…a few years ago.
The docked yacht sways gently as the ocean waves crash against its sides. Amidst the lively and crowded deck, I find myself standing, detached from the rowdy end-of-summer bash behind me. Swimsuit-clad individuals navigate their way through the party, occasionally bumping into low-hanging pineapple streamers as they make their way to the bar.
Torches cast a warm glow, illuminating the night.
I tighten my grip on the yacht's railing and direct my gaze towards the dark horizon. My eyes narrow and remain fixated, unblinking.
Only twenty minutes ago, I committed a colossal mistake—one that no
ASHTONWe left the crowded yacht in search of some privacy. As we reached the second deck, we passed a crowded hot tub where Willow was engaged in a lively conversation with her younger sister.I exchanged a quick glance with Willow and nodded towards the next set of steps. She nodded back, silently conveying that we would catch up later.Once Sandro and I were off the yacht, we stood on the wooden dock. The towering boat next to us served as a constant reminder of our privileged background.I never forgot who we were and where we came from.There were no paparazzi in sight, thanks to the private marina. I cracke
ASHTONIn a rush, I hastily slip into a plain green shirt inside a bedroom at the lake house. As I hurriedly dress, my elbow accidentally knocks over a bear-shaped lamp. I react too slowly, unable to catch it in time. The crash of glass meeting the hardwood floor fills the room, and frustration escapes my lips.Knowing there are more pressing matters with my family, a broken lamp seems insignificant. I reassure myself that I can handle it. Squatting down, barefoot, I start picking up the larger pieces of shattered glass. Just as I begin, Lennox joins me, crouching down and assisting in collecting the sharp fragments. He's multitasking, fitting in his earpiece while already having a radio clipped to his black pants.I consider protesting, wanting to tell him that I
ASHTONTo my surprise, I wasn't the one running late this time. Willow sent me a text saying she would be in the kitchen shortly. I'm not the type to wait patiently, so when Lennox starts unwrapping a piece of gum and rummaging through the fridge, I offer my help.Lennox chews his gum slowly and looks at me in a way that reminds me he's older, twenty-seven to be exact. I'm only twenty-two, and he's perfectly capable of doing things on his own.A smile starts to form on Lennox's face. "It's cute that you think I need help getting eggs," he remarks as he grabs a carton and closes the fridge."You could've dropped the damn eggs," I retort, engaging in a pointless argument. I cringe and force a smile, ann
ASHTONDamn it. "We've always been the ones protecting them," I explained, frustration evident in my voice. "We even used to confiscate their phones and block numbers of porn producers who called us, just so they wouldn't be able to reach them." Lennox closed the binder in front of me. "Look at me," he said firmly.Reluctantly, I turned my gaze towards him, my shoulders tense. I wanted to reopen the damn binder and read through everything again."Ashton," he began, his voice calm and understanding, "I understand why you're irritated. I'd feel the same way if my younger cousins decided to repay a debt I didn't want to exist. But this is happening, and you have to deal
ASHTONThe conversation abruptly halted as the door creaked open. Willow and Lincoln entered, carrying trays of coffee for everyone. Willow handed me a mug of hot tea, and we all dispersed around the study.Lennox and I were the only ones still standing. While he leaned against a bookshelf, absentmindedly playing with a handheld wooden puzzle he had already solved twice, I held my mug of tea and listened to the conversation drift towards FanCon-related matters and logistics.Kaleb motioned towards Willow, who sat on a rocking chair, and Lincoln, who settled on the couch beside Perry. He said, "If you have any acquaintances or friends or..." Kaleb paused to find the right word."NSA," Davin clarified.
LENNOXThe weather reports warned of a white-out blizzard at 0900 hours, and Kaleb's voice echoed through the communication devices. Exhausted from a never-ending Omega meeting, I climbed the wooden stairs to the second floor, removing my earpiece. I had hoped to escape Kaleb's presence, but his voice still reached my ears, even with the volume high. "Be alert if you're driving to the lake house," he cautioned.Turning the knob on my radio, I silenced his voice. Security had agreed to stay at the main house instead of the cabin a mile away. There were plenty of empty rooms, but I decided to share one with Ashton.Quietly, I entered the bedroom, expecting to find him fast asleep. To my surprise, he was sitting up, leaning against the log headboard, typing furiously on
LENNOXThe weather reports warned of a white-out blizzard at 0900 hours, and Kaleb's voice echoed through the communication devices. Exhausted from a never-ending Omega meeting, I climbed the wooden stairs to the second floor, removing my earpiece. I had hoped to escape Kaleb's presence, but his voice still reached my ears, even with the volume high. "Be alert if you're driving to the lake house," he cautioned.Turning the knob on my radio, I silenced his voice. Security had agreed to stay at the main house instead of the cabin a mile away. There were plenty of empty rooms, but I decided to share one with Ashton.Quietly, I entered the bedroom, expecting to find him fast asleep. To my surprise, he
ASHTONNo matter what I had planned to say or how I thought I would feel, it all vanishes when I see my dad. He paces anxiously between the living room fireplace and the window, his hand clenched into a fist. His gaze drifts towards the kitchen, a longing in his eyes.It's a familiar craving, one that screams for just one drink. Throughout my entire life, he has never given in to that urge, never taken a sip of alcohol, never broken his sobriety. But now he's looking again.I stand on the balcony of the second floor, overlooking the living room with its high ceilings and tall windows. Sunlight streams in, illuminating the leather furniture and wooden floors. Outside, snow falls heavily on this cold morning.