Taken by the Mafia ✧⁠*⁠。

Episode 30

A few days had passed since the phones were given, and life for Perth, Santa, Jeff, and Barcode had settled into a sweet, comfortable routine at the mansion. Each morning, their day started with simple yet loving gestures. Jeff, as soon as he woke up, would lean over to give Barcode a gentle peck on the lips, making Barcode blush every time. Meanwhile, in Santa’s room, Perth would pull Santa close, pressing a soft kiss on his lips as they both slowly woke up together, sometimes following it with a playful nudge to get Santa to join him in the shower. Their mornings were filled with affection and quiet moments of happiness that made the whole mansion feel like a peaceful retreat from the outside world.

Every once in a while, the two couples would help out Aunty Mai with chores around the house. Santa and Barcode often assisted her with breakfast, chopping vegetables or washing dishes, their laughter filling the kitchen. Jeff and Perth, though not much for cooking, would step in to lend a hand as well. Jeff would chop vegetables alongside Barcode, while Perth stood next to Santa, helping him prepare meals.

But the kitchen was never without its playful moments. Jeff would often sneak a quick kiss on Barcode's lips, catching his younger partner by surprise, causing Barcode to turn pink as he tried to hide his smile. Perth, not wanting to be outdone, would sneak up behind Santa, wrapping his arms around his waist before placing a tender kiss on his cheek, or even on his lips when Aunty Mai wasn’t looking. Santa would try to brush it off casually, but the blush spreading across his face always gave him away.

Aunty Mai was always there to witness these little moments, her eyes twinkling with delight. She had grown quite fond of teasing the boys, especially seeing how deeply in love Jeff and Perth were with their respective partners. She often commented with a chuckle, "Ah, young love! It's so nice to see you boys finally growing up and learning to love."

Sometimes, she would tease Jeff while they were cooking. "Jeff, I never thought I’d see the day where you’d be so gentle with someone. You’ve changed," she said with a soft laugh, watching as Jeff smiled tenderly at Barcode, who was focused on chopping onions.

Jeff chuckled, giving Barcode another small peck on the temple. "Well, aunty, someone had to come along and teach me how," he replied, making Barcode blush even more.

Perth wasn’t spared from her teasing either. One afternoon, when he kissed Santa in front of her, she shook her head with a playful smile. "Perth, you’ve really found yourself a gem. And look at you, all smitten."

Perth grinned, wrapping an arm around Santa’s shoulders. "I know, Aunty. I’m lucky he even puts up with me," he joked, earning a light nudge from Santa, who was still flushed from the public display of affection.

Aunty Mai smiled warmly at them. "It’s good to see. Jeff’s finally learned to love, and you, Perth, you’ve found someone who loves you for who you really are."

Perth and Jeff exchanged a look, grateful for the peace and happiness they had found. It was a far cry from the danger they had faced only days ago, but in these small moments, surrounded by love and warmth, the darkness of their pasts felt distant. For now, they focused on the joy in front of them—the laughter, the stolen kisses, and the quiet, intimate moments they shared with the people they cared about most.

As the days went on, the bonds between them only grew stronger. There was something comforting about the routine they had created together, and even in the midst of their light-hearted teasing and affection, there was an underlying sense of safety and trust—a shared understanding that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they had each other to lean on.

What none of them knew was that Boss had been silently watching from the shadows, spying on Jeff, Perth, Santa, and Barcode. He had been careful, sneaking around the mansion and the surrounding grounds without getting caught. His movements were subtle and calculated, never leaving a trace behind. From time to time, he would find himself witnessing some of the sweet moments Jeff and Perth shared with their partners. Whenever he saw Jeff stealing a kiss from Barcode or Perth teasing Santa with affection, Boss would scoff in disdain. These tender moments, filled with love and intimacy, left a bitter taste in his mouth as he remained focused on his mission.