LOGINMichael's POVI still couldn't believe this was happening. My house had somehow become a gathering place for all the people currently causing me stress.Fernando was here, Theo was here and a small army of Fernando's bodyguards was somewhere outside.I honestly deserved a fucking medal."Theo, slow down" I said as we made our way to the rooms."I'm walking slowly" he said.I sighed."You're impossible."Theo grinned."Yet here you are helping me" he replied. I narrowed my eyes at him and Theo looked entirely too pleased with himself.One arm was draped around my shoulders while I carefully guided him down the hallway toward my bedroom.I had originally intended to put him in one of the guest rooms. That plan had lasted approximately fifteen seconds because Theo had rejected it immediately."The guest room is too far away" he said."It's literally across the hall" I replied. "What if I need help?" He asked."Then call me" I answered. "What if I can't reach my phone?" He asked. "The
Fernando's POVI was going to kill Theo.As I stood in Michael's living room watching him march toward the front door, I felt a level of irritation that was difficult to describe.Five minutes. That was all I had needed. Five more minutes and Theo would have been the furthest thing from Michael's mind.Instead, the stubborn bastard had somehow dragged himself out of a hospital bed and shown up at Michael's house.Of all the reckless, idiotic things he could have done.Michael reached the front door and opened it. Cold evening air rushed into the house and there Theo was, looking terrible.His face was pale, dark circles sat beneath his eyes. One arm was wrapped in bandages while another bandage disappeared beneath the collar of his shirt.He looked like someone who should have been unconscious in a hospital bed. Beside him stood Roberto, who looked equally exhausted.Michael immediately frowned."Theo!"Theo smiled weakly."Hi.""What are you doing here?" He asked.His tone was full o
Michael’s POVThe moment after I slapped Fernando felt strangely endless. I could still feel the sting in my palm and immediately, regret settled inside my chest.Fernando hadn't deserved some of my anger. He probably did but I qas at a point in my life where I hated violence.I hated becoming the kind of person who solved things with their hands, especially with him.I couldn't keep my eyes off Fernando's face. The red mark on his cheek was already fading but his dark eyes never left mine.I looked away first. I couldn't help it. I suddenly felt exposed, like he had seen something inside me that I didn't want him seeing."Fernando..."My voice came out quieter than I intended but he didn't answer. I rubbed my forehead and took a step backward."I shouldn't have done that" I said but still, nothing came out of his mouth.The silence unnerved me. I had expected him to yell, argue or say something. Instead, he simply stared and somehow that was far more unsettling.I exhaled heavily."
Fernando’s POVThe kitchen felt strangely quiet.The only sounds came from the refrigerator humming softly in the background and the occasional ticking of the clock on the wall.Michael stared at me, still shocked, still trapped between me and the sink. His chest rose and fell a little faster than normal and I hated how much I noticed things like that.I still wanted him so much."Fernando" he started, his voice soundeding tired.Like he had spent the entire day carrying the weight of everyone else's problems and maybe he had.I sighed. The frustration I'd been carrying for weeks settled heavily in my chest."You think I'm lying" I said.Michael folded his arms."I think you're being Fernando" he replied. I almost laughed."What does that mean?""It means you say whatever benefits you" he answered.That one stung, more than I wanted to admit.I looked away briefly then back at him."That's not fair" I said.Michael shook his head."Neither was disappearing for years" he shot back the
Michael’s POVI stood in the kitchen wearing an old T-shirt and sweatpants, staring blankly at the refrigerator while holding a glass of water.My mind felt exhausted and Henry's words kept replaying inside my head.I rubbed my forehead.Maybe I was overthinking things, maybe I wasn't. Either way, my brain refused to stop.I took a sip of water and turned around then immediately walked into one of the cabinet doors I had forgotten was open."Ow!"Pain shot through my head and my hand flew to my forehead, right where I had already been injured earlier."Fantastic."I leaned against the counter as the throbbing became worse. When I pulled my hand away, I saw a small smear of blood."Seriously?"I sighed. Apparently today wasn't finished punishing me.I walked toward the utility drawer and grabbed the first-aid kit.A few minutes later I was standing in front of the kitchen sink trying to inspect the injury through the reflection in the dark window.It wasn't serious, just very annoying.
Theo's POVI hated hospitals, I hated the smell, I hated the white walls and most of all, I hated the fact that I was stuck in one while Fernando Ramirez was somewhere out there breathing freely.My jaw tightened as I stared out the window beside my hospital bed.Normally, I would have appreciated the view but today, all I could think about was Michael.He was out there while I was trapped in this room. The thought alone was enough to make my blood pressure rise.A knock sounded on the door but before I could answer, the doctor walked inside carrying a tablet.The moment I saw him, I already knew what was coming."Theo.""You came here to tell me I can't leave" I said before he could continue talking. The doctor sighed."Because you can't" he said."I can.""You absolutely cannot.""I feel fine" I argued. The doctor looked at me like I was an idiot."You were nearly blown apart.""I've had worse" I said."That doesn't make me feel better."I folded my arms and the movement immediate
Archer’s POV I stood in the middle of the empty café, the scent of roasted coffee beans thick in the air, mingling with the faint tang of cleaning chemicals. My eyes were still fixed on him—Michael. My pulse thundered in my ears. It was as though I had been struck by lightning. All this time, se
Michael’s POVThe morning sun filtered through the towering windows of KAFÉ VERSE, casting a honeyed glow over the copper espresso machines and the glossy tile floor. I had just finished preparing a caramel macchiato layered like golden marble and a delicate lavender tea, the latter steaming light
Fernando’s POV The soft echo of my shoes against the polished marble floor matched the steady, calculated rhythm of my thoughts. I was already dressed in my tailored navy-blue suit, crisp white shirt beneath, and my usual silver cufflinks glinting under the hallway light. The corridors of my man
Fernando’s POV It was a Tuesday morning when the boardroom erupted into flames.The clock on the wall ticked louder than usual as I took my seat at the head of the massive conference table. Thirteen chairs surrounded it, all filled with members of the board, stiff in their tailored suits, their e







