Alex couldn't get that kiss out of his mind. He went home immediately after abandoning the party he had been planning all week because of that kiss. The way Henry's eyes are closed and his blonde hair brushing against Alex's forehead. He could still feel Henry's fingers grasping into his curls tugging the roots as their kiss deepened.

Worst of it all, Alex remembered the way Henry's breath hitched when Alex returned the kiss back and stunt at his gesture but immediately when he pulls back, Alex could see the horror flashes in Henry's eyes the minute he realized what he just did. Alex wanted to stop him, wanted to pull him back and continued on kissing the guy but Alex was too stunt to move nor speak after.

Never in his life someone would be brave enough to face him fiercely the way Henry did. He never was afraid of Alex's past or even the fact he had witnessed Alex done some horrible things, Henry never judged him or looked differently at him which sent Alex intrigued. He knew Henry is a bit of an odd guy to him but something about Henry that couldn't shake Alex off since the first day they met.

After he got home that night, Alex couldn't get Henry out of his mind. It surprises him that Henry initiated the kiss and never would he thought Henry had build up feelings for him. He wasn't just confused by Henry's gesture but the fact that Henry would have feelings for a guy like him made him wonder if he should give Henry the chance to explain.

Cash noticed the changes in his behavior when he was silent all morning after he picked him up. "Something happened at the party?" Cash asks inside the car which Alex wasn't aware of until he nudges his elbow.

"Huh?" He shot his gaze back into the car and saw Cash was staring at him on the side.

"What's wrong with you? You're sick or something? You've been quiet." He asks and Alex shook his head turning his head back to the window next to him. "Nothing." He replied shortly gazing back the view outside as the car passes through traffic.

"Still hungover?" Cash pressed

"NO!" Alex grunted knowing he didn't drink much as he used too at his own party because of what happened.

"Okay, wanna tell me why suddenly we went back to the company building after years you paid no mind too?" He asks and Alex exhaled his breath longly.

"I need to see Shan." He replied sharply not letting his gaze away.

"What about?" Cash asks again and this time Alex turned to face him with that frown between his eyebrow.

"Cassius I swear to God, one more question or I will let Damien tied you at the back of the car and have you dragged all the way until we reach there." Alex warned but Cash never actually mind his threats especially when he's having one of his bad mood.

The reason Alex wanted to see Shan was to ask him further about Henry and asks him more about his past. He was curious in knowing how they both knew each other so after did some hard thinking, he decides that the first thing in the morning, three days after the New Year's party, he had Cash ready the car for his departure so he could get his answers.

The moment he stepped in the building, the rest of the staff stood up at the sight of him with their eyes wildly shock at his presence.

"Mr Claremont-Diaz, welcome back." One of the receptionist welcomed him back to the building and Alex nodded at his gesture with a diplomatic smile on his face. He didn't want to be rude but he didn't want to make himself seen as someone who's warm and welcoming to his employees. He didn't want people to think he's weak for showing his humanity which is why he appears to be cold and distant in anyway possible except for those who knew him.

Alex stepped into the top floor where the management offices are and the moment he stepped out, memories of seeing his late father, Oscar running the office has brought certain memories back to his heart.

He remembered seeing him walking around his big glass office with Alex by his side or in one of his meeting rooms like it was only yesterday he was here.

Alex stopped at the photo frame displayed on the wall paying tribute to Oscar in a gold plated frame. His body froze at the sight since it's been years since he came here and felt like he had disappointed him for not taking over the company as he should.

"I bet he misses you too." Shan's voice startled him on his side where Alex stood. He turned to face him with a weak smile on his face. "Thank you for this." He whispered and Shan nodded. "Let's talk in the office." Shan gestured his palm for Alex to lead the way down the hallway with Cash followed suit.

Alex opened the door of his father's old office to see it was exactly the same way he had left years ago. The picture frame of his family with June brightest smile still stood firm on the table by the window and his breath hitched.

"I never changed anything. It's always yours, Alex. Welcome back." Shan taps him on his back with Alex froze in the middle of the office. He watched as Shan headed himself towards the enormous table that he remembered making his father Oscar looks small behind his desk. But the power he had over him didn't make anyone thing otherwise. Shan went on and pressed the call button on the office phone before a voice heard through the speaker.

"Enzo, coffee please for Mr Claremont-Diaz." He told him over the speaker and the assistant replied a short yes.

"I kept it warm for your return Alex. Have a seat." He gestured over the big leather chair behind him but Alex could only stare at it. He could feel Cash still standing firm behind him always have his back before he turned slightly behind his shoulder, "Cash, leave us." Cash never questioned Alex in his orders and obeyed immediately.

The moment the door closed Alex's gaze returned to Shan still standing in front of him leaning against the table. Alex took his coat off his shoulders before placing it over the coat hanger by the corner and took his seat on the white couch with his hand crossed over his lap.

"We need to talk." Alex starts watching as Shan crossed his arms over his chest with a soft nod.

"I figures. Talk." Shan told him and Alex hunched forward with his arm clutched together resting his elbow on his knees before he starts.

"I need to know how you know Henry." He asks and he could see the question had triggered discomfort in Shan's eyes.

"Alex I can't." He stood straight but before Alex could protest, a soft knock came to the door with Shan's assistant came in with a tray in his hand and couple of cups of coffee that he had requested earlier.

He sat the tray down on the table in front of Alex before left the office noticed the awkward silence between them.

"Why not?" Alex asks and Shan joined him on the couch next to him. "It's not my place to talk about him. If you need information, you have to get it yourself." He simply explained before putting couple spoon of sugar into his coffee cup.

"I am. I'm looking at it." Alex says.

"You're not getting it from me and I don't care what you said, I am not getting in the middle of you and him." Shan says before handing him his cup of coffee which Alex accepted. He sighed looking at the cups of coffee in his hand with the hint of cinnamon hits his nostrils.

"Then you don't mind if I use my ways on getting them?" Alex winked with his half dimple smile pausing Shan in the middle of taking his sips of coffee. He could feel his stomach tightened at the thought of Alex extorting information out of Henry sending chills down his spine. He can't let anyone hurt him but he can't let Alex knew why either.

"Alex-" Shan was about to make his defends when Alex raised his palm cutting him off.

"I know you both had history together and you sweating after hearing me threatening him proves me right." Alex took a sip of his coffee before placing the cups down on the table. Shan felt defeated knowing Alex had him in a tight rope before he sighed desperately. "What do you need to know about him? He is just a simpleton." Shan says.

"None of your business what I need him for. How did you know him?" Alex starts and Shan pressed his lips together.

"His father. I used to work with him." Shan replied.

"We both knew that, you said that before. But what I don't know is what happened after you quit working with them or why? I never actually knew who you work with in the past. Who is his father?" Alex asks and Shan took another sharp breath.

"Listen Alex I am not going to answer that. I don't care how much you threatened to hurt anyone that I cared about." Shan could see Alex is smirking back at his words.

"So you do care about him. He must be someone close to you. For all the years I've known you Shan, the only person you cared about his your job, your wife and my dad." Alex snide and Shan won't have him tease him further.

"Have it your way Alex. I'm done being your source of an entertainment." Shan stood up from the couch and headed towards the table picking up the papers to start his work.

"Come on Shan, just tell me something about him." Alex pleads striding over him. Shan sighed shaking his head at him before he continued. "He's a good man Alex. Please leave him alone." Shan's voice pleading in hope Alex would let this go.

"Why? What are you hiding?" Alex asks crossing his arms around his back.

"Alex let it go. If you want to know about him why don't you asks him yourself. Don't drag me into this." Shan returned to his works behind the table with Alex stood facing him. He ignored his clicking of tongue when he turned his focus on the computer instead of him.

"Shan, I'm going to find out about him and when I do, you're gonna be sorry if you hide anything from me." Alex threatened leaning his arm out over the table.

Shan looked up to meet his face feeling Alex's gaze burning holes through his eyes.

"Are you done? Cause if you're not back at the company then I like you to leave." Shan returned his gaze back to the computer leaving Alex stood quietly in front of him.

Alex smirked straightening his back again before he walked towards the coat hanger. He slipped his arms through the coat sleeves before turning his gaze back at Shan in front of him. "Walk me down?" He asks and Shan sighed before he turned his focus back at Alex with a soft smile. Despite all the hatred or the threat Alex had portrayed himself at him, he still his father's son. The boy who came to him when he had issues of his own,  the boy that Shan sees as Henry's replacement after he left London that heals his heart a little for missing him. 

"Sure." He says before standing and walked out of the office with Alex by his side.

As they walked out of the lobby headed to the car, Cash was leading the way out when Shan pulled Alex by his elbow turning Alex's gaze back to him. "What?" He asks.

"Henry was born into a family of wealth and more money than your parents ever had. But after his parents passed, his life had turned upside down with his sister's death and his brother trying to steal all inheritance leaving him penniless."

"So before you think you want to hurt him, he has been hurt endlessly by people who claimed they loved him." Shan continues. "So please, I beg of you. Do not hurt him the way people have all his life."

Alex didn't say anything further only Shan could see his gaze had softened after what he heard. He nod softly before gotten into the car where Cash had the door opened for him. He shut the door right after Alex got in before getting to the other side.

"Cassius." Shan called stopping him. He turned his gaze over his shoulder to face Shan.

"Don't let Alex or anyone hurt that boy. Protect him at all cost. Promised me." Shan plead and Cash nods from where he stood. "I will." He never questioned Shan or the fact that why he was protecting Henry from Alex nor anyone. He respected him that much for being the replacement after Alex went downhill and he knows Shan would do everything to protect Alex if he was in any danger so protecting Henry would means he is equally as important as Alex is.

.

Henry couldn't sleep the night he kisses Alex. His heart racing out of his chest and each time he thought about that kiss, he felt nauseated and there's tight lump formed in his throat. He can't believe he just kissed the guy that was known for his bloody hands and dark pasts.

Henry was surprised at himself for being so bold but after all the months of knowing Alex, he was shocked to think he had some buried feelings for the guy.

He can't sleep for three days and each time he closed his eyes, Alex's brown eyes came back into his mind. The way his calloused hand gripped on to his waist or his sharp nose tip digging into his skin with his warmth breath sending tightened feeling around his lower area.

He never meant to kiss Alex but somehow his courage was build up at the sight of him getting his cock sucked by some guy in that room made him riled up and wanted to claim Alex knowing he wasn't his to claim.

But the thought had made it worst sending his anxiety through the roof. He couldn't sleep, he couldn't eat and each seconds made his life miserable especially at the thought of facing Nora at work after what happened.

But the morning he walked in to her bakery, Henry noticed the cold shoulder she gave him. She barely look up to meet Henry's eyes or wishes him back the greeting he gave her and instead replied him with a fake smile before turning her gaze elsewhere.

Henry assumed Alex might have told her what happened and she might still had some residual feelings towards Alex that made Henry faced her wrath. But he made up his mind before he even walked into the shop today, he needed to leave this town immediately. Nora being cold to him made all of this easier for him. 

Henry felt too exposed right now knowing Nora knew about his issue although not entirely that made him decides to leave. He already had his things packed and ready to go and he will give a call tomorrow morning to his landlord telling her that he won't be staying anymore. He already had his bag packed and hidden inside the storage room the night before the store open using his key that Nora gave him.

The shift went devastatingly slow and Henry was counting on the hours hoping Alex didn't show up for lunch or he wouldn't know how to face him exactly. But as he expected, Alex didn't show and Henry doubt Nora is upset by it either.

She has been on his phone the whole day, clicking her tongue in desperation at something upsetting her and Henry feels that if he asks her she would blow up on his face so he decides to stay quiet for the rest of the shifts.

Nora somehow left for few hours after lunch leaving Henry alone in the shop which thankfully people still in their holiday mood and barely any customers showed up.

But about an hour before the shop closed, Henry saw her walking in with boxes in her arms and starts pulling the Christmas decorations and shoved it into the box in her hand. Henry saw how Nora was fighting with one of the mantle when she cursed at her nails being chipped away at the edge due of the hustle.

"Here, let me." Henry offered, pulling the broken mantle away from her grip and starts taking down the rest of the decorations down still in silence. Nora watched as he placed the box neatly on the side at the back of the store before he headed to the front to closed up. Nora sighed placing the tea mug in front of her before calling Henry.

"Can we talk?" Nora asks and Henry has been dreading this since the morning. He didn't say anything else but nod before making his way towards her at the table.

"Look, I'm sorry for the way I behave, it's just-" Henry cuts her off before she could finished her sentence.

"It's okay Nora. I understand. Which is why I need to give you this." Henry hands her a folded enveloped with his resignation noticed inside and the moment Nora read through the words, her eyes widen in surprised.

"Henry what the fuck is this?" She asks.

"I can't stay here anymore Nora, I'm sorry." Henry starts and Nora tore the letters too pieces before throwing it on the floor besides her. "Not accepted. Look I know I was a jerk to you all morning but it wasn't because of what you did. Well- part of it yes because you ditched me at the party after I told you not too! But more of it was Alex." Nora told him but Henry could only pressed his lips together.

"He's dodging my calls. First he left me at the party and now he's not answering his calls nor my text and it pisses me off." Nora throw her phone over the table that slides to the centre before folding her arms together.

"But I never wanted you to leave. Please think about this. Where would you go anyway? You don't have anywhere else to go." Nora pleaded. Her soulful eyes are staring back at Henry which he sighed at her.

"I can't Nora. I'm sorry. I'll figure out a way somehow. It got me here isn't it? Maybe another subway trip would lead me somewhere." Henry says before walking past her. He remembers the time where Nora took him on that New York sight seeing in a subway to show Henry around the city. 

"Henry please tell me how to fix this." Nora turned in her seat to face Henry but he stood firmly with his back facing her instead. He sighed longly letting his head hung low before he answered her.

"You can't Nora. I need to leave this place immediately and I am so sorry for doing this to you." Henry finally turned to face her which he almost broke down when he sees her eyes are running with tears.

"You are the bestest friend anyone could ever have. Which is why I can't come in between you and Alex. He deserves you more than ever." Henry adds facing Nora with her grimaces expression. "What do you mean by that?" She asks clueless.

"You'll know it, someday." Henry replied before disappearing into the back room and grabbed his bag pack and his duffle before he left through the back door placing the Christmas gift on the table in a box of the suits that Alex had gift him.

"Thank you Nora, for everything." Henry says right before he leaves.

.

Henry felt his ankles was chained to the ground when he leaves her in the store alone. He never meant to leave this way nor leaving Nora alone when she needed him. He could tell she was upset by Alex's gesture and his leaving made her more upset than earlier. But Henry knew Alex would always comes back and coaxed her like he always did.

No matter how many times Nora sulking up for what Alex did, they always made their way back to each other. Henry respected that and he feels that he betrayed her by that kiss.

So he walked further on the sidewalks till he reached the steps towards the underground subway to find his way out from this city. He's glad that Nora showed him how to move around the city without any cars or having enough money for a cab or an Uber.

As he walked through the steps and taps on the card Nora gave him to pay for the fees ticket, he stayed at the platform watching as people get on and off right in front of him. He noticed the area has lesser people at night rather than the days.

He stays leaning against the wall trying to figure out where to go next when a group of boys starts lingering around at the end sending suspicious thoughts in Henry's mind. He didn't want to cause trouble, more over he didn't want them to think he had any intention on doing anything to provoke that.

So he pulled up his hoodie, hiding his face away from people before he walked away from the crowd when he heard the whispering coming from the deep dark tunnel. "Henry."

That whisper came as soft as the breeze seeping through the cracks of the dome in the tunnel. It echoes and Henry looked around to see if anyone else noticed when he realized, he was the only one there. The boys had gone off somewhere kicking the metal can away from him.

"Henry.." The voice whispers again and this time Henry swore it was real, real as it was like a person stood in the middle of the tracks calling him in the dark.

The voice is so familiar. Soft as the summer breeze as Henry recalled and for years, years, he had been waiting for that voice to appear. 

"Bea?"

"I'm right here Hen. I never left. I'm always, here." Bea's voice echoed in the dark and Henry wonders if it's real when he tried to crouch over the side of the platform before he felt another breeze brushing behind his neck. "Henry don't."

Henry looked up to see June stood beside him with those pleading eyes.  He stood to face her watching as she stares back at him, in fear. "June?" Henry called seeing the last time he ever saw her was days ago and now she appears out of sudden. "Henry don't." She warned him again. 

"Henry. Help me Hen. Help me." Bea's pleading voice echoed again in the dark sending Henrys heart to race. Bea needs his help and Henry is always there to help her, even in death.

Henry was about to jump away from the tracks when June stops him.

"Henry don't! That is not your sister."  She could see how it surprises Henry when he turned his head sharply at her with his eyebrow crooked. Henry is taken back by her words after what he heard and it doesn't make any sense to him. He knew for a fact that is his sister's voice although he can't see her but he knew it was her, by heart. 

"What do you mean?" He asks feeling the tears starts to flood back into his eyes. He misses his sister so freaking much and the thought of hearing her voice made him hopeful again.

"That is not your sister. trust me in this." June says further and Henry noticed she was trembling with fear in her eyes looking around in the dark tunnel. Something that she hides from Henry and he intended to find out more when another whisper breaks them.

"Why don't you help me Hen? I'm in pain. Why'd you let me die?" Bea cries echoed in the dark. Her weeping became more louder, stronger that made Henry's skin crawled. There is a certain darkness that he felt along her voice that made his hair on his skin stood. But he denied that feeling because he misses her so much. 

"I didn't Bea. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Henry begs standing at the edge of the platform but stopped by June again. "Henry please listen to me. Please." She begs again.

Henry glanced his glistening gaze back at her before he felt her hands squeezing his elbow tight, "Do not go to her. Promise me. She is bad spirits. Things that she did Henry- please promise me that you don't go to her calling." June begs tightening her grips over Henry's elbow when he heard her again, weeping. But that cries immediately stop and that soft cries were no longer heard when it was replaced by a growl. 

"You bastard! You left me to die! The least that you could do is owning up to your gift and embrace my death with yours!" Bea's voice sounds different than her usual one. Henry remembers her being the softest one in the family despite her raging attitude after their parent's death. But this voice of her, it sounded like an old woman that drunk whisky her whole life.

"Bea, I'm sorry." Henry pleads in tears standing rather closely at the edge with June still gripping into his arms. "I'm so sorry." Henry pleads again in tears.

"Jump you bastard! Jump! Save me out of my misery!" Bea's voice echoed again with that thrilling chills running through Henry's skin.

"Henry don't." June stops him but Henry could only smile at her as he stepped closer to the edge. "I have too. She's my sister." Henry says closing his eyes to the next part of his life. The part where he gets to meet his family again, one last time and finally getting rid of the burden he carries for years being the gifted child.

"HENRY!"