KaidenMy phone buzzed with a message from River, Just landed. Be out soon.I smiled as I leaned against my car, surveying the arrivals as I waited. As promised, I was here to pick him up. He had an early flight so I cancelled whatever I was doing just to get him.That shows how important this was to me. I wanted to show him that I was serious about this and that I needed him to give it his all.I shoved the phone back into my pocket and straightened up as the sliding glass doors parted. River Wilder strode out, duffel bag slung over his shoulder, looking effortlessly composed despite the long flight I assumed he took. He had the air of someone who knew exactly where he was going and what he was doing.I wouldn’t lie, he was a very attractive man. Even my whole body tingled as our eyes met. If I wasn’t so dedicated to Sage? I wouldn’t mind having a thing or two to do with my engineer.I straightened just as he came to me, "Kaiden, I presume?" He asked, a slight smirk tugging at his
SageThey said it’s never a good idea to meet your idol. Your illusion of him or her could be shattered.It’s a saying I carried with me and I made sure I obeyed every single one of it. That’s why my idols and role models are always stuck in my room. I have always imagined what I would do when I meet them and after deciding that I would barely hold it in, I decided they would be good to remain in my room.The next morning, I trudged into campus, barely holding back a yawn. I was on a mission to complain about my lack of an internship. While everyone else had already been placed in their respective place of choice, I was left in limbo, and I was beyond frustrated.I have worked so hard in school, so hard that I already planned where I wanted to do my internship. I became the teacher’s pet just so he would have a good word for me.All the late nights reading and straight As I had incurred all my previous years was supposed to speak for me but surprisingly, I was left out.Rumors had bee
SageI practically sprinted to Kaiden’s house, my heart still pounding with excitement. I could hardly believe what had just happened at school. River Wilder, my idol, the man whose work I’d worshipped since I could spell "engineer," was my new professor. How was this even real?I looked up at the sky, if this was how the universe answered my prayers then there are a couple more things I would like to ask.Kaiden’s front door was unlocked, as usual. I let myself in, calling out as I kicked off my shoes. “Kaiden, where are you? You won’t believe this!”I heard a grunt from the living room. He was sprawled on the couch, phone in hand, looking every bit like someone who’d been lazing around all day. “What is it now, Sage?”I threw my bag onto the floor and plopped down beside him. “I haven’t told you this yet but I was passed over for my internship.”“You did? Why didn’t you tell me?”I waved him off, “I was going to sort it myself so I headed to school today and kept hearing this rumo
SageI stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of my best button-down shirt for what felt like the hundredth time. The sleek fabric hugged my shoulders perfectly, and I paired it with dark slacks that gave me just the right balance.My red hair was styled neatly for once, and I even spritzed a hint of cologne, something I rarely bothered with.You know, so I can smell really good.“You know,” Kaiden drawled from his spot leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, “you’ve never dressed up this much for me. What’s so special about today?”I shot him a glare through the mirror. “Don’t start.”He smirked, pushing off the doorframe to saunter into the room. “I mean, I’ve known you for years, Sage, and not once have you ever put this much effort into seeing me. Who’s the lucky guy?”“River Wilder,” I said without missing a beat, turning to face him, “I told you I would be going to welcome him today.”He froze for a moment before his smirk faltered. “Seriously?”“Yes, seriously,
SageFor a moment, I just stared at him, waiting for the punchline. When it didn’t come, my brain short-circuited. “You ownNovatech?”“Yes.”My mouth opened and closed several times before I managed to speak. “You—how—what—”He chuckled, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Surprised?”“That’s an understatement!” I exclaimed, still trying to wrap my head around it. “Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “Because I wanted to see how much this opportunity meant to you. And now I know.”I slumped back in my chair, feeling like I’d just run a marathon. “This is insane.”I fell silent.What more could I possibly say?I have always wanted to work in Novatech so much that I never imagined I would hear the words.Hearing those words was like music to my ears, a melody I never wanted to end. I stared at River, my eyes wide with disbelief. Was this actually happening? Was I really about to work alongside the River Wilder, my lifelong idol?“You mean I
SageDinner with River was a dream come through, to say the least. He chose a casual diner near campus, one of those cozy places where students had soul food. Kaiden and I always come here because the food has an amazing taste.The place itself wasn’t fancy but it had a good view which helped calm my nerves.River sat across from me with his posture relaxed, a man completely at ease in his own skin. I, on the other hand, was fidgeting with the edge of my napkin, trying not to act like a complete fool in front of my idol.The waiter brought our food, I opted for something simple like a cheese burger. He chose a chicken salad.So…what’s been your favorite project so far? Like, the one you’re most proud of?” I asked.He set down his glass of water, his lips curling into a thoughtful smile. “That’s a tough question. Each project was something I was proud of, but if I had to choose, I’d say the Nexus Tower in Singapore.”My eyes lit up. “The one that integrates those vertical gardens? That
Sage“You’ve always been drawn to Novatech’s work, haven’t you?” He asked, his voice cutting through my thoughts.I nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! Their focus on innovation and functionality while still maintaining aesthetic appeal is something I’ve admired for years. I used to collect articles about their projects and pin them to my wall.” “That kind of passion will serve you well.”I beamed, so he said. I was not going to let him or myself down now that I have gotten this job. I was going to prove to him that I had what it took to be the next him.Just as I was starting to relax, he leaned forward slightly with his expression practically unreadable. “Sage, is it okay if I ask you something personal?”I blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, sure. What is it?”“Do you have a boyfriend?”I froze, the question surprising me more than finding out he took time to teach us. There was a sudden drop in temperature and I wasn’t sure I couldn’t handle this. Of all the things I expected him to ask,
KaidenI was fucking furious.I slammed my hand against the steering wheel,“Shit!” The anger in my chest made it so tight that I struggled to breath. I drove off, ignoring Sage’s frantic calls.My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I didn’t even have to check to know it was him. His name flashing on the screen only fueled my irritation. I shoved the phone into my jacket and focused on my destination.I didn’t know where I was going but I just needed to drive. My vision was tinted red from the rage. It was a miracle I made it out of there without exploding.By the time I parked in front of the sleek, modern building, I was practically vibrating with anger. I slammed the car door and stalked inside, my boots echoing against the polished floors as I made my way to the elevator. When I reached his door, I knocked aggressively,no, pounded.The door swung open, revealing River. He stood there, his expression calm, as if he wasn’t the source of my current misery.Yes, I came to his house. “Ka
SageI wore my clothes and wrinkled my nose when the antiseptic smell still clung to my clothes as I walked out, my body sore from injuries that hadn’t fully healed. The dull ache in my ribs reminded me of the attack, the pounding of fists and boots, the weight of helplessness crushing down on me. The bruises would fade, but the bitterness in my chest would remain because it was now obvious to me that Kaiden was the reason I had been attacked twice now.He couldn’t even come to see me after they had called him. He is a very ruthless bastard and I hate him with every fiber of my being now.The professor was waiting for me outside, leaning against his car like he hadn’t just berated me in there. His arms were crossed, his expression unreadable, as always.The warmth I had glimpsed in there was long gone now.I stopped in front of him, adjusting the hospital bag slung over my shoulder. "Are we going to your place?"He barely spared me a glance before unlocking the car. "No. I’m taking y
SageI woke up the next day having rested my body. The first person I saw was the kind doctor who had treated me the last time. “We have got to stop meeting like this,”I looked at him, he was young and extremely handsome, I smiled. “I am sorry, I can’t help it.”His face turned serious, “what happened this time, Sage?”I sighed, how would I even explain it so he would hear it? That I was a klutz or this was the second time someone intentionally put me in the hospital? I couldn’t say anything that wouldn’t put me in trouble. I had no idea what I was even dealing with.“You have to be more careful from now. The bruises you got this time were much worse. You cannot keep coming back here.”“I understand, doctor.” I said.There was nothing else to say but that. He must think that I am an idiot. Coming into the hospital like a bruised punching bag. I brought this upon myself.He was still crossing things off his record when the professor entered. He took one look at me and frowned.“What
KaidenA dull, throbbing pain spread through my skull as I came to. My limbs felt like lead, my throat dry and sore. The air was thick with the scent of disinfectant, and the bed beneath me was softer than I expected.Where the hell was I?I forced my eyes open, blinking against the harsh light spilling in from a nearby window. The room was familiar, too familiar. Clean, precise, without a single thing out of place. My stomach twisted.The professor’s house.How did I even end up back here? I thought I made the big show of packing up and leaving?Memories crashed into me. The party. The drink. The dizziness. The attack. A hit to the back of my head.Fuck, I should call Martin and ask him what the party was all about. Did he even properly investigate before putting me there?Fuck!I shot up, a sharp pain lancing through my skull. My vision swam, and I groaned, pressing my fingers to my temples.The world was still spinning around in circles and I held my head to try and steady it. It f
KaidenThe phone hung up and I stared at it in fury.“What the hell was that?” He asked.“It’s nothing,” I shrugged.“That didn’t sound like nothing. What was that?” He asked again through gritted teeth.“Okay, long story short. The people that attacked us earlier, they attacked Sage when he was in my house and he had to be rushed to the hospital. He is fine now and he went back home but he is back in the hospital. That was them over the phone.”I heard nothing, just the faint sound of movement. I expected him to make a huge deal of it but he said nothing so I looked up.The professor’s eyes burned with fury as he stood in front of me, arms crossed tightly over his chest. His usual calm, composed demeanor had shattered, and what remained was a man filled with contempt—for me.“What the fuck? Sage was attacked?”I nodded.“Take me to him.”I wanted to argue but something told me he wasn’t in the mood to play the checkers game with me. I could argue with him and end up with a bruised ch
SageI had days to myself in my house, barely gotten used to the quiet of my apartment. I keep having nightmares about the same people coming for me in my own house. But when I remind myself that I have nothing to do with them and they didn’t know where I lived.So I attended school, avoided the professor with care by the way and went back home. The typical life of a loner which I was sometimes okay with.The other times, I cried when I remembered that I was all alone with nobody to talk to. It really was like he didn’t care about me.Yes, I was still thinking about the professor. I had hoped he would try to corner me again to talk to me. I would have given him a listening ear this time.I shook my head with a smile and just rested my head when the peace shattered.It started with a knock at the door, and I froze. A warning bell went off in my head, but I ignored it. I wasn’t expecting anyone, but after the week I’d had, I figured it was someone from school or even my dad checking i
Sage For the first time in years, I felt like I was truly alone. Kaiden didn’t come. Not when I woke up in the hospital, not when I was struggling to sit up without wincing in pain, not even when the doctor signed my discharge papers. Three days had passed, and he hadn’t so much as texted. I tried calling him but he didn’t pick neither did he return my calls which seem to be a usual thing for him since he fucked up. I guess I got my answer. He was done with me. I should have expected it, but the finality of it still left a hollow ache in my chest. It is something I struggled to accept but I couldn’t. Whenever Kaiden and I fight, I always imagine that it wouldn’t last. We would get back to bickering after a day or two, latest three days. But this blowout made us grow further apart like we had been fighting for decades. I was dead to him. Instead of going back to his place, where everything reminded me of him, I went home. My real home. The apartment was too quiet
Kaiden Walking into my apartment felt like stepping into a crime scene. The door creaked open, revealing a space that had been utterly torn apart. My couch was flipped over, my shelves emptied, their contents shattered across the floor. The kitchen drawers were pulled out, their contents spilled as if someone had been searching for something specific. A muscle ticked in my jaw as I stepped inside, the crunch of broken glass beneath my boots making my stomach tighten. It was as if they were looking for something. I was ticked. I hated it when people went through my stuff like they had every right to. I hated it in every sense of the word. I have never acted rashly with anyone and I doubt it anyone was out for me seeing as I didn’t have the time to go around looking for trouble. I clenched my fists, my breath coming out in sharp exhales as I forced myself to calm down. Getting angry wouldn’t fix anything. I needed to clean up. I didn’t even know where to start. I left the hous
SageI woke up to the steady beeping of a heart monitor, the sterile scent of antiseptic filling my nose. My entire body ached, a dull, pulsing pain that reminded me exactly why I was here.The attack.The masked men.Kaiden.The moment my brain caught up, I heard a familiar voice, loud, agitated."What do you mean ‘soon’? Define soon!" Kaiden’s voice carried through the hospital room. He was pacing furiously, his arms crossed tightly over his chest as he glared at the doctor standing in front of him."Mr. Kaiden, I understand your concern, but his body needed time to recover. He experienced significant trauma. His vitals are stable now, and as you can see—"I coughed, my throat dry and raw.Kaiden’s head snapped toward me in an instant. His pacing stopped, his blue eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my stomach tighten.He marched to my bedside, his expression filled with anger and a part of me hoped that it was worry that I could see on his face. "What the fuck were y
SageI stood outside Kaiden’s apartment, gripping my spare key so tightly that the metal bit into my palm. I couldn’t sleep at all last night, I kept turning and tossing.Wondering why my mind was still stuck on Kaiden. He was still my best friend and I couldn’t give up on him. My anger had faded away to something more realistic.Loneliness.I didn’t have anyone to rely on and it made me so fucking lonely. The professor was out of my life and so was Kaiden, that one not by choice.The worst part was that I missed both of them so much that it hurt me everytime the thought of them came up.I decided that if there was any time to make peace with Kaiden then it would be now. He was still angry but he wouldn’t turn me away.My parents’ words still echoed in my head, Let it go if you want your best friend back.Easier said than done.I was so hurt that he would do something like that to me, whatever the reason may be.Kaiden and I had been through so much. The fights, the betrayals, the dis