[BL] Obsessed with Him, Surrendered to His Voice

Chapter 157: Chapter 157: When Happiness Meets Worry

~Third- POV~

Reynold’s cheeks turned bright pink. He quickly glanced around to make sure no one had overheard them before turning back to Frederick. ”It’s just this once, Daddy!” he protested in a hushed, dramatic whisper.

Frederick chuckled, his expression softening with affection. ”Alright, sweetheart. Just this once.”

Around them, several patrons continued stealing glances at the couple, clearly fascinated by their presence. Frederick, usually known in the business world for his cold and ruthless demeanour, paid no attention to the curious onlookers or the phones occasionally pointed in their direction. His attention remained entirely on Reynold. Noticing a tiny fleck of chocolate on his fiancé’s chin, he reached across the table and gently wiped it away with his thumb.

By the time they finished their desserts, a few pictures of the couple had already begun circulating on social media. Some patrons had posted their sightings online, while gossip pages and entertainment blogs were quick to pick up the news.

One post, in particular, was already attracting attention:

Billionaire Frederick Corvin Spotted on a Romantic Date with His Fiancé, Reynold Blake.

Leaving the dessert lounge, the two continued enjoying their day together.

They visited an exclusive contemporary art gallery, where Frederick quietly arranged to purchase a striking abstract sculpture that had caught Reynold’s attention. From there, they took a leisurely stroll through a private botanical glasshouse, admiring the sprawling orchids and other exotic plants while enjoying some time away from the public eye.

Their next stop was an upscale luxury boutique. Reynold browsed through the collection of designer sunglasses, expensive perfumes, and other accessories, taking his time to explore the different displays.

Frederick stayed close, occasionally asking what caught Reynold’s eye. Together, they picked out a few designer sunglasses and fragrances, choosing some for themselves and others for each other. Frederick quietly instructed the staff to package their selections.

By the time they left, they had picked several new favourites, and Frederick seemed more than pleased with their choices.

Their driver continued taking them around the city as Frederick showed Reynold a few places he thought his fiancé would enjoy. They stopped occasionally to explore, taking their time and making the most of their day together.

While they were on their way to another destination, Frederick’s phone buzzed with a message. It was from Elias.

Elias: We’re at the rooftop lounge on West Avenue. Are you nearby? You and your man should join us if you’re free.

A few seconds later, Elias sent the location.

Frederick glanced at the message before turning towards Reynold. ”Damian and Elias are at a rooftop lounge nearby. They want us to join them for a drink.”

Reynold looked at him with interest. ”Really?”

Frederick nodded. ”They’ve sent the location. It’s a rooftop lounge not too far from here.”

”Are we going?” Reynold asked.

”Only if you want to, sweetheart.”

Reynold smiled. ”Of course. I’d love to.”

Frederick told the driver to head towards the location Elias had sent. Settling back in his seat, he glanced at Reynold, who was quietly enjoying the view outside.

He had been meaning to bring something up all afternoon, but every time he considered it, he found a reason to put it off. Now, with Reynold returning to campus tomorrow, he couldn’t afford to keep postponing the conversation.

There was still so much he hadn’t told him about Eva. Her decision to relocate to New York was one thing, but his own trip to see Lily was another.

Frederick rubbed his thumb against his lower lip, wondering how best to approach it.

He could already imagine Reynold’s reaction. Hearing that Eva was moving to New York might not mean much to him at first. But once Frederick told him that he was also travelling there to see Lily, Reynold might begin to question the coincidence. He could easily start wondering whether the two of them had planned to be in New York together.

They had only just settled their disagreement that morning. Frederick had spent enough time reassuring him that he could be trusted, and the last thing he wanted was to reopen that wound.

For a moment, he considered keeping the information to himself. But he knew Reynold would be even more hurt if he eventually discovered that Frederick had deliberately hidden it from him. He didn’t want to give his fiancé another reason to doubt him, especially when it came to Eva.

Besides, five days wasn’t a short time to be away. Whenever Frederick travelled to New York to see Lily, he usually stayed for several days, sometimes almost a week. He wanted enough time with his daughter to make the long journey worthwhile.

He drew a quiet breath and turned towards Reynold.

”There’s something I forgot to tell you about my conversation with Eva earlier, sweetheart.”

Reynold turned towards him. ”What is it?”

”Eva is moving to New York.”

His brows lifted slightly. ”New York? Is she really quitting modelling?”

”For now, yes,” Frederick replied. ”She told me she’s taking a break from it. She might return to the industry eventually, but she doesn’t want to continue for the time being.”

”Oh.” Reynold nodded, taking in the information.

Frederick paused briefly before continuing. ”There’s something else. I’m also going to New York next week to see Lily.”

The moment he said it, he noticed a subtle change in Reynold’s expression.

”Next week?” Reynold repeated, turning fully towards him.

Frederick nodded. ”Yes. I’ll probably be there for about five days before coming back.”

Reynold didn’t respond immediately. His earlier smile had faded, and he looked at Frederick with a different expression, as though he were trying to process what he’d just heard.

Frederick reached for his hand. ”I wanted to tell you earlier, sweetheart. I didn’t want to keep it from you.”

Reynold lowered his gaze to their joined hands, his thumb moving absently over Frederick’s knuckles. ”Why didn’t you tell me earlier, when we were talking about her?” he asked quietly.

Frederick gave his hand a gentle squeeze. ”I was trying to find the right moment. I didn’t want to interrupt our day together, but I should have told you sooner.”

Reynold remained quiet for a moment before looking up at him. ”So Eva is moving to New York, and you’re also going there next week?”

”Yes, baby. But I’m going to see Lily. You know I usually spend a few days with her whenever I visit.”

”I’m trying to understand,” Reynold replied, his voice softer than before. ”But don’t you think it looks a little strange? She’s moving there, and now you’re going there too.”

Frederick studied his face, understanding exactly what was going through his mind. ”Sweetheart, Eva’s decision to move has nothing to do with my plans. I didn’t even know she was considering New York until we spoke today. And my trip to see Lily was already something I needed to arrange.”

Reynold pressed his lips together, looking away towards the window. ”Are you going to see her while you’re there?”

”Eva?” Frederick asked.

Reynold nodded. ”Yes”

”I have no reason to,” Frederick answered. ”My daughter is the reason I’m going. Whatever Eva decides to do with her life is entirely up to her. I’ve already told her that any chance of meeting Lily will depend on Lily herself.”

Reynold nodded slowly, but his expression remained subdued.

Frederick shifted closer, gently turning his face back towards him. ”Look at me, baby.”

Reynold reluctantly met his eyes.

Frederick held his gaze. ”There’s nothing going on between Eva and me. I thought we had put that behind us.”

”We have,” Reynold replied quickly. ”I’m not saying you still have feelings for her.”

”Then what is it?” Frederick asked.

Reynold hesitated, struggling to put his thoughts into words. ”I just don’t like the idea of you both being in the same city, especially after everything that happened. And now you’re going to be away for five days.”

Frederick’s expression softened. He understood that beneath Reynold’s words was the fear of being left out, of having something happen while he was miles away.

He lifted Reynold’s hand and pressed a kiss against his knuckles.

”It’s only five days, sweetheart. I’ll call you, video-call you, and keep you updated. I won’t even give you a chance to miss me or forget that I’m only in another city for a few days.”

Reynold managed a small smile, trying to act as though everything was fine. ”You better.”

Frederick chuckled softly. ”I promise, baby.”

A few minutes later, the car slowed to a stop outside the rooftop lounge.

”Sir, we’ve arrived,” the driver announced.

Frederick glanced towards the entrance before turning to Reynold, who remained quietly seated beside him, his expression noticeably subdued.

”Daddy, I think I’m tired,” he said quietly, looking at Frederick. ”Can we just go home? Or you can let the driver drop me off first.”

Frederick turned to look at him, his gaze lingering on his face.

Reynold shifted slightly under his stare. ”I know, and I already agreed to your trip. I just suddenly feel tired and need some rest.”

Frederick continued looking at him without saying anything. He knew exactly what was bothering Reynold.

Reynold met his gaze and frowned slightly. ”Don’t look at me like that, Daddy. I just feel tired.”

Frederick held his gaze for another moment before reaching for his phone. He sent a quick message to Damian and Elias, explaining that they wouldn’t be joining them after all.

Once he was done, he turned towards the driver.

”Take us home.”