Chapter 26: Chapter 26 Where are you Dan??
(Draven Swift)
For years of working in the Swift Household — especially in Draven’s residence, which was different from that of his family — Charles had never seen him worried like this for someone.
They were in an office, going through various CCTV footage, trying to uncover where the strange man had taken Daniel.
Draven was pacing up and down. It seemed like the man had just popped out of nowhere and disappeared with Daniel, because the footage couldn’t capture further.
"Fuck it!!!" Draven stamped his foot in frustration.
He couldn’t be this deep into someone’s life... except if that person had truly captured his interest. And Daniel — a person like Daniel — was interesting beyond measure.
He was an omega in hiding. That was unexpected. And his pheromones... God, they drove Draven to the edge.
Just remembering Daniel’s strawberry-like scent, his smile, the texture of his hair, and how his body felt when they had sex — it was euphoria itself. Undoubtedly one of the best nights he had ever had, and with a stranger.
Even the nightmare he had minutes before Daniel’s disappearance showed the man wasn’t just a victim of circumstance. He had grown up in a toxic and abusive home. And now, taken hostage by a madman who would definitely take advantage of him...
"Daniel, I am sorry for not fulfilling my promise of protecting you. I hope you’re doing fine," Draven muttered, trying to picture Daniel’s gorgeous face and heavenly scent.
Charles, who was searching through the camera footage with the officer, could only sigh.
It was nighttime. They needed to be at the villa resting, not here, doing a weird investigation on a stranger.
"Young master, it’s late already, and you’re tired. You have school tomorrow. Please, let’s head home," Charles pleaded.
His parents would be furious if they found out they were away at this time, and he didn’t want to lose his job yet.
Draven, though yawning, was determined not to go home. He would stay all night if he had to. Even if he missed school, he didn’t care.
"We are not going anywhere, Charles. This boy might be in danger as we speak, and I can’t handle it if I realize he perished because of me. I won’t forgive myself." Draven deadpanned.
Charles stared incredulously. Perish?! And I would be blamed? Why blame him when the assassins were the ones who took Daniel? People like that attracted the wrong crowd anyway. Maybe it was better if Daniel stayed far away.
"Maybe this is good. At least young master can be freed from bad eggs," Charles muttered.
Draven frowned immediately.
"What do you mean by that?" He advanced toward the poor man in anger, forcing Charles to rush out with speed.
"Don’t you ever say that to me," Draven warned coldly.
"But you just met him today. You both were horny, that’s all. Isn’t that supposed to be a one-night stand? No strings attached?" Charles reasoned.
"Are you sure he feels the same way you’re feeling now, Draven?" Charles pressed.
"Please, let’s go home. Tomorrow we can continue, maybe after class. And don’t forget you have a test tomorrow — a make-up test since you missed the original one." Charles reminded.
Draven finally nodded. Charles was right. It was supposed to be just one night — no strings attached. And with the way Daniel had behaved back at the villa, he probably didn’t care about him. So shouldn’t he give up?
But still... that shouldn’t stop him from doing the right thing. For the sake of humanity, a man had been kidnapped by dangerous criminals. And now he was being told to stop trying to find him? No.
His instincts had trusted Daniel, and for that to happen, it could only mean Daniel was the one he had been waiting for.
The one who could understand him. The one who could walk through his lonely world. A companion who wouldn’t care about his money and riches. Because others? They were all the same.
They wanted him for his family name — the Swift family, the highest car producers in the world, billionaires ranked in the top ten. To them, money was water. But Draven... Draven only wanted happiness.
Pure, undiluted happiness. And he could only see that with Daniel.
"I don’t know, Charles... that young man is just perfect. Someone a person like me needs," Draven spoke emotionally.
His parents weren’t home. They had gone for a conference in Italy, leaving him behind again. No doubt they loved him, but what he wanted was attention. Since childhood, he never had it. His only fatherly figure was Butler Fin, and his only friend was Charles — who had grown up alongside him.
Not brothers by blood, but by bond.
"I say this because I care for you, young master. That boy is a red flag, and I don’t want you entangled in that mess. Please, can we go home?" Charles pleaded seriously.
Draven sighed in defeat. Together with Charles, he entered the Lamborghini and they drove back to the villa.
When they got back, Draven was asleep already, exhausted. Charles parked the car and carried him in his arms.
"You deserve the best, Draven. I pray you get it. But that boy just isn’t for you," Charles whispered, remembering how desperately Draven had searched for that blond boy all day.
He hadn’t eaten. He’d questioned strangers around the premises, studied every CCTV footage. But all they could capture was the car carrying Daniel entering the compound... and then vanishing. No camera caught where it went.
That alone was suspicious. Too suspicious. The officers must have been working with the assassin to cover their trail.
Charles gulped. His master needed protection. Nothing could go wrong. Nothing.
At last, they reached Draven’s room. Charles laid him gently on the bed, kissed his cheek, and left the room.
Draven rolled peacefully, mind drifting to what he craved most — Daniel.
*****
"You’re here..." Daniel stood in a swimsuit at the beach, waiting.
Draven, in boxers, approached him.
"Of course, Dan. I wouldn’t miss it for the world," he whispered, slowly cupping Daniel’s chin and pressing a soft kiss to it.
"You know I love you, Dan. So much... that I’m afraid of losing you," Draven confessed.
Daniel smiled, removing Draven’s hand.
"Catch me first. Prove that you love me."
Draven grinned. "With pleasure."
And the two of them dived into the water, chasing each other.
****
BACK TO REALITY.
Draven’s eyes opened, a sad smile tugging at his lips. He inhaled, and for a moment he swore he could still smell Daniel’s faint scent lingering in the air.
"Where are you, Dan?" he whispered.