Chapter 14
Theo had just closed at his part-time job, the sweet smell of fresh cream clinging to the small cake box in his hands. It was for Elena—his sister. The streets were quiet, save for the occasional hum of passing cars.
Halfway home, he slowed.
Up ahead, in the shadow of a narrow alley, a man was being robbed. One of the thieves turned, eyes sharp under the dim streetlight. "Move on, boy," he barked, flashing the blade in his hand.
Theo's gaze lingered on the victim—wide-eyed, trembling—but then he stepped away. People might call him selfish for it, but he didn't have time to worry about strangers. He had his own battles.
When he reached home, his stomach tightened. The room was a mess—clothes scattered, furniture askew. His mother was frantically trying to put things back in order, while Elena sat curled in a corner, her tiny arms wrapped around her knees.
Theo rushed in. "What happened?"
"I have it under control," his mother said quickly, avoiding his eyes.
He scooped Elena into his arms. "Doesn't look like it," he muttered.
A sharp, angry knock rattled the door. The landlord's voice boomed from outside. "Rita!"
The girl buried her face in Theo's shoulder, trembling at the sound.
"Don't open it," his mother whispered.
But Theo ignored her. He swung the door open to find the short, sour-faced old man glaring up at him.
Before the landlord could speak, Theo pulled some crumpled notes from his pocket and pressed them into the man's hand. "I'll give you the rest in two weeks."
The man eyed him, then grunted. "Fine. Two weeks." He turned and left.
Theo closed the door and set Elena gently on the bed, handing her the cake box. Her eyes lit up the moment she lifted the lid.
"Where did you get the money?" his mother asked quietly.
"I had my boss give me an advance," he replied, already picking up the mess. "It's okay, Mom. I've got this. Go sit with Elena."
She hesitated, then nodded and smiled faintly before joining her daughter.
"I got cake for you too," Theo added, glancing back with a tired smile as he kept cleaning.
---
Carl pulled into the school lot, easing the sleek car into a space near the entrance. When he stepped out and locked it, heads turned. Whispers rippled through the students lingering nearby—Carl Hale, driving himself? That was new.
From the window of his classroom, Theo noticed. His gaze lingered, taking in the sight, but Carl never looked up—their eyes didn't meet. Theo turned away, masking whatever thought had just crossed his mind.
Out in the lot, Gina's voice broke the low chatter. "Wow, we thought you'd been kidnapped."
Carl turned, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Sorry. I just needed some time to myself."
Valerie studied him for a beat. "Are you okay now?"
Carl gave her a small smile.
"Carl Hale without a driver? This is history in the making," Valerie teased, her grin widening.
Carl chuckled under his breath, and the three of them fell into step together, walking into the school as the curious stares followed them down the hall.
---
From his seat by the window, Theo watched the sleek black car glide into the lot. It was impossible not to notice—it wasn't just the car, it was the driver.
Carl Hale.
Theo's brow furrowed. He had never seen him behind the wheel before; there was always a suited driver waiting to open the door for him. But today, Carl stepped out on his own, moving with that quiet confidence people like him didn't even have to practice. He locked the car with a soft click, drawing more stares than any grand entrance could.
For a second, Theo thought their eyes might meet. He waited for it—the glance, the acknowledgment. But Carl didn't look up. Didn't see him.
Theo exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair.A small, sharp twist formed in his chest—part curiosity, part envy. Carl's life was effortless, gilded in ways Theo's could never be.
Still… he found himself looking again, even after Carl had already walked away.