Kiss Me Not

-UNEDITED-

Gavin was having lunch with Brione and his father when his mobile phone rang. It was Noah, so he immediately answered the call without bothering to get out of his seat.

The color of his face changed. He was frowning too as he listened on the other line. Brione looked at her husband since he was quiet. She wondered who it was and what it was about for her husband to look so serious.

"What do you want to do, Gavin? How do you want us to proceed on this?" Noah asked on the other line.

There was only silence because Gavin could still not process what he just heard from Noah.

"Gavin, are you still there?" Noah asked.

"Yes, I'm here. I will call you back, Noah. For now, make sure he won't escape. I will deal with him," Gavin answered.

"Alright, I understand. Think more about this, and we will keep watch on uncle Damiel, but you must not keep this hanging far too long, Gavin. It's a difficult time. You have to make a quick decision on how we should proceed," Noah reminded him.

"I know Noah. I will call you back soon. Let me discuss this with Brione and my father first," Gavin whispered weakly.

The call ended, and Brione waited. Lucas looked at Gavin too, waiting for what the call he received was all about. It seemed serious seeing the expression of his son.

Brione held Gavin on his thigh and gently squeezed it since her husband was zoning out. Gavin heaved a sigh and said, "Luo has a confirmed lead on Duncan and his connection to father Damiel."

Brione covered her mouth. It was something they could only suspect but hoping they were mistaken. She could see how downcasted her husband was. The information was too painful for Gavin because uncle Damiel was a real father to him. Their relationship was a solid one as father and son.

She stood up and pulled Gavin for a hug where he could rest his head on her waist.

"Take your time, darling. You can tell us about it later. I'm sure you are too shocked right now," Brione whispered as she gently stroked Gavin's hair, hoping it could console him somehow. She felt so bad for her husband. It also broke her heart that the man they thought had a genuine love for Gavin was involved with Duncan.

SHe did not know the whole story yet. She looked at her father-in-law and liked her; he too was eagerly waiting for Gavin to tell them the entire story.

Gavin heaved a long sigh and gently moved away from Brione's hug.

"Sit down, Sweetheart. I will tell you everything in the private room. Let's finish this lunch first and move there to discuss the thing with Zach and his team. Luo and Noah sent Zach and me all the files. I want you and father to be there while we discuss how we should proceed with the plan with this crucial information."

Brione sat back to her seat, and the three of them finished their lunch in no time. Gavin called on for Zach in his team to discuss things altogether inside the private and confidential meeting room.

The coronation day would be in two days, and he wanted to wrap up things soon, if possible, before starting his duty as King of country B.

As soon as everyone was inside the room, Lucas stayed silent and keenly listened to the discussion. He could not help but feel proud of his son. If only he let Gavin handle things before, then things might end up differently. Oliver might still be alive.

'Cecilia, our son grew up so well even without us two beside him… He's born for this. A ruler.' he mused as if he was talking to his wife. In just a few days, Gavin and the team he chose managed to track Duncan so much.

"I want everyone, with no exception, to be hunted down, all these people who were involved with Duncan. Even those in the highest position or prominent people. I want them all to be busted. They should know that they involved themselves with the wrong man," Gavin stated while looking at the list of Duncan's aid in all aspects.

"The fastest we can execute all of it is in two days, Gavin. That's your coronation day," Zach commented.

"It's okay, Zach, the faster, the better. We must not delay this… That man is a ticking bomb, and I will not let him hurt anyone to make my father suffer," Gavin whispered.

Luca, hearing that, could not contain himself as his eyes welled up with tears. He and Gavin only bonded for more than a year, with him thinking he was Cedric. And yet, his son Gavin was willing to do anything, even if it was him going against the father he grew up with, for him.

He knew it was a hard decision for Gavin, and he could only hope that his son would soon feel better with his decision since he only did what he had to for the better and what was just.

Brione could feel the emotion surging into her father-in-law, who was sitting beside her. She put her hand above his and gently tapped it.

Lucas looked at her and said, "thank you, dear."

"Later, let's have some stress reliever, father. Let's roam around after this. Let me know where you want to go, and I will bring you there. I'm sure you've missed a lot of places here since you've been inside the Palace most of your time," Brione commented with a wink.

"Hmm, let's do that tomorrow. I think Gavin needs you more on his side today, dear." Lucas said with a reassuring smile.

"Hmm, then the three of us relax and chill later. I will prepare a barbecue dinner later in the garden, and let's play some of your favorite board games," Brione suggested.

"Alright. That's a good idea, dear. We are so lucky you are around us. Gavin has a good eye for women!" Lucas complimented, making Brione blushed so hard.

Everything was very intense inside the meeting room, and she just hoped that the father and son could have a breath of some air despite how suffocating and crucial things were going on right now.