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
KaidenThe moment I stepped into the house, I was greeted with chaos. A vase came hurtling toward me, and I barely managed to sidestep it as it shattered against the door. My heart stopped for a split second, then raced as I stared at Sage, who was standing in the middle of the living room, his chest heaving, his face red with anger.Which was comical because his face was the same color as his hair.“Sage, what the hell?” I blurted out as I tried to process the attack.“You!” he shouted, his hand came up and grabbed his hair, “I cannot fucking believe you, Kaiden. I just can’t believe you.”“What are you talking about?” I asked, holding up my hands defensively. “You’re acting insane right now!”“Oh, I’m insane?” he scoffed, then he chuckled, “he called me insane,” he mumbled to himself before he turned back to me, “You know who called me? River. Professor River. He told me my so-called best friend paid him a visit today. My best friend harassed him and told him to stay away from me.
SageThe next day, I dragged myself into the lecture hall, I still had to go to school. My phone had been buzzing non-stop since last night, but I ignored every call, every text. Kaiden could wait. Or maybe he couldn’t but I didn’t care. Not after the stunt he pulled.I kept asking myself if I overreacted or maybe, I acted just sane over someone I admire to my best friend but every part of me screamed that I was right. He shouldn’t have interfered with my career.I was so depressed that I didn’t want to come to school today but I managed it, and now, I was definitely regretting coming here since I couldn’t bring myself to focus.I sat in the middle row, my notebook open but I wasn’t writing anything down. Professor River’s voice drifted through the room as he explained some intricate engineering principle. It was probably fascinating, but I couldn’t focus on a single word. My thoughts kept circling back to Kaiden, from his jealous outburst, to the shame I felt when Professor River
RiverThey say the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach.But that wasn’t the same for the beautiful boy under me. He liked sex so much that you would think he makes money from it. Lifting him off my dick, I moved my hips, spreading my legs while he knelt in between, slumping against my leg with a tired sigh."Why'd you stop..?" He pouted, and it was as sexy as it is adorable.I ignored him."Put your cock in me." He breathed out the words in a rush, grabbing the lube and stroking some quickly onto my dick, magnified in its state of tumescence. The thing is fucking huge right now, and rock solid, which has me quivering below the waist.I was trying so hard not to unload on him.He bit his lip, scooting in closer while I aimed my cock between his ass. He wiggled his ass and lined it up in front of my cock, he pushed it in, and we both groaned out loud."Fuck me..." he hissed, but I was already doing it, pumping into him with his palms on my chest. "Harder... faster... deeper, l
SageKaiden left after making sure I had eaten and wasn’t going to drown myself in my own misery. He didn’t say much about why he was leaving, just something about giving me space. I appreciated that. For all our unresolved issues, he still understood me better than most.But even after he left, I didn’t feel better.I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened in that boardroom. The professor’s words echoed in my head, over and over again, like a curse I couldn’t shake.A mere student.I knew he had to say something to protect himself. I knew he was trying to get us out of trouble. But the way he said it, like I was nothing, like I didn’t matter…I couldn’t let it go.I needed to see him.Even if I wasn’t sure what I would do when I got there.The drive to his place was a blur andI knew I was running on pure emotion, but I didn’t care. I needed to get this out of my system.When I arrived, I barely had time to knock before the door swung open.He stood there, looking at me like he al
KaidenThere are many ways to describe emotions, words crafted to fit fleeting, intangible feelings. Some people might call it satisfaction, others contentment. But the specific emotion I was feeling right now? Bliss.The kind of bliss that came when everything was finally going my way.I have never felt this before even when I first landed my modeling job, all I felt was courage to pursue my dreams.I ran a hand through Sage’s hair, careful not to wake him. His breathing was steady, his face relaxed in sleep, unaware of the chaos I had carefully set in motion.There was only one way he would let me back into his life, if he needed me so I made him need me.Yes, I sent the picture to the school board.I am not proud of myself.Okay, yes I was. I was damn proud of myself to have thought of it.I hadn’t expected things to escalate so quickly. I thought the board would at least investigate, maybe suspend the professor, but no. He was a slippery bastard, wiggling out of it with some ridi
SageI barely registered the professor tapping me on the shoulder. My mind was too tangled in his words, the word, mere student still bouncing off the walls of my head."Sage." His voice was quieter than usual.I blinked, forcing myself out of my thoughts, and turned to look at him. "What?" My voice came out flat, emotionless."We should go."I nodded, falling into step beside him. Us going means everything has been resolved but has everything really been resolved. I cannot believe I was tagged mere after everything we have shared.I should thank him for saving my behind but my mind was elsewhere. My feet moved on autopilot, and the world around me felt distant, like I was watching everything unfold through a foggy glass.He must have noticed."Is everything okay?" he asked.I gave a small nod.He stopped walking. I didn’t notice at first, I kept going until I heard him sigh. When I turned, he was standing there, arms crossed, watching me carefully."Your expression doesn’t look plea
SageThe walk to the conference room felt like the longest of my life. My hands were clammy, my heartbeat erratic, and my stomach twisted in knots so tight I felt like I might be sick.I had never been in trouble before, not in high school, not in college. I was the kind of student teachers trusted, the kind that never caused problems. So why the hell was I walking toward a meeting with the board like some kind of delinquent?The admin refused to give me any information when I asked. I’d tried pressing her for details, but all she offered was a polite, tight-lipped smile before gesturing for us to continue walking.The professor, on the other hand, walked ahead like he had nothing to fear. No tension in his shoulders. No panic in his stride. Just complete and utter composure.I wished I could say that calmed me, but it only made me feel worse.Was I the only one freaking out here?Does he have a plan?Why were we even in trouble?By the time we reached the waiting area, my hands were
SageThe moment we pulled into the school parking lot, I yanked the door open and slipped out of his car without so much as a backward glance. No goodbye, no small talk. Nothing. I needed space, time to shake off the unsettling feeling in my chest.What does he mean he couldn’t get jealous? Does he feel anything for me at all?Were we just playing a game of cat and mouse till we were both tired? The whole thing just ruined my mood for the day, I couldn’t even force a smile right now.As I hurried toward my first class, my phone buzzed in my pocket. With a sigh, I pulled it out and glanced at the screen.A text from him."You didn’t kiss me goodbye."I stopped walking for a second, my lips parting in disbelief.Why should I?He said he didn’t get jealous. He acted like nothing bothered him, like nothing could shake his unbothered existence. So why was he suddenly playing the part of a neglected lover?Or was he just toying with me?My fingers hovered over the screen, a sarcastic reply
SageThe car was silent, save for the hum of the engine as we drove down the familiar road to campus. I didn’t think much of it at first, I was too wrapped up in my own thoughts, still reeling from Kaiden’s unexpected return. My anger has subsided, thanks to whatever the professor was doing to me so I was no longer angry but indifferent to my friend.But the longer the silence stretched, the more I became aware of the tension in the air.The professor wasn’t just quiet. He was brooding.I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. His hands gripped the steering wheel a little tighter than usual, his jaw locked in place. His entire posture screamed restrained irritation, but I wasn’t sure why.It wasn’t until I lifted a hand to turn on the radio, anything to break the awkward quiet that he finally spoke."What was he doing at your house?" His voice was calm, almost too calm. "Did he sleep over?"I jerked in my seat, completely thrown off by the question."What? No!" I shouted, my react
SageI was still riding the high of my victory over my bullies. If I could stand my ground against them, then I could handle anything. The power, the confidence it gave me, it thrummed beneath my skin like an untamed current. I went to bed feeling invincible, convinced that things were finally turning in my favor. So much that I forgot about texting the professor that I was going to bed. I figured he was so busy that he couldn’t be bothered with what I was doing.But still, standing up for the first time in my life made me feel more alive than I could have hoped. All my life I have been put down and mocked for how I looked or something they just weren’t happy with. They constantly used me as punching bags to make themselves feel better and I took it because I was weaker than them.But today, I wasn’t weak. I had power over them and I protected what I love. It made me extremely happy.That feeling lasted until the morning.A sharp knock jolted me awake, and I groggily sat up, glancing
KaidenThe camera flashes faded as the photographer called for a break. My jaw was clenched tight, my entire body taut from holding poses for hours. I grabbed a bottle of water from the nearby table and took a long drink, letting the cool liquid soothe my parched throat.That was when my phone vibrated.I pulled it out of my pocket and unlocked the screen, my eyes narrowing at the message from my PA. There were pictures attached, multiple ones.I clicked on them.The first image was of Sage getting into a familiar black car. I swiped. Another photo.Sage laughing in a coffee shop, sitting across from the professor. Next. A picture of them walking side by side on campus, too damn close. My fingers tightened around the phone as I scrolled through the series, each image making my blood boil.And then the final picture.Sage, stepping into the professor’s apartment building with an overnight bag.I exhaled sharply through my nose, gripping my phone so tightly I thought it might snap in h