Eden looked at the closed door for a long time after Chen left. His numb heart quickly got submerged with everything he's been trying to hold back. He breathed heavily and took deep breaths to calm his erratic heartbeat. He never thought that things would get this complicated. It's true that in the beginning, he thought that Chen only wanted to fuck him but he overtime he could feel his love for him. He didn't think it would have any impact on him but he was a fool. He should've known since the first time they were alone together.
When they were in the music room playing the piano Chen was holding by the waist and he didn't feel uncomfortable. Every time they would see each other he would hold him in his embrace like he couldn't bear the thought of him being too far. The weird part is that Eden never minded. He's always hated being close to people but he was for the sake of his mission but he never felt that way about Chen. The only time he did was when just before he touched Hanyu who he despises. Hanyu hates him just as much and he can feel his hatred for him from a mile away. He can also feel his love for Chen which pisses him off to no end.
Eden's eyes flashed with ruthlessness. I should just kill him at the same time as Yuheng. He feels possessive when it comes to Chen and he doesn't want him to touch anyone else besides him. He knows that it makes him a hypocrite to ask Chen to prove his love when his initial motive was to use him but he can't help it. In every universe, he traveled to he was always alone against the universe. No one's ever stuck up for him so why would he believe that now out of nowhere someone loves him and wants him to be happy? He would be insane not to have doubts when it comes to Chen.
He has feelings for him that scare him because what if Chen is just one more person designed to make him suffer? What if this is all a ploy to better make him ache? He closed his eyes taking a few breaths. Not only may Chen be a tool to hurt him but what he feels for him is deep. He feels this intense pull to him like he never felt before. He felt depressed since the last time they saw each other and he felt like he hadn't seen him in so long. He saw him every day since he's been in this universe and it was the best part. He opened his eyes and went to take a shower. When he finished he got dressed and went to open the door when someone knocked.
A maid said:
"Young master your father wants to see you."
Eden nodded and went to get something from his drawer before going down. When he entered the living room Zhehan immediately looked at the sheet music in his hand. He asked excitedly:
"Is that Yinsi's symphony?"
Yinsi looked at it eager.
"It is I finished it."
Eden handed it to Zhehan and he put it in the pocket inside of his jacket. He wants to make sure Eden can't reach for it once he knows that he is going to marry Yuheng.
"Father, why did you call for me?"
"Take a seat son we have good news for you."
Eden took a seat next to him looking at him expectantly.
"Do you remember Yuheng?"
Eden smiled.
"I do."
"What did you think of him?"
"He was nice and interesting."
"Well he asked for your hand in marriage and I agreed. You will get married the day after tomorrow."
Eden looked at him wide-eyed.
"No father I don't want to marry him I want to go to Shao Lyrical."
Yinsi said with a smirk:
"You're never going since father never sent your audition tape while I received mine this morning."
He and Qing laughed when they saw Eden blanch. Tears fell on his face as he asked:
"Father please tell me this isn't true."
Zhehan smiled arrogantly.
"It is."
Eden stood up in shock.
"You will marry Yuheng whether you like it or not."
Eden looked at Qing and she felt delighted seeing him that way. Those past days he's been ignoring her acting like she is beneath him while he was in her house. Now he is getting what he deserves.
"Father please don't send me to marry."
"It's already a done deal and Yuheng already wired us the money."
Eden looked at his mother asking:
"Have you sold me to Yuheng for money?"
Qing smiled.
"We did."
Eden looked down his eyes full of pain. Zhehan said:
"Would you like to come back home in three years instead of never?"
Eden immediately looked up. Zhehan smiled.
"If you help Yinsi successfully graduate from Shao Lyrical and help him in every way you'll come back home."
Eden said desperately:
"I can help from home you don't have to sell me for that."
Qing yelled:
"We have given you a choice take it or leave it."
Eden looked at her than his father and nodded.
They all looked at him feeling triumphant. They still can't believe how perfectly things work out. Zhehan said:
"Tomorrow we'll have to go sign a few papers before you can legally marry. Do you understand?"
Eden nodded and left. They all looked at his retreating back laughing.
When Eden was out of sight his eyes were dull and he entered his room. He grabbed his computer and worked for a few hours. The next day as Zhehan said he had to deal with a lot of papers so he can legally marry tomorrow. The whole family was in good mood smiling and laughing. The sulkier Eden would get the better they would feel.
When it was time for Eden to leave for Chen's house Zhehan called him in the living room. He entered looking at him sadly.
"Chen already knows you're going to marry Yuheng tomorrow I've told him. He said that he wanted you to come to play for him one last time today. Do not disappoint him."
Eden nodded and left. When he arrived at the house he entered the living room and smiled when he saw the installation. A man was strapped to a standing torture board with only pants on. His arms and legs spread at each end of it. In the table next to it were a few medieval tools. Eden looked at them his eyes shining with excitement. Which one should I use? He took the amputation saw then he shook his head. He put it back and his eyes landed on the artificial leech. He grabbed it smiling. He had this tool used on him before so he knows from experience that it hurts like hell. It's a metal cylinder with rotating blades that cut into the skin, while the tube suctions the blood out.
Eden walked to the man after taking the glass of water on the table and threw it on his face. The man immediately woke up. His eyes lit up when he saw Eden.
"Eden Eden you have to help me get out of here!"
"Why?"
He asked:
"Don't you remember? It's me Yuheng I came to have dinner at your house yesterday."
When he saw that Eden seemed to remember he said panicked:
"I don't what's going on I was kidnapped and brought to President Shao's house and tied to this thing. I've been here for hours and my entire body hurts. Help me so we can leave before he comes back.
Eden tilted his head asking confused:
"Why should I help you?"
Yuheng looked at him shocked asking:
"Eden I'm your fiance yet you would let me die here?"
"You're going to marry me?"
"I will. I want us to be together for the rest of our life."
Yuheng became hopeful when he saw the smile on his face but his face quickly fell when Eden asked:
"You want you and I to spend the rest of our life together or with all those men you planned on watching fuck me while you jerk off to my cries for help?"
This happened to Eden constantly. Not only was Yuheng abusive to him he had other men fuck him and even hit him as they did all sorts of disgusting things to him. While Eden would cry for help Yuheng would be sitting on the side jerking off to his cries.
Yuheng gaped at Eden's words. How did he know what he is into? He just likes to share his partner there is nothing wrong with that.
"Eden if you want just the two of us it's no problem I swear."
Eden burst out laughing and Yuheng looked at him in horror when he saw the tool emerging behind his back.
He stabbed him in the chest and Yuheng screamed in pain. Eden smiled pushing a button and all the blades started to rotate while his blood was being suctioned. Yuheng never felt so much pain in his entire life. He sobbed:
"Please Eden stop."
Eden pulled out the leach and looked at the result. There was a big hole in the middle of his chest and it was bleeding profusely.
He smiled asking:
"Where would you like it next?"
Hearing that Yuheng's face became whiter as he begged:
"Please help me go before President Shao comes back."
"He's already here you fool."
Yuheng trambled in fear but soon he screamed when Eden stabbed him again and pushed the button. Eden frowned because of the screams coming out his mouth. He grabbed a piece of fabric shoving it in his mouth. He went back to torturing glad he couldn't hear him anymore. After a few minutes, Yuheng already looked half dead.
He looked at him with an evil smile and heard him say something. He pulled the rag out of his mouth and Yuheng asked:
"Why?"
"Because you went after someone I love."
Yuheng looked behind Eden in fear and Eden felt someone hugging him from behind. Chen put his head on his shoulder smiling at Yuheng.
Eden answered his question:
"You were planning to have me raped and beat by more than thirty men and you dare ask me that question?"
Tears fell on Yuheng's face as he said:
"You could've just refused the marriage proposal."
"You speak as is I have a choice over my own life. Isn't that the reason why you chose me? You knew that my adoptive parents only cared about money and having Yinsi succeed at Shao lyrical. Your last wife was sold to you as well by uncaring parents and after the endless abuse, he killed himself. You chose people who don't have a say so I should make sure you don't have any more victims."
Chen held onto Eden tighter. He said close to his ear:
"I'll never let anything happen to you I swear I'll kill anyone who tries to hurt you."
Eden's heartbeat quickened and he couldn't stop himself from smiling sweetly. Chen looked at his smile beyond happy. He feels Eden opening up more and more which is all he ever wanted.
Yunbeng looked at them and yelled his eyes full of horror:
"Y-you two are psychopaths."
It's the only explanation, one kidnaps him to have him tortured, and the other tortures him with a smile on his face. He could feel Chen's viciousness when he made his promise and Eden seemed so happy to hear that like he didn't promise something cruel. Why did he fall into the hands of this psycho-couple?
Chen let go of his waist and pulled his hand to the elevator. When they arrived on the third floor he led him to a room. He pulled out a key from his pocket and opened the room. Eden entered and only saw something under a sheet in the middle of a white room. He could already tell what was underneath. He pulled out the sheet and dropped it looking at the most beautiful piano he had ever seen. It was grey and gold adorned with gems.
Eden caressed it why shiny eyes. He marveled:
"This is the most beautiful piano I have ever seen."
Chen held his hand saying:
"I designed it."
Eden looked at him stunned he didn't receive this information about Chen.
"I didn't know you designed pianos."
"I don't I only did it once for my mother."
Eden nodded and asked:
"Did she like it?"
Chen swallowed with difficulty pain flashing through his eyes.
"Before she could try it we got into a car accident and she died on the scene."
Eden wrapped his arms around his neck hugging him. He whispered:
"I'm sorry."
He caressed his nape and felt Chen holding onto him tightly like he was about to drown in all this sorrow.
After a few seconds, Eden pulled back and sat on his lap after sitting him in front of the piano. He started to play after amplifying his healing power using Versem. Chen leaned his head against his back his arms tightly wrapped around Eden's waist when he felt his mind being rocked by gentle waves. The memories of his mother dying and in pain in his arms were replaced by the happiest one. Like the hours they would spend playing together or all those times at the beach. His heavy heart became lighter than he has been in years. He looked at Eden and felt his heartbeat quicken as it does every time he watches him play the piano.
When Eden finished he looked at Chen and could see that was emotional. Chen embraced him tightly. He whispered in his ear:
"Thank you."
Eden hugged him back. He looked in the distance biting his lip. He feels like he's been falling into this abyss so slowly that he didn't realize he was. Chen leaned back looking at him. Eden wiped a tear on his cheek feeling his heart clench in pain. Chen smiled and said:
"You know I'll never let you go right?"
Eden didn't answer, he just wiped the tear on his other cheek.
He asked:
"This is the room that man tried to enter?"
Chen nodded. He looked at Eden saying:
"After that day I couldn't look at the piano anymore it brought out too many painful memories so I locked it here. She was the only person I ever felt and cared for before you Eden."
Eden caressed his cheek unaware of the affection in his eyes but it didn't escape Chen's.
They stayed in that room for an hour playing. Eden stood up to leave but Chen held onto his hand. He looked at him inquisitively.
"Where are you going? Zhehan and Qing tried to sell you to that bastard you can't go back there."
Eden smiled reassuringly.
"I know I'm staying at a hotel until I buy a house."
Chen looked at him hurt his hold tightening.
"Why wouldn't you stay with me?"
Eden didn't answer he just looked away. Chen stood up and turned his head so he would face him.
"Eden I don't know how you feel about me and now that you'll be in that hotel alone it worries me more."
Eden looked down. He wants to stay but he doesn't want to have to see Hanyu. He can't tell him that unless he admits his feelings and they are official but he isn't sure if he should do it. Clearly, his mind is a mess. He doesn't want to be away from him though, the days he passed far from him were the worst.
He looked at him and said:
"I'll stay until Shao Lyrical's competition is over."
Maybe he'll be able to decide if they should be together or not while they live together. Chen hugged him with a smile. Now that he accepted to stay he has no intention to ever let Eden go.
Zhehan was in the dining hall eating breakfast with Qing in a good mood. After a while, he looked at his watch with a frown.
"What's wrong?"
"Eden is still not up. We have to be at city hall in two hours for the wedding. I don't want us to be late for Yinsi's competition."
He and Yuheng decided that they would go marry early then they could both go to Shao Lyrical since he is a teacher there and Zhehan got front-row tickets to watch Yinsi.
He looked at the maid ordering:
"Go wake him up."
The maid nodded and left. He can't believe how well things have been working out. He is extremely lucky to have Yuheng as a future son-in-law. The maid came back and said:
"His room is empty and his bed is still made."
Qing asked:
"Did he leave somewhere this morning?"
The maid answered:
"I don't think he slept here."
Zhehan yelled:
"Bring the entire staff here."
The maid left. Every time Eden would come back from Chen he would immediately go to his room so he figured he did the same yesterday. He didn't check on him why would he? The entire staff lined up and after asking questions to them he dismissed them. He banged on the table in rage. Qing said:
"I'm sure he'll be back soon he wouldn't dare to leave he has nowhere to go. Call his cellphone."
Zhehan grabbed his cellphone calling but it said that the number he was trying to call has been disconnected.
Qing looked at him with worry.
"Maybe he is with Yuheng? He probably went to beg him not to marry you know how stupid he is."
Zhehan called Yuheng and when someone picked up he said:
"Hello, Yuheng how are you?"
He heard someone cry on the other end of the line.
"Yuheng?"
"It's Tianlin."
Zhehan couldn't understand why Yuheng's father was picking up his cell phone.
He heard him cry more and say between sobs:
"Something happened to him... He disappeared and we haven't seen him and it's been now two days. I was about to call you do you have any idea where he might be?"
Zhehan was shocked to hear that but he focused on answering:
"I haven't seen him since he came to have dinner."
Tianlin cried more and said:
"I'll call the police and let them investigate, please let me know if you hear from him."
"I will."
Zhehan hung up looking in the distance lost.
He woke up after Qing kept calling him. He looked at her.
"What happened?"
"Tianlin said that Yuheng hasn't been home since he came to our house to have dinner. He is going to call the police."
Qing frowned and asked:
"Don't you think it's weird that he and Eden disappeared?"
Zhehan thought for a few seconds. What are the odds that two people who were supposed to get married disappeared?
"They wouldn't dare elope, would they?"
Qing wanted to say no but didn't, she said:
"We need to keep this from Yinsi until he wins so as not to stress him. You know how scared he gets."
"We'll keep it from him until we found them. I have a private investigator I'll call him."
He was about to call when his cellphone rang. He was surprised to read the name of the caller. He picked up excited:
"Hello, Chen how are you?"
"Come to my office in an hour."
"Is it possible to come tomorrow? I wanted to spend the day with Yinsi since today is the beginning of the competition."
"If you don't come I'll make someone else my chief company executive."
Before Zhehan could say anything Chen hang up. He put his cellphone on the desk and looked at his baby who was sitting on his lap using his cellphone. He asked curiously:
"Why do you know how to draw a contract?"
He always feels that Eden knows way more than he should. He is one of the smartest people he has ever met and his knowledge is broad. Eden looked up.
"When it's always you against the universe you have to be smart and know a lot or you always end up screwed."
In every universe, he was always alone without exception.
Chen caressed his cheek.
"You're not alone anymore you have me. I love you and I'll never leave you I promise."
Chen looked at him with a tender smile his eyes full of affection. Eden blinked not knowing what to say. He tried to stand up to leave but Chen had a tight hold on him so he buried his warm face in Chen's chest. Chen couldn't stop himself from laughing. It is super rare for Eden to show emotion although he can feel him opening up more still he never thought in a million years he would see him blush. He looked so adorable. What makes this better is that he now knows how to make him blush and he'll make sure it happens at least once a day.
"Baby, why are you so lovely?"
When Chen felt Eden bury himself more he caressed his head with a smile.
Eden felt like killing him. He can't believe he blushed, I fuckin blushed this is ridiculous. It's just that when he saw Chen's affectionate eyes and that beautiful smile on his face he felt his heartbeat quicken and his face heat up. He likes to be the only person he looks at that way. He doesn't get how Chen can make a declaration like that without feeling nervous. He makes him nervous sometimes it started when his feelings did. He even walked into his office and sat on his lap because he wanted to be close to him. That's insane, he hates people touching him let alone being in someone's embrace. Am I becoming the shameless tofu-eater? No this is all Chen's fault he somehow mesmerized him. He looked up peeking at Chen with narrowed eyes who was looking at his computer unaware. What have you done to me you shameless tofu-eater?