The table fell into silence.

Mom's eyes were pleading with me, Jenna was staring at her brother and Charlyn and Robert seemed unfazed by whatever we were doing.

"What the fuck did you just call me?" I asked again, rage seeping slowly through me.

"A selective brat. You have any issues with that?"

Geez! I swear I hate Lucian.

"Look, I'd prefer you mind your fucking business, Lucian Banks."

"Mind your language, Ezran." Mom chipped in. "He is your elder. Give him his res-"

"Mind your fucking business too, Mrs Banks." I shouted, cutting her off. "You never asked for my opinion at all, so if my speaking to your stepson doesn't sit well with you, suit yourself."

I picked up my backpack and stormed out of the dining room, rushing outside the house.

....

The morning after our first real standoff, the house felt like a battlefield. Every footstep echoed too loudly, every door creaked under my nerves. I kept imagining Lucian's sharp gaze lurking behind every corner, waiting to punish me for some imaginary crime.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror as I slipped on my night robe. I looked haggard. I was trying to convince myself that it was overstudying but deep down, I knew the real cause of my sudden haggardness.

A soft knock on my door drew my attention back to reality.

"Ezran dear, we need to talk."

Mom pushed the door open with a smile on her face. A nervous smile actually.

"If you're here to lecture me on how to talk to your new family, please don't start. I have a dozen school assignments to complete by tonight."

She sighed loudly, taking slow steps towards me. She stopped in front of me, her eyes locked on mine.

"I'm sorry for everything. For forcing you to accept my new family." She paused and brushed her fingers softly into my hair. "But please, I need you to make this work. I need you to accept Robert and his children."

"Well, I'm sorry for how I sounded in the morning. I'll apologize to Robert and the girls for the disrespect."

A smile curled up on her face and she pulled me into a hug, wrapping her arms around my waist.

"And Lucian. Won't you apologize to him?"

"Never." I mumbled stubbornly.

She laughed softly, patting my back. "Come downstairs for dinner. I asked the maids to cook to your preference today."

I gave her a slight nod.

...

Dinner was silent after my morning outburst. Jeanne chirped beside me, trying to fill the void with stories about her college friends, but I only half-listened. My mind kept drifting to Lucian. He didn't speak much, as always, but there was a quiet intensity about him that made me hyper-aware of every movement, every word.

"Ezran, don't look so grumpy," Jeanne whispered, nudging my arm. "It's dinner, not a death sentence."

I forced a smile, nudging her arm back. She giggled, completely oblivious to the tension in the room.

And then I saw him. Lucian, sitting at the head of the table, coffee in hand, eyes following me like a hawk. It was infuriating. Everything about him screamed control: his posture, the sharp lines of his jaw, the dark intensity in his eyes. He could crush me with a word, and I hated myself for noticing the pull of it.

"Uh..I want to apologize for earlier on. That didn't speak well of my upbringing. I apologize."

Robert gave me a calm smile, his large palms resting on mine. "I'm glad you owned up to your mistake, kid. I'm super proud of you and I'll reward you for being responsible."

I nodded and turned my eyes to the girls. Charlyn shrugged her shoulders and went back to her meal, Jenna squeezed my palms softly.

My eyes drifted off to Lucian and I found him staring right back at me.

"Apology accepted," he said flatly. No warmth. No inflection beyond the bare minimum.

"Yeah," I muttered back, careful not to give him anything to use against me.

Two days in this shared household was already so much torture. Our interactions were minimal but electric. The environment was tense and choked up especially with the way Lucian was staring at me.

The way he observed me when I wasn't paying attention-everything set me on edge.

Dinner was over and soon, everyone went to bed. I had taken my laptop to the living room; the house was quiet, the only light coming from the glow of my screen. I was deep in coding, fingers flying over the keyboard, when I sensed movement behind me.

"Ezran."

My heart skipped a beat. I froze.

"I need to talk to you." Lucian said, his voice, low and controlled, yet somehow cutting through the silence like a blade.

I swallowed hard. "Talk about what?"

"Your attitude," he said simply, sitting on a couch, arms crossed. His presence was oppressive. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't.

"My attitude?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though my pulse was betraying me. "I'm not the one who spoke rudely first, you are the real predator."

His eyebrows lifted. "I am no predator. You are the problem."

I shot up from the couch, shoving my laptop aside. "Problem? You think I'm the problem? You don't even know me!"

"I know enough," he said quietly, stepping closer. His proximity was dangerous. My pulse raced, and I hated how aware I was of the warmth radiating off him.

"And you don't know what it means to be part of a family like mine. You need to learn boundaries. Now or never."

I opened my mouth to retort, but something in his eyes-something sharp, piercing, commanding, stopped me. He didn't need to touch me to assert dominance; his presence was enough.

I stepped back, pretending to pick up my laptop, but really, I was trying to regain my composure.

"Fine," I muttered, voice tight as I clutched my laptop to my racing chest. "Learn boundaries. Got it."

"Good."

His lips twitched, almost imperceptibly, and I wondered if he realized how close he had come to breaking me, not physically, but mentally.

Days moved faster than I thought and soon, it was weekend. I sat on my reading table, my fingers resting on the cursor of my laptop.

I can't believe I've spent one week in a strange house. I was already bored to death.

A thought nudged at the back of my mind and I shook it off frantically.

Slowly, my hands moved to the cursor and I tapped on the browser icon, cursing myself as I typed a name on the Google search engine.

Lucian Banks, potential heir of the Banks Legacy and CEO of Paragon Gaming.

Paragon Gaming was formerly known as Enamor Gaming. The CEO of Enamor resigned and another smaller company acquired them and changed the name to Paragon which within six years grew to become the largest gaming company in Australia with its headquarters here in Melbourne. Their games were top-notch and madly loved by people. Especially the simulation game they made-Syntaxe-it made people crazy.

"Geez!" I exclaimed. "Mr annoying is Paragon's CEO? Jesus is Lord!"

I quickly brought out my phone and dialed Erik's line and he picked almost immediately.

"Dude, guess what I just discovered." I said, still scrolling through the Wikipedia information.

"Your mom added you to the Bank's will?"

He teased me.

"Bro, you're seriously materialistic. How could you even think of that?"

"Well, I don't deny my nature."

I chuckled lightly for a few seconds, my face returning into serious mode.

"My older stepbrother is the CEO of Paragon Gaming. Did you know about that?"

He laughed like a maniac for the longest time. "You didn't know? And you wanted to wo-"

"Shut up, Er." I cut him off abruptly. I was ashamed.

"Whatever helps you sleep tonight." Erik ended the call, not in anger though.

....

Weekend faded quickly and Monday approached really quick. I tried to focus on school, on coding, and on keeping my distance. Lucian buried himself in work, sometimes leaving the house for hours, sometimes locking himself in his private study.

Yet, despite the minimal interaction, the tension remained, thick and suffocating.

A soft knock sounded on my door and I quickly shut my laptop, walking over to the door.

Charlyn stood by the door with a subtle smile on her face.

"Hi?" I greeted nervously.

"Hi ." she replied casually. "I wanted to speak to you about something. Are you up for a glass of wine or are you studying?"

Glass of wine. By this time of the night?

Normally, I'll pass but this is Charlyn. The sophisticated Charlyn Banks. I quickly made a mental note to drink as little as I could. After all, I had lectures the following morning.

"Uh, I think I've been studying for the longest. A drink would be really nice right now."

She nodded slightly. "Come with me then."

I walked slowly behind her, admiring her walking steps. Even in the night when she's in a night dress, she still looks effortlessly elegant.

We took the stairs to another part I never knew existed in the Villa. An attic.

She entered the passcode and the electric doors slid open in hushed whispers.

What the-Isn't this a wine attic?

"Woah!" I exclaimed, walking in with widened eyes.

"You know, this attic was my mom's idea."

I paused and turned back to her, my brows raised in suspension. She walked past me, moving to a cabinet to pick up a bottle.

"My mom enjoyed drinking but the Banks family had a really conventional thinking concerning drinking as a woman. So she always sneaked into here with her bottles to drink. Dad eventually made this secret winery for her."

"Nice. She must have loved it."

"Mmhmm." she nodded, walking towards me with a bottle of Château d'Yquem.

I gave the bottle a subtle stare but she noticed it.

"Yeah, it's a 2022 Château d'Yquem bottle. Dad got it at an auction."

"Must be very expensive."

"Not really. Just around three hundred thousand."

Wow! Wealthy people don't know what the Lord has done for them.

She poured the wine slowly, pushing the glass toward me without ceremony.

"You don't have to like it," she said lightly. "I just thought you might."

I hesitated, then took a sip and relaxed, just a little.

"I've always been against my dad remarrying since mom died. But then my dad met your mom last year."

My eyes narrowed down to hers. She was staring back at me.

"I was kind of angry, you know. Jeanne has always fangirled your mom, so she was cool with the whole thing. But you see Lucian," she let out a slight chuckle. "He was and is still upset with the whole marriage stuff. My baby brother is undyingly filial to his mom."

Baby brother? So you mean she's actually older than that jerk?

I smirked in realization.

"We eventually found out they love each other and decided to give them a chance to love again. I understand you're insecure, but you need to accept their marriage."

"I have, actually. I don't have a choice for real."

"Well, you do." she paused. "Your mom cares about you. We all do too."

"Maybe y'all but Lucian."

She laughed softly, bringing the glass to her lips and draining it all in a few seconds.

"You're right. He doesn't." Charlyn muttered, standing up from her seat. "Welcome to the family, Ezran." she added.

....

I returned to my room, grinning widely. I picked up my phone from the table, opening my IG account as I fell on the bed.

"Charlyn Banks." I spelt out her name as I typed it on the keyboard.

Her profile popped up and I scrolled downwards, awe filling my chest.

Creative, smart, wealthy, elegant. Charlyn was literally the It-woman! I quickly tapped on the follow button, adding to her over a million followers.

My eyes roamed to her very few follow lists and my eyes found Robert and Jeanne. I followed them too, still admiring their pages. I found Mr Annoying right under Jeanne's profile.

My fingers were itching to follow him too, but my pride wouldn't let me do so. Shutting my pride down and my eyes slowly, I pressed the follow button.

I kept on convincing myself it was a mistake-but I did find all his socials and followed him.

Almost immediately, I received a notification and my heart stopped working.

@lucian.banks_paragon followed you back.

My eyes widened and I covered my mouth to prevent myself from screaming out.

Another notification popped in and I almost passed out.

@lucian.banks_paragon sent you a message.

Lucian: Go to bed, kiddo. It's way past your bedtime.

I blinked repeatedly as I stared at the message. Lucian freaking Banks followed and messaged me on IG? The hell!

I flung my phone on the bed table and shut my eyes tight.

Gawd, my air bags are suddenly choked up.

....

I skipped breakfast again. Not because I wasn't hungry, but because I was avoiding you-know-who.

I sat with Erik in the cafeteria, fiddling with my lunch of bugger and ice cream.

"So tell me something, pretty boy, did you skip sweet breakfast to come eat school junk because of your stepbrother?"

"I....dunno, Erik." I mumbled. "That jerk scares me and I hate him for that."

Erik's lips twitched into a lopsided smirk, "You hate him. Are you sure or are you not sure?"

I blinked slowly, cussing at him under my breath.

"I-I.. don't like Lucian. Definitely don't."

My phone beeped in my hands and I read the message from mom.

Mom: Robert is hosting a high profile private gala of about a hundred or so guests. Endeavor to return early so you can try on the suit I got for you. Gala's is 6pm sharp.

A frown settled on my face and I let out an exasperated scoff, turning off the phone.

"What is it this time around?" Erik questioned.

"A private gala is to be hosted at home and I have to be present to smile for the camera. I guess this is part of my life now."

Erik grinned. "Can we exchange lives then?"

"Hell no!" I exclaimed, wide eyed. "I can't deal with your super religious mom."

"Oh please!"

....

School was stressful but the thought of coming home was even more stressful.

I stared at the mansion immediately I stepped in, a sudden headache hitting me ferociously. The thought of leaving my shell and attending a party gave me real migraines.

The helps were moving about, probably putting things in order for the evening gala.

"Hi, Ezran!" Jeanne called out to me and I stopped walking, adjusting the straps of my backpack.

"You're back from school?"

"Yeah. I had early morning classes, so I had to leave earlier." My eyes roamed over her. "Didn't you go to school today?

"Nope. I was prepping for the gala. You know, trying on my dress, doing my hair, pedicure, manicure and all that stuff. It takes pretty much time."

"Hmm. Girls stuff right?"

She nodded and I continued walking with her strolling beside me.

"What is this whole gala stuff about?"

"Dad hosts a monthly gala to relax with friends and associates while discussing deals and business. It's been a tradition since his grandfather's days."

"Oh." I mumbled to myself.

Stepping into my room, I found mom sitting on my bed.

"You're late, Ezran."

"It's 4pm, mom."

She shrugged her shoulders, pointing towards four suits neatly arranged on mannequins.

A white two piece, an ox-red tuxedo, a black suit and a navy blue tuxedo.

"I'll go for the black."

"Try all of them, sweetie." she cooed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ears.

"One is fine, mom. I'm exhausted." I sighed, dragging my tired feet into the bathroom.

"I don't think that is a good choice, Ezran."

Mom was still talking but I had already taken off my clothes and turned on the shower, drowning her voice in the water.

....

The night started unpredictably. Lucian's eyes found me immediately. I walked into the ball and I froze, appalled.

"What the hell?" I exclaimed in whispers.

Lucian's tuxedo was exactly the same as mine. How on Earth did Lucian and I end up wearing matching outfits?

Was this why mom said it wasn't a good choice?

I almost felt like crying but I forced a smile for the blinding lights of the cameras. He looked shocked too but quickly masked it with a smirk.

The jerk.

A toast was made. I smiled politely and laughed when necessary. Lucian barely moved a muscle. I caught him watching me when he thought I wasn't looking, and it drove me insane.

Later, when the crowd thinned, I found myself alone in the kitchen, sipping a glass of water. And there he was.

"Nice tuxedo."

His voice came out calm and relaxed. I cast a brief look at him and rolled my eyes.

"You shouldn't be here alone," he said quietly, leaning against the doorway.

"I can take care of myself," I shot back.

"I know you can," he said, taking a step closer. "But that doesn't mean I can ignore your reckless tendencies."

His words were calm, almost mocking, but there was an undercurrent of danger I couldn't ignore.

I bristled. "I'm not reckless. I just do what I want."

He smiled, just slightly, enough to make my stomach flip. "That's the problem."

I laughed, nervously, but my chest tightened. "You think you can control me?"

"I don't think. I know."

That simple statement sent a shiver down my spine. His confidence, his calm, his presence-it was intoxicating and so infuriating.

And then, in a rare breach of the invisible barrier between us, he stepped even closer, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his body and the faint scent of his cologne. My heart raced, my thoughts scrambled.

"Why...did you follow me on Instagram?"

"You followed first, kid. So I should be the one asking that question."

I raised my chin in pride, "I only followed because of Paragon. Don't think too highly of yourself, Mr Banks."

A smirk curled up on his lips and he stepped even closer, creating no room for space between us. I quickly moved backwards, but my back hit the cabinet. A more sinister smirk curled even deeper on his lips.

He bent down to my level, his eyes locking on mine. Slowly, he brushed his lips on my ears, his voice coming out dark and primal.

"You can't escape now, stubborn."