CAL
We arrived at Blackwood Estate just as the night was getting late. I quickly turned off the engine and got out of the car, hurriedly opening the passenger door. Sera was still asleep on Damon's lap. Her face was calm, but her body looked weak.
“That's enough for tonight,” I said as I looked at him with a firm but gentle tone. “You need your rest too.”
Damon looked at me with a flat expression. “I'm going back to the bar. My bike's still there.”
I sighed, feeling tired of Damon's stubbornness. “I'll send someone to get your bike. Go home and rest.”
“I can take care of myself,” Damon retorted, a defensive tone in his voice.
“Not tonigh
SERAI woke up to a throbbing headache. The clock read three in the morning, and the room felt cold despite the thick blanket wrapped around me. I slowly got up, realizing my clothes had changed into a short t-shirt and gray sweatpants. No time to dwell on that—my head was pounding, and I needed something to take the edge off.Carefully, I made my way downstairs. The house was quiet, the same atmosphere every time I woke up at this hour. As I approached the kitchen, the warm glow of a yellow lamp could be seen shining through the crack in the door.I peeked inside, wondering who was still up at this hour.Cal was sitting at the kitchen table, his shoulders slumped slightly. From here I could see him twirling a spoon between his fingers. “Cal?” I called softly.
BECKI woke up with a pounding head, like my brain was wrapped in a thick fog. Sunlight slipping through the curtains made me squint. I groaned, dragging a pillow over my face to block out reality for just a few more seconds.Until last night's conversation instantly invaded my memory.Sera. That kiss.Heat rushed to my cheeks as I rolled over and stared at the ceiling, trying to steady my breath. What was I even thinking last night? My words, my actions … everything felt so mortifying now. I almost never drink because I know how easily I get drunk, and look what happened. This was all Damon’s fault!I rubbed my face, trying to shake off the shame. My heart beat faster as images of Sera's face appeared in my mind—her faint expre
SERAThis morning, I woke up later than usual. My eyes were still heavy, but a mixed feeling of relief and confusion came over me.I needed to talk to Damon.But before that, I had to discuss something with Reggie.With slow steps, I made my way to Reggie's room which was located at the far end of the left wing. I knocked on the slightly open door, and Reggie, who was sitting on the leather sofa busy with his cell phone, looked up as soon as he heard the knock.With a big smile, he chirped, “Well, well, Sera! Late riser today, huh? Did you have a wild night?”I smiled a little, although I was a little nervous about Reggie's question which seemed more like a joke. “Let’s just say
BECKI was standing in front of the library door, taking a deep breath before knocking. My fingers felt stiff, and my head was filled with worry. What if I said the wrong thing? What if Sera got angry? But I had to do this. I couldn't bear to leave things hanging last night.“Just come in,” Sera's voice came from inside, calm and gentle as always.I opened the door, finding her sitting by the large window with an open book on her lap. The sunlight reflected off her hair, making it look like a living painting.“Hey,” I said softly, trying to sound casual.She looked at me, closed her book, and smiled. “Beck? You're already back?”I nodded faintly, still standing at th
CALThe tapping of chess pieces filled the silence of the living room. Ace sat opposite me, his body relaxed, but his gaze sharp as ever. I knew his mind worked faster than his hands.Ace moved his rook with quiet but purposeful movements. On the other hand, I leaned back casually in my chair, letting my gaze drift towards the large glass door that overlooked the backyard.The sound of Sera's laughter rang out, light as the wind touching the leaves. Through the wide window, I watched her step with Beck into the back garden. Beck, as always, looked awkward, but Sera exuded an aura of confidence, her every move feeling so natural.Across the table, Ace's eyes followed them as they began to disappear into the wall. His expression was flat, but there was a sharp glint that was hard to ignore.&nbs
ACEThat morning, the sun was shining brighter than usual, as if trying to interfere in this family's complicated affairs. The tennis court behind the estate was way too fancy—green fences, perfect white lines, and a small spectator stand that, surprise surprise, was totally empty. This kind of game didn’t attract anyone except us—the players. But I was not here to capture the audience's attention, I had a more specific target in mind.I twirled the racket in my hand, standing at the side of the tennis court in a relaxed manner. Cal, as always, was in good spirits. Last night I had overheard him almost begging Beck to come play. Cal was trying too hard to bring us together who clearly didn't want to be together.However, what really caught my attention was Damon. I hadn’t seen him since that night—since he c
DAMONI leaned against the net post, enjoying the brief respite after the first game. Ace, with that annoying winning smile, was clearly satisfied. But I didn't care about this game. I knew he was just trying to provoke me, especially with what he said about Sera. But I knew, he also didn't know what was in my head... or what was between me and Sera.My eyes followed Sera's approaching movements. Her slender legs stepped gracefully, her white dress swayed lightly, as if the whole world stopped spinning and there was only her. That face full of curiosity—oh, she had something to say, didn’t she?I gave her a lopsided smile, a smile that I knew would make her curious. “Something on your mind, princess?” My voice was low, teasing, carrying just the right edge of challenge.
SERAAfter Damon left with a sardonic smile still in my mind, I looked over to Ace who was being handled by Cal. Beck was standing not far away holding his racket. Instantly, I felt worry creep into my chest, even though I knew Ace was a strong person. I tried to suppress the annoyance that was still bubbling up, and focus on this situation.I knelt down beside Ace who was still sitting on the field, clutching his ankle which was starting to swell. His facial expression was a mixture of pain and annoyance that he tried to hide behind a faint smile.“Ace, are you okay?” I asked, even though he clearly wasn't.Cal crouched on Ace’s other side, his hands moving efficiently as he examined the injury. “It’s not a fracture, but it looks like a sprain. We need to get him to his room and ice it.”I nodded. “Should I call a doctor?”Cal let out a small laugh, glancing up at me. “Sera, I’m a doctor, remember?”Oh. Right. Feeling slightly foolish, I just nodded again, more seriously this time. “
SERAAfter Grant left, taking his ambitious ideas with him, I was about to refill my tea when I noticed something out the front window. Something mildly alarming. Or mildly hilarious. Or both.Ace was standing in the driveway—sleeves rolled up, jaw clenched, looking like a man on the brink of a very controlled meltdown. Beside him, Beck sat behind the wheel of a car that I’d known, since their arrival, would end up being Beck’s. And from the way Beck gripped the steering wheel like it was a giant paintbrush, I knew this was going to be entertaining.I stepped outside, leaning against the doorframe, secretly wondering how long Ace could last before losing it.“Brake’s on the left, Beckett,” Ace said flatly, the use of Beckett and that tone suggesting his patience was hanging by 12%.Beck nodded, fully committed—and promptly stomped on the pedal, launching the car forward like a wild horse out of its stable. Ace jumped to the side with a sharp curse. “That’s the gas, you idiot!”Beck p
SERAI was on my third email, fourth sip of cold coffee, and possibly my hundredth sigh when a knock landed on my door—soft, polite, but too familiar to ignore.Before I could say anything, the door creaked open just enough to let Cal’s head peek through.“Hey,” he said, a little grin on his face. I automatically stood up. "Cal? What are you—"“Tell me you haven’t eaten.”I blinked. “Is that a trick question?”He opened the door wider, revealing a brown paper bag in one hand. “Didn’t think so.”“You’re ridiculous.”“And you’re predictable.”He walked in, and the smell hit me before he even sat down: grilled chicken, something spicy. My stomach betrayed me with a growl.“God, that smells unfairly good,” kataku, menyusulnya duduk di sofa.He set the bag on the table, pulled out a container, then handed me a fork like this was some scheduled meeting on my calendar. “Eat first. You can hate me later.”I gave him a look. “I don’t hate you.”“Not even a little?”I tried not to smile. Faile
ACEI didn’t know who started it. But the second our lips met again, I stopped thinking.This kiss was deeper—bolder. Her breath hitched, and her body shifted a little in my lap, like she was trying to find a more comfortable position … or maybe something closer. Something more.I let out a quiet sigh as my fingers slipped under the collar of her pajama shirt, brushing against her warm skin. She tensed for a second, but didn’t pull away. Instead, she reached up, grabbed the back of my neck, and kissed me harder. Her lips demanding, her tongue tracing mine in a rhythm that made my thoughts go static.My sanity was almost gone.She moved again—arched her hips, sliding in closer. Her knees were braced beside my waist now, bodies aligned. Her chest pressed to mine, her stomach against me. I could feel her heartbeat, wild and uneven.My hand slipped under her shirt, finding the smooth line of her back. I traced her spine slowly, deliberately.And yeah—I’d been hard for a while now.She kne
ACEI set my alarm for 2:40. Three nights in a row. Not because I had insomnia. I just … needed to make sure of something.The first night, I just sat here. Nothing happened.The second night, I made chamomile tea. Still nothing.The third night—tonight—I sat on the old leather couch facing the door, turned on the dim reading lamp, and opened a book I wasn’t really reading. The tea I made was still steaming on the little side table next to me. Two cups. I didn’t even drink tea, but I kept putting it there. Some kind of ritual I made up for myself. The reading lamp cast a soft glow, lighting up a random stack of books I picked just to make it look like I was reading. And the door … I left it open. Just a crack. Just enough for someone walking by to see the light inside. Just enough to be a quiet invitation.Until I finally heard it—the bedroom door creaking open, then light footsteps in the hallway at 3 a.m.And there she was.Sera stood in the library doorway. Her hair was messily ti
SERA“For you, I would.”I froze. Breath catching. Before I could say anything, he turned back to the screen—as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t just dropped a line that made my heart skip a whole damn beat.A few minutes passed in a comfortable silence, until suddenly, I heard him speak softly. “Thank you.”I frowned and turned a little. “For what?”He didn’t look at me right away. His eyes were still on the screen, like he was trying to find the right words. “For not asking.”And just like that, the mood shifted. I knew what he meant. That scar I saw at the gym. But it wasn’t just that. It was the way he said it. The way his shoulders tensed, the way his breathing slowed—controlled. Cal, who was usually so gentle and relaxed, now felt … intense.“Because I know what that feels like,” I said softly.He finally looked at me. Our eyes met, and this time, neither of us looked away. His eyes were darker than usual, like they were holding in way more than he’d ever say out loud.I
SERAThe moment Beck disappeared past the door, I knew Ace would go right after him. His shoulders were stiff, his jaw clenched like someone holding back a whole ocean of rage.Before he could leave, I grabbed his hand. “Come here,” I said softly, pulling him closer and giving him a quick kiss on the lips—gentle, light, just enough to cut through the tension between us.“I know you can handle this,” I whispered, still close enough to feel his breath. “I trust you, Ace.”For a second, something in his eyes softened. Just for a second. His gaze stayed sharp, still like Ace's—never fully readable. “I’ll be good. Because you
BECKToday, the first class after the announcement felt heavier than usual. Not because of the material, but because my chest felt … tight. Like Reggie didn’t just leave behind a legacy, but also left a weight way too big for me to carry.Legacy. It sounds like a gift, right? But it feels more like a curse. Like a crown of thorns handed to us not out of hope, but as a reminder that we’re never really free. That now we all have something we’re supposed to protect.And the truth was … I still didn’t know what it means to be a Blackwood. Even I was not sure I deserved to carry that name.My steps were heavy as I crossed to the pavilion to grab my favorite leather jacket. The plan was to grab my stuff and leave with Ace. We were supposed to go driving.Yeah, Ace insisted on teaching me how to drive. He said, “A grown man who can’t drive is embarrassing. What, you think you’ll survive an emergency driving with crayons?”Which was dumb. I didn’t even use crayons. (Anymore.)Then I heard so
SERAI never questioned Reggie's decisions.He must had his reasons.That was the line I kept replaying in my head, like some mantra, every time that stubborn old man made a decision I couldn’t fully accept. But today—tonight—that line felt like poison slowly tightening around my chest.I sat at the edge of his bed, right where I always sat whenever we talked. My spot. From there, I could look at him across the room, lounging on that worn-out leather sofa, complaining about corporate politics. I could still feel him there somehow. Like a ghost that refused to leave.My hand clutched a letter. Edward had given each of us—me and the Blackwood brothers—a personal letter from Reggie.The edges were already crumpling under my shaking fingers, but I couldn’t let go. This wasn’t a contract, or some company memo, or a blood-chilling will. It was just a letter. In Reggie’s handwriting, I knew those strokes by heart.I had read it twice. Maybe three times? I wasn’t sure anymore.***Dearest Ser
ACEBy nine in the morning, we were already in Blackwood’s main hall—a place that only ever got used for events like this. The kind where silence is heavy, and everything smells like old money and regret. The sky outside was overcast, shadows of gray-blue light creeping through the tall windows and soaking the room in a cold hue. The Blackwood family portraits lined the walls like judges. Reggie’s was one of the biggest—arms crossed, chest puffed, staring straight at the spot where we were now all seated. It felt like he was still watching. Even from the grave.People had started to arrive—major shareholders, a few board members, and of course, him: interim CEO, Albert Coleman. His smile was stiff, like he knew he was the most unwelcome guest.And then there was us—the four of us. Beck sat to my left, arms crossed, looking like he could walk out at any second. Cal sat perfectly straight, his expression nearly unreadable. Damon, all the way at the end, scanned the room with those dark