Sleeping With My Step Daddy-Chapter 62: "He’s Kai"

The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, falling across Kai’s face. His eyes fluttered open slowly, still heavy with the remnants of last night’s emotions.

A gentle knock came at the door.

Servant (politely): "Sir Kai, are you awake? You’re running late for university."

Kai (groggily): "Yes... come in."

The door opened, and the servant stepped inside, carrying a perfectly tailored outfit—a sleek, formal set in Kai’s preferred style.

Servant: "Please get ready, sir. Mr. Takeshi is waiting for you downstairs."

Kai nodded, rubbing the sleep from his eyes before heading into the bathroom. After some time, he emerged fully dressed, his usual elegant and composed self.

At the breakfast table, Takeshi smiled as he saw his son approach.

Takeshi: "Morning, my son. You look handsome."

Kai (smiling faintly): "Good morning, Dad."

He sat down in his usual seat. Just as he reached for his coffee, Takeshi gestured toward one of his guards. The man stepped forward and handed him a sleek leather file.

Takeshi (smiling warmly): "Finally, you get to see your gift."

Kai took the file and opened it, scanning the contents. His brows raised in surprise.

Kai: "Dad...?"

Takeshi (with pride): "It’s time to pass it on. These documents make you the official heir and owner of our hotel business. Don’t worry—it’s not a casino or club. I know you don’t like those. This is clean, respectable—just hotels."

Kai (touched): "Thank you, Dad."

Takeshi: "After your classes today, come to the office. I’ll give you a proper tour."

A wave of congratulations came from the rest of the family members seated at the table. The atmosphere was cheerful—until Reiji spoke.

Reiji (smirking): "Uncle, now that Kai’s taking on the business... when are we getting married?"

Takeshi glanced at Kai, giving his son the choice to speak.

Takeshi: "When my son is ready."

Kai met Reiji’s eyes coldly.

Kai (firmly): "I’m not ready for marriage right now."

Reiji’s smile twitched, but he quickly masked it again with a forced calmness.

Breakfast ended, and Kai stepped out of the house, heading to university like usual—but now carrying a new weight on his shoulders... and a deeper fire in his chest.

Kai sat in the backseat of his car, trying to gather his thoughts. Just as the driver was about to start the engine, Reiji suddenly opened the door and slid in beside him.

Kai (annoyed): "What are you doing?"

Reiji (with a smirk): "We’re going to the same place. Why take separate cars? We’re fiancés—we should be together."

Kai (coldly): "Shut up."

The ride was tense, the silence thick with frustration. Kai stared out the window, jaw clenched, refusing to look Reiji’s way. As soon as the car pulled up to the university, Kai opened the door and stepped out without a word, walking away briskly.

Reiji (calling out as he followed): "Kai, wait for me!"

But Kai didn’t look back.

---

Elsewhere on campus, Eden was sitting at a table in the university café, phone pressed to his ear. He spoke casually, his fingers spinning a spoon in his coffee cup.

Eden: "This Japanese university isn’t bad. The people are nice too."

Henny (over the call): "Eden, why did you leave America like that? I miss you!"

Eden (chuckling): "Okay, okay, don’t be dramatic. I miss you too. Let’s talk later."

He ended the call and leaned back in his chair—until something caught his attention. His gaze shifted to a familiar figure moving quickly across campus. A boy—slender, beautiful, intense—walking fast with another boy chasing behind him.

Boy (calling out): "Kai, babe! Wait for me!"

Eden’s eyes widened. He immediately pulled out his phone and snapped a picture.

Eden (muttering): "No way..."

He quickly called Miles.

Miles (answering): "Hello?"

Eden: "Miles! Long time—how are you?"

Miles: "I’m good. You okay in Japan?"

Eden (breathless): "I’m more than okay. Miles... I found Kai."

Miles froze, his eyes growing wide.

Miles: "What?"

Eden: "He’s here. In my university. I’m sending you his photo now."

He sent the photo.

Miles stared at the image as it appeared. His hand trembled. His eyes welled with tears.

Miles (whispering): "Kai... he’s alive..."

He jumped off the couch and ran into the bedroom, where Ethan was still sleeping.

Miles (urgent): "Ethan! Wake up!"

Ethan (half-asleep): "What happened? Milk"..

He opened his eyes slowly—then saw the look on Miles’ face. Miles handed him the phone.

Ethan sat up fast, staring at the picture.

Miles: "Kai’s alive. He’s in Japan."

Ethan’s hands trembled as he held the phone, and his heart raced. The boy they thought they had lost was here.

Ethan stood up abruptly, heart pounding.

Ethan: "I need to tell Bast."

Miles nodded without hesitation.

---

A short while later, Ethan and Miles arrived at Bast’s house. Ethan quickly entered the security code and pushed the door open. The familiar scent of fresh coffee and warm wood filled the air.

Inside, Bast was seated at the breakfast table, sipping his coffee with a file spread open in front of him. His expression was calm and focused as he read.

He didn’t even glance up as they entered.

Bast (without looking): "Morning. What brings you here so early?"

Ethan and Miles walked over to the table and sat down across from him.

Ethan (trying to steady his voice): "We have good news. Really good."

Bast finally lifted his gaze, eyes flicking toward them with mild curiosity.

Bast: "What kind of good news?"

Ethan slid his phone across the table.

Ethan: "Look at this."

Bast picked up the phone casually. But the second his eyes landed on the screen, he froze.

It was a picture of Kai—alive, healthy, walking across a university campus in Japan.

Bast’s hand tightened around the phone.

Miles leaned forward, his voice soft but sure.

Miles: "That photo was taken by my friend Eden. He just moved to Japan and started university there. He saw Kai in the same university."

Bast didn’t blink. He just stared at the image as if the world had stopped moving.

His coffee sat untouched, forgotten. The file on the table might as well have disappeared. Everything faded around him—except for the boy in the photo.

Kai.

Alive.

Safe.

Bast didn’t know how to breathe. He didn’t know whether to cry, smile, or run. All he knew was that for the first time in two years, something inside his chest had stirred again.

Hope.

Meanwhile, at the university, Kai sat quietly in his classroom. Reiji, as usual, had taken the seat beside him, watching his every move like a shadow.

Suddenly, Reiji’s eyes caught a tall figure walking toward them—an American guy with sharp features and confident steps.

Reiji (suspiciously): "Who the hell is that?"

The man stopped in front of them with a casual smile.

Eden: "Hello, Kai. Long time no see."

Kai turned his head, and the moment his eyes met Eden’s, they widened in shock. His heart skipped a beat.

Kai: "Eden...? You’re here?"

Eden sat down in the empty seat on the other side of Kai.

Eden: "Yeah. I just moved to Japan recently for my studies."

Kai: "How’s Miles?"

Eden smiled gently.

Eden: "He’s doing great. Living a happy married life... but he misses you. A lot."

Kai’s gaze dropped, a hint of sadness crossing his face. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

Kai (softly): "And Ba—"

But before he could finish, Reiji cut in.

Reiji (coldly): "Kai, who is this guy?"

Eden turned to him with a blank look before replying.

Eden: "I’m Eden. Kai’s friend."

Reiji (smirking): "And I’m his fiancé."

Eden’s expression froze. His pale face went rigid as he looked back at Kai in disbelief.

Kai avoided his gaze.

Kai: "Eden... Let’s talk later, okay?"

He stood up and walked away quickly.

Eden (urgently): "Wait—Kai, give me your number at least."

Kai nodded and they quickly exchanged numbers before Kai left the classroom.

Eden stood still, watching Kai’s retreating back.

Reiji scoffed and leaned back in his chair.

Reiji: "Hey, American guy. Stay away from Kai."

Eden slowly turned his head, meeting Reiji’s eyes with a deadly, ice-cold stare.

Eden (low and sharp): "I warn you... don’t mess with him again, you little shit."

Then he walked away without another word.

Reiji sat frozen, stunned by the venom in Eden’s voice.

Reiji (muttering to himself): "What the hell did he just call me...? A little piece of shit? That bastard... I’ll kill him."

Kai stood in the restroom, staring at his reflection in the mirror. He splashed cold water on his face, trying to clear his mind. The thoughts swirling in his head—the conversation with Eden, Reiji’s suffocating presence, the weight of the engagement—left him exhausted.

His phone suddenly buzzed on the counter. The screen lit up: Dad (Takeshi).

Kai picked it up.

Kai: "Hello, Dad?"

Takeshi (gentle): "Hello, son. If you’re free now, come to my office. I’d like to see you."

Kai glanced at the time.

Kai: "My class just ended. I’ll come now."

Without even looking for Reiji, Kai walked straight out of the restroom, left campus, and got into his car. Moments later, he was already driving away from the university.

---

Back at the university, Reiji roamed the halls looking agitated.

Reiji (muttering): "Where the hell did he go?"

He turned a corner sharply—and bumped right into Eden again.

Reiji (angrily): "You bastard... again?"

Eden raised an eyebrow, not even flinching.

Eden (dryly): "Wow. What a terrible day. First the weather, now you."

Reiji: "Do you even know who I am?"

Eden (shrugging): "Yeah. You’re that fool who keeps annoying everyone."

Reiji’s face twisted in rage. He raised his fist, aiming to punch Eden.

But Eden moved faster—grabbing Reiji’s wrist mid-air, effortlessly stopping the swing.

Eden (calmly): "I really don’t want to get into trouble inside the university. If you want to fight, meet me outside. Don’t bring this immature shit here."

Reiji yanked his arm back and smiled smugly.

Reiji: "Fine. Meet me at the club tonight. After that, you’ll know exactly who I am."

He turned and walked off, cocky and confident.

Eden watched him go with a sigh and muttered under his breath.

Eden: "What a silly guy..."