"Oppa, did you know?"
"Turns out you and the Caesar have the same type."
"And no, she doesn't mean the female MC. Trust me, oppa, you'll get what she means if you see him for yourself."
—
Pulled out of his reverie, Caesar turned to meet round green eyes, though he felt the other had tried to hide it, and the disbelieving tone felt way too obvious.
"So… you weren't reaching for a g-weapon?"
Showing his inner trench coat pockets, Caesar made a show of pulling a black handkerchief from a hidden pocket; the fabric was thick, with no loose stitches. The golden embroidery looked expensive.
In the end, the luxury item was used to wipe away a child's oily mouth.
Sasha, humming in joy, puckered his lips at the man's action before going back to his meal.
Yes, meal.
The three had, in the end, arrived at one of the most influential restaurants in the western district after a much-needed visit to the emergency department.
Sasha, wrapped in all sorts of bandages, didn't seem to be in pain as the kid kept stuffing his cheeks like a hamster while the adults sorted their stories out. The trio of one wary, the other leisurely, sandwiching a carefree child was an odd sight.ht.
Sliding a card towards him, Daniel watched his counterpart cut the steak in front of him with ease, while Daniel on the otherhand was darting his gaze between Caesar and the card before hesitatingly taking the card to look.
[HN Investment Firm. Caesar Lomosov. Founder and CEO]
His brows lifted in surprise; if he hadn't remembered wrong, this company caught the media's attention after its quick rise to success.
But with the CEO so reclusive, for the entire decade the company was open, no one had seen his face.
"One of our partners has recently developed new editions of learning materials to help streamline learning for ages below 10."
Placing the now cut steak in front of Daniel, Caesar took his plate to cut the meat as simply as he did before, causing the young police man to stiffen by the gesture.
Feeling his mouth twitch, Daniel coughed out a small thanks, clearly uncomfortable.
Undeterred, Caesar swirled his glass, taking a sip of wine. He explained unhurriedly, "It was a coincidence, school #66 just happened to be one of our prospective investment deals. Shame the headmaster didn't meet our vision."
The lift in the man's words made Daniel feel uneasy, but he couldn't pinpoint what was wrong.
"The rest you heard from the kid yourself."
While in the hospital, with Sasha's battered body looking too much like a DV case. The doctors were very direct in their questions.
All of which Sasha answered just as straightforward, honest, and clear, he didn't even forget to thank Caesar, treating him like a life savior, not that he had done much.
Daniel took a moment of silence to piece everything together, mulling the facts. Realizing how he was in the wrong, he sighed, before reciprocating the other's efforts of explaining himself, taking a badge out of his pocket, he licked his lips with light red ears.
"I apologize for my actions earlier. It's an occupational hazard I can't help but tend to be suspicious and keep my guard up, especially—"
Though somewhat embarrassed. Staring into Caesar's (annoyingly handsome) indifferent mug, Daniel couldn't shake how his senses were screaming that this man was not simple.
His senses were never wrong, so he had acted instinctively at the time hence the misunderstanding.
Even now, when the misunderstanding was resolved, Daniel was still tense. Eating only small bites of his meal. His muscles were taut, ready to grab and sprint to escape with Sasha if the situation called for it.
Feigning ignorance of the other's suspicions, Caesar took a bite of his steak. It was slightly overcooked and not much to his taste, but…
Watching as the officer stiffly ate his Beef Stroganoff, a small pinkish tongue glazing over soft red lips.
So this bunny was a meat-eater. Caesar felt his appetite rising. In the end, he had wiped his plate clean, deeming the meal to be quite satisfactory.
After they finished, the three exited the restaurant when Daniel's phone buzzed; the school had sent a notice that the classes that afternoon had been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Daniel, who intended to use that time to bring up the issue with the school's upper management, could only click his tongue in the end.
Instead, he typed out a formal complaint via email. Utilizing all the skills he honed from being 'punished' with paperwork.
Sasha, however, overhearing the news, jumped around in giddy laughter, mumbling how he can play with his two awesome hyungs for the afternoon.
Horrified, Daniel tried to hurriedly explain how that wouldn't be possible, but his words were cut off when Caesar had already lifted the boy to prop him on his shoulders.
"I can spare an hour."
He winked, musing in schadenfreude at Daniel's sour face.
Walking away with an excited Sasha. Daniel could only bitterly follow the two.
In the park, Caesar watched with arms crossed, drumming his thumb against his upper arm, eyes glued on the small hamster running here and there.
His gaze deepened before turning his head to look in the distance, deep in thought.
The dark gaze made Daniel, who was still observing the suspicious man, ball his hands in fists.
Alarm bells are ringing in his mind.
"What are you thinking about-"
A drag path etched in the surface, as evidence-
Cut off by a ringtone, Daniel fumbled to get his one out. Seeing Captain Popov excuse himself to answer the call.
"Cap. What's up? Changed your mind on- Are you positive?"
Furrowing his brows, Daniel's voice grew quieter. Cold even.
"It's confirmed, I just received the report half an hour ago. The boys also told me that the current 'cargo' had been shipped."
Heaving a sigh, Popov continued- "I need you on the case. If we don't find those kids while the trail's hot…"
Daniel's fist grew tighter. If he moved now, there would be no chance he'd get to sit with Senator Romanov, but if he didn't, then the children may never be found.
Popov knew that, and also knew Daniel's personality, in a fight between personal revenge and the lives of children not much older than his own brother, the choice was obvious.
"I'll be there in 10."
Turning his back, he found Sasha staring right back at him, kicking his feet from the tall bench he sat in.
"Work?"
He asked before stretching his arms out for a hug. Picking the boy up, Daniel hummed his gaze darting left and right for the imposing figure just now was long gone.
—
Watching the retreating figures out in the distance, Caesar pocketed his hand as he let out a puff of smoke.
"Tsar. The chopper has been prepared."
Still admiring the scenery, he turned his head to his secretary, the mere movement causing a shiver running down the young boy's spine.
Dreading the silence, he watched to see his employer puff out another round of smoke before he heard him say.
"Cancel it"- he already found not just the male protagonist but even his rabbit of an older brother.
Bowing his head, the young man could have sworn he heard a chuckle. But the thought was immediately shut down when he heard Tsar's cold voice.
"Get me a report on Romanov's movements. Have it on my desk in an hour."
"Understood"
Closing his eyes, he felt the light breeze against his neck. After 17 years of preparation, he was finally close to grasping the story's hidden beginning.
To be stranded alone on an island with the male lead's older brother. Recalling the man's appearance, Caesar opened his cold, crystal blue eyes, it appeared glazed over by the winding smoke.
His sisters were right. A certain man's appearance was indeed to his taste.
To these pairs of prey-like brothers, how should he handle them?
What should I do? Bunny, tell me, should I hunt to kill or keep you?