Teresa nodded, taking a few moments to contemplate his question. “Mr. Lennox is a great young man, but… he comes from a country which could use a bit more guidance. Unfortunately, the Church and its teachings have no meaningful reach here yet, so sometimes people end up having ideas,” she mused, stroking Noah’s arm. “Especially young people who have less experience in life. And, well, it seemed to me that Mr. Lennox might be particularly susceptible to such ideas. So, dear, I’m not saying he would, but be mindful that he might forget himself, okay? It’s not his fault he’s from a part of the world which God hasn’t taken under his wing.”
Noah barely maintained a neutral smile at the nonsense Teresa was throwing at him, but he couldn’t exactly figure out what she was implying. Was it just a reminder because of Reign challenging her about the Church’s restrictions that one time? Or was it possible she’d caught onto Reign’s interest in him somehow? Noah hoped it was the former, but well, she didn’t seem at all aware that Noah reciprocated that interest, so as long as he kept things that way, he didn’t think he neededto worry.
“Of course,” Noah agreed easily. “I’m sure he’s… probably just a little confused. But I think it helped that I talked to him about the Church’s benevolence.” He paused here, strategically, and squeezed her hand, which still had hold of his arm. “It’s why I agreed to go on the hike in the first place. I think I can make him and his friends understand if we… spend some time together. I can show them how much better life can be when God guides us,” he spewed out, exerting extra effort to sound serene and sincere, like a true believer.
The result did not disappoint.
“Excellent, my dear,” Teresa chirped, beaming again. “I’m sure your passion will reach them.”
“Thank you, Teresa.” He squeezed her hand again and delicately extricated himself out of her grasp, nudging his chin toward the driver. “I’ll get going. Good night to you both and I’ll see you later.”
He waited for them to wish him the same and practically sprinted over to the waiting man, following him to a black SUV. The moment Noah boarded the car, his stomach filled with nerves and anticipation.
This was it. He was about to meet Reign.
15
Noah glued himself to the window of the black SUV Reign had arranged to pick him up. It wound its way through the sleeping city, passing by plazas, parks and closed shops.
“Mr. Araya,” the driver, Seb, said when they stopped at a red light. “We’ll be arriving at Mr. Lennox’s residence in forty minutes. He instructed me that the snacks on the seat to your left are for you, so please help yourself.”
Noah studied the other end of the backseat, just now noticing the bag containing an assortment of sandwiches, fruit and water. “Thank you, I will.” He went for the water first and then picked up the salmon and cream cheese baguette. “Uh, does Reign not live in the city?”
“No. Mr. Lennox has an estate on the outskirts. He prefers the quiet and the surrounding nature to how busy central Seoul is.”
Noah wasn’t surprised. Reign had struck him as the type that went for a home away from the crowds and noise. It just… fit him and the mysterious vibe he had going on.
Letting the driver do his job, Noah leaned against the cold glass and ate his sandwich. Buildings, trees and lights blurred together in smudged streaks of colors, thengave way to the uniform grays and blacks of pines and winter oaks engulfed in darkness. The car followed a road uphill, passing by a few properties before it turned left and started down a narrow driveway. Noah spied a sign with No. 4 by the open gates, then more trees followed, arching branches above them as they made their way to the three-story modern house at the end of the gravel drive. A single lamppost stood sentry by the front door, its warm light caressing the sleek forms of a red sports bike and a black sports car.
Seb exited the SUV and helped unload Noah’s only suitcase, ringing the intercom afterwards. “Mr. Lennox, Mr. Araya is here,” he announced, moving to the side so Noah was in view of the camera.
No reply came, but Noah heard the locks disengage.
“Please, make your way up the stairs to the second floor,” the driver instructed, holding the door open. “Mr. Lennox is waiting for you.”
“Thank you.” Noah offered a curt smile, wondering as he entered the house why Reign wasn’t coming down to greet him.
The lights flickered on and off as he climbed the wooden steps, painting the white gravel outside in yellow through the ground-to-ceiling window. The SUV’s headlights came to life and Noah paused with his luggage in one hand as he watched the black car reverse and disappear under the overhanging branches, leaving him alone with Reign.
A thrilling sensation surged down Noah’s neck, licking each vertebra as it spread lower. He gripped his suitcase firmer, feeling self-conscious about its contents now that he was moments away from meeting the man haunting his dreams. Each step made the air thicker, denser,charged with that same anticipation Noah was feeling on the inside, and then Noah reached the second floor where lights no longer illuminated his way. Darkness as complete as that outside ruled here, though Noah’s eyes got used to it soon enough, making out the shapes and forms of furniture as he stood there in silence where the last stair met the hardwood floor.
Noah felt a presence, tangible and imposing, though it took him a further minute to pick out the human shape across from him, its outline slightly lighter than its surroundings as it stood there leaning against a kitchen counter.
Reign.
“Hello,Noah.” Reign’s voice sounded all around Noah, engulfing him, caressing him, making him inhale sharply and swallow hard.
Noah shivered, shifting his weight. “Hello, Reign,” he said back, one foot and then the other compelling him further into the gloomy room. Toward the outline that Reign was, where for a moment he was sure he could see two glowing eyes the color of blood-red gems as well as the gleam of a claw’s tip catching onto the diffused light seeping in from outside.
Before Noah had the chance to chastise himself for hallucinating, the outline moved, causing a strip of dimmed lights to turn on and chase away the shadows. Clad in only a pair of wine-red harem pants, Reign pushed off the kitchen counter and approached slowly, like a panther stalking a spooked rabbit.
“Let me help you with that,” he offered in his sexy tenor, gesturing at Noah’s busy hand. His fingers brushed Noah’s as he took hold of the suitcase, the contact just as electric as last time. “You packed lightly?”
Noah took a moment to stabilize his breathing. “Yeah… just clothes and some of my… drawings.” Most of them in fact, because he couldn’t risk the landlord randomly finding them under his bed if she happened to check in on his apartment.
“You did mention you paint…” Reign mused, a hint of interest in his tone. “What kind of paintings?”
The very inappropriate kind where the model could well have been Reign himself.
