Beneath the Surface: Secrets of an Obsessed Heart-Chapter 163 - 162

At that moment, he felt Raiden’s hand on his and he looked up at Raiden, blushing out of embarrassment. He said he would protect Raiden but here he was, seeking protection from Raiden himself.

“It’s okay.” Raiden said gently, his eyes and voice softening while talking to Hiro. “I’m here. I won’t let him hurt you.”

Raiden’s words made him feel better, as if he had been injected with courage so he composed himself and gazed at Raiden’s father straight on.

Displeased, the older man’s lips pressed into a thin line. Hiro’s actions sparked a flicker of rage in the man’s eyes—but before he could react further, the stepmother stepped in, her laugh soft and chiding as she slid to her husband’s side.

“Honey, just let them be,” she said sweetly, rubbing his arm. “You know how young lovers are. They can’t bear to be apart for even a moment.” Then, her voice dropped to a whisper, her eyes flicking around the room. “People are watching, darling.”

Realizing the attention they were drawing, Mr. Yamato cast a glance around the hall, then turned sharply, ascending the grand staircase without another word. His steps were steady, but his fists were clenched tight behind his back.

They all followed him, walking in silence through a carpeted corridor, past towering portraits until they reached the heavy double doors of the study.

The moment they stepped inside, Raiden’s gaze swept across the room and he smiled a little for he wasn’t surprised.

Sitting on one of the leather couches was a distinguished middle-aged man in a dark charcoal suit, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back neatly. Beside him sat a poised young woman, serene and doll-like, with an air of elegance that immediately drew attention.

“Mr. Takahashi,” Mr. Yamato said warmly, all smiles as he extended a hand. “I hope we haven’t kept you and your lovely daughter waiting.”

Hiro blinked in surprise when he saw the wide smile on Raiden’s father’s face. He didn’t think the man could smile that much.

“Ah, Mr. Yamato, not at all,” the man replied graciously, rising to his feet and shaking hands. “We only just arrived ourselves.”

Raiden’s stepmother floated into the room with a charming laugh and bowed respectfully. “It’s so lovely to see you again, Mr. Takahashi,” she said sweetly before turning to the young lady. “And Hinata, you look so lovely.”

“Thank you, Mrs Yamato. You look even more lovely. Congratulations on your anniversary.” The young lady, Hinata, said to which Raiden’s stepmother laughed and then Hinata offered a delicate bow. Her back was straight, her hands folded in front of her thighs, head dipping at a perfect angle.

Hiro’s breath caught in his throat.

She was stunning. Her raven-black hair fell in soft waves down her back, perfectly framing her pale, porcelain skin. Her features were symmetrical and refined, like she’d stepped out of an artist’s painting and her blue gown was formal, trimmed with embroidered silver flowers.

Everything about her exuded grace and Hiro unconsciously leaned a little closer to Raiden, shrinking in comparison. A quiet pang of inferiority bloomed in his chest. Compared to her, he felt too soft. Too plain, and too much timid.

Hiro wasn’t that dumb. Seeing the way Raiden’s father and stepmother were being really polite, he could already guess what was about to happen and he was scared. What if Raiden complied? Where would that leave him? What would he do? freeweɓnovel~cѳm

Then Hinata turned to Raiden and bowed again, deeper this time. “Mr. Yamato Raiden,” she said politely, her voice calm and smooth as she rose. “We meet again.”

Hiro’s heart jumped. They even knew each other?

Raiden gave a curt nod, then dipped his head in a respectful, shallow bow toward her father. If it weren’t for the fact that he truly respected the Takahashis, he would have walked out the second he saw them in the study.

He knew what this was. An arranged engagement meeting. Another power play. Something of a last resort for his father to use to control him. It was laughable, really. His father had already realised that he was losing control over him and wanted to use this as a means to keep him under his foot. He smiled discreetly. He actually wanted to see just how far his father would go.

“And who is this?” Hinata asked politely, her gaze sliding toward Hiro. Her brows drew together slightly as her eyes flicked to their linked arms. “He looks familiar.”

Raiden was just about to speak when his father quickly stepped forward. “He’s one of Raiden’s old friends,” he said smoothly. “They went to school together. He’s your junior, isn’t he, Raiden?” He turned back toward Raiden, the edge in his voice sharpening.

Raiden was trying his best not to laugh. Did the old man seriously still think he was afraid of him?

He turned back to the girl, offering her a polite smile. “Yes,” he said. “He’s my junior.”

Hiro’s heart dropped. His fingers loosened slightly against Raiden’s sleeve, something cold blooming in his chest. It was a small sentence, but it hurt more than he thought it would. Was Raiden truly going to deny him? Abandon him?

Hot tears Immediately pooled in his eyes, blurring his vision and he had to lower his head so they wouldn’t be seen. He didn’t want to seem weak in front of them all though he knew the already saw him as someone insignificant.

Well, he was actually. If it weren’t for Raiden, he would have still been living in that shabby house with his brother. He would have still been a nobody.

A million thoughts kept racing through his mind. A million questions that he wanted to ask Raiden. What about them? What about forever that they spoke of? What about their love? Was he just going to cast it all away?

Before them, Raiden’s father and stepmother exchanged satisfied looks. Brief, smug smiles curled on their lips. They knew it. No matter how much Raiden had grown, he was still the little child that yearned for his father’s love and attention. That yearned to be sewn and accepted by his father. The little boy that would do anything to please him.

And now, they would use this to their advantage. They would secure him an engagement with the powerful Takahashi family, making sure to keep him under their control.

But Raiden wasn’t finished. “And, he’s also my partner,” he added casually.

The room went still and their smiles froze in place.

“I... don’t understand,” Hinata said, blinking. She looked at her father before looking back at Raiden. “Partner? As in business partner or...?”

Raiden sighed and tilted his head. “Are you truly that dumb, Miss Takahashi? Or are you just pretending to be?”

This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦