THIRD PERSON POV Jeffrey woke up to the scent of something warm and savory. The aroma pulled him from bed, his body was still sluggish but his stomach was fully awake. He padded into the dining room and halted at the sight before him, Ronald had laid out several dishes on the table like it was a Sunday brunch.His stomach clenched with hunger, his mouth already watering.Without a word, Jeffrey made his way into the kitchen. Ronald stood over the counter, finishing up a plate. He looked homely with his shirt sleeves rolled up, hair slightly tousled, and entirely unaware he was being watched.Ronald turned and smiled slightly at Jeffrey. “You’re finally awake.”Jeffrey yawned, dragging himself closer to the island, propping his elbow against it and leaning on his palm as he stared.Ronald chuckled, picked up a slice of chicken and raised it between his fingers, holding it just above Jeffrey’s mouth.Jeffrey opened his mouth lazily and Ronald dropped it in.The flavor hit instantly, i
RONALD The sun had dipped just low enough to throw a golden sheen across the backyard, casting long, lazy shadows over the water. The pool wasn’t overly grand, just a sleek, shallow extension that carved itself out from the slow-moving stream beyond the house. Jeffrey stood at the edge already, bare-chested, his toned body damp with sweat and the sunset light. He dipped a foot into the water and looked back at me with a sly grin, eyes glinting like he was daring me to join him.I didn’t need convincing.I stepped in behind him, the water rushing softly past our calves, then thighs, then our waists as we waded into the center. The water was cool but not biting. It wrapped around us like silk, like it knew our bodies were still buzzing from what happened on the dining table and wanted to soothe us gently.Jeffrey floated back slowly, his arms gliding through the surface as he looked up at the sky. “It’s like we’re nowhere,” he murmured. “like there is no else in the world.”“Just us
THIRD PERSON POVKyla sat with her tablet in hand, stylus tapping lightly as her eyes flicked across the designs being rolled in one by one. Her assistant stood at her side, poised with a clipboard, while the team of junior designers took turns wheeling mannequins forward, each one dressed in their latest concept.The room was bright with natural light filtering through the tall glass windows, reflecting off bolts of silk and stacked mood boards. The space hummed with quiet tension as everyone was waiting for Kyla’s verdict.She nodded at one telling her to change the colours to something brighter, she told the next to add more volume from the knee down, and offered a curt “Raise the waistline” to a third, taking notes on her tablet on each of the designs.So far, so good, until the sixth mannequin rolled up.Kyla blinked.The gown was painfully plain. A limp silhouette, dull fabric choice, no structure, no personality. It wasn’t just uninspired and honestly, it was insulting. After
THIRD PERSON POVKyla woke to the soft rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains. The room was quiet, peaceful even, and for a moment, she lay still, listening to the soft hum of the air conditioning and the faint sound of birds outside.She sat up, stretched, and reached for her phone to check the time. Her schedule was tight today, she had to be at the studio by nine, and there were still a few things left to do. With a deep sigh, she dragged herself into the bathroom.The hot shower helped shake off the last traces of sleep. She stepped out minutes later, drying her skin and going through her routine quickly. Her mind was already sifting through ideas and fashion reports as she pulled on a crisp blouse and skirt. She brushed her hair into a clean style, added light gloss to her lips, and slipped on her heels.She was adjusting her earrings when Connor appeared behind her. Still shirtless and dangerous with that sleepy grin of his.He slid his arms around her waist, his bare
JEFFREYThe question sat heavy on my tongue, lingering in the space between my thoughts and his eyes. I cupped Ronald’s face gently, the tip of my fingers brushing over his skin as I studied every curve of his expression, his cheekbones, the crease of his brows.His brown eyes met mine. Still, beautiful and conflicted.I took a breath.As calmly as I could ask this, I murmured, “Ronald, will you be my boyfriend?”The silence that followed wasn’t chilling, it was loud.His face paled. Not dramatically. Just enough for me to notice. Like I had said something impossible, something ridiculous. And maybe I had.I swallowed hard.Of course it was ridiculous. We were hiding from the world. Pretending to be what we weren’t. Tied together by lust and everything else that shouldn’t have led to this.But I still asked. I still hoped.Maybe we could have something. Even if we kept it buried within us. Even if it had to be our little secret alone for now.I sighed, already regretting it. I started
RONALDI checked the time again.And again.It was the third time in the last five minutes. Probably the hundredth since we left the estate this morning. We’d been on the road for over an hour and a half now, and the longer we drove, the more irritated I got, not because of the drive itself, but because I had absolutely no idea where we were going.Jeffrey, on the other hand, looked completely unbothered. He had both hands on the wheel, sunglasses on, the window cracked open, and that little grin on his face like he was enjoying watching me squirm.I sighed. “Where exactly are you taking us?”He chuckled, like I’d just asked something ridiculous. “Don’t worry,” he said, shaking his head. “You’ll know when we get there. Stop asking.”I leaned back in the seat and exhaled slowly. “You do know abducting me using my own car wouldn’t be a very smart plan. I’d be found easily.”Jeffrey let out a full laugh this time. “Are you scared because you’re not the one driving?”“I think you are pla