Jay's POV
The next morning felt strangely normal.
Too normal.
We were all at the breakfast table. Plates clinking. Yuri arguing about toast thickness. Adrian pretending he wasn't listening to anyone. Keifer sitting beside me like a silent bodyguard disguised as a husband.
I had just taken a sip of juice when—
Knock. Knock.
Everyone turned at the same time.
The door opened.
"Surprise!"
Doctor Luke stood there like he owned the morning.
Ciel blinked. "You're here?"
Keifer's jaw tightened instantly. "What are you doing here?"
Luke stepped inside casually. "Of course I'm here. I need to take care of my patient."
I raised a brow. "I don't need a doctor. I'll be fine."
He walked straight toward me like I hadn't spoken.
"You know," he said, leaning slightly closer, "that's what all patients say."
Then he casually placed his hand on Keifer's shoulder.
I swear I saw Keifer's soul leave his body for half a second.
"Ciel," Luke said smoothly, "what do you think? Should I stay?"
Ciel grinned. "Yes. Also, I have to beat you at the video game from last time."
Luke snapped his fingers. "Yes! Since I have two days' vacation."
Adrian frowned. "Did I say you could stay at my house?"
Luke tilted his head. "No. You didn't. But your sister allowed me."
Ciel smiled innocently.
Yuri and Adrian both looked betrayed.
I finished my breakfast quietly.
The air felt… strange.
Luke suddenly took my hand.
I blinked. "For what?"
"Leave her hand," Keifer said immediately.
Luke sighed dramatically. "Cool down, big dog."
Big dog.
Keifer looked ready to commit a crime.
Luke pulled me up gently and walked me toward the window.
"What are you doing?" I whispered.
He didn't answer.
He just stood beside the window… then suddenly hugged me.
Not tight.
Not inappropriate.
But enough.
I froze.
And right on time—
Keifer appeared.
He grabbed Luke and pulled him away from me.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Luke raised both hands calmly.
"Three…"
"Two…"
"One…"
The curtains behind us suddenly closed.
Ciel stood there proudly holding the curtain rope.
Luke clapped once. "Great timing."
Everyone stared.
"What is going on?" Adrian muttered.
Luke turned like nothing happened. "Come on, Ciel. Let's play games."
"I'm joining!" Ci-N shouted.
Some of the Section E boys agreed immediately and followed them upstairs.
Just like that.
The chaos dissolved.
Leaving only silence.
And confusion.
Yuri crossed his arms. "What was all that about?"
Keifer's eyes were dark. "He's not a good man. We can't trust him."
I was still looking toward the stairs where Luke disappeared.
Something wasn't right.
The hug wasn't random.
The countdown.
The curtain.
The timing.
It felt… calculated.
"Jay," Keifer said. "Did you hear me?"
"Huh?" I blinked. "Sorry. I didn't hear you."
"I said go and rest."
"Oh. Yes. Okay."
But as I walked away, my thoughts weren't resting.
Luke was funny.
Annoying.
Fast.
He loved teasing Keifer.
But that?
That wasn't teasing.
That was distraction.
And I don't know why…
But I have a feeling he wanted someone outside that window not to see something.
Or maybe…
To see something.
And that thought made my stomach twist.
End of Chapter.