Chap 38: Gaining Back Control - Part1

Noah was back from his overseas trip, and as soon as Aiden saw him, he hugged him so tightly as if he feared losing him if he let go.

"Awww!! Did you miss me so much?" Noah asked, nudging Aiden on his face.

"Yes," Aiden said and tightened his grip.

"I missed you too. Can't you skip office today?"

Aiden hoped he could skip office not only for a day but quit entirely, but that was not possible. Also, if he didn't show up at the office, what if Dylan came home looking for him? He couldn't risk that. "Sorry. I have to go," Aiden said sadly.

"But I didn't see you for a week," Noah pouted.

"I will try to come home soon," Aiden said and convinced Noah.

On the other hand, Dylan was thinking about his next plan of action. He was not someone who would accept defeat so easily. Aiden thought that Dylan couldn't control everything, but Dylan was determined to show him that he could still control whatever he wanted, especially Aiden and his life. Anything was possible if you had money and power.

Dylan asked his Private Investigator to do a background check on Noah and his family. He had all the required information within hours and used it to his advantage. Noah's parents owned a publishing company that was in dire need of investors, so Dylan decided to pay them a visit.

Noah's Dad, Daryl, was surprised when the CEO of a big Corporation like the Hunt Industries showed interest in their small publishing firm.

"Why are you suddenly interested in the publishing business?" Daryl asked Dylan, who was currently sitting in his office.

"I have a reason." Dylan wasn't someone who wasted his time on pleasantries. He was always direct because he never bothered about what the other person would think of him.

"Is it not Business related?"

"No."

"Then I can't think of anything else."

"It's related to your son."

"Noah? What about him?" Daryl asked, surprised.

"About his relationship, to be precise."

Daryl had an idea where this was headed, and he didn't like it. "What's my son's relationship got to do with you."

"Aiden is my adoptive brother," Dylan said with a straight face.

"What?" Daryl was shocked. He knew Aiden was an orphan, but he had never mentioned being associated with such a wealthy family. "Aiden never said anything about your family."

"That's not surprising." Dylan had expected Aiden to be secretive about his family as his mother had warned him against it.

"So, what are you trying to imply here?" Daryl asked, scrunching his face.

"If your son stays away from Aiden, I will invest in your company. You won't have to worry about anything," Dylan said casually.

"This is outrageous," Daryl got up from his seat. "You want me to trade my son's happiness for the sake of an investment?"

"Calm down, Mr. Wright. I am offering you a good deal here."

"Noah and Aiden are adults now. They can make their own decisions. I cannot interfere in my son's personal affairs."

Dylan didn't respond; he just clenched his fist in anger. Things weren't going as he had expected.

"If you have a problem with Aiden's relationship with my son, you should talk to Aiden. Why are you discussing this matter with me?" Daryl asked.

"I will talk to Aiden personally; meanwhile, I thought even you could get something profitable out of it."

"I don't earn my profit at the cost of my son's happiness. I am sorry, but I refuse your deal."

"You are making a mistake, Mr. Wright," Dylan said, gritting his teeth and trying to control his anger. "If I wish, your company will no longer be able to survive."

"Are you threatening me, Mr. Hunt?"

"You have been in the Business World for years. You should know the rules." Dylan got up from his seat. "Henceforth, I wouldn't be responsible for my actions. You can contact me if you change your mind." He turned around and left without saying anything more.

After Dylan left, Daryl immediately called his son.

"What's up, Dad?" Noah asked cheerfully.

"Is everything okay between you and Aiden?"

"What?" Noah was surprised. " Why are you suddenly asking about it?"

"Do you know Mr. Dylan Hunt?" Daryl enquired.

"Yes. He is from Aiden's adoptive family. What happened, Dad?"

Daryl told Noah about his conversation with Dylan, and Noah couldn't believe his ears. "What's his problem? Why would he say that?"

"I don't know, son. I think you should discuss this with Aiden. I am sure there's more to it," Daryl said, feeling lost.

"Okay," Noah huffed. "I will talk to Aiden."

"Let me know, son. I am worried about you. That man sounded almost threatening."

"Don't worry, Dad. I won't let anyone ruin my relationship with Aiden," Noah assured his Dad.

For the next few hours, Noah patiently waited for Aiden to return from his office. As soon as Aiden was back, Noah confronted him. "Did something happen while I was not here?"

Aiden was taken aback by Noah's question. "W-Why do you ask that?"

Looking at Aiden, avoiding his gaze, Noah was sure he was hiding something. "Why do you always do that? "Noah asked, looking disappointed. "Why do you have to hide things from me?"

"D-Did someone tell you something?" Aiden asked, worried.

"First, you tell me what happened."

"I-I…M-My…" Aiden was scared and reluctant to tell him about Dylan's reaction.

Noah held his arms and said in a hurtful voice. "We have been together for four years, Aiden. When will you start opening up to me without any limitations? Don't you trust me?"

"It's not the matter of trust, Noah. I-I am scared."

"What are you scared of?"

"W-What if you leave me?"

"Leave you?" Noah scoffed. "Why would I ever do that? Don't you know I cannot live without you? Please tell me what happened."

"D-Dylan knows about our relationship," Aiden whispered.

"Ya so, what's the big deal?"

"H-He is homophobic."

"Ohh!!" Noah didn't know how to respond to that.

" He doesn't want me to be in a relationship with you," Aiden said softly.

" What did you say?" Noah asked, looking worried.

" What do you think? Obviously, I refused," Aiden said, feeling offended.

Noah heaved a sigh of relief and said, " So, that's why he approached my Dad."

" Dad? What did he say?"

Noah informed Aiden about Dylan's conversation with his Dad.

Aiden was not particularly surprised because he knew Dylan would do just about anything to keep things going his way. " I will speak to Dylan. Ask dad not to worry about him," Aiden assured Noah.

" For so many years, there was no sign of Dylan. Why is he suddenly so involved in your life?"

" He couldn't get involved because he was studying in England," Aiden whispered.

" Was he always so controlling?"

" Yes. Dylan has a defined perception of certain aspects, and he always wants things to go accordingly. Because of his homophobic behavior, he does not want me to have a relationship with a guy."

" I hope it is not anything else," Noah said skeptically.

" What else might be the reason?"

" What if he perhaps likes you...?"

" L-Like me?" Aiden stuttered when he recalled the kiss he had shared with Dylan. But then Dylan had even pushed him away in disgust and slapped him. " Dylan would never like me. He is homophobic, for god's sake, and he even has a girlfriend."

" He has a girlfriend?" Noah felt better after hearing that.

" Yes," Aiden said and pecked Noah on his lips. " You are the only fool out there who would fall for a nerd like me."

" I wish that were true," Noah said huskily.

" It is true. I don't know why you are always so insecure."

" You won't know, Aiden. You would never understand."

The following day, Dylan was waiting for Aiden in his office. He was sure that Aiden would come looking for him once he knew about his proposal to Mr. Wright.

Aiden did go to meet Dylan at his office but was stopped by the receptionist.

" Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked Aiden.

"No."

" Then you can't meet Mr. Hunt," the receptionist replied haughtily. " The CEO does not meet anyone without an appointment."

" Can you please call him and ask? I will just take five minutes," Aiden requested.

" Please don't waste my time. Come back after you book an appointment," the receptionist said and got busy on her phone.

For the first time, Aiden wished that he had Dylan's number with him. Feeling defeated, he got back to work.

Meanwhile, Dylan was beyond pissed that Aiden had not yet approached him. Finally, he called his assistant, Clara, and asked her to check what Aiden was doing.

Clara was about to go to Aiden's department when the receptionist stopped her, bragging that someone was trying to meet their CEO without an appointment.

Dylan heard her and was furious. " Who hired her?" he asked Clara, glaring at the receptionist.

" I-It was a mistake. I-I will explain the..." Clara started but was stopped by Dylan. " No need to explain anything. You are fired," he said, looking at the receptionist and closing the office door behind him. He took out his phone and dialed Aiden's number.