ELEOAfter the play date, the new week rolled around, and I immediately noticed how busy everyone was around the house. It was like a never-ending buzz of activity. Crew members were in and out, and I could see mom and dad working hard to get one of the rooms ready for something. I couldn’t quite figure out what was going on, but the mystery made me even more curious.“Hey, what’s this room for?” I asked one of the workers passing by, but he just smiled and shrugged.“Can’t tell you just yet, kiddo!” he said, which only made my curiosity itch even more. I wanted to know!I decided to ask my parents directly later on, but they were both acting a bit secretive and wouldn’t give me a straight answer. “Just wait, Eleo! You’ll find out soon enough,” mom said with a knowing smile, and I was left feeling more confused than before.---One day, things took a turn. I noticed mom and dad getting ready to head out, and I asked them where they were going.“Just out for a bit; we’ll be back soon,”
ELEOAfter we had the best day ever at the beach, Mom and dad gave me even better news. Sometime in the same week, Alora and Martins were coming over to play. I was really excited! After our fun day at the beach, I couldn’t wait to hang out again. Plus, I couldn’t wait to see how my friends would react to my uncle and aunt, Lance and Leilani, who had surprised me with their awesome visits.When they arrived, I saw Alora and Martins standing at the door, their faces lighting up with joy as I swung it open. “Hey, Eleo!” they shouted in unison, and I felt a rush of happiness wash over me.“Hey! Come on in!” I said, pulling them into the house. The moment they stepped into our living room, they immediately froze, taking in the sight of Lance and Leilani relaxing on the couch, chatting.“What? Who are they?” Alora asked curiously, tilting her head slightly.“Those are my uncle and aunt!” I announced proudly. “Lance and Leilani.”They exchanged glances, clearly puzzled. “Wait, your uncle an
LYRONThe day had finally come for Lance and Leilani to head back to the UK. I felt a mix of emotions churning in my stomach as we drove to the airport. It was a bittersweet situation. On one hand, I was sad to see them go, especially after spending such a fantastic couple of weeks together. On the other hand, I knew they had their own lives to get back to, and it was time for them to head home.“Are you sure you guys have everything?” Amil asked as we pulled up to the drop-off area. He looked at them through the rearview mirror, a hint of concern in his eyes.“We’ve got it all! Just that last-minute hug with our favorite uncle and aunt,” Lance joked, throwing an arm around Leilani.I chuckled, still feeling the lump in my throat. “You both better keep in touch. I don’t want you going all radio silent on us!”“Promise we won’t!” Leilani said, a bright smile lighting up her face. “And you can’t forget to call us whenever you guys get married!”The laughter filled the car for a moment u
AMIL“Grandfather was a tyrant and he brought me up in the most terrifying ways possible. Like one time…FLASHBACKI was racing around my room, happily lost in my own world. My toys were everywhere—action figures, cars, and stuffed animals all lined up, ready for a grand battle that only my imagination could conjure up. As a six-year-old kid, my head only thought about such things.I picked up my favorite toy, a plastic dinosaur, and let out a roar. Just as I was about to launch it off my bed, I noticed a strange sound coming from downstairs. It was a weird thumping noise, and I tilted my head to listen better. Why were there so many footsteps?Curiosity got the better of me, and I shuffled to the top of the stairs, peeking down into the living room. What I saw sent a shiver down my spine. A group of men in black suits stood clustered together, whispering and looking way too serious for my liking. They were kind of intimidating, but I couldn't help but feel a little curious. I’d never
AMIL“I screamed over and over for my mother and my sisters but they never came.”So, I was still confused when they brought me to this totally new place, this massive villa that felt more like a fortress than a home.My heart pounded as I sat on the cold floor of this unfamiliar room, tears streaming down my cheeks. I didn’t know what was happening! All I wanted was to go back home—to my mom, my sisters, and the life I knew.But then there was my grandfather, the man who led me here. He was watching me closely, his eyes sharp and unyielding, suddenly snapping into focus. "What’s this?” he asked, his voice cool. “Alpha males don't cry like this when they're small.”His tone made me flinch. Was I… not allowed to cry? He turned to his assistant, this guy who seemed to hover around like a shadow. He had that same eerie vibe as the men in black, the ones who dragged me away from everything familiar.“Do alpha males usually cry when they’re small?” my grandfather demanded, his eyes still o
AMILAfter a few years of all that training, grandfather finally let me go and walking into my family house felt like stepping onto a battlefield—a place that was no longer home, but a reminder of what I lost. The moment I pushed open the door, I was met with the familiar scent of my childhood memories, but today, it felt suffocating.My two sisters—the bubbly Alisa and sweet Amelia—were there, and they rushed to greet me.“Amil! You’re home!” Alisa exclaimed, her voice cheerful and full of warmth. But the moment those words hit my ears, the feeling of joy faded.“Yeah, whatever,” I replied curtly, brushing past them. I was not here for a warm welcome; I had too many feelings swirling inside me that I didn’t know how to sort out. It was all a weakness. Grandfather had said such emotions were useless.In the weeks since I moved in, I felt like a different person. The carefree, cheerful kid I once was faded into some kind of distant memory. Now, I was irritable, standoffish, and anythin
AMIL It was time. After weeks of wrestling with my thoughts and weighing my choices, I finally mustered enough courage to confront my grandfather.I was done being the puppet in this life he’d created for me, and I was ready to do what I wanted instead. Follow my own path—one that involved music and creativity rather than the suffocating business world that he so much wanted me in.The day I walked into his office felt surreal. The walls were lined with portraits of proud family members—all men, of course—each one a testament to the “family legacy” he drummed into me since I could remember. Balancing my nerves, I took a deep breath before knocking on the door.“Enter,” came his stern voice, and I pushed the door open, stepping inside.“Ah, Amil,” he said, glancing up from some paperwork. “What brings you here? Shouldn't you be working?”“Actually, I need to talk to you about something important,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.He leaned back in his chair, looking very muc
LYRONI sat down feeling stunned after Amil had told me everything. Since Amil told me about his experiences growing up under the strict rule of his grandfather. The more he shared, the more it shocked me.I had always viewed his life as one of privilege, believing he was spoiled with wealth and support. But hearing the ton of his struggles made me realize I had a lot to learn about him—and that the shiny exterior didn’t reflect the real story.Seated on the couch, I watched him from the corner of my eye as he scrolled through his phone, a heavy silence settling between us. “You really had it rough, huh?” I finally said, trying to break the melancholy.Amil shrugged, his expression unreadable. “Yeah, you could say that. But it doesn’t really matter. I’m dealing with it.”“Do you… do you think they love you?” I asked tentatively, feeling unsure of how to approach the topic. Part of me still couldn’t comprehend how anyone could not cherish their child.He stared at me for a moment, the
LYRON My eyes widened in surprise. What did he mean by that? His sisters and parents looked just as surprised. “ What do you think you're doing, Amil?” His mother looked at him terrified. “ So now you decide to talk,” he scoffed. “ If you had stood against grandad back then, our family would have been perfect but you couldn't care less what could have happened to me as long as you were secured!” “ A-Amil…” his mom's eyes were teary. “ Just forget about it. I didn't come here to talk about our messed up family,” Amil tried to regain his cool. “ If you won't accept how I feel about Lyron, then it would be in your best interest to find another heir because the moment I'm walking out this door, I'm not longer a Romanov,” Amil wasn't making empty threats. “ Amil,” I whispered. “ Lyron, let's go,” he got to his feet and grabbed me by the hand.“ Amelia, please tell your PA to bring Eleo because we're leaving,” he was really a
LYRON The blonde lady turned out to be Lyron's oldest sister. She finally let go of him and Lyron's other sister came over to meet him. She was the calm one, who seemed to have her feelings put together. “ It's good that you're here. Though, I would have prepared an actual brunch than a judgment table,” she heaved after hugging Amil briefly. “ Amelia, ” their mom called out her name in a reprimanding tone.“ You're going to scare Lyron,” she added. “ But I'm not lying,” she shrugged as she walked back to her seat, followed by Alisa. I, Amil, Eleo and Jason took our seat. “ I did not expect to see the son of McClain family here. What a surprise,” Mr. Charles expressed his surprise. How did he know Jason? “ I'm surprised you know me, sir,” Jason maintained a professional tone. “ Wouldn't it be more surprising if I didn't know members of your family? I've been in this industry for years now, it's only right that I know
LYRON We pulled into one of the largest private estates I've seen… and I've only seen two. I was well aware that Amil came from the wealthiest and most influential family but seeing this display was a reminder of his status. I often forget since he's in the entertainment industry rather than being the pampered heir of the Romanov estate. “ Are you nervous?” Amil asked as he squeezed my hand. “ I wish I could tell you I wasn't,” I kept my eyes on my feet. It wasn't exactly that I lacked self-esteem but that I was becoming awfully aware that I wasn't in Amil's league. “ It's going to be fine so don't worry about how the meet up is going to go. After all, the result would be the same,” he smiled at me. “ I'll try not to think about it too much,” I really needed his reassuring smile. The driver got our door for us and we got down from the car. Eleo who rode in the same car as Jason ran to us. My eyes fell on a stern, middle-aged man who d
LYRON Christmas was soon approaching and as much as I anticipated spending Christmas for the first time with Amil as his partner, I was nervous since we were going to meet his family on Christmas Eve.I forgot to mention that it was Christmas Eve so my nervousness was more than justified. “ You look like you could die at any moment,” Zara sighed as she sat on the bed, watching the maids help me with my outfit for the day. “ You shouldn't be saying such scary things to someone who's already anxious,” I wished she'd stop teasing me. “ That's all the more reason I should tell you how you look because you're too stiff. How are you going to be when you get to his home if you're already this tense?” She got to her feet and walked towards me. She adjusted my tie. “ I knew I should have insisted more or better still forced myself against your will to accompany you both,” she frowned, worried about me. “ I just wanted I and Amil to handle things by o
LYRON “ The question is actually what am I not doing here?” She snapped her fingers confidently. “ I don't think it's weird for me to be in my boyfriend's home,” she beamed. I just knew how much she has been dying to use that. “ That's not even what I meant,” I sighed. I just didn't think he'd come with her or maybe it was more that I had wished he hadn't since I wanted to discuss with him privately. “ Anyway, why are you here late? Did something happen?” She was always so quick to know when something was wrong with me.“ Don't tell me….gasps… did Amil do something?” She hastily assumed. “ I can't believe that's where your mind went first,” I heaved.“ You know he's not like that anymore.” “ Better safe than sorry, you know. You can never be too sure,” she averted her eyes as she said the last part. I knew she meant no harm because it was typical of her to tease and make fun of others but I wasn't exactly in the mood tonight. “ Zar
LYRON “ Are you guys really going to do that? Not to be presumptuous but aren't you worried that his family won't accept you?” Ryan got comfortable in his seat as he sipped from his cup. “ To be honest, I know they won't accept me,” I rested my chin on my hand. “ Are you being for real right now?” Ryan looked more speechless than bothered now. “ It's not like I can lie to myself. Most wealthy families prefer inter-dorminant marriage or whatnot,” I shrugged. “ So what are you going to do if they don't want you with their son? Amil is the heir to the family's wealth so I'm nearly a hundred percent sure that his marriage partner is of relevance to them,” Ryan said. “ If I can't change their mind that I'm the one for their son, then we could just marry anyway without their blessings. Does that count as eloping?” I took my eyes off my drink to ask. “ I don't know how you can be chill about this, not to mention that it's unlike
DYLAN I began high school at one of the most prestigious schools in Italy. This time though, I was known to be from the famous Houghton family. So, I had lots of girls crushing on me when I introduced myself in front of the whole class. I sat down by the window side at the back, feeling everyone's eyes on me. Some of my class mates began approaching me after the first period. Not like I was interested in talking to them, but I didn't snub them either. I started to feel uncomfortable when they began circling me, I excused myself at some point because I was fed up with the unnecessary attention and questions. As I walked out of the class, a girl stood in my way, blocking my path from leaving the classroom. Everyone seemed to not like her for some reason, I snapped my head up at her after she broke the silence. “ You…you were the guy outside the convenience store, right?” she asked, squinting her eyes closely at me. I was so surprised to find her here but also relieved to
DYLAN I was escorted out in two black cars to the arcade as that was where I told them I was heading to. All heads snapped towards his direction as soon as the car pulled into the driveway of the arcade, one of the reasons why he didn't want to be escorted, he would have been doing just fine all by himself. “ You all can wait here, no need to go with me inside, it would draw unnecessary attention and I wouldn't be comfortable with that,” I said to my bodyguards. “ Sorry young master but it's your Mom's order that we follow you wherever it is you're heading to,” one of them spoke up, fueling my anger and the turmoil brewing inside of me. I clenched and unclenched my fist in anger and began to cuss at my Mom. She sure knew that I would find a way to escape her and that was why she had bodyguards following me everywhere. How could he forget how smart and clever she was? After much wondering, I eventually caved in and pretended like I was okay With the idea of them following me
DYLAN It's been a week since I was literally forced to come spend the holidays with my mom. I got out of my room and slowly trudged down the stairs and walked into the dining room to come have breakfast with my mom. “ Good morning, Mom,” I greeted her. As I walked into the dining room. I pulled out a chair and sat down while facing her. “ Good morning, son,” she answered while scrolling through her phone. As soon as she clapped her hands, maids began to emerge with bowls of food in their hands. “ Slept well,” she asked. “ Of course I did, mom,” I began to eat after the maid served me. Some minutes passed before she continued talking again. “ So Dylan, have you thought of the highschool you'd like to attend?” She asked me, which made me to stop eating. What does she mean by that? “ I don't get it, Mom. Beverly of course,” I said while chuckling slightly and resumed eating. She chuckles softly. “ Silly boy,” she muttered to herself and handed a l