LOGINI stared at the phone for half a second, then at Lucian, who was already watching me. My grip tightened slightly around the device before I brought it back to my ear.“Melinda?”Silence stretched for a moment.“…Ezran?” Her voice was too weak.My brows pulled together immediately. “Yeah. What’s wrong?”There was metallic noise and shouting in the background. “I…” her voice broke. “I think… there’s been an accident—”My heart dropped.“What?” I straightened fully, my chair scraping loudly against the floor. “Melinda, what do you mean accident? Where are you?”“I’m at…” her breath hitched. “I don’t even know, I… there was a car—”The line crackled and my heart skipped even more.“Melinda!”“I’m bleeding,” she whispered.Everything in me went cold.“Stay on the line,” I said quickly, already moving. “Don’t hang up. Can you hear me? Melinda, answer me.”“I’m here…”Her voice was fading very fast. Shit. “Where are you?” I demanded, grabbing my jacket without even realizing it. “Look arou
EZRAN’S POVI woke up slowly, numbness and tiredness registering in my body, like my body had returned before my mind did. I frowned slightly, eyes still closed as I shifted under the sheets.For a second, I just lay there, then the events of last night came rushing back. My eyes snapped open.I stared up at the ceiling, unmoving, my heart slamming against my ribs.“Do you want me to stop?”My fingers twitched slightly against the sheets.“Don’t stop, Lucian.”I exhaled slowly, dragging a hand over my face.What the hell was that? No, what the hell did I say to Lucian? Worse, he just smiled and asked me to go to bed.Geez… I'm losing my mind.I turned my head lazily, squinting at the clock on the bedside table. 11:08 AM.“Shit.” I cussed under my breath and sat up abruptly, the blanket slipping off my body as reality crashed in—I had morning lectures by 9:00 AM and had already missed them.Grabbing my phone quickly, I scrolled through the missed notifications, calls and messages, win
EZRAN’S POVI didn't move. For a second, I stood frozen, staring at the jets lined up before me, my mind trying to catch up with what I was seeing.“This is an airstrip,” I said slowly.Lucian didn’t respond immediately. He stepped forward instead, his gaze fixed ahead like this was the most normal thing in the world.“Obviously,” he said.I turned to him, brows knitting together. “Then why are we here?”He glanced at me briefly, then back ahead. “We’re not done yet.”I exhaled quietly, running a hand through my hair as I followed him forward.The closer we got, the more real it felt—the hum of engines, the faint scent of fuel in the air and the low murmur of voices from staff moving efficiently around, pressed in at once.This wasn’t just for show, it was real.A man approached us, dressed in a fitted suit, posture straight.“Sir.”Lucian nodded once. “Is everything ready?”“Yes, sir. We’ll be cleared for takeoff in five minutes.”Five minutes? What was happening? I blinked in confu
EZRAN’S POVLucian walked away like nothing had just happened, and I stood there for a moment longer than necessary, staring at the door he had just walked through.“A date.”The word lingered in my head longer than it should have. I exhaled slowly and dropped back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.What did that even mean?….I didn’t get an answer or any sleep that night. By the time I finally drifted off, it felt like I had only just closed my eyes when a knock resounded in my ears.I frowned, shifting slightly.“Master Ezran?”I groaned under my breath, pulling the blanket slightly over my head.“Master Ezran, Mister Lucian said I should wake you.”I froze. Slowly, I pulled the blanket down.“What time is it?” I muttered, rubbing my eyes slightly.A slightly chubby maid walked in, flashing me a soft smile.“It’s seven-thirty, sir.”It was way too early. Why was Lucian bent on making me lose my mind?“Why?” I asked, my voice still thick with sleep.She gave me a confused look
EZRAN’S POVThe screen didn’t change immediately. That was the worst part.My face stared back at me from above, clearer than I wanted it to be. Every angle was amplified beyond words. The crowd reacted instantly. A wave of screams erupted and I froze. Beside me, Erik let out a strangled sound. “Oh my God—”I couldn’t hear the rest, or maybe I just didn’t process it. My chest felt tight, like the air had thickened around me. My fingers curled slightly against the armrest as I stared up at the screen, unable to look away.This was too much.“Ezran,” Erik said again, his voice closer now. “We should—”“I know.” I cut in. My voice came out quieter than I expected.The screen finally shifted, cutting back to the stage, but it didn’t matter. The damage was already done. People around us were already turning, glancing and whispering. Some were subtle about it. Others weren’t.I stood up. “We’re leaving.”Erik didn’t argue. For once, he didn’t say anything dramatic or unnecessary. He just
EZRAN’S POVSaturday came faster than expected. It felt like I had just hung up the call with Erik, just stared at the ticket in my hand, and now—It was already here.I stood in front of the mirror for a second longer than necessary, adjusting the collar of my shirt before stepping back slightly. Quickly grabbing my phone, I hesitated for a brief second, then slipped it into my pocket before heading out.….Erik was already outside. Dressed, ready and visibly holding himself together by a thread.“You’re late,” he said immediately the moment he saw me.“I’m not.” I mumbled, staring at my wristwatch. “This is quarter past eleven.”“It’s a thirty minute drive from here. We'll be pretty late by the time we arrive.”“We won't.” I answered in defiance.He stared at me for a second, like he was debating whether to argue further, then shook his head.“Forget it. Let’s just go before I start overthinking this.”“You already are.” “Shut up.”I almost smiled.We walked into the garage and I pic
A dozen eyes turned toward me and I paled instantly.I choked. I just choked because of Lucian's statement! “Are you okay?” Mom asked, leaning closer to my seat.“I—I’m fine,” I said, gulping down a full glass of water.Gawd, this is so embarrassing.“You don't look fine.” “I am.”The silence str
EZRAN’S POVBreakfast the next morning felt like a mistake the moment I stepped into the dining room.I should have stayed in my room or better still, I should have skipped it.Lucian was already seated, looking calm and composed like always. Like nothing had happened. My chest tightened slightly
EZRAN’S POVThe day my grounding ended didn’t feel as dramatic as I thought it would. There was no grand announcement or advice or admonition from anybody. I had expected to hear an earful from Robert or even get a cold look from Lucian but I got nothing.I woke up, checked my phone, stared at the
I didn’t answer him. For a second, I couldn’t.My brain stalled completely. Like everything inside me had just short-circuited at once.Did he just ask me that? Yes, he did.And did I find it hot? Yes, I did.I could swear I was gradually losing my sanity. I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry.







