𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫 || 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐊𝐰𝐚𝐧

Chapter 11

After taking in the beautiful sunrise, Seungkwan followed Vernon back to the cottage. They had breakfast and made their way through the chores. By mid-morning, Seungkwan was yawning and ready for bed.

“Why don’t you go take a nap?” Vernon suggested as Seungkwan leaned against the stable door. “Everything’s done here.”

He smiled lazily at the alpha. “I guess I could. It’s all this fresh air, makes me feel like Sleeping Beauty.”

Vernon snorted. “A role you were born for.”

Seungkwan wandered back to his bedroom, kicked off his shoes, and climbed under the covers. He felt indescribably happy, though he couldn’t say exactly why. He and Vernon were definitely getting along better. And the alpha didn’t look on the verge of getting drunk out of his mind. They could call the morning a success, even if it had meant sacrificing half a night’s sleep.

Seungkwan was just drifting off when the shrill sound of his phone ringing jerked him awake. He silenced it and peered at the screen. His agent, of course.

“Hey, Stewart.”

“Thomas. Late night?” There was the slightest hint of disapproval in Stewart’s tone.

“Early morning,” he said instead. “Up with the dawn and all that.”

“Well, I hate to interrupt your conversion to country bumpkin, but I need you in the city this afternoon.”

“What is it? An audition?” He felt a spark of excitement at that. Could things be getting back on track so soon?

“There’s a producer in town. Simon Urley. He wants you to have dinner with him.”

Seungkwan knew the name and the reputation that came with it. He wasn’t keen, but he’d have to spin it a certain way to keep Stewart happy.

“Are you sure that’s a good plan for me right now? If we’re seen together, photographed… it could give people the wrong idea.”

The silence on the other end of the phone was a bad sign.

“Stewart?”

“It’s just a quiet, private dinner. You won’t be spotted, you won’t be photographed.”

“But still…”

“Do you want to pull the plug on this?” Stewart demanded. “Is that what you’re telling me, Thomas? If you’re ready to put a pin in your career, then let me know now. I’ll stop wasting all my effort trying to shoot you back into stardom. Whose benefit do you think I’m going to all this trouble for? Christ, it’s just one dinner, Thomas.”

Seungkwan wanted to bury his head under the bedclothes and never come out.

But this was a lifeline Stewart was dangling in front of him.

“Where and when?” he said instead, weariness settling over him.

“The Peony Hotel. Four p.m. Dress up. I’ll send a car.”

“Just dinner, right?” he checked.

“Wine and dine him,” Stewart said. “I’m sure you’ll have him eating out of your hand before you get to dessert.”

They didn’t talk for long after that. Seungkwan tried to ask a few questions about how things were going for his reinvention, but Stewart brushed them off easily.

After that, he didn’t feel much like napping. He tracked Vernon down to the paddock, watching as the alpha worked with Ginny. She seemed more settled as the days passed. Today, she even had a saddle on, and Vernon walked her slowly around the edge of the field.

Seungkwan leaned against the fence and waited for them to reach him.

“Good nap?” Vernon asked with a grin, eyeing Seungkwan’s hair, which he guessed was sticking up every which way.

“Not so much. I’ve got to head back to the city for a few hours. I’ve got a dinner date.”

“Yeah?” Vernon asked. “Someone famous? Anyone I’d know?”

“Just industry stuff,” Seungkwan said, reluctant to tell him more. “Stewart says jump, I ask how high.”

“Do you need a ride?” Vernon offered.

“He’s sending a car. It’s just dinner, so I shouldn’t be back too late.”

Even as he said it, he knew it might not be true. He wished he could call the whole thing off, but that would make Stewart livid. An angry Stewart was not a good thing.

“Are you sure you’re feeling up to it?” Vernon asked suddenly. “You were awake half the night.”

Seungkwan dodged the alpha’s concerned gaze and tried a smile on for size.

“I’ve done much worse on far less sleep. I’ll be fine.” He checked his phone. “I guess I’d better go get ready. The car’ll be here in an hour.”

He turned and walked away, feeling Vernon’s eyes on him. Ginny whinnied loudly, and the low murmur of the alpha’s voice soothed her.

An hour later, Seungkwan was showered and dressed, and hanging around near the door for the car to pick him up.

Vernon gave a low whistle when he saw him. “You clean up well. Going somewhere swanky?”

“Just a hotel. This guy’s in from out of town. I guess he doesn’t like to eat alone.”

Alphas, well-known ones in particular, could be babies like that.

A car pulled up outside.

“That’s my ride,” Seungkwan said, pushing away from the wall.

Vernon stopped him with a hand on his arm, holding out a piece of paper.

“My cell number,” the alpha explained. “Text me yours, yeah? I’m having dinner at the packhouse tonight, I might stay late. Wouldn’t want you coming back to find the cottage all locked up. You’d have to sleep out in the stables.”

Seungkwan pulled out his phone, plugged the alpha’s number in, and sent a text. Vernon’s phone buzzed in his pocket.

“Happy?” Seungkwan asked.

“Ecstatic. Enjoy your dinner. Call me if you need a ride.”

Seungkwan’s stomach sank as he turned toward the waiting car. He wished he could stay there with Vernon, maybe even join him for dinner at the packhouse. Hell, even a day spent mucking out the stalls was better than an evening with Simon Urley.

“Kwan?” Vernon said quietly. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”

He forced a smile on his face and turned to the alpha. “Of course. Need a bit of culture after spending a whole week out here with you.”

Vernon grinned and shook his head. “Get lost, in that case. Don’t keep your dinner date waiting.”

Seungkwan crossed the yard and climbed into the car, greeting the driver. He glanced back once, spotting Vernon still standing in the doorway, watching him. If only he knew.