignored them!"

"N-No, Raiden wanted—"

"I want no excu— wait, Raiden what now?" Michi’s anger screeched to a halt. His tone did a complete 180, suddenly filled with curiosity. "Is he there?"

Hiro chuckled at the rapid shift. "He’s not here, but he was the reason I couldn’t respond to your texts."

Michi let out a long, knowing whistle. "Ohhhh. So you two were getting it onnnn?"

"Michiiiii," Hiro groaned, his face heating up as he buried himself deeper into the mattress. "Stop."

"What?" Michi snickered. "We’re best friends. Best friends share everything. So tell me." His voice practically vibrated with excitement. "What happened? Can you walk?"

Hiro let out a long suffering groan before mumbling, "... Barely."

Michi cackled. "Now that’s what I like to hear! You completed the assignment! A hundred points!"

Despite his embarrassment, Hiro couldn’t help but laugh along.

Their laughter faded into a comfortable silence before Michi spoke again, his tone more serious this time.

"Hey, by the way, have you heard from your brother?"

Hiro blinked. "Sora?"

"Yeah. I’ve been trying to get him for the past week, but his phone is switched off."

Hiro frowned slightly. "Oh, Raiden said he sent him somewhere on a job. I don’t know why his phone is off, but he should be okay. I trust Raiden."

Michi hummed thoughtfully. "Hmm. Alright. If you say so..." But there was a slight note of doubt in his voice.

Hiro let out a small sigh, shifting onto his side. "It’s fine, Michi. Really. If something was wrong, Raiden would tell me."

"Yeah, yeah," Michi muttered. "Still, if you hear from him, tell him to text me. Otherwise, I will start thinking he’s dead in a somewhere. You know how I get when I’m worried."

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