"Kael."
Vector's voice cut through the air, snapping their little bubble of laughter in half.
All three of them turned. Vector's gaze landed on Sara first, then slid to Kairo, sharp, assessing, unreadable. Kael, oblivious to the sudden tension, brightened.
"Dad!" he said, smiling.
Vector's expression softened for a fraction of a second as he looked at his son. "What are you doing here? I was looking for you."
Kael scratched the back of his neck. "I was bored, so I came here." He turned cheerfully. "Dad, this is Kairo and Sara. Remember the restaurant incident where I spilled a drink on her?"
Vector's gaze flicked back to the couple, colder than before, as if every second he stood there was an inconvenience.
"And this," Kael added, lifting Zayn a bit, "is Zayn. Their little boy."
Vector finally looked at Zayn. The child stared back curiously, innocent, head tilted. There was no smile from Vector. No polite nod. Just a distant, unreadable calm.
"Come," he said to Kael, voice clipped. "The king is here."
He didn't wait. He took Kael's wrist and pulled him closer. Kael's cheerful smile faltered, only a tiny crack, but enough to sting. His father never behaved like this. Normally, he would smile, greet people, and at least offer a polite word whenever Kael introduced someone. But today… nothing. Not even a nod. Just cold silence where warmth usually lived.
Kairo gently took Zayn back from Kael's arms.
"Go," he said quietly, giving Kael a small, reassuring nod.
Kael forced a smile, though his heart wasn't in it. "Bye, Zayn," he whispered, brushing the boy's cheek.
Zayn waved his tiny hand, all innocence and sunshine. Kael gave one last look at Kairo and Sara, almost apologetic, before Vector led him away across the hall.
The shift in the atmosphere was unmistakable. Vector had just made his stance painfully clear.
Sara watched them walk away. The way her father ignored her… the way his expression softened only for Kael and never for her… it tightened something deep in her chest. But she held it in. She always did.
A subtle shift passed through the hall. People straightened, their voices hushed, as attention was pulled toward the entrance. The king had finally arrived. One by one, every pair of eyes turned to him. Bright lights, warm greetings, and the king's practiced smile meet them all.
The king, Amir Al-Rahman, stepped into the hall dressed in a sleek black suit. A striking contrast to the traditional attire he was known for back home. Tonight he looked different… sharp, handsome, effortlessly charming. He smiled as he moved through the crowd, offering warm greetings to everyone he passed.
Reaching the small hosting stage, he took the mic. "Greetings, my dear friends. Welcome to this little celebration."
A wave of cheers rose. Glasses lifted. Some applauded.
The king's smile deepened. "It has been a long time since I held a party in Europe. I wanted to see old friends and make new ones. So… here we are."
More cheers, light laughter, clinking glasses.
"I hope you all enjoy your evening."
"Absolutely!" a few voices responded, smiling brightly.
The king Amir stepped down from the stage as soft music hummed through the air. With practiced ease, he began greeting guests one by one, the room warming with chatter and movement around him.
Charles walked back to them, gently taking Zayn from Kairo's arms again. He looked at Kairo and Sara. "Come, let's meet the king," he said softly.
Sara gave a small smile. Kairo said nothing, just reached for her hand and held it firmly, as if anchoring himself before they moved.
But before they could even step forward, the king himself started walking towards them.
Charles' face brightened. "Hello, Mr. Valen," the king greeted warmly.
"Hello," Charles returned the smile.
The king's gaze shifted to Kairo. "How are you doing, Mr. Kairo?"
Kairo returned a polite smile, that calm, charming version of him reserved for business dealings. "I'm good. How about you?"
"Good," the king replied, nodding.
Kairo's smile deepened a little, that effortless charm slipping out. It actually made the king blink in surprise, flattered by his charm, before letting out a soft chuckle. "You're looking very handsome, man. Like some Greek god."
Kairo blinked, smile twitching awkwardly under the unexpected compliment. "Thank you… Umm, this is my wife, Sara Velen."
He pulled her closer as he spoke. Closer than necessary. Diverting the awkwardness.
The king's smile softened. He reached out to shake her hand. "Nice to meet you."
Sara returned it gently. "Nice to meet you, Your Highness."
"And this," Charles added proudly, "is my grandson, Kairo's son, Zayn."
King Amir looked at the little boy and instantly softened, his entire face melting into tenderness."Hello, little angel," he cooed in a playful tone that made Zayn grin widely.
Zayn broke into a bright smile, tiny hands reaching forward, already winning the king's heart without even trying.
"Nice to meet you," Zayn said in that sweet little voice of his, and the king's heart practically melted on the spot.
"You are also very handsome… just like your father," the king added, and Kairo's lips pressed together, that subtle awkward curl he did whenever a man complimented him too directly.
It wasn't discomfort exactly… more like he didn't know what to do with it, where to look, how to react without seeming rude.
Sara glanced at Kairo, only to find him already watching her, maybe awkward, or flustered.
"Come here," the king stretched his arms out, wanting to hold Zayn.
Charles's smile faltered for a second. He glanced at Kairo with a worried look, already imagining all the possible tantrums or possessiveness that might explode any second.
And Kairo… yeah, he was already tensing up. Shoulders going stiff, jaw tightening.
Sara quietly slipped her hand around his arm, holding him firmly. A silent, Don't freak out. Breathe.
Kairo inhaled, long and controlled.
Zayn went willingly into the king's arms.
The king's face lit up, as if someone had handed him a ball of cuteness. He kissed Zayn's soft, fluffy cheeks with so much affection that it almost overflowed.
He kept talking to him for a few stretched minutes, Zayn giggled at almost everything he said, answering in that tiny, airy voice. And every giggle pushed the king deeper into mushy territory, making him kiss Zayn again and again.
Meanwhile, Kairo was dying.
He was practically crushing Sara's hand, squeezing it so tight as if that was the only thing stopping him from snatching Zayn back immediately. His whole body was locked, fighting every irrational instinct screaming inside him.
Sara didn't say a word, just rubbed his arm slowly, grounding him, while Kairo stared like a man trying not to lose control in front of a king.
Charles noticed the tension and cleared his throat gently, pulling the king's attention away from Zayn.
"Your Highness… since we are here, we wanted to ask about proceeding with the deal."
The king smiled. "Of course, Mr. Valen. I planned to speak to you. I simply got distracted by this little one's charm." He chuckled, brushing Zayn's hair.
"I'm happy to confirm the deal," he continued. "I've reviewed Novacore thoroughly. I'm impressed. So yes, let's seal this partnership. Welcome to the Middle East."
Charles and Sara lit up, bursting with relieved excitement. They both knew what this deal meant.
"I'm happy to confirm it," the king said warmly. "I've gone through everything about Novacore. I'm impressed. So yes… let's fix this deal. And welcome to the Middle East."
Sara's smile stretched wider, and Charles exhaled relief. But Kairo… Kairo was staring at Zayn like he was calculating escape routes. Every second Zayn stayed in someone else's arms felt like a countdown to Kairo's emotional explosion.
And finally, someone called the king from across the hall.
Before King Amir could even turn, Kairo stepped in smoothly. "I think they want to meet you," he said quickly.
The king turned his head. And in that exact second, Kairo swooped in, lifted Zayn out of his arms, and took two full steps back like he was rescuing a hostage.
Sara bit her lip hard to stop her laughter. Charles looked away, his shoulders shaking.
The king turned back, smiling politely, as if he had no idea he'd just survived Kairo's inner war.
"Well… it was very nice meeting your family, Mr. Velen. I'll visit Novacore tomorrow to finalize the deal. Let's finish the paperwork there."
Charles nodded.
"Congratulations, we're partners now." The king shook both Charles' and Kairo's hands. Kairo managed a small smile, honestly, the fakest smile he'd worn in years.
"I'll take my leave," the king said.
"Yes, please," Kairo replied a bit too quickly.
The king leaned in one last time, gently squeezing Zayn's soft cheeks. Kairo's pulse spiked in anxiety, every muscle in his body going tight.
"Bye, little angel… meet you soon," the king said warmly.
Zayn smiled and waved, completely unaware that his father was two seconds away from short-circuiting.
The king walked away.
And Kairo finally exhaled the breath he'd been strangling for minutes. He looked down at his son with pure father-mode intensity and immediately started wiping Zayn's cheeks with gentle, offended little swipes, like the king had rubbed sandpaper on him.
Sara and Charles watched him, exchanged the most here he goes again look… and burst into quiet, shaking laughter.
Kairo looked at both, "What?"
Sara smacked his arm lightly. "Can't you even spare the king? Why were you acting like he was about to kidnap your child?"
Kairo glared at her, dead serious. "If I hadn't taken Zayn back, he would have. I don't like him. Look how hard he squeezed his cheeks. Is it hurting, my son?" His voice dropped into that deep, dramatic concern he saved only for moments like this.
Zayn blinked up at him. "No, dada."
Sara and Charles pressed their lips together so hard they were practically chewing them, trying not to laugh.
Kairo refused to accept defeat. "It is hurting him. He's just not saying it out loud." As if this proved the case.
Sara nodded, humoring him. "Yes, yes… You are right."
Charles finally lost it, laughing under his breath. Then he sighed. "Whatever… just don't mess up the deal tomorrow. Treat him politely."
Kairo shot Charles a lethal glare.
"Stop glaring," Charles warned, walking away to grab a drink before he actually laughed at Kairo's face.
Sara moved closer, looking at his face, smiling as she held his arm. "Calm down. My possessive baby…"
He looked at her, tension melting little by little as her warmth soaked into him. With a low breath, he pulled her close. One arm around her, one securely holding Zayn, he walked them both toward a quieter corner of the party hall.
Somewhere safer. Somewhere without wandering hands. Somewhere, he could keep his wife and son away from every pair of curious eyes.