Bondage and Marriage - 81

81

“…I haven’t even brought it up yet,”

“No way, absolutely not.”

Noah really wanted to ask Ian how he could get so close without making a sound. Or maybe I’m just that dull… Plus, his hearing is sharp, it seems he heard the voice of the person on the other end of the phone. With Ian opposing so strongly, James called out Noah’s name while Noah hesitated.

-Noah? Why aren’t you answering?

“Um… I’ll call you back later.”

James noticed that his friend was having trouble talking now, and with a simple, “Okay then…” he hung up the phone. Noah put down the phone and looked up at Ian, who was standing in front of him with arms crossed, rolling his eyes. The reason Ian was opposing so much… perhaps, could it be… jealousy… or something?

Noah had heard several times before from an Omega he was close with at the club complaining. My Sub is an Alpha, so he’s really jealous. No, he doesn’t let me meet my friends at all. In the end, after giving him a good scolding, we agreed to go meet friends together. While saying that, the Omega’s voice clearly showed pride in his lover. He also said that his lover’s jealousy was the same as love for him…

Thinking that Ian might be jealous of James, Noah felt very strange. Before getting married, he had never dated properly, so the situation of someone being jealous because of him was unfamiliar. Noah judged that it was because Ian didn’t know that James was a Beta that he was jealous like this.

“Ian, James isn’t an Alpha, he’s a Beta.”

“Whether he’s an Alpha or Beta, what does it matter? The last time, that tutor, Gabriel or whatever, was an Omega.”

Uh… that’s true… Normally, when an Omega and another Omega meet, there isn’t much caution, but given what happened last time, Noah couldn’t say anything. Looking at Ian, who was very displeased, with his brows furrowed, Noah came up with an idea. Well, not exactly a great idea, but he was just following the method of that Omega who boasted about his lover.

“Then, do you want to go meet my friend together?”

James didn’t come to Noah’s wedding. More accurately, he couldn’t be reached, and since he often couldn’t be contacted, Noah just let it go. It seems he was abroad during that time, so he couldn’t be reached… Ian’s eyes narrowed slightly at Noah’s words.

“Go meet together?”

“Yes… if you don’t want me to go alone…”

Ian’s displeasure seemed to ease considerably upon hearing Noah’s words, and he uncrossed his arms. Noah thought Ian looked somewhat cute.

“Well, if you really want to go together… I’ll tell you when I’m free, so set the date then.”

“Okay.”

While answering Ian, Noah slightly furrowed his brows. Something felt off, listening to Ian’s response gave him a sense of déjà vu… It felt like Ian had made a similar promise to someone else to inform when he was not busy… However, just then, with a knock, Daniel came in with a snack for Noah despite being busy, and Noah forgot about that thought.

Noah finally remembered what that déjà vu was because the phone rang again. When Ian, who had managed to get some simple food from Daniel by complaining that his mouth wasn’t his own, was focusing back on work, Ian looked at Noah as soon as he heard the vibration.

“Is it that guy again? Didn’t you say you’d call later?”

Noah didn’t know when Ian had started calling him “that guy,” but Ian was never polite with titles for almost anyone, so Noah glanced at the phone and shook his head.

“It’s my father.”

At the mention of “father,” Ian turned his gaze away indifferently. Seeing no objection, Noah answered the phone. Earlier, he had said he wouldn’t be disturbed by a phone call. Tenor was pleased to hear Noah’s voice, asked how he was, and quickly got to the point.

-So, when are you planning to come home? I called because there’s been no contact from you.

“Oh…”

Only then did Noah remember that during the last call with Tenor before everything was revealed to Ian, he had promised to visit home with Ian once the date was set. After that, he had forgotten to ask Ian due to the hectic night. But now, they can’t go together anyway. Then Tenor spoke sternly.

-Anyway, Miller is going to be busy with company matters for a while, isn’t he? Wouldn’t it be better if you came alone first?

“Of course… Ian is busy though,”

Noah trailed off, looking at Ian who paid no attention to him while on the phone with James. Ian glanced at him questioningly when his name was mentioned. Tenor encouraged him once more, saying his nephews were waiting, and then hung up.

“What’s going on?”

“Well, there’s something I forgot to mention last time.”

Noah explained that Tenor wanted him to come home, he had promised to come with Ian, and the details of the recent call. Suddenly, a smile appeared on Ian’s lips. Noah was confused, understanding Ian’s smile. Meeting Tenor wouldn’t be a good thing for Ian.

“Aha, no wonder why it happened like that.”

Strangely, work came up suddenly. Noah blinked, not understanding what Ian meant, and Ian kindly explained.

“To summarize, the sudden issue at my company is because of your father.”

“My father… did it on purpose?”

Noah knew Tenor’s feelings towards Ian had soured after nearly being found out last time, but he never imagined Tenor would dislike Ian enough to harm his business. Or rather, he wasn’t sure, but was it because of that F&N acquisition event Alicia mentioned at the Crystal Charity Gala? Since he was already worried about Ian suffering such losses, which was one reason he decided on divorce, Noah looked concerned, and Ian seemed to exude an air of smugness as he spoke.

“Since divorcing you and making your father angry was out of the question, I decided to stir things up a bit differently. He probably suffered some losses from that.”

Noah looked at Ian with a slightly shocked expression.

“Was it because of… the F&N company acquisition…?”

“Oh, you knew. That and a few other things… happened.”

All the worries I’ve had up until now were completely unnecessary. Noah thought. He decided to stop thinking that Ian’s company was suffering because of him. Ian was just… the type to make enemies, and even though he liked Noah, he wasn’t good-natured enough to just let go of his resentment(?) towards Tanner.

Yes, like how it’s widely known that the combination of an Alpha and another Alpha… or an Omega and another Omega as in-laws or parents-in-law isn’t that good, this too was simply a clash between two strong Alphas who couldn’t live quietly. Noah briefly recalled the complaints from people around him about conflicts with their in-laws.

…So, is this kind of thing also a natural conflict that comes with marriage life…? Somehow, it doesn’t seem quite right.

“Anyway, I understand. Tell him we’ll visit together in three days.”

“In three days?”

Noah remembered Daniel lamenting that he would have to work overtime for a whole week. However, Ian, looking triumphant, said three days were enough and turned his attention back to the documents. Noah started to worry about when Tanner and Ian would meet.

That night, even by 10 PM, there was no sign of Ian’s work finishing, so Noah had to return home first. By the time it was almost midnight, Ian still hadn’t come back, and eventually, Noah went to bed alone for the first time since Ian had once run away… or rather, taken a break.

Noah didn’t know when Ian had returned, but when he woke up in the morning, Ian was holding him as usual, though unlike usual, even when Noah tried to wriggle free, Ian didn’t wake up, not even twitching an eyebrow. After some time passed, he did wake up, but it was clear that Ian was more tired than usual.

And after that, for three days, Ian only showed his face briefly in the morning… Finally, on the third day, just as he had promised, Ian finished all his work. If it had been Noah, he would have collapsed from exhaustion by now, but aside from his eyes being a bit bloodshot, Ian seemed fine.

“Aren’t you tired?”

On the way to Frost Street right after finishing work, Noah asked out of genuine curiosity. Ian, who had been looking at his electronic pad, raised an eyebrow arrogantly.

“Compared to when I first took over the company, this wasn’t that hard.”

His relatives had fragmented and ruined the company so much that even after Ian had recovered all the businesses and assets, he had to struggle for a long time. Compared to then, not being able to sleep for three or four hours a day for these three days wasn’t hard for Ian. And every time Ian said something like this, Noah realized how peacefully he had grown up.

“How long can we stay?”

Noah and Ian were heading to Frost Street because Tanner, frustrated that Noah hadn’t visited home even once after three months of marriage, had called them, and also because they were going for the upcoming New Year’s party. Usually, New Year’s parties last quite long. Ian gave a smooth smile to Noah’s question.

“Well, until your father can’t stand it and kicks us out?”

It seemed Ian was definitely going to stir up Tanner. No wonder he agreed so willingly. Noah was a bit worried about Tanner’s high bl00d pressure. But there was always a resident doctor at home…

When the limousine finally arrived at Frost Street, Noah felt a bit strange seeing the familiar landscape of Frost Street after a long time. It felt even stranger entering with Ian. While Ian casually scanned the garden with indifferent eyes, the mansion’s gates opened, and Tanner and other family members came out to greet them. William wasn’t there, but Noah saw his younger brother Benjamin, his sister-in-law Olivia holding a young nephew, and his five-year-old niece hiding behind her mom.

“Noah, it’s been so long.”

Tanner, extremely happy, hugged Noah tightly. It was an affectionate gesture he rarely showed to his sons. After greeting Benjamin, Olivia, and the young nephews, Noah gently nudged Ian, who was already exchanging intense glances with Tanner. Aside from Tanner, this was the first time everyone had seen Ian since the wedding, making this practically their first official meeting.

“Welcome, Ian. I hope you have a pleasant stay.”

Olivia greeted him kindly with a smile. The young niece was too shy, constantly hiding behind Olivia even though her mom told her to greet him. Ian exchanged fairly normal greetings with Olivia and Benjamin and then stood in front of Tanner with a smile. Tanner… openly showed a grumpy face.

“Why come when you must be busy with company work?”

Noah was sure that without the part about “company work,” that was Tanner’s true sentiment. Despite Tanner’s direct attack, Ian remained calm.

“It wasn’t much of a deal, so I had enough time to spare for the New Year’s party. Thank you for your concern, father-in-law.”

Seeing Ian’s face, Noah felt like he could hear Tanner’s bl00d pressure rising. Not just Noah, but Benjamin and Olivia, who had learned about business management but had mostly stepped back since the marriage, looked puzzled at why the atmosphere between the two was so tense.

Noah thought Tanner would lose his temper, but surprisingly, Tanner quickly calmed his anger. What’s going on with him,… has he finally listened to the doctor’s advice to control his temper? Even Tanner showed a kind smile, inviting them inside.

“Oh, by the way, there’s one more guest staying here for the New Year’s party, Noah.”

“A guest…?”

Noah asked back with a slightly anxious feeling due to Tanner’s meaningful tone. Only when they entered the mansion did Noah understand why Tanner looked so triumphant. A man who had just showered, wearing simple clothes with a towel over his shoulder, made an ‘oh’ face upon seeing Noah. Noah was also surprised to see the man.

“James?”

Why is James in our house…? While Noah was confused, James approached with a bright smile calling Noah’s name, and for the first time, a slight crack appeared in Ian’s otherwise calm smile.