Before the storm

⸻

“Hurry up, Lu!” The young man dragged the girl deep into the forest, trying to escape the men chasing them.

He stopped at an empty clearing and looked down at the girl he was holding. His dark red eyes stared at her softly.

“Let’s keep going, Dammy. They’re getting closer,” Lu said with a shaking voice.

“It’s too late, Lu. I’m sorry for coming into your life… and for bringing you pain.” He hugged her tightly.

Lu pushed him off gently and looked up at him. Her big blue eyes stared at him with sadness. “Don’t say that. Let’s go—we can make it!” she pleaded, tugging at his hand. But he stood still, gazing at her.

He smiled sadly. A single tear rolled down his cheek. “It’s too late, Lu.”

Before Lu could object, they were surrounded by a group of men. The men looked at them with hatred and disgust.

“You betrayed your kind, and you think you can flee?” one of the men said.

⸻

LUXIAN’S ROOM – Luxian’s POV

I woke up with a pounding headache.

“F**k. Why do I keep having that same dream?” I muttered, rolling my eyes as I got up from the bed and went to wash my face.

The same dream. Over and over since I turned eighteen. Always ending the same way—no resolution, no faces, no closure. Just a blank dream stuck in time.

“Those silly couples,” I said under my breath.

I walked to the sitting room and saw my dad reading a newsletter.

“Good morning, Dad,” I said.

Dad looked up at me and smiled. “Come, son. I have something to tell you.”

“What’s that?”

“I’ve come to a conclusion,” he said gently. “You won’t be going to Roseville. It’s mainly because of your health condition.” His smile faded slightly.

“What? You can’t do that! I’m fine. I can’t just pause my dream because of my health,” I protested, already pissed.

“It’s for your own good. I can’t afford to lose you too. Your health should be your priority, not a job.”

“It’s a one-time opportunity, Dad. The King’s company hardly accepts new employees—you already agreed!” I snapped.

“That was before I found out about your sickness,” he said with a sigh. “The doctor said you need to take care of yourself now. I can’t lose you, son. I already lost your mother to this sickness.” His voice broke slightly, sadness flickering in his eyes.

Since Mom died, he’s been broken, though he tries to act okay—for me. But now that he knows I have the same illness, it’s shattered him. I hate seeing him like this. I wish the doctor had never told him.

“You won’t lose me… but Dad, I can’t lose that job either. Roseville isn’t far. I can go from here, that way you can keep an eye on me,” I offered with a smile.

He chuckled. “You’re so much like your mom.” He gave in with a warm laugh. “Fine. Since you’ll still be here.”

⸻

Later, I went to meet up with Ken—my best friend since we were six.

Ken was already seated at a table with two bottles of beer. He smiled when he saw me. “Bro, you’re late! I was waiting,” he puffed his cheeks.

“Sorry. Something came up.”

He nodded. “Fine, fine. So, when are you moving to Roseville?”

“I’m not moving to Roseville, Ken.”

“What? Why? I thought you applied for a job there?” His eyes widened in surprise.

I chuckled, then explained everything my dad told me—except for the part about my illness. I didn’t want Ken pitying me.

He sighed. “That’ll be stressful for you.”

He brushed his brown hair back—a gesture that matched his eyes—and gave me a sheepish smile. “You can tell me the real reason when you’re ready. Now let’s get high and enjoy ourselves!”

“I’m driving, Ken. You know how alcohol affects me quickly,” I said, watching him pour himself a full cup.

He grinned. “Fine, I’ll drink for both of us—but you’re driving me home.”

I watched him drink as we chatted about random things. I wanted to join in but didn’t want my dad taking my car again. Eventually, I gave in and took the last bottle, hoping it wouldn’t do too much harm.

⸻

After dropping Ken off with his car, I returned to the bar to get mine. As I approached the parking lot, I saw a group of men stepping out of a van with the bar owner, Mr. Wilson, restrained. I hid quickly.

A tall man exited a separate car and walked toward the group. His neatly styled hair, sharp aura, and expensive black tuxedo made him look like a character out of a manga. Everything about him screamed power.

“Hello, Mr. Wilson,” he said with a cold smirk.

“Lord Damien, please forgive me… I’m sorry!” Mr. Wilson pleaded.

Watching Mr. Wilson—a proud man—kneeling before someone younger was strange and disturbing.

Damien bent to meet his eyes and held his chin.

“How confident of you to think you could escape me. Pathetic.”

“I’ll repay everything I took from the investment. Please, don’t kill me,” Wilson begged.

Damien stood and took a document handed to him by one of his men.

“You stole from us and thought you could run? You already know too much, Wilson.”

“I swear, I won’t tell anyone,” he stammered.

“Sign this. I don’t have time for your drama,” Damien said, handing over the paper.

Mr. Wilson glanced at it. “I can’t transfer ownership of my bar to you. This is absurd!”

Damien laughed, running a hand through his hair. “Don’t be greedy, Wilson.” He pulled out a gun. “Sign it now.”

“Sign it my a**!” Wilson shouted, throwing the paper. “I’ve got men ready to expose your secret if you kill me. The world will know what you really are!”

Damien chuckled. “How rude… threatening me?” With a signal, two men—badly beaten—were dragged from the car.

Wilson went pale.

“Are these your men?” Damien asked, smiling. “Tut tut tut…”

He shot them both.

“Sign, or you die next.”

“Fine! I’ll sign, just don’t kill me!”

“You made me kill two people. I’m feeling so bad,” Damien said sarcastically.

Wilson quickly signed and handed the paper back.

“I’ve signed it! Please let me—”

BANG.

Damien pulled the trigger.

“So easy,” he muttered, smiling. “Dispose of them. Clean it up.”

His men obeyed.

Once the bodies were loaded and the scene cleaned, Damien said, “You guys go ahead. I’ll meet you at the office.”

He turned in my direction. My heart skipped.

“Will you come out, or are you waiting for the next act?” he asked.

Shit. He saw me.

“I’m sorry, sir! I didn’t mean to eavesdrop! I swear, I didn’t see anything,” I stammered as I stepped out.

He walked toward me, calm and cold.

“Didn’t your parents teach you not to meddle in others’ business?”

“I’m sorry! Please spare me!”

“How do I know you won’t talk?”

“I didn’t see anything! I was never here. I don’t even know you!” I tried to convince him.

“But I still need to punish you,” he said with a smile. “What should I do with you, boy?”

I frowned. I didn’t like the way he spoke to me. He might be older, but not by much.

“My name is Luxian,” I said, not meeting his gaze.

He chuckled. “You’ve got a sharp mouth. What’s your full name?”

“Luxian Maxwell.”

“Luxian Maxwell… how nice,” he smirked, making my stomach turn.

“I don’t understand,” I said, losing my composure. “What do you want?”

He looked at me, then his phone rang. He checked the ID.

“I guess we’ll talk about your punishment next time,” he said, walking to his car.

I stood frozen, heart racing.

What have I gotten myself into? I exhaled.

“He won’t see me again… right?” I muttered, trying to convince myself.

⸻