Summon

Ethan spent the entire day drifting in and out of sleep. The silence of the mansion was a jarring luxury compared to the screaming halls of Metropolis Prison. He was grateful to Damien ,he knew Damien had saved him but the mystery of Damien’s agenda loomed over him like a shadow, he may be naive but he surely knows that someone like Damien Blackwood wouldn't do anything for free. There was a reason he was considered a ruthless businessman.

His thoughts kept drifting toward the life he’d lost. He was in his final year of business school when his life took a dark turn. He sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers itching for a textbook or even a phone. He was desperate to know what was happening in the outside world was the media still dragging his name through the mud? Was his uncle throwing a victory party? But he had nothing. No phone, no internet, only the four expensive walls of his new cage.

A sharp knock at the door startled him. He scrambled to open it, expecting to see Anna’s kind face. Instead, he was met with a wall of muscle.

A hefty, tall man stood there with a face like a military officer .Ethan looked up at him in awe, feeling incredibly small and vulnerable. The man didn't move an inch; he just stared back with a terrifyingly straight face.

"Master Damien requests your presence downstairs," the man stated.

Before Ethan could even mutter a reply, the man turned on his heel and marched toward the stairs. Ethan stood in shock for a second everyone in this house was massive. It was a constant reminder that he was surrounded by power. He quickly turned to the mirror, adjusting his clothes and smoothing his hair.

Why am I trying to look good? he wondered, his reflection looking back at him with wide, nervous eyes. It’s just Damien Blackwood. But then his chest tightened. But it’s Damien Blackwood. The richest man in the country, and the man who currently holds my life in his hands. He convinced himself his racing heart was just nerves about meeting someone so successful.

As he reached the stairs, Ethan spotted him. Damien was seated on a leather sofa, looking so elegant while reading a newspaper.

Ethan paused, caught in the sight. He knew he wasn't gay, but even as a straight man, he had to admit that Damien Blackwood was a masterpiece. His profile was perfectly sculpted, the sharp jawline, the straight, arrogant nose, the way his dark hair caught the light. He was the kind of beauty that felt dangerous.

Suddenly, the newspaper shifted. Those cold, storm-gray eyes flicked upward making eye contact with Ethan, catching him mid-stare.

Flustered at being caught staring , Ethan’s foot missed the next step. With a startled "Ouch!" he tumbled down the last few stairs, landing squarely on his butt.

Heat rushed to his face. He glanced around, relieved the bodyguards had cleared the room so no one saw his clumsiness. He looked at Damien, expecting a laugh or even a sneer, but to his surprise, the man simply went back to reading his newspaper as if Ethan hadn't even fallen. It was as if he were completely invisible.

"Oh my God! Child, are you okay?"

Anna rushed from the kitchen, her voice full of maternal panic. She hovered over him, ignoring his soft protests that he was fine, and guided him to a chair. Once she was sure he wasn't broken, she turned her fury toward the sofa.

"You!" she scolded, pointing a finger at Damien. "You're such a bully! Why didn't you help him? Explain yourself!"

Ethan watched in awe as the "Living Yama" was scolded like a child. He reached out to grab Anna’s hand, signalling for her to stop. "I’m seriously okay, Anna."

"No! He always does this he ignores people in pain!" she huffed.

Damien’s face hardened. For a second, Ethan feared a snap, but instead, Damien let out a heavy sigh. He dropped the paper, looking at Anna with a gaze that was cold but surprisingly patient.

"Anna, he’s not a child. He’s an adult. He can surely take care of himself. Stop fussing."

"He is a guest!"

"Have you taken your drugs, or are you just here to stress yourself out?" Damien countered. "Ralph!"

The guard from earlier appeared instantly.

"Take Anna to her room and make sure she takes her medication," Damien ordered.

Anna glared at him. "You brat! Don't use my drugs against me. You better treat him well, or else!"

Damien smirked, a wry, obviously playful smile. "Or else what, Anna?"

Anna huffed and followed Ralph out, but she managed one last shout: "Goodnightttttttt, Ethan!"

As she left, the silence that followed was suffocating. Ethan felt his palms get sweaty. He realized Anna must be incredibly close to Damien to talk to him like that. Now that they were alone, his fear returned in full force. He didn't know why he’d been called, so he just kept staring around the room, unable to meet Damien's eyes.

Finally, Damien spoke. "I can see you're looking better."

Ethan managed a small, shaky smile. "Yes, I am. And it’s... it's all thanks to you."

"Hmm." Damien’s fingers began to tap rhythmically on the desk. He turned his head slowly, his gaze pinning Ethan to the chair.

"Don't get too comfortable. You can go back there anytime.”