Chapter 18
Carl took a step after Theo, determined to ask him what was wrong, but a tap on his shoulder made him pause. He turned, expecting Valerie or Gina — instead, his gaze landed on Robert.
It was the first time they'd been this close since that night at the gala.
"Come with me," Robert said quietly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Carl hesitated, every instinct telling him to say no, but something in Robert's expression made him follow. They walked in silence until Robert led him to the empty staircase at the far end of the building. The hum of voices from the hallway faded, replaced by the faint echo of their footsteps.
Robert glanced around, making sure no one was nearby. Then his eyes returned to Carl. "I wanted to talk to you… about what's been going on between us."
Carl shifted uncomfortably, fingers twisting the hem of his shirt. "Okay…"
"It's wrong," Robert said finally, his voice firm but quiet. "It should have never happened. And I'm sorry for allowing it to happen."
Carl's eyes flickered with something—hurt, maybe. "It's okay. It's not like you forced me," he murmured.
Robert exhaled heavily, nodding as if he'd prepared himself for that response but still hated hearing it. His gaze lingered on Carl for a moment longer, an unreadable expression in his eyes. Then he stepped back, gave one last look, and walked away without another word.
Carl stayed there, staring at the empty spot where Robert had stood, feeling a strange, hollow ache settle in his chest.
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Carl walked to the roof but couldn't find Theo.
He decided to wait.
Today, he'd brought homemade food—Grozel had prepared it for him—and he was oddly excited to share it. He set the lunch bag on the table, sat down, and kept glancing toward the door. But no one came.
After a while, he rested his head on the table. Just for a moment, he told himself… but somehow he drifted off.
Down below, Theo was debating with himself.
He hadn't planned on going to the roof at all—he wanted to avoid Carl. Best to end whatever was starting before it even began. He'd never cared to look twice at any girl, let alone a boy, so why couldn't he get yesterday out of his head?
The roof kept tugging at his thoughts until finally, he caved.
I'll just check if he's there, he told himself.
He climbed the last step and stepped out into the sunlight. Carl was there, head resting on folded arms, completely still. Sleeping.
Theo's gaze drifted to the packed lunch bag, then to Carl's face. He lingered on his lips—pink, relaxed. The dream flashed in his mind, quick and vivid, and before he could stop himself, he found his face leaning closer.
Halfway there, he froze.
Shaking himself, he turned sharply to leave… but his foot caught on the lunch bag. The bag toppled, spilling some of its contents onto the floor.
The noise stirred Carl awake. "Theo," he said, lifting his head with a sleepy smile. "You came."
Theo cleared his throat. "Yeah."
Carl stood and walked over, but just then, the bell rang. They both bent down to pick up the bag at the same time—only for their heads to bump together.
"Sorry," Theo muttered.
Carl laughed softly and picked up the bag. "Too bad lunch is over." His eyes lingered on Theo, almost expectant, like he was hoping to hear tomorrow.
But Theo just nodded and turned away.
Carl watched his back as he walked toward the door. Then, just as Theo reached the entrance, he stopped.
"We can do it tomorrow," Theo said quickly before walking off again.
Carl's grin broke wide across his face, and even after Theo was gone, he was still smiling ear to ear.