Aurelian Vale;
"Where is he?" I demand over the phone, and Zane's gentle voice replies.
"He should be home shortly. He left his friend's place about an hour ago, and five minutes ago, he made it into the estate." Zane replies, and I exhale softly as I drop the call.
My gaze drifts up to the wall clock, and my jaw clenches. 11:34 pm.
What does he think he's doing, staying out so late??
So every time he feels like, he'd return to Anu's place and hide away from me?? I might have to do something about—
My thoughts are cut off when I hear the main door open.
My spine straightens as his gentle scent wafts into the air, and I keep my eyes tained at the path I know he will walk to get to the stairs.
He soon appears at the entrance of the kitchen, clutching his suit to his chest and peeking around like a scared bunny in unknown territory.
"You're not allowed to stay out this late," I speak, and he jerks in fright, dropping his suit and turning to stare at me with wide, scared eyes.
I walk around the counter in the kitchen and lean against it as I stare at him, with a bottle of water in my hand.
"That's the first rule," I speak again, and he just blinks at me with fear stamped onto his face.
I let out a breath and push myself off the counter.
I walk over to him, pick up his suit, and hold it out to him.
He stares at it, and then back up at me.
"You're my assistant. I'm to know when and for how long you intend to be away from your duties." I note, and he swallows as his shaky hand takes his suit back from me.
"I–I'm sorry. I– I was just…" He begins, but I cut him off.
"Have you eaten?" He pauses to blink at me, and I study him in the silence.
I don't think he's eaten, but then again, I don't believe Anu will let him leave her house without eating.
"There's food in the microwave, in case you're hungry. If you want something else, check the fridge." I add, before walking past him, and heading up the stairs.
I can feel his gaze on me as I walk away, but I don't turn back. He's so scared of me, it's going to take a lot for me to get him to drop his guard around me.
To do that, I must be willing to play the long game. It's something I've never been really good at, but for things to work… I must try… I have no choice.
********
"You thought I was going to praise you!? For coming first in the state?? You ridiculous child!" His scornful growl rips through me, and I shut my eyes.
"You're an illegitimate child! The result of a prostitute who refused to abort you so she could use you to extort me. That's all you are! Striving to prove yourself worthy of my name is the least you can do!" He continues as he throws my award to the ground so hard that it shatters.
"So what if you came first in the state!? You'll always come last here. You're the bastard I never wanted. You'll forever be tainted by your mother's filthy blood. No amount of awards or achievements will wipe away what you are. A mistake!" He spits as he pushes me so hard I fall to the ground, and my heart crumbles in my chest.
My eyes snap open as my memories have once again decided to deprive me of sleep. I massage my eyes with my fingers, and sleep completely abandoned me.
I sit up, irritated that I had to relive that, and I'm welcomed by the gentle humming of the appliances in the house.
I look at the alarm clock beside my bed. 3 A.M.
Great.
I flip the duvet off me and sit at the edge of my bed.
My eyes dart to the novel on my bedside table, and my gaze lingers on the author's name, BlueBird.
I pick the novel up, and staring at it… I remember him. I pick up my phone, and with a few taps, live footage from the hidden cameras in his bedroom floods my screen, and I smile.
He's fast asleep. I should go check on him… to be sure he's fine.
I get up, grab my robe off the floor, throw it on, and head out of my room, down to his.
I twist the master key, and the door that once refused to open, silently gives way. I push it open, and his delicate scent rushes at me.
He's fast asleep, tucked under the duvet, with a half-eaten chocolate cupcake in his hand, against his pillow.
I smile at the sight as I approach his bed and sit quietly beside him. My body instinctively releases soothing pheromones, and he stirs a bit.
I carefully take the cupcake from his hand and place it on the bedside table.
There are crumbs of the cake at the edge of his lips, and I reach out to gently brush them off. He smacks his lips in sleep, and my smile grows.
He looks so fragile… so… defenceless. The urge to protect something has never been this strong, my entire life.
I stare at his smooth, fair skin, long lashes, and slightly parted lips as he snores softly.
I take the back of my fingers and caress his cheek softly.
When will I be able to make him mine? Fully…
When will I stop having to sneak into his room when he's fast asleep?
I don't want to keep creeping around like a thief. I want him to smile at me as he did with that bastard.
I want to see him bright, and ridiculously happy… like he used to be with that good-for-nothing dimwit. But how long do I have to wait till then?
"When will you give me your heart, Ethan?" I whisper, and he stirs in his sleep.
He groans in discomfort, and my heart skips a beat.
"N-no… please…" He mutters, and my eyes widen.
Is he… is he having a nightmare?
"D-don't leave me too. P-please…" He croaks, and my chest squeezes when I see tears begin to escape his eyes.
He's… he's crying?? W-why!? What is he dreaming about—
"Adrien…" He whispers, and the blood in my veins slowly turns to ice.
"Please come back, Adrien…" He cries, and my heart slows to a stop.
Adrien. He's still thinking about him!??
...I'll have to handle that problem, now... won't I??