I'LL BURN THE WILSON MANSION DOWN

KAI’S ROOM

Kai sat upright the moment he heard a car pull into the driveway.

His heart slammed against his ribs.

He’s here.

He jumped off the bed, smoothing his oversized hoodie nervously, rushing to the mirror. His cheeks were pale, eyes hollow from hours of waiting, but hope lit them up.

The doorbell rang.

Kai froze.

Downstairs, the door opened.

Leonard stepped in first—tall, composed, unreadable. Behind him stood Jaxon.

“Leo…” Kai breathed, rushing forward and wrapping his arms around him tightly.

Leonard stiffened for half a second, then placed a careful hand on Kai’s back—controlled, distant.

“I missed you,” Kai whispered. His gaze flickered to Jaxon, then he flashed a small smile. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you,” Jaxon winked, climbing the stairs and heading to his room.

They moved into the living room. Kai talked nonstop—about missing him, how empty everything felt. Leonard listened, nodding occasionally, but his eyes kept drifting… to a large framed photo of Jaxon on the wall. In the photo, Jaxon wore a sleek stage outfit, mid-performance, lights catching every line of his body.

Kai noticed.

His fingers tightened around his sleeves.

Leonard stood. “Kai, you need rest. I’ll have food sent up. You need to eat.”

“Only if you stay,” Kai’s face fell.

Leonard hesitated.

“I’ll check on you tomorrow,” he said finally.

“You’re leaving again,” Kai’s eyes filled instantly.

Leonard didn’t answer. He tucked his hands into his pockets and walked out casually.

As he stepped outside, Kai stood at the door watching him leave, his smile gone, replaced by something darker.

Something broken.

Just as he turned to go back inside, another car glided into the parking lot.

Ryu and Vincent stepped out.

“Kai—are you okay? I called you a bunch of times but you didn’t pick up,” Ryu rushed over, worried.

Vincent followed behind.

“I’m okay. I was napping when you called,” Kai smiled, hugging Ryu.

“Phew,” Ryu sighed in relief, hugging him tighter.

Vincent wasn’t convinced.

“You don’t look okay,” he said calmly. “You look… tired.”

Kai chuckled lightly. “I haven’t been doing well, that’s all.”

Ryu pulled back and studied him. “Have you eaten?”

Kai shook his head. “Not really. Wasn’t hungry.”

Ryu frowned. “That’s not like you.”

Before Kai could respond, his phone vibrated.

His heart skipped when he saw the name.

Leonard.

He answered instantly.

“Leo?”

“I hope you’ve eaten,” Leonard’s voice came through—calm, controlled.

Kai swallowed. “Not yet.”

A pause. “I’ll have something sent up.”

“No need. I love Vincent’s cooking,” Kai replied.

The call ended quickly.

Kai turned to Vincent, lips pushing into a pout.

“Vin… please, will you cook for me?”

As if on cue, Vincent and Ryu burst into laughter.

“There’s no need for that,” Jaxon said, appearing with a bright smile. “I cooked dinner tonight.”

The laughter died instantly.

All three froze.

They all knew Jaxon was a terrible cook. Last time he tried, they all had food poisoning for three days.

“Oh,” Ryu said slowly. “Wow.”

They followed Jaxon into the dining room, exchanging silent *help-me* glances.

Jaxon served the food with pride, setting plates down neatly.

Kai took the first bite.

He chewed.

Paused.

Swallowed like his life depended on it.

“Mmm,” he said quickly, forcing a smile. “This is… nice.”

Vincent nodded immediately, chewing far longer than necessary. “Yeah. Very… unique.”

Ryu smiled so hard his cheeks hurt. “You can really taste the effort.”

Jaxon beamed. “Really?”

“Absolutely,” Ryu said, grabbing his water. “So much love in this.”

Kai took another bite, smile stiff but determined. “I missed home-cooked food.”

Vincent nearly choked.

Jaxon laughed softly, clearly pleased.  

“I’m glad you like it.”

They kept eating—slowly, bravely—smiling through every bite.

The things people did… for love.

“Pretty,” Vincent smirked, stealing occasional glances at Jaxon.

Jaxon’s phone rang. He excused himself and stepped away.

He answered.

“You didn’t come,” Bruce’s voice said, hurt.

“Oh, I’m sorry—I forgot. Let’s meet tomorrow instead,” Jaxon replied.

“Tomorrow it is. Dress in purple… wear something sexy,” Bruce said naughtily.

“Sure,” Jaxon smirked and hung up.

NEXT DAY

Jeremy walked down the street—headphones around his neck, hands in pockets, heading to Pride High.

A car sped past, splashing mud across his face. It stopped. The window slid down—revealing Sab’s wicked grin.

“Poor boy,” Sab smirked and drove off.

“Dammit,” Jeremy cussed, gritting his teeth.

He unzipped his bag, pulled out a water bottle, and washed the mud off his face.

He continued walking.

Along the way, three armed men cornered him. Gangsters—deadly ones.

“Out… of… my way,” Jeremy stammered.

A slap sent him to the ground.

He staggered, tasting dust.

His bag landed nearby.

“Please…” he breathed, pushing up slightly. “I told you—I don’t have it yet.”

The second man crouched, gripping his chin. “You’ve been saying that for weeks.”

The third stood watch, gun tucked at his waist, eyes bored.

“You think we like repeating ourselves?” the first snapped. “Patience is running out.”

Jeremy’s hands trembled. “Give me more time. I swear I’ll pay. I just need—”

A hard kick to his side cut him off.

He groaned, curling.

“You have forty-eight hours,” the man said calmly. “If you fail…”

He leaned in.

“We visit your mother.”

Jeremy’s blood ran cold.

“Please don’t,” he whispered. “She has nothing to do with this.”

They laughed.

“That’s how leverage works,” the second man said.

They stepped back and left.

Jeremy swallowed hard. Where was he going to get that kind of money?

PRIDE HIGH  

[Classroom]

Jeremy was late. The teacher wouldn’t let him in—so he stood outside, watching through the window.

The class was silent, everyone focused on the teacher explaining Reproduction.

“I have a question, miss,” Daniel raised his hand.

All heads turned.

“What is it, Daniel?” the teacher sighed.

“I don’t understand a word you’re saying,” Daniel started.

“Why don’t we just practicalize it?” Lionel suggested with a wink.

The class exploded in laughter.

“I don’t mind volunteering,” Pinky smirked mischievously.

Evan scoffed.

“Let’s do it properly—pick one guy and one guy to come up front and demonstrate,” Daniel smiled, facing the teacher.

The teacher fumed.

“No need to pick—I’m volunteering,” Pinky glared at Daniel.

“Shut up, public toilet. No one’s talking to you,” Lionel snapped harshly.

Evan laughed sarcastically.

“I hate you all,” Pinky screamed, storming out with Sab.

“We hate you too, bitch!” the students yelled after them.

Jeremy watched the whole scene from the window, his gaze drifting to Lionel talking to Daniel.

“Cute,” Jeremy muttered under his breath.

CLIFFORD ENTERPRISE

Leonard stepped out of the conference room, doors clicking shut. The hallway was quiet.

He loosened his tie, exhaling, and spotted Noah near the elevators.

“Any updates on Jaxon?” Leonard asked, voice low.

Noah’s expression was serious. “He hasn’t left yet, but word is he’s heading to Bruce’s mansion this afternoon.”

“Bruce’s mansion?” Leonard’s eyes darkened, irritation flashing. “He’s not there yet?”

“No, not yet,” Noah replied. “I’ve got people watching his movements.”

Leonard clenched his fists. The thought of Jaxon meeting Bruce…

WILSON’S MANSION

Jaxon stepped out of his car, head to toe in purple—silk shirt, slim pants, even his nails deep violet. He moved with quiet confidence, fabric catching the afternoon sun. The mansion loomed ahead.

He looked sharp—like a purple prince.

Just as he reached the door, his phone rang. He didn’t want to answer, but he did.

“If you dare meet Bruce, I’ll burn Wilson’s mansion down,” Leonard’s voice came through—husky, deep, hot.

He disconnected.

Jaxon furrowed his brows. Why did that voice have to sound so perfect, elegant… possessive?

He bit his lip, turned back to his car, and left.

TO BE CONTINUED...