"There is on thing I'm wondering, though Dad," Kyle began, looking at his father.

"What's that?" Patrick asked curiously.

"You didn't seem upset when you thought I was gay," Kyle said, "I thought the whole 'get a fiancee by 18' was because you thought I was gay."

Patrick started twiddling his thumb in embarrassment.

"Well, that wasn't the reason really," Patrick began, then sighed deeply, "It was more your Mother who was worried."

"Mum?"

"She was worried you were too close to Kay," Patrick explained, "Your world revolved around your sister too much that she was worried you may not be able to hook up with anyone."

Kyle looked at his father in horror.

Patrick put up his hands in surrender, "I know, I know! But it was a legitimate fear for her then. She realised it wasn't so a couple of years ago but … well, since you never looked interested in anyone at all, we thought it was best to just leave it as it is."

Kyle rolled his eyes and said, "What is with you guys and getting married at 18? Is that some magic number? Even Ali and Xing Han's parents are saying the same thing."

"Well, to be fair," Patrick said, "Your lives aren't exactly normal. This is the best time to find someone rather than when you are older. You'll only get busier and more people would be after your money and position rather than 'you'. We wanted you to be able to have a proper love, at least."

Kyle was silent about that.

He could see what his father was getting at.

He had been so busy the past year that he wouldn't have been able to meet anyone at all. Luckily, he had Sari, so he didn't really need to worry about that part.

Even then, he had met her when he hadn't been the Smith Heir, and was basically lazing about. If he couldn't have found 'the one' while in school, what are the chances when he's working?

Perhaps that is why Ali and Xing Han's family were like that as well, though Kyle figured for Xing Han, it was much more complicated. Connections made via marriage were a big deal in the Tan family.

Kyle was worried for him.

He sighed. He hadn't even seen any of the Elite Five - even Sam. The latter being told to keep mum about him being back.

Kyle wondered when the gang could get back together again.

✿ Author only posts on w.e.b.n.o.v.e.l. ✿

Xing Han stared at his suitcase.

He hadn't told Nitocris yet what he was going to do, and he wasn't going to. He didn't want to burden his beloved for this, and he was worried over his reaction.

He also didn't want to give Nitocris any hope.

Xing Han bit his lower lips, going over the words he was going to say to his beloved, and hoped that he believed him.

Xing Han had thought about his situation long and hard. He wanted to be with Nitocris forever, and luckily, Country Tz did allow same-sex marriage.

The only problem was: his family.

He hadn't told anyone in his family about Nitocris and Xing Han knew that his father would never accept him.

His sisters would most likely support him, judging from their reactions when he and Kyle had played it up the other time.

Xing Han's hand shook as he closed the suitcase.

This would be the first time that he was going to go against his family.

He was deathly afraid of doing so.

Actually, he was more afraid of the fact that he would not be able to stand his ground against them.

He loved both Nitocris and his family deeply.

Would he have to choose between the two? Either Nitocris or his family?

He didn't want that.

He had to convince his father of this.

Xing Han had tried hard to let go of Nitocris but he couldn't.

So he wanted to fight for this love of his.

He looked at his hands, which were still trembling.

Despite the fact that he's much stronger now and more independent as compared to before - deep down, he still was weak.

"What are you doing?" came that deep, sexy baritone voice of his beloved right at his ear.

"AAAAAAAAHH!!" Xing Han shouted in surprise, and turned to glare angrily at Nitocris.

"COOKIE!!" Xing Han shouted, hitting Nitocris on the chest, "Why do you keep doing that?!"

Nitocris looked quite aggrieved and wronged, "I called out to you several times. You were so deep in thought that you didn't hear me."

Xing Han blinked.

"You did? I was?" he said, in puzzlement, thinking, "I guess I was."

Nitocris hugged him, asking again, "What are you doing? Why are you packing?"

"Oh, this?" Xing Han said dismissively, "I'm going home for a visit. Haven't seen them this year yet."

"How long will you be gone?" Nitocris asked.

"A week," Xing Han said, "Maybe two."

Nitocris frowned, "Why so long?"

"Since I haven't been home for so long, I may need to follow my Dad to the office and all that," Xing Han explained, fidgeting slightly as he held on to his beloved's waist.

Nitocris's frowned got deeper.

His puppy was lying.

He would fidget or play with his hands when he lied, a habit that his puppy was not aware he did.

Nitocris looked down and could see the nervousness on his puppy's face. Nitocris sighed and decided not to ask.

Going home, and not wanting to tell him the full story?

It must be about his fiancee.

Nitocris's heart clenched and he hugged Xing Han tighter.

"Cookie?" Xing Han called, looking up at him with worry in his eyes.

Nitocirs grabbed Xing Han's chin and kissed him deeply, his hands already busy undressing his puppy. Xing Han shivered, his desire rising under the loving touch of his beloved, who was being more passionate and rougher than usual.