Michael blinked rapidly, still staring at Dylan, who now had a smirk on his face. Michael was at a loss for words, unsure of what to say next. Dylan had rendered him completely speechless."Wait..." Dylan said suddenly, a playful smile spreading across his face as a thought crossed his mind. "What are you thinking about?" he asked, watching Michael clear his throat and avert his gaze, cheeks flushed with embarrassment."Let’s just go to the restaurant," Michael muttered, trying to distract himself by looking out the window. But Dylan gently turned his face back, stealing a quick kiss. Michael's eyes flew open in shock as he scanned the surroundings, making sure no one had seen them."What was that for?" Michael scolded, his voice low with embarrassment."You're too much, you know that?" Dylan teased, still grinning. "Were you seriously thinking about sleeping with me already?"Michael slapped Dylan’s hands away, his face scrunched in a frown. "I wasn’t! Stop messing with me." "Relax,
Disregarding the message, Alexander set his phone down and focused on driving to the destination he had in mind for Emilio. His only goal was to tell Emilio a little bit about who he was to his mother, nothing more."Are you okay?" Emilio asked as soon as Alexander started the car."Yeah, I'm fine. I was just expecting an important message, but it turned out to be spam," Alexander replied. Emilio gave a quick nod, seeming to understand, and they began the drive."How would you feel about spending the night with me at Jake's place?" Alexander asked, briefly glancing over at Emilio, whose face lit up with excitement."Really? That would be awesome! Grandma Emma is so sweet. I wish I had a grandma like her," Emilio said with a bright smile."Yeah? You really like her?" Alexander asked, and Emilio nodded quickly, his smile still wide. But it soon faded as he slumped back into the seat."I don't even know if I have a grandma. Mom never talks about it," Emilio muttered, fiddling with the he
Marianne took a deep breath and forced a smile, trying to ease the tension in the air. She inhaled softly, preparing to address Michael’s mother, but before she could say anything, Michael yanked his mother away from her. His mother, however, shoved him aside and tried to lunge at Marianne. Michael grabbed her by both shoulders, restraining her from moving closer.“Can you just stop this madness? Stop embarrassing me! Isn’t what’s happening at home bad enough? Do you really enjoy seeing me suffer like this? What the hell do you want from me?” Michael shouted, his eyes filling with tears.“Oh, so you raised your voice at me over a girl?” his mother laughed mockingly. Michael squeezed his eyes shut, a tear slipping down his cheek before he opened them again.“Mom, have you ever really seen me as your son?” he questioned, his voice shaking. “Have you ever thought of me as your son? You never have. And now... I no longer see you as my mother. Just stay away from me.” With that, he turned
Alexandra pulled up to Jayson's mansion, just in time to see him preparing to get into his car for work. A smirk crept onto Alexander's face as he exited his vehicle and walked toward Jayson, who paused mid-step, noticing his approach. Jayson stood up straighter, his expression cold and unreadable, as Alexander drew closer with a measured stride.Taking a brief glance around, Alexander observed the mansion before turning his attention to Jayson, whose face showed clear displeasure. With a smirk, Alexander leaned casually against Jayson's car, folding his arms across his chest."Why are you here?" Jayson asked, his voice clipped."To talk about Anne," Alexander replied nonchalantly. Jayson opened his mouth to respond, but Alexander didn't let him speak."Let me get something straight first. No matter what you do—even if you tear your heart out and beg her to take it—you'll never win her back. Marianne is different; she’s my woman, and do you know why?" Alexander asked, eyeing Jayson an
"Who are you?" Javier shouted, struggling to free himself from the police but couldn't."Who am I?" Alexander responded calmly. "I'm Alexander, the kind of man who can't stand it when what's mine is tampered with. And if there's one thing you should know about me; I hold grudges, and I hold them well." A slight smile played on his lips as he made his way toward Michael. Once there, he sat down beside him."Michael, I swear, I’ll make you pay for this, even if it drains the last ounce of blood from my body. I’m going to expose you for what you truly are," Javier spat, his voice thick with venom. Alexander clicked his tongue sharply, cutting him off."Who said you're leaving prison any time soon? Even if Michael decides to have you released and I allow it, I’ll have you thrown back in the moment you pull any stupid stunt " Alexander shrugged nonchalantly.Michael kept his eyes down, refusing to look at his mother or brother as the officers led them out of the ward."Thank you, sir," he
As Marianne and Jayson stepped into Michael's hospital room, she scanned the space, searching for any trace of his family. When she didn’t spot them, her brow knitted in confusion. Where could they be? The room felt unnervingly quiet without their usual commotion. Just then, Michael opened his eyes, having been asleep since Alexander and Jake had left."Marianne," he said softly when he saw her. She smiled warmly and moved to sit beside him, her hand instinctively reaching out to check for any sign of a fever, but there was none."I’m fine," Michael assured her with a faint smile, taking her hand gently in his. "I’m sorry about earlier. My family can be a lot to handle...""Did you eat anything? I brought you some snacks," Marianne interrupted, not wanting him to continue. She had experienced his family’s behavior firsthand and didn’t need any further explanation. Her gaze wandered around the quiet room again before she turned back to him."Where’s your mom and your brother? I haven’t
"Elena..." Jake called, trying to reach for her, but she shot him a glare that made him stop in his tracks."Can someone tell me what's going on?" Elena demanded. Alexander said nothing, his gaze shifting to Marianne, who stood silently, unable to find her voice."We need to get to the hospital," Alexander stated, attempting to help Marianne into the car, ignoring Elena’s presence. But Elena grabbed his arm, stopping them in their tracks, her frown deepening."I just asked a damn question, and I expect a fucking answer... Is that boy yours?" she yelled. Alexander didn’t respond verbally, but his expression instantly darkened. He cast a cold, warning glare at Elena, making her slowly release him as she realized how much she had crossed the line.That look... she knew it all too well. This was only the second time Alexander had ever looked at her like that, a look that always unsettled her—as though she were the enemy. The first time had been back in school, when she'd soaked Marianne w
"Let’s say I did ask you out..." Elena started, blinking rapidly as she locked eyes with him. "Alex, I thought I meant everything to you. You told me you loved me." Her voice faltered, though she tried not to let his words get into her head. It hurt, but she wanted to believe he only said it out of anger—and she was right."It's getting late, Elena. You should leave. I had a hectic day," Alexander replied, taking off his shirt, not caring that she was still there. He knew his words had hurt her, and he regretted it a little, but her behavior had called for it.Elena closed her eyes briefly, trying to calm herself as she processed his words."So... the woman you’re chasing now is Anne? Really, Alex? How could you do this to me?" Her voice, trembling with disbelief, rose louder than she had intended. "What if people hear about this? It could’ve been anyone, but Marianne?""Elena!" Alexander snapped, his voice sharp, making her flinch. He inhaled deeply, then shut his eyes for a brief mo
"Well, I've been away for almost an hour. I think I need to get back to my baby," Elena said, standing up. Sophia rose as well, leaning in close to whisper something into Elena's ear. Whatever she said made Elena smile. "Alright, I can't wait for tomorrow then. See you at Jayson's birthday party," Elena said with a wave before leaving. Sophia watched her go, her smile sharp and calculating. "Sorry, Marianne, but you don't deserve my man," she muttered under her breath. Picking up her phone, she dialed a number. When the person answered, her smile deepened as she spoke softly. ******Elena arrived home to the sound of laughter. Stepping inside, she found Hailey engrossed in a game on her tablet while Alexander sat cross-legged on the floor with Emilio between his legs. Both of them were intensely focused on a game displayed on the TV, acting like a pair of kids. Elena’s irritation flared. How could Alexander leave her child unattended to bond with Marianne’s son? "Baby…" El
Jake grabbed Alexander’s hand, leading him out of the basement and back to his room. After shutting the basement door, Jake sat on the bed, gesturing for Alexander to join him. "Sit down," Jake said, pulling the still-standing Alexander to sit beside him. "I was expecting you to throw a punch when you found out," Jake joked, trying to lighten the tension. Alexander frowned. "I don’t remember saying I needed a comedian," he replied coldly. Jake raised an eyebrow. "Did you forget Hailey is home alone?" "I didn’t forget for a second," Alexander shot back. "So, can we skip the jokes and get to the part where you explain why you have a secret basement, a gun, and all those terrifying things down there?" Jake exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples. "It’s... a long story," he said finally. Alexander crossed his arms, glaring at Jake. "Well, I’m all ears." Jake nodded slowly, leaning back against the headboard. "It happened a long time ago..." he began, his voice tinged with rel
After finishing breakfast, Alexander headed to the bathroom, leaving Elena and Hailey behind in the sitting room. He couldn't help but scoff at how happy Elena seemed. The thought of her being in tears soon actually gave him a sense of satisfaction.Even if Marianne never forgave him, he owed her the truth. No matter the consequences, the truth had to come out. As he emerged from the bathroom, Elena walked in. She smiled at the sight of him, and Alexander sighed inwardly. He wasn’t in the mood for whatever she had planned, but he knew he had to play along. He watched as Elena approached him."Where’s Hailey?" Alexander asked casually as Elena reached for the towel secured around his waist. Her fingers lingered briefly before she leaned in, pressing a delicate kiss to his lips. "She’s asleep," Elena murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck."I've really missed you, Alex. You shouldn’t have left like that—I was furious," she muttered. Alexander pulled her closer by the waist, for
Dylan’s eyes slowly opened, and he was greeted by the sight of Michael still peacefully asleep in his arms. He stared at Michael’s face, a small smile curling on his lips.This was the one guy he had come to love so deeply—a guy he couldn’t imagine living without if anything went wrong. Just having him here, in his arms, was the best thing that could ever happen to him.His smile grew as he puckered his lips. He couldn’t resist Michael’s tempting lips. Leaning closer, he pressed a soft kiss to Michael’s lips. He did it again a second time, but Michael didn’t wake up.This time, he kissed him longer before pulling back to watch Michael’s reaction.Michael stirred slightly, his brows furrowing before his lips curved into a sleepy smile. "Mmm," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep. "Good morning, baby," he muttered, still half asleep.Dylan kissed his eyes, then his nose, before kissing his lips again."Will you stop doing that?" Michael asked, his voice thick with sleep, as Dylan gri
The next morning, after calling Elena to come by his place with Hailey, Alexander found himself pacing the living room, his mind restless. "They’ll be here soon. What should I do next?" he wondered aloud, running a hand through his hair. His gaze shifted to the kitchen. "Breakfast," he muttered, a sudden thought sparking. He strode into the kitchen, pulling out ingredients. Cooking wasn’t something he’d ever done for her—not even once. Maybe this gesture would make his plan work. A good pretense, he thought, was the key. As he moved around the kitchen, his eyes kept darting toward the boiling pot on the stove. The scent of rosemary and garlic filled the air, but his focus wasn’t on the food—it was on the outcome. His thoughts raced as he glanced at the clock, his jaw tightening. This wasn’t something he wanted to do, but it had to be done. The sharp buzz of his phone broke through his thoughts. Alexander grabbed it from the counter and read the message: 'We’re here.' He took
Alexander sat on the cold floor in his apartment, his back against the wall. Two empty beer bottles lay beside him, their contents long gone, but the pain in his chest still lingered. His eyes were red and puffy, tears streaking his face as quiet sobs shook his body. The sound of his phone vibrating cut through the silence. It vibrated against the floor, its screen lighting up repeatedly. At first, Alexander didn’t even glance at it. He didn’t have the energy. But when the call persisted, he sighed and reached for it. He blinked at the screen, when he saw the name 'Mom' displaying on it.For a moment, he debated letting it ring out. But something inside him told him to answer. Slowly, he swiped to pick up the call and brought the phone to his ear. "Hello?" he muttered softly."Alex?" His mom’s voice was calm, but there was concern behind it. "What’s going on? You sound terrible."The sound of her voice was too much for him. Before he knew it, he began to cry openly, holding the
Michael’s return to San Diego was a big event. The moment he walked out of the airport, cameras started flashing everywhere. Reporters rushed forward, shouting questions at him, but he didn’t answer any of them. Fans crowded behind barriers, screaming his name and waving signs. Some of them had their phones out, trying to take pictures or record videos. "You’ve gotten slimmer, MLD!" one fan shouted. Michael stopped and turned toward the crowd, chuckling. "Really?" he said with a playful smile, making the fans scream even louder. He waved at them again before getting into the black car waiting for him outside. As the car drove off, Michael leaned back in his seat and let out a quiet sigh, looking out the window at the familiar city. It felt good to be home. ***** Brian stood by the windowside, scrolling through the news about Michael’s return. A sly smile appeared on his face as he picked up his phone and made a call. "Michael is back, from tomorrow, tail him. I want updat
"Make me like you..." she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Jayson blinked, his mind racing, unsure if he’d heard her correctly."What?""I said, make me like you," she repeated, her tone more desperate this time."Anne, do you..." he began.“Please, Jayson," she pleaded, her gaze filled with anguish. "I can’t... I can’t keep feeling like this. I need to move on." A single tear slipped down her cheek. She didn't want this, but she felt she had no choice. Her heart couldn’t be made only for Alexander, could it? She needed to at least feel something for someone else.She was going to give it a try, even though she knew how difficult it would be.Jayson's jaw tightened as he searched her face, his gaze lingering on hers for a long moment. Then, without a word, he stepped closer and cupped her face in his hands."Anne..." he murmured, but before he could say more, she pulled him toward her by his shirt, crashing her lips onto his, tears flowing from her eyes, the memory of Alexander
The soft chime of a notification woke Dylan, but what truly caught his attention was the faint glow of his phone screen. Michael’s face was still there, watching him with a gentle smile. “Good morning, sleepyhead,” Michael teased, his voice tender. Dylan blinked and groaned, realizing he’d fallen asleep on their video call as well. "You were watching me sleep? For how long?" He asked, rubbing his eyes slightly.Michael chuckled, his eyes sparkling through the screen. "An hour ago?" Michael replied. "You could have woke me up..." Dylan pouted."I couldn’t help it. You looked peaceful… and you know, so cute that I could watch you sleep all day..." Michael said with a light smile before leaning closer to the camera, pressing an exaggerated kiss to the screen. "Missed you," he murmured softly. Dylan blushed, trying to hide it by adjusting his pillow. He leaned toward his phone and blew a kiss back. "There, now we're even," he said with a playful smile. Michael laughed, his face