@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."

I froze on the spot, barely saying a word.

I could feel his breath on my cheeks and I quickly bit my lips in tension.

"You're not saying anything, kiddo." he asked, straightening himself to look at me. "Cat got your tongue?"

I trembled, my palms shaking beside me as I raised my head to his height.

Gawd, I hate this. I freaking hate this.

He chuckled lightly and moved backwards, turning on his heels and walking out of the door. I immediately released the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

I stood there for a full five seconds after he left.

Five very long seconds.

My heart was pounding like I had just run a marathon and my lungs felt tight, like the air in the kitchen had suddenly become too thick to breathe.

"What the hell was that?" I whispered to myself.

Lucian Banks had just leaned close enough for me to feel his breath against my ear and then walked away like nothing happened. Like he hadn't just short-circuited my brain.

I dragged a shaky hand through my hair.

This man was insane, dangerous, irritating and annoyingly attractive-which was the worst part.

I groaned and downed the rest of my water before abandoning the kitchen.

The gala was still buzzing with laughter and clinking glasses somewhere in the main hall, but I had already had enough social interaction for the night.

The only thing I wanted was my bed and maybe a brain reset, because if I thought about that moment with Lucian for even a split second, I might actually combust.

....

Morning came too quickly.

The sunlight creeping through the curtains felt like punishment for staying up half the night replaying Lucian's stupid whisper in my head.

"You can't escape now, stubborn."

God.

I rolled over and buried my face in the pillow.

"Kill me," I groaned.

Unfortunately, death didn't arrive. Instead, Jeanne knocked on my door, her high-pitched voice piercing into my ears.

"Ezran! Breakfast!"

I pretended to be asleep.

She knocked again. "Ezran, I know you're awake. Come down for breakfast. Everyone's waiting for you so don't keep everybody waiting for too long!"

Damn it.

I dragged myself out of bed, sauntered into the bathroom and had one of the quickest showers ever, threw on a hoodie and sweatpants, and shuffled downstairs like a man walking to his execution.

The dining hall looked exactly like it had yesterday.

Long polished table with too many chairs, too much wealth and unfortunately, too much Lucian.

He was already sitting there.

"Of course he was." I scoffed under my breath.

Perfect posture, dark suit and coffee in hand. Looking like a billionaire villain straight out of a novel.

His eyes flicked toward me the moment I stepped inside. I immediately looked away. Nope, I was not doing that again. Not after last night.

"Good morning," Robert said calmly.

"Morning," I muttered.

I dropped into a chair and grabbed a croissant, hoping if I ate fast enough I could escape before Lucian opened his mouth.

That hope died quickly.

"We need to establish a few things," Lucian said calmly.

I froze mid-bite.

Oh hell! Here we go.

Everyone looked at him. Jeanne sighed like she already knew what was coming. Charlyn leaned back in her chair, obviously amused.

Lucian placed his coffee cup down with careful precision.

"Since Ezran now lives here permanently," he continued, voice cool and controlled, "it would be beneficial if we set some house expectations."

I blinked slowly. "House expectations?"

Robert nodded approvingly. "Yes. Structure is important."

Of course he would agree.

Lucian looked directly at me now.

"First," he said, "curfew is ten on weekdays, nine on weekends. You have to be home on time to join the necessary meetings we usually hold on weekends."

I laughed. Actually laughed. "You're kidding."

"I rarely joke."

"I'm twenty-one, not twelve." I said flatly.

"And living under my father's roof."

Oh, this man.

I leaned forward slightly. "So what you're saying is that you plan on babysitting me?"

Jeanne kicked my leg hard under the table. I swallowed the wince.

Lucian ignored the comment completely.

"Second," he continued calmly, "if you leave campus or the city, you inform someone in the house."

I stared at him like he had just grown horns. "You want my schedule too?"

"No."

He took another sip of coffee. "Just basic responsibility."

My jaw clenched. He was talking like I was a child.

"Anything else?" I asked sarcastically.

"Yes."

His gray eyes met mine again.

"Reply to messages when you see them and keep your sharing on."

My chest tightened slightly.

Was he being serious?

No. He couldn't be. But the corner of his mouth twitched like he knew exactly what I was thinking.

"You sound very confident for someone who just met me a week ago," I muttered.

Lucian leaned back in his chair.

"I don't need a week to understand someone."

"And what exactly have you understood about me, Mr Banks?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he studied me like I was a puzzle he was slowly solving.

Then he said quietly, "You're impulsive."

My eyebrow twitched.

"You resist authority."

Fair. I know I do.

"You speak before thinking."

Rude.

"And you enjoy provoking me."

I blinked. Wait. "What?"

Jeanne coughed to hide a laugh. Lucian continued like nothing happened.

"Which is unfortunate," he said calmly, "because I don't enjoy being provoked."

My pride flared. "Oh really? The great Mr Banks can't bear to see his ego bruised by someone he calls kiddo?"

A flash or so I thought, passed through his eyes. He ignored my question and leaned slightly forward now.

"And yet," he said quietly. "you keep trying harder to do just that"

For a moment neither of us spoke. The tension between us stretched tight like a wire.

Robert cleared his throat.

"Well," he said, standing up, "I think that was productive."

Productive? I almost choked.

Lucian rose from his chair as well, adjusting his cufflinks. Then he paused beside me.

I didn't look up. I refused, but I could feel him standing there.

His voice dropped slightly.

"Also," he added quietly, "don't skip breakfast again."

I looked up instantly.

"You're monitoring my eating habits now?"

He gave me a slow look.

"No." Then he added calmly, "Just your bad habits."

And with that, he walked away like he hadn't just ruined my entire morning.

I stared after him, eyes blazing.

Jeanne leaned toward me, a broad smile stretching from one end of her cheek to the other.

"Wow," she whispered.

"What?"

"You lasted five minutes before fighting with him."

I groaned and slammed my forehead against the table.

"This family is going to kill me."