Cassian let his bathrobe fall to the floor, revealing his toned body. Julian's face flushed a deep, high red—the wine in his system making everything feel dizzy and warm. He was drunk now, both from alcohol and from the heat Cassian radiated.
Cassian slowly unbuttoning Julian's shirt before sliding it off his shoulders. His gaze darkened with desire as his eyes roamed over Julian's smooth, white skin—soft and flawless, like porcelain soaked in moonlight.
His fingers traced along Julian's chest, light but deliberate. Julian's breath hitched, coming in quicker now. His body burned under every touch.
Cassian (low and intimate): "Have you ever slept with any girl or boy?"
Julian, flustered and shy, avoided his eyes. His face was red as he whispered,
Julian: "Nope…"
Cassian smiled, the corners of his lips curling with amusement and hunger. He cupped Julian's face with one hand.
Cassian: "What about a kiss?"
Julian gently shook his head.
Julian: "No…"
Cassian (softly chuckling): "That's why you didn't know how to kiss… I'll teach you."
He leaned in, brushing his lips just above Julian's.
Cassian: "Open your mouth."
Julian obeyed without hesitation.
Cassian's lips pressed against his once more—deeper, slower this time. The kiss grew, igniting the air between them. Heat filled the room, wrapping them in tension, in curiosity, in something dangerously electric.
The soft morning light streamed through the curtains, gently falling across Julian's face. His eyes fluttered open, a dull ache pounding in his head—but it was nothing compared to the soreness in his body.
He slowly sat up, blinking away the sleep. The bed around him was empty—Cassian was already gone.
Julian rubbed his temples, struggling to recall the night before. Some of the memories were hazy, blurred by wine and heat. But as he looked down at himself—at the faint scars, bite marks, and the lingering redness on his skin—it all came rushing back.
He swallowed hard.
Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, his eyes widened.
Only 45 minutes until his exam.
Panic jolted him upright. He grabbed the night robe from the edge of the bed and threw it on, but his belongings were nowhere in sight. A knock came at the door.
An older woman entered with a gentle smile. She carried his phone and wallet in her hands.
"Hello, Mr. Julian. I'm Amara," she said kindly. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."
Julian nodded, his voice still groggy.
Julian: "Hello... Miss Amara."
Amara smiled warmly. "Your clothes are ready. Please take a shower, and breakfast is waiting downstairs."
Julian nodded again, offering a quiet "thank you" as he moved toward the bathroom. Just before he closed the door, he turned back.
Julian: "Miss Amara… where is Mr. Cassian?"
Amara replied gently, "Sir already left for the office."
Julian gave a small nod before stepping into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
After his shower, Julian quickly got dressed and made his way downstairs. Amara greeted him with her usual gentle smile.
Amara: "Mr. Julian, please have a seat. Your breakfast is ready."
Julian shook his head lightly.
Julian: "I'm sorry, I don't have time. Today is my exam."
Just then, Mike entered the room.
Mike: "Good morning, Mr. Julian."
Julian turned at the voice.
Mike stepped forward, calm and composed.
Mike: "Please, eat a little something and hydrate yourself. After breakfast, I'll drive you."
Julian hesitated for a moment before quietly sitting down. His eyes scanned the table—it was filled with delicious food. For a moment, he simply stared, then glanced at his phone. After the exam, he had planned to visit his brother… but a notification caught his eye.
Bank Account: +$5,000,000
His eyes widened in disbelief. He quickly picked up a glass of water, drank it, and took a bite of the sweet bread.
Julian: "I'm done."
Mike looked surprised. He hadn't expected Julian to eat so little. Still, he said nothing.
After breakfast, the two of them got into the car. As Mike drove, his eyes briefly flicked over to Julian—his gaze landing on the fresh scars along Julian's neck. He looked away quickly, his heartbeat picking up.
Mike: "Mr. Julian… after your exam, I'll take you to the doctor for a check-up."
Julian: "I'm fine."
Mike: "It's Mr. Cassian's order."
Julian looked down, his voice soft.
Julian: "Mr. Mike… I want to visit my brother."
Mike's expression changed slightly.
Mike: "Tell me the address."
Julian hesitated, then said quietly:
Julian: "He's in the hospital."
Mike's eyes widened in surprise.
Mike: "…Okay. I'll take you there after your exam."
Julian: "Thanks a lot, Mr. Mike."
Cassian sat in his office, his eyes fixed on the laptop screen. His second secretary stood respectfully in front of the desk, holding a file.
Secretary (politely): "Sir, I've collected all the details you requested."
Cassian didn't look up.
Cassian: "Tell me."
The secretary nodded and began his report.
Secretary: "Mr. Julian is 19 years old. He's currently studying accounting. He has only one younger brother. Their mother passed away two years ago, and their father left them four years ago."
Cassian remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Secretary (continuing): "According to a neighbor, the father—Mr. Jason Hart—abandoned them after learning that James, the younger brother, wasn't his biological son. Their mother had an affair with a colleague from her office. Jason tried to take Julian with him, but Julian refused to leave. He loves his brother too much."
Cassian's fingers stilled. He slowly closed the laptop and finally looked up.
Cassian: "Where is his brother now?"
Secretary: "He's in the hospital, sir. He's had a heart condition since childhood. A surgery is scheduled."
Cassian rose from his seat and walked toward the tall glass wall that overlooked the city. From this height, the streets below looked distant and small, like a world far beneath him.
Cassian: "What about his love life?"
Secretary: "There's no record of him being in any relationship. In college, he's known for working multiple part-time jobs—more than two, even on weekends—to cover his brother's hospital expenses. But he does have a close best friend named Ken, who's always seen with him."
Cassian continued to stare out the window, the weight of silence pressing against the glass.
Cassian (quietly): "Okay. You can go."
The secretary bowed.
Secretary: "Yes, sir."
He turned and left the office, leaving Cassian alone with the city view and his thoughts.
After finishing his exam, Julian stood outside the college gates, waiting for Mike to pick him up. His eyes scanned the road quietly, the summer heat settling over his shoulders.
From a distance, Ken spotted him and called out, breathless.
Ken: "Julian!"
Julian turned around, just as Ken rushed over to him.
Ken (panting slightly): "Julian, I've called you a thousand times! You didn't answer. I even went to the hospital, but I couldn't find you."
Julian (apologetically): "Ken, I'm sorry. I've been busy."
Ken frowned, his expression softening.
Ken: "Why are you the one saying sorry? I should be the one apologizing—for what my mom said."
Julian looked away.
Julian: "It's okay… I should go."
He began to walk past him, but Ken gently grabbed his hand.
Ken: "Let's go to the hospital together. I managed to arrange some money."
Julian shook his head with a small smile.
Julian: "Ken, no need. I already arranged it."
Just then, a sleek car pulled up in front of them with a screech. Mike stepped out, sharp and composed. Without a word, he took Julian's bag from his shoulder.
Mike: "How was your exam?"
Julian: "It was good."
Mike (nodding): "That's good. Let's go. James must be waiting for you."
Julian gave a quick nod. He turned to Ken briefly, then got into the car. Mike followed, shooting Ken a cold, lingering stare before sliding into the driver's seat.
The car sped off, leaving Ken standing alone, confused and silent as he watched them disappear down the street.