Neo woke up slowly, stretching like his body was still catching up to everything his mind had lived through the night before.
The meeting replayed itself in fragments the way his voice hadn't shaken when he spoke, the way the room had gone quiet when he stood his ground. The realization hit him again, heavy and real: that wasn't a test anymore. He was in. Fully. Officially. And not just against outsiders either he'd seen it now. The sharp looks, the subtle traps, the people who smiled and still wanted blood. Family, they called themselves.
And Lucas.
Neo exhaled, staring at the ceiling as his mind betrayed him, replaying the way Lucas had spoken calm, controlled, dangerous. Authority clung to him like a second skin, and Neo hated how relieved he'd felt standing under it. How safe. How small and steady at the same time.
He groaned softly, rolling out of bed before his thoughts went anywhere illegal.
A quick shower washed the night off him. Casual clothes, loose and comfortable—today didn't feel like a suit kind of day. When he padded downstairs, the noise hit him first. Paper rustling. Muted arguing. Someone groaning dramatically.
Neo slowed at the last step.
Aiden was there. Slumped. Tired. Betrayed by life itself.
His mom sat on the floor, phone in hand, calm as ever. And Pia...Pia was surrounded by ribbons, gift bags, tape, and what looked suspiciously like party decorations.
Neo blinked.
"…What is going on here?"
Pia looked up, grinning, ribbons dangling from her fingers. "Planning for your birthday. Which is literally next tomorrow."
Neo froze.
Birthday.
Oh.
With everything that had happened, it had completely slipped his mind. He rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "That close?"
Aiden shot him a look that could kill. "Why do you think I look like this?"
Neo frowned. "Why do you look like that?"
"Because," Aiden said flatly, "Pia barged into my room this morning and physically dragged me out of bed like a hostage."
"Oh," Neo mouthed. That explained… everything.
Before he could say more, his mom lifted her phone, already dialing. Neo didn't think much of it until she spoke.
"Good day, Mr. Lucas."
Time stopped.
Neo's head snapped toward her so fast his neck almost cracked. "Is… she-" he started.
"Don't tell me-" Aiden added.
"It's your boss," Pia finished helpfully.
Neo's soul left his body.
"I'm so sorry to disturb," Maggie continued smoothly, like she wasn't about to end her son's peace forever. "I just wanted to kindly ask for a day off for Neo. His birthday is next tomorrow and we're celebrating, so he won't be making it."
Neo stared at her in horror.
On the other end, Lucas said something that made her smile.
"Oh..thank you. You can come too if you have the time—"
"Mom!!!" Neo yelled.
Aiden choked. Pia burst into laughter.
"Oh, you're busy?" Maggie said sweetly. "No problem at all. I'll leave you a piece of cake, don't worry. Alright have a blessed day."
She hung up.
Silence.
Neo dragged a hand down his face. "Mom… you could have at least told me first."
She shrugged, entirely unbothered. "If I told you, you wouldn't agree. So I handled it."
Then she patted the floor beside her.
"Now come. Sit. Let's plan this properly."
Neo sighed defeated, embarrassed, and weirdly smiling.
Yeah.
They planned and set up the way they always did no extravagance, no unnecessary crowd. Just close neighbors, Aiden's parents, a few of Neo's friends… and Samantha. His so-called girlfriend. The one he barely spoke to anymore.
Not that Neo cared. Not really. At least not lately.
"Okay, Mom, I think this will do," Neo said, pointing at a roll of black ribbon and a bunch of black balloons stacked beside the wall.
Maggie paused, one brow lifting. "Is it a black-themed birthday now?"
"Maybe," Aiden answered from the floor, voice muffled, looking like life had personally run him over and reversed.
Pia stretched out beside him, spinning a ribbon lazily around her finger. "So… is Samantha coming?"
"Yeah," Neo replied, already unlocking his phone. "Although I haven't told her the time yet."
Aiden scoffed. "Is she even still alive?"
Smack.
Maggie didn't hesitate."Not nice," she warned.
"Maa," Aiden groaned, rubbing his arm, "I'm saying the truth. It's a one-sided love thing if you ask me."
Neo didn't respond. He just typed the message, sent it, and tossed his phone aside like it didn't matter either way.
They kept going arguing over music, colors, food, and whether balloons were even necessary voices overlapping, laughter breaking out in between complaints. By the time the sun dipped lower and exhaustion finally set in, the plan was complete.
Messy. Simple. Perfect.
And for the first time in a long while, Neo felt… light.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of ribbons, laughter, half-finished snacks, and Aiden's dramatic complaints about being used for free labor. By evening, boxes were stacked neatly by the wall, decorations labeled and sorted everything ready for the day after tomorrow.
It felt… normal. Safe. Almost suspiciously calm.
That night, just as Neo was lying on his bed scrolling mindlessly, his phone buzzed.
Lucas:(headache)
I'll need you at the office tomorrow. Early.
I need my personal assistant ,don't be late.
Also, tell Aiden to meet Kellan. It's important.
Neo stared at the screen for a second longer than necessary.
His personal assistant.The words settled deep in his chest heavy, real. He typed back a quick acknowledgment, forwarded the message to Aiden who replied with several unholy complaints, then put his phone away and slept with an unfamiliar smile on his lips.
The next morning came too fast.
Neo woke up early, earlier than usual, like his body already knew today mattered. He went through his routine smoothly shower, skincare, cologne moving with a quiet confidence that surprised even him.
He dressed sharply.
No suit. Never a suit.
Instead, a sheer, transparent shirt that hugged his body anytime the wind blew,just enough to reveal the soft, feminine outline beneath, paired with black jort trousers and clean sneakers. Effortless. Intentional. Dangerous.
He caught his reflection in the mirror and paused.
Yeah.He looked hot.
Maybe it was because his birthday was tomorrow. Maybe it was because for once, things felt like they were aligning. Whatever it was, he felt lighter. Happier.
He ate quickly, grabbed his things, and headed straight to the office.
The moment he stepped inside, something felt… off.
Eyes followed him.
Not subtle. Not polite. Straight-up stares.
Neo slowed slightly, his brows knitting together. What the hell? He kept walking, posture steady, refusing to shrink under the attention.
He passed Rita at the front desk and she, too, was staring. Not coldly. Not disapprovingly. Just… stunned.
Now he was genuinely confused.
"Good morning," he said anyway.
"Good..morning," Rita replied a beat late, her eyes flicking over him once more before she quickly looked back at her screen.
Neo didn't stop. He walked straight down the hall to Lucas's office, lifted his hand, and knocked once.
"Come in."
The door opened.Neo stepped inside.
As he walked in, Lucas was deep in his business, hands busy with a file, eyes glued to the page. He didn't look up.
"Good morning, sir."
"The files on your table," Lucas said, voice clipped, head still buried. "I need them sorted and arranged. I'll need them soon."
"Okay," Neo replied, moving toward the desk.
"And tell Rit—"
Lucas stopped mid-sentence.
He lifted his head.
His gaze traveled slow, deliberate from Neo's sneakers, up the black jorts, over the loose, transparent shirt that clung to him every time the air shifted. Sunlight streamed through the wide windows, catching the fabric just right.
Lucas's jaw tightened.
"What are you wearing?" he asked.
Neo blinked. "Clothes?" he said, genuinely confused.
"It's transparent," Lucas said flatly. "Are you trying to seduce my workers?"
"S-seduce?" Neo stammered, fingers immediately grabbing the hem of his shirt. "No. I...I didn't think it was that transparent."
Lucas leaned back in his chair, eyes never leaving him.
"Come closer," he said slowly. "Stand exactly where the sun hits."
Neo hesitated, then obeyed. He walked forward until he was standing right beneath the light spilling in from the window.
Instantly, it was obvious.
The outline of his torso. The soft dip of his waist. The faint shadows beneath the fabric that left very little to the imagination.
Neo sucked in a breath.
"Oh… I...I didn't know," he said quickly. "I'm so sorry."
Lucas didn't respond.
He was staring.
Really staring.
"Why is your shape so… feminine?" Lucas asked, tone blunt, unfiltered.
Neo's head dropped instantly, heat flooding his face, pink creeping from his cheeks to his ears. "W-why would you say it like that?"
Lucas tilted his head slightly. "How would you prefer I say it?"
"Never mind," Neo muttered.
Lucas stood.
He walked around the desk and leaned back against it, arms braced behind him, posture relaxed but commanding.
"Come here."
Neo's feet moved before his brain caught up. He stopped just in front of Lucas, eyes glued to the floor.
"You're flustered," Lucas said calmly. "And I haven't even raised my voice."
"I-I'm not," Neo replied, lying badly.
Lucas chuckled under his breath.
He leaned forward just enough for Neo to feel him his presence, his warmth, the weight of his attention.
"Lift your head," Lucas said.
Neo did, slowly.Their eyes met.
Lucas held him in place, palms pressing gently on Neo's waist as his hands traced slowly from the curve of his hips up to his stomach, then along his torso, stopping just below his chest. Neo's breath hitched, whispering, "W-what are you doing?"
"Nothing," Lucas murmured, eyes fixed on him, scanning every inch of his smooth, sun-kissed skin.
Then, almost casually, he lifted the hem of Neo's shirt to Neo's lips. "Bite," he commanded.
Neo's eyes went wide. "W-what?"
"I said bite," Lucas repeated, firm, unwavering. Neo obeyed, clamping down on the soft fabric, trying desperately to muffle any sound, feeling the tension coil tight in his stomach.
Lucas's fingers traced the outline of Neo's body once more from the waist to the soft lines of his torso, up to his chest, lingering just below his nipples, before pulling the shirt back from Neo's lips, now flushed and red.Lucas finally leaned back, letting Neo step away from the sun-drenched spot. "You've done well these past days," he said, voice calm but carrying that unshakable authority.
Neo blinked, heart still racing from the previous moment. "Y-yes, sir," he stammered, barely keeping his composure.
Lucas picked up a small, sleek black box from his desk and held it out to him. "Consider this… an early birthday gift. Just the first one. There will be more." He let the words hang, casual yet deliberate, like a promise and a warning rolled into one.
Lucas studied him for a long moment, then shook his head once, almost to himself.
"Unbelievable," he murmured.
Neo swallowed. "S-sir?"
Lucas straightened, stepping back like a switch had been flipped. The moment snapped shut, sealed away behind authority.
"So You'll leave early today so you can help pia and your mom finalize the decorations is that clear." "Yes sir" neo answered
"So you better start working on those files early and tell Rita to bring my coffee in if you're interested you tell her to bring in two cups okay" "okay sir thank you"
Neo stared at him, heart still racing.
"Change that shirt," Lucas added without looking up. "Before someone else loses focus."
"Yes, sir, b..but I didn't bring any other one" Neo said quickly.
Lucas paused, then allowed himself a small, dangerous smile. "Go into the wardrobe at the other side after the pillar to the resting room you'll see a wardrobe pick a hoodie or something there and put on" "okay thank you so much"
Neo walked towards the direction he was directed to smiling he wasn't sure why whether because tomorrow was going to be interesting or because turning 18 had it's advantage.