Jayjay POV
Keifer didn't ask where we were going.
He just drove.
"Turn left here," I said.
He did.
The road narrowed. The noise faded. The city slowly gave way to something older—quiet, guarded, almost forgotten.
I felt their eyes on me.
Questions forming.
No one dared to ask.
"Slow down," I added. "The gate's ahead."
The car stopped.
The silence that followed was loud.
Everyone stared.
Tall iron gates.
A wide estate hidden behind trees.
Old, but untouched. Like time respected this place.
Hex was already out of the car.
He walked forward without hesitation, pushed the gate open, and stepped inside like he belonged.
Because he did.
I followed.
The others hesitated… then came in too.
Inside the house, Hex kicked off his shoes and dropped onto the couch like it was routine. Like he'd done it a thousand times.
Comfortable. Familiar.
"What is this place?" someone finally asked.
Hex glanced up.
"My house."
Keifer frowned. "Yours?"
Hex corrected calmly, "Ours."
That single word made my chest tighten.
"You can sit anywhere," Hex added casually. "Just don't break anything."
I didn't stay.
I went upstairs and called the caretaker.
When I came back down with her, Hex was already running.
"Auntie Katherine!"
He hugged her tightly.
"I missed you," he muttered. "They wouldn't let me come here."
Her eyes softened immediately.
"Oh, my dear boy… I missed you too."
She checked his bruises, her face darkening.
"I'm fine," Hex said quickly. "Jayjay handled it."
All eyes turned to me.
I ignored them.
"So…" David said slowly, "you own this place?"
Hex shrugged. "Not just this."
Keifer blinked. "Not just… here?"
Hex smiled. "Old assets. Complicated story."
I checked the time on my phone.
"We need to go," I said.
Keifer turned. "You're leaving him here?"
"With Katherine," I replied. "I can't take him back there."
Hex crossed his arms. "And I'm not going back."
Ci-N tilted his head. "Won't you be bored?"
Hex looked genuinely offended.
"Do you know what's in this house?"
No one answered.
"I could give you a tour," Hex offered.
I checked the time again.
"We skipped school," I said. "If we stay longer, we're done for."
The mood shifted.
"We'll come tomorrow," Keifer said after a moment.
Everyone looked at him.
Hex smiled. "Promise?"
"Promise," they all said.
Hex turned to me. "Bring them."
"I will."
Before we left, Hex walked over to Keifer and climbed onto the couch so he could match his height.
"I still don't know your names."
"Keifer Watson," Keifer said.
"Ci-N."
"Yuri."
"David."
Others followed.
Hex nodded seriously.
"Nice to meet you."
Then he leaned closer to Keifer and whispered something into his ear.
Keifer stiffened.
He looked at me—confused.
Hex grinned and gave him a high five.
"What did he say?" Yuri asked.
Hex ignored him and casually ruffled Keifer's hair.
Keifer froze.
Everyone laughed.
"Bye, Keifer," Hex said. "See you soon."
Then he turned and went upstairs.
"That's enough," I said. "Go home."
They listened.
Outside, Keifer drove.
I gave directions.
He didn't question them.
When we reached my place, he stopped the car.
"Get some rest," he said quietly.
I nodded. "Thanks for today."
He watched me for a second longer than necessary.
Then I got out.
As the car drove away, I looked back at the road once more.
A house no one knew.
A boy no one understood.
And a promise I wasn't sure I was ready to keep.