How had someone like Mel ever came into his life? Caden had done so much to the guy in the past and yet Mel never once raised his voice or showed him the door. He couldn't thank the male enough. Even now the older male didn't tell him to stop or to shut up. Not once had he raised his hand to him - ever. He just... He didn't know what to say. His eyes raised to meet Mel's again when he started wiping his tears away, but it wasn't worth it right now. The quiet sniffs had been hard to achieve to begin with, but he was a master at them now and there was no way Caden would tell him anything more about his dad and what went on behind the closed doors... it wasn't anything sexual, but he knew Mel would have something to say about it. The poor man had already learned enough for one day and Caden felt horrible for spilling everything out to him. He'd originally came to apologise, not make things worse.<br/><br/>'Caden' Mel's voice sounded lost and the tone was more gentle from his usual - if that was even possible. But when he asked if he wanted to leave, his eyes dropped a little and his head nodded slightly. Wanting to leave was an understatement. Caden wanted to vanish. He wanted the ground to crumble and swallow him whole. But he knew it wouldn't happen. But as Mel went on, Caden couldn't see his parents allowing him to just walk out of the company and leave. He leaned his back against the chair and rubbed at his eyes again with the palms of his hands and lightly shook his head. "I don't know how any of that would work Mel... my parents would flip and the police would probably get involved" but Caden was an adult now... would the police be able to do anything if he suddenly left on his own accord? now that he thought about it, he wasn't sure. But he didn't want Mel's job to be hit or mixed up with his mess. But as the reassuring hand started running through his hair again, it seemed to ease him further.<br/><br/>"You've already done a lot for me... I'd feel like I was taking advantage of you. I can't thank you enough already as it is Mel" he said honestly. "I'm sorry... Anyone else would've cast me out by now" But not Mel... He didn't understand what the male seen in him, but he was glad he had someone like Mel looking out for him. His parents couldn't do anything worse to him... It was just living through it that was the challenge.<br/><br/>He kept his eyes focused on Mel's expression and found himself wrapping his arms back around his neck, holding him close again and gently taking in his scent. He smelled of coffee, but it was a scent he loved. He didn't know what Mel had been through or why he was so understanding, but thank god... "I don't what to say. I just don't want you to get wrapped up in my family drama..." he said quietly. "But I will... I will spend some time away from them and I won't sleep around anymore" Chris would probably be a little annoyed with the lack of teasing, but it had already been a month... but where did that leave Mel and Caden now? Nobody knew this much information about him.<br/><br/>He drew back and felt the weight completely lift from his shoulders. He knew Mel would probably feel heavy... "C-can I work the shift for you? I'm smart enough this time right?" he said gesturing at his own clothes with a small chuckle to lighten the mood a little. "I think we've been off the floor long enough... and if it makes you less worried, I'll give you my number" he was surprised Chris hadn't given it to Mel already during his absence. Then again, maybe he felt like Caden would be mad if his personal number got passed around? "You're okay right? I mean... with the information?" he knew worry and stress could make it difficult to work, and Mel already had enoigh to worry about with a business to run. "I am sorry... and thank you for listening" but he felt a little pathetic because of it. Besides... What parent didn't hit their kid? wasn't it normal?.