On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 16

On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 16

  {•𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔•}

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒆𝒓.

ʙʏ ʙᴀʀʙɪᴇʟʟᴇ 

  -ʟᴜᴄᴋ ɪs ᴀɴ ɪʟʟᴜsɪᴏɴ-

♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

Hades was done receiving the food he ordered from one of the guards and set it on the dining table. He glanced at the staircase, his jaw flexing slightly.

“Bluey!” He called out. No answer.

He frowned and called again, louder this time, but still nothing. With a deep sigh, he turned and made his way upstairs.

The moment he pushed open the bedroom door, the sound hit him—soft, broken sniffles and muffled whimpers. 

Bluey was lying on the bed, her back to him, the duvet pulled up to her shoulders as if trying to shut the world out.

He leaned against the doorframe, his voice flat. “Aren’t you gonna eat?”

“Won’t you apologize for hurting me?” her voice came out small but trembling, her tone laced with disappointment rather than anger.

Hades paused, staring at her trembling form. He could hear the hurt in her voice, the soft shudder in every breath she took.

He walked closer, his boots soundless against the carpet, and stopped right beside the bed.

 For a moment, he didn’t speak. His hand twitched slightly, wanting to reach for her, but he held back.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you that bad,” He finally said, low and rough.

 “You just…. you make me lose it somtimes. I told you not to test me, Bluey.”

Her breath hitched, and she turned to look at him, eyes swollen and red. 

“That’s not an excuse! You don’t get to treat me like that just because you warned me!” She snapped at him.

 “I’m not making excuses.” He crossed his arms, his tone clipped.

“That’s not an apology, Hades. You can’t just….” Her voice cracked. “You can’t keep saying you love me and then treat me like that.”

 “I told you what kind of man I am from the start. You think  I can  suddenly change overnight?”

Bluey sat up, clutching the duvet tighter to her chest. 

“Then maybe you should’ve stayed alone! If this is what loving you means, me getting hurt every time you’re angry, then what’s the point?”

Hades’s jaw tightened, his patience fraying.

 “You knew exactly what you were getting into when you chose me. I don’t fake who I am, Bluey. I don’t pretend to be gentle. If you can’t take it, then maybe you should just leave.”

Her lips parted in disbelief. “You’re serious?” She whispered, tears spilling again.

 “Yeah, maybe I am.”He turned, running a hand through his hair as he started toward the door.

But as he reached for the handle, something made him stop. The sound of her quiet sobs filled the room again, fragile and raw.

He turned slowly, looking at her, her head bowed, shoulders trembling, her small frame swallowed by the blanket.

The tension in his body eased just a fraction. 

 “Bluey…”His voice softened.

She didn’t look up, only whispered. “I love you the way you are. I just… wish you’d stop hurting me.”

That broke something in him.

He walked back to the bed, kneeling beside it. 

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” He said finally, his voice low and rough. “I just… lose it sometimes. You get under my skin.”

Her tears fell freely now, but she didn’t pull away when he brushed a hand gently over her hair.

“I warned you I’m not good,” He murmured. “But I never wanted to make you cry like that.”

Bluey stayed quiet, her breathing uneven, and he sighed, pressing his forehead against her arm.

Bluey turned her head slightly, eyes red, cheeks stained with tears. 

His expression softened, the cold edge in his eyes fading. He sat at the edge of the bed, his weight dipping the mattress slightly.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered finally. “I lost control.”

She stared at him quietly, the silence thick between them. Then she whispered.

“You always do.”

 “Come eat something, okay? Please.” Hades reached out, gently brushing his fingers over her hair.

Bluey hesitated, then sat up slowly, clutching the duvet to her chest. 

Her eyes met his, still wet and full of pain, but behind them was the same familiar pull, the ache of love mixed with fear.

He looked at her for a long moment, his thumb brushing the corner of her tear-stained cheek.

——

★𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭★

The restaurant buzzed softly with chatter and clinking cutlery, its dim lights reflecting off the glass windows that overlooked the city.

“It’s so great you Aces can leave the school whenever you like,” Dawn said, flipping through the menu with a small smile.

“Mm. Talk about privilege,” Hugo replied, resting his chin on his palm as he studied her instead of the food.

Before she could catch him staring, a waiter approached their table with a polite smile. “Good evening, sir. Are you both ready to order?”

Hugo straightened up, his voice smooth. “Yeah. I’ll have the grilled steak with pepper sauce and a chicken alfredo pasta for my girlfriend.”

Dawn’s eyes widened. 

“Wait—what?” she gasped, glaring at him as the waiter nodded and jotted down the order.

“Okay, sir. Your order will be right out.” The waiter smiled and walked away.

The moment he left, Dawn smacked Hugo’s arm lightly.

 “Who the f+k are you calling your girlfriend?” she demanded, her voice half-annoyed, half-embarrassed.

Hugo glanced around the restaurant dramatically, pretending to search.

 “Hmm. Let’s see… I believe you’re the only one sitting at this table with me.”

Her jaw dropped. “You’re unbelievable.”

He smirked, leaning back in his chair. “And yet you’re still here, eating dinner with me. So what does that make you?”

Dawn folded her arms and looked away, her cheeks betraying a faint blush. “It makes me hungry. Nothing else.”

“Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night,” Hugo teased, that boyish grin never leaving his face.

She shook her head.

“So, do I stand a chance?” Hugo asked, his voice soft but edged with curiosity.

“Chance in what?” Dawn blinked, raising her glass to her lips.

“In your heart,” he said simply, his eyes fixed on her.

She chuckled, shaking her head. “Gosh, you’re only trying to woo me because you obviously feel guilty. Not like you’re in love with me or something. Relax, I’ll let you fuck me soon enough.”

The words hit him harder than he expected.

For a moment, he didn’t move. 

He’d thought the teasing, the laughter, the hours they spent together meant something, even if just a little. 

But now, her words made it sound like he was some cheap player chasing a hookup.

He stared at her across the table, his pulse dull in his ears. Maybe she didn’t mean it that way. Maybe she did.

Either way, it stung.

Because for the first time in a long time, Hugo actually felt something real for someone and she’d just stepped on it like it was nothing.

The waiter arrived, breaking the silence.

“Your orders,” he said politely, placing the plates before them.

“Thanks,” Hugo muttered.

They started eating.

Dawn tried to make light conversation, but he barely responded. He kept his eyes on his plate, chewing slowly, saying nothing. The lightness from before was gone.

**

They were done eating, and Hugo quietly signaled for the bill. He didn’t even look at the total before sliding his card across the table. 

Dawn watched him, frowning slightly his usual playful grin was nowhere to be found.

When the waiter returned with the receipt, Hugo stood up.

“Let’s go,” he said curtly.

They walked out of the restaurant, the evening air cool and humming with distant traffic. 

The glow of the city lights washed over them, but Hugo’s silence seemed to swallow every bit of warmth the night had to offer.

When they reached his car, he moved ahead to open the door for her, but as his hand brushed hers, Dawn caught it and held on.

“Are you okay? You’ve been quiet lately,” She said softly, her brows knitting together.

He slipped his hand away, avoiding her eyes.

“I’m fine. Let’s just go.”

“Hugo, tell me what’s wrong,” she insisted, stepping closer.

He suddenly turned, his voice cracking with the weight he’d been holding in.

“Everything! Okay? Everything’s wrong!”

She froze. His tone wasn’t angry, it was pained.

“I hate myself right now,” He said, his voice rough. “I hate how I hurt you. I hate it so damn much. Is that what you really think all this is? Did you really think all I wanted was to fuck you?”

“Hugo…” She whispered, taken aback by the hurt in his voice.

“I—” He ran a hand through his hair, his chest rising and falling fast. 

“I f+king have feelings for you, Dawn. I’m trying, okay? I’m throwing away all my bad habits for you. I’m staying away from girls, for you. I’m trying hard to make it up to you… but you…”

His words broke off. He looked away, jaw clenched, struggling to hold himself together. 

The silence that followed was heavy, only their breaths filling the space between them.

Dawn stared at him, completely stunned. For once, she didn’t have something clever to say.

 She just stood there, heart pounding, realizing he wasn’t joking—he was hurting.

Hugo finally took a deep breath, stepped back, and nodded toward the car.

“Get in,” he said quietly.

She hesitated but obeyed, slipping into the passenger seat. He got in too, his face hard to read, hands gripping the steering wheel like he needed the pressure to stay calm.

The engine started. Neither spoke. The car rolled away from the restaurant, the sound of the city fading behind them replaced only by the quiet ache that lingered between their hearts.

——

 ★𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞★

Iris came downstairs, still half-asleep, her hair messy and eyes barely open. 

She yawned as she reached the kitchen, rubbing her eyes only to pause when she saw Robert standing by the counter, wearing an apron and flipping something in a pan.

“Darling.” Robert said, smiling over his shoulder as the smell of breakfast filled the room.

“Robert?” She blinked, her lips curving into a sleepy grin. 

“You’re here? Why didn’t you tell me you came home?” She pouted, walking over to him and wrapping her arms around his waist.

“I got back really late last night,” He said, turning slightly to press a kiss to her forehead.

 “Didn’t want to wake my pretty wife. How’s my sleepyhead doing this morning?”

“I’m fine now that you’re here,” She murmured, hugging him from behind, her cheek resting against his back.

 “Hungry?”He chuckled softly, stirring the pan.

“What are you making for me?” she asked, peeking over his shoulder.

“Your favorite, pancakes and bacon,” he replied proudly.

“Awwn.” She cooed, grinning as she nuzzled his back. “My husband’s the sweetest. I love you.”

He turned, pulling her gently to his front.

 “I love you too,” He said, leaning down to kiss her lips.

But just as he pulled back, his gaze fell on her bare shoulder, his smile fading instantly. The fabric of her tank top had slipped slightly, revealing faint bruises near her collarbone.

His hand froze mid-air. 

“I love you…” He said again, but this time his voice was lower, slower. 

His brows drew together as his fingers brushed the marks. 

“What’s this?”

Iris stiffened. “It’s nothing.”

“Iris.” His tone hardened. “Who did this to you?”

She stepped back immediately, tugging her top up to cover the marks. “It’s nothing, Rob. Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

“Don’t make a—? Iris, those are scratches.” His voice dropped, calm but sharp, like a blade under silk. “Who hurt you?”

“No one!” She snapped, her voice trembling slightly as she turned away, her eyes glistening. “Just… please. Not now.”

Robert’s jaw clenched. He took a slow breath, his hand balling into a fist at his side.

 “You’re lying to me,” He said quietly.

“Fine… it’s Marco,” Iris finally muttered under her breath.

Robert froze mid-motion, his hand still gripping the spatula. 

“Marco what?” He asked slowly, turning toward her.

 “Marco’s men.”She sighed, her voice barely above a whisper.

The spatula clattered onto the counter as he turned fully. “Marco touched you!!”

“No, Robert,” she said quickly, taking a step back, her tone soft but firm. 

“Not him. It was his men. I….” she hesitated, her throat tightening a little.

“….I fought them yesterday. Didn’t even realize one of them scratched me until this morning. It’s no biggie.”

“No biggie?” His voice cracked with disbelief, and he ran a hand through his hair, pacing once. “Iris, they put their hands on you—”

“I can defend myself,” she interrupted, forcing a small smile even though her eyes looked tired. “You know that. You’ve seen me handle worse.”

Robert stopped pacing. His gaze softened as it trailed to the faint bruises peeking beneath her top. He exhaled, frustrated and pained all at once.

 “I know you can,” He murmured, stepping closer. 

His hand lifted as if to touch the mark but stopped short. 

“But your pretty skin…” His voice dropped lower, almost breaking. “It shouldn’t be marked up like this. Not by anyone. Not ever.”

She looked up at him, the teasing smile gone now, replaced with a quiet tenderness. 

“I’m fine, Rob. Really.”

He swallowed hard, then cupped her cheek gently.  

“I’ll seriously kill that bastard if I see him.” He said.

“I swore I would too.”She chuckled, pecking his lips.

——

★ 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫’𝐬 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞★

Gael’s car rolled into the estate, the tires crunching lightly against the gravel as the iron gates closed behind him. 

He parked near the entrance and stepped out, shoulders heavy with exhaustion. One of the maids hurried toward him, bowing slightly before taking his briefcase.

“Welcome home, sir,” she said politely.

Gael gave a small nod and made his way inside. The air felt cold, too quiet—like the house itself knew something had broken.

 He loosened his tie as he reached the living room and sank into the couch, his head falling back.

He had already pulled out every cent he’d invested in Anthony’s campaign, cut off the generous allowances he’d been giving Corazon, and had her name erased from his will. 

The only one remaining was Morgan, his daughter, the one person who hadn’t asked for any of this chaos.

A deep groan escaped him as he rubbed his face with both hands, the weight of everything pressing down at once.

 The betrayal, the scandal, the emptiness of a marriage that had turned to ashes.

For a long while, he just sat there, the ticking of the clock echoing in the background, wondering when exactly love had started feeling like punishment.

Banjo had been dismissed that morning, he was Corazon’s personal driver, now unnecessary with her gone. 

“Welcome, sir. Water?” Maureen’s soft voice broke the silence as she stepped forward, holding out a chilled glass.

“Thanks, Maureen,” Gael said, taking it and drinking slowly. 

The cool water did little to ease the heaviness pressing against his chest.

“You look stressed and tired,” She said gently, folding her hands before her. “Have you been able to talk to Madam Corazon?”

Gael let out a low sigh, his tone flat.

 “I already cut ties with her. I’m planning on a divorce, but she said she won’t sign the papers. Still, I’ve got enough grounds to push through. She’s the one who cheated. I’ll talk to my lawyers about it.”

Maureen nodded, sympathy softening her features. 

“Then maybe, sir, you should focus more on your daughter, Morgan. I know things between you two haven’t been easy, but maybe this is the right time to reach out. She might need her father more than ever now.”

He looked at her for a moment, her words sinking in.

 “You’re right,” he admitted quietly. “I never thought Corazon would do that to me… but I guess it is what it is.”

Maureen gave him a small, understanding smile and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. 

The motion drew his eyes, elegant, simple, unpretentious.

She’s… so pretty, he thought, his gaze lingering for a second longer than it should have.

“I’ll go ahead now, sir,” Maureen said softly, clearing her throat as if she felt his stare. “I’ll get your food ready.”

Gael nodded, watching as she turned and disappeared into the kitchen, the faint scent of her perfume lingering in the air long after she was gone.

**

Maureen entered the kitchen quietly,. She glanced around to make sure no one was nearby before pulling out her phone and dialing a familiar number. 

The line rang twice before a low, steady voice answered.

“Hello, Raul,” she said, her tone firm but edged with worry.

“Hey,” He replied casually. “It’s been a while since you called. How are you doing?”

She exhaled sharply. “Sergio told me something. What the hell are you planning on doing?”

There was a short pause on the line before Raul’s voice came again, calm and collected.

 “Exactly what it sounds like. It’s the only way we can get a solid lead on what we want.”

Maureen’s brows furrowed, her voice lowering into a harsh whisper. “But still, it’s a risky plan, Raul. What if they get hurt?”

“They won’t,” he assured. “They’re trained properly. It’s not a big issue.”

She scoffed softly, pacing near the counter. “Whatever. You always say that.”

“Just stay alert, okay?” Raul continued, his voice more serious now. “If we need help or information from your side, I’ll call.”

Maureen hesitated before nodding even though he couldn’t see her. “Fine. Just… don’t let this go too far.”

“Under control,” Raul said, then hung up.

Maureen dropped her phone onto the counter with a sigh, muttering under her breath, “He’s always sending the kids to do stupid stuff.”

She rubbed her temples, frustration and worry clouding her expression.

——

 ★𝐌𝐈𝐀- 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 & 𝐏𝐚𝐰𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚★

The clang of metal and the thud of gloves against sandbags filled the air. 

Trevor stood in the middle of the arena, correcting stances and calling out instructions, but his focus wasn’t on the recruits, not really. 

His eyes kept drifting to the far end of the room, where Morgan moved like she was built for this.

And not once did she glance his way. Trevor bit his bottom lip, trying to mask the frustration twisting inside him.

 “C’mon, Morgan,” He muttered under his breath, “…just glance at me once… anything.”

He ran a hand through his hair, pacing, pretending to check posture, but his eyes betrayed him again — finding her in the crowd like magnets.

Then, out of nowhere, his chest hitched.

A hiccup.

Then another.

“Seriously?” he groaned quietly, rubbing his throat as the hiccups kept coming.

Before he could say anything else, a cold bottle of water appeared in front of him. He turned, and there she was. Bluey.

“Here…” She said with a small smile. “You look like you’re about to choke on your own air.”

Trevor blinked, embarrassed, taking the bottle from her.

 “Thanks.” He took a gulp, then sighed. “Guess I’m just… distracted.”

Bluey crossed her arms, giving him a knowing look. “Distracted by Morgan, maybe?”

Trevor froze, water still in his mouth.

Bluey smirked. “You’re not exactly subtle, Trevor. Even the punching bags noticed.”

He laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Is it that obvious?”

“Painfully,” she teased. 

“Don’t you feel weird talking to me?” Trevor asked after a moment, his voice lower, uncertain. “I used to bully you.”

Bluey shrugged lightly, her eyes on the bottle in his hand rather than his face. “Well, you can’t anymore. So, I guess I can now be friends with everyone.”

Trevor blinked, almost caught off guard by how calmly she said it. 

“You’re so unbelievable,” he muttered with a small, crooked smile. “You don’t hate me?”

“I don’t hold grudges,” she said simply, her tone soft but honest.

Trevor exhaled, a slow, heavy breath that carried more than fatigue. It was regret, guilt, maybe even something else. He rubbed his palms together and glanced at her again.

“She told me you two are siblings,” Bluey said after a short silence. “That must… suck.”

Trevor’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Yeah,” he said finally, voice tight. 

“I just can’t let go that easily. I practically grew up with Morgan. I loved her, cherished her… she’s so special to me and—” His voice cracked, quiet but sharp. 

“Finding out she’s my sister hurts like hell.”

Bluey’s expression softened. She didn’t say anything, just reached out and placed a gentle hand on his arm. 

It was meant to be comforting, nothing more. But Trevor’s gaze dropped immediately to where her fingers brushed his skin.

His pulse jumped.

He looked up at her… really looked and for a moment, his pain dulled into something else entirely. 

His hand shifted slightly, resting over hers, holding it there.

 “Thanks,” he said quietly, almost to himself.

Bluey’s breath hitched. “You’re welcome.”

He didn’t say a word, just looked into her eyes — his gaze steady, searching. His thumb brushed along the back of her hand, slow and deliberate. 

Her cheeks flushed, and she tried to pull her hand back, but he didn’t let her. Not yet.

“Thanks for listening,” he murmured, stepping a little closer. 

The air between them felt tight, heavy, the kind that made the smallest breath sound too loud.

“I—It’s fine,” Bluey managed, her voice soft, uncertain.

Trevor’s eyes dropped briefly to her lips before returning to her gaze. He smiled faintly, not cocky, not teasing… just sad.

 “You’re kind. I didn’t notice that before.”

Her heart skipped. 

He finally released her hand, his touch leaving a faint chill behind. “See you around, Blue.”

But what neither of them noticed not until it was too late, was the figure standing a few meters away.

Morgan.

Her hands were clenched into fists at her sides, her jaw set. The look in her eyes wasn’t anger. It was hurt, deep, and impossible to hide.

She turned abruptly, walking away before either of them could see the tears forming in her eyes.

——

 Trevor slung his towel over his shoulder, ready to leave the training arena. The sound of his boots echoed faintly on the concrete floor but before he could reach the exit, a voice stopped him.

“Trevor.”

He turned, startled. Morgan was standing a few steps away, her expression unreadable but her eyes sharp.

He sighed softly. “Morgan…”

She crossed her arms, trying to sound calm, though her voice carried the edge of restrained emotion. 

“It’s not right for you to be all over another girl. At least… not yet.”

Trevor blinked, caught off guard. “What are you talking about?”

“I saw you,” she said. “You and Bluey.”

Trevor exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “You’re misunderstanding. I wasn’t all over her.”

“Then what was that?” Morgan demanded, her tone rising slightly. “Because it didn’t look like two people having a friendly talk.”

Trevor gave a small, tired laugh, more frustration than humor.

 “Morgan, I’m not all over her, okay? Bluey’s Hades’ girl.” He looked at her pointedly. “And trust me, I’m not ready for someone to slice my head off just because I touched her hand.”

Morgan’s eyes flickered with a mix of irritation and hurt. “You didn’t have to touch her at all.”

He stepped closer, lowering his tone. “And you didn’t have to watch me.”

She glared up at him, lips pressed tightly. For a moment, neither spoke.

 The air between them was tense, thick with everything unsaid ….the pain, the longing, the frustration of knowing they weren’t supposed to care.

Finally, Trevor looked away. “I’m trying to move on, Morgan. You should too.”

He brushed past her, leaving her standing there — her heart aching as his words lingered like a fresh bruise.

“What is wrong with you Morgan. ”

——

★𝐇𝐲𝐜𝐞’𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞★

Hyce sat on the couch with a glass of soft drink in hand, his posture relaxed but his expression as sharp as ever. 

The low hum of the air conditioner filled the silence until the door opened and Morgan stepped in with Nia and Loci behind her.

“You’re late,” Hyce said flatly, glancing at his watch.

 “We had training..”Morgan sighed as she sat across from him.

 “You called us here for a meeting, not a lecture, right?”Nia chuckled faintly, setting her bag down.

Hyce ignored the tone. 

“The camp’s location is confirmed. It’s a beach resort. We’ll have an opening swim party and a bonfire the night we arrive.” Hyce said.

 “So what’s this about? You want ideas?” Loci leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

“Yes,” Hyce replied shortly. “The Aces are expected to organize part of the camp schedule. I’d prefer not to make it boring.”

 “A water racing competition wouldn’t be bad. Teams, prizes, something that’ll actually get people moving.”Morgan tilted her head thoughtfully.

“Noted,” Hyce said, jotting it on his notepad.

“Maybe beach volleyball,” Nia added. “People love watching that and I think a lot of people might want to participate.”

 “And a secret partner game for a tied leg race.” Loci said.

 “Fine. Volleyball, secret partner game, swim competition. Anything else?” Hyce nodded once.

 “Truth or Dare or Drink session too. I personally will be seated for that.” Nia gave a small smirk.

Hyce met her gaze briefly, then looked away. “Alright. I’ll handle the arrangements and forward the list to Miss Dora for approval.”

 “You can go.”He stood, signaling the meeting was over.

“Okay.”Loci said and walked out with Morgan and Nia.

——

★𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐨’𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞★

Sergio’s phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the caller ID — Raul. With a quiet sigh, he picked up.

“You called earlier,” Raul’s voice came through, low and composed.

“Yeah,” Sergio replied, leaning back in his chair. 

“I got the details you asked for. The school’s camp is being held at a beach resort. We’re leaving on Friday morning. The place is secluded, few staff members, and the teachers are staying in a different wing from the students.”

There was a pause, followed by the faint sound of Raul exhaling.

 “Good. That’s exactly what I needed to hear.” His tone sharpened.

 “Now listen carefully, Sergio. You know what needs to be done  and this time, there’s no room for hesitation. No one can suspect you or Strix’s involvement.”

“I understand,” Sergio said firmly.

Raul continued, “I’ll have the equipment delivered to the resort a day before the trip. Unmarked packages. You’ll receive a coded message once they’re in place. Don’t open them until I say so.”

Sergio’s jaw tightened. “And what about the others? The teachers, the students?”

“Handle it however you must,” Raul said coolly. “Just make sure nothing interferes with the plan. If you pull this off right, everything we’ve been working toward finally falls into place.”

Sergio was silent for a long moment, his thumb brushing the edge of his phone. Then he nodded, voice low.

 “It’ll be done. Just hope your plan works exactly how we want it.”

“Good,” Raul said. 

The line went dead. Sergio lowered the phone slowly. He took a deep breath.

——

★𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲- 7𝐚𝐦- 𝐌𝐈𝐀 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐘𝐚𝐫𝐝★

The morning sun glowed over the front yard of Maxwell Academy, painting everything in a warm, golden light. The air buzzed with excitement and chatter as students gathered with their luggage piled beside them. 

Suitcases rolled, laughter echoed, and a few last-minute photos were snapped as everyone prepared for the long-awaited school trip.

Three buses stood parked by the gate, each labeled neatly with their respective group crests, Jacks & Pawns, Knights, and Aces.

The students were already crowding near their bus, some arguing over window seats, others too busy recording videos and posing for social media.

Some stood in small circles, discussing plans for the trip, their luggage lined up in neat order beside them.

***

Hades walked out of the school’s main building, his tall frame impossible to miss, one hand gripping Bluey’s smaller one and the other holding both of their travel bags.

 His expression was unreadable, sharp as always, but there was a certain softness in his touch — the kind only Bluey ever saw.

As soon as she spotted her friends gathered near the Jack’s bus, Bluey’s eyes lit up. She quickly wiggled her hand free from Hades’ hold and dashed toward them with a bright smile.

“Someone seems excited for this trip.” Nia teased, tossing her hair back with a playful grin.

 “Of course! It’s the beach who wouldn’t be?” Bluey chuckled, adjusting the strap of her bag.

 “You ghosted us yesterday, Bluey. Is your boo seriously more important than us now?”

Natalie crossed her arms with mock offense.

Bluey’s cheeks flushed.

 “I was just… busy yesterday.” She said quickly, glancing briefly in Hades’ direction before looking back at her friends. “Of course you guys are important, you’re my friends.”

 “Well, are you riding the bus with us? Or are you going with him?” Zayne arched a brow.

Bluey hesitated for a second, glancing toward Hades, who stood a few feet away, his dark gaze following her quietly.

“I’ll probably ask him so I can ride with you guys,” She said with a hopeful smile.

 “You’ll ask him? Wow. It’s really gotten to that point where you can’t even make your own decisions without permission?” Zayne snorted.

“Zayne, stop…” Loci said softly, giving him a warning look.

Zayne just scoffed, shaking his head as he stepped past them and boarded the bus.

Bluey bit her lip, her smile fading slightly. The tension hung in the air for a moment until Nia placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t mind him, Bluey.”

Bluey nodded quietly, as she walked back to Hades. 

***

Bluey walked over to Hades, tugging at his sleeve softly.

“I want to ride with my friends,” She said, her tone careful but determined.

Hades’ expression darkened almost immediately. “No.”

Her lips parted. “Why not?”

“Because I said so,” he muttered, staring down at her with that calm authority that made everyone else step back. “You stay with me.”

Bluey frowned, folding her arms. “Can’t I do what I want for once? It’s just a bus ride, Hades. You don’t have to—”

He cut her off with a low, almost warning tone. “You don’t get it, do you? I like having you close. I don’t want you out of my sight for a second.”

She huffed, cheeks puffing slightly in frustration. “You’re so mean. You can’t keep me glued to you twenty-four seven.”

He tilted his head, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Watch me.”

Bluey stomped one foot lightly, eyes flashing. That made him smirk.

“You don’t even know how to get angry properly.” He smirked. 

 Slowly, his hand came up to the back of her head, fingers threading into her hair as he pulled her closer, his voice dropping against her lips. 

Before she could retort, his lips crashed against hers.

The kiss was deep, claiming, sending a hush through the crowd before the whispers erupted.

💬 “Oh my God, that’s so hot.”

💬 “They’re seriously doing this here?”

💬 “I can’t breathe.”

When he finally pulled away, Bluey’s lips were slightly parted, her face flushed as the sound of murmurs buzzed around them.

Without saying another word, a sleek black car pulled up nearby. Hades walked her to it, opened the door, and waited until she slid in, still speechless.

 He dropped their bags in the trunk, got behind the wheel, and drove off ahead of the school buses.

Zayne sat inside the bus by the window, eyes narrowing as he watched the car disappear down the road. His jaw clenched, and his fists tightened at his sides.

**

Sergio stepped onto the Aces’ bus with Hyce’s hand snug in his. The chatter inside paused for a second when they entered. 

His gaze immediately landed on Hugo, who was sitting beside Dawn, his arms crossed and eyes deliberately looking anywhere but at her.

“Seriously Dawn?” Sergio scoffed, a brow arched. “You’re back with this punk?”

 “Who are you calling punk?”Hugo’s head snapped up.

 “You, obviously.”Sergio smirked.

“Hyce, warn your boyfriend,” Hugo muttered, glaring.

“Well, I’m only being protective of my friend,” Sergio replied smoothly, his tone teasing.

“Like I need your permission to be around her,” Hugo shot back.

“Maybe,” Sergio said with a lazy grin.

Hyce groaned softly and tugged him toward their seats. “Can we not start a fight before the trip even begins?”

They slid into a seat midway down the aisle. Sergio pulled out a small gray neck pillow and gently placed it around Hyce’s neck.

“Need me to get you anything else, baby?” Sergio teased, his voice low, playful.

Hyce blushed faintly.

 “Yeah. Maybe… this.” He leaned in and brushed his lips against Sergio’s in a soft, quick kiss.

 “Can you two please not do that in here?”

Trevor’s voice came from the front row, dry and unimpressed.

 “Jealousy, jealousy….is that you?”Hyce didn’t miss a beat.

Trevor rolled his eyes and sank deeper into his seat, muttering something under his breath.

The bus door hissed open, and all eyes turned as Morgan stepped in with her bag slung over one shoulder. 

Her gaze flicked across the bus, daring anyone to say something.

“What?” she asked flatly.

 “And why are you here? Your bus is over there.”Hugo blinked.

 “Y’all don’t expect me to ride with those noisy people, do you?”Morgan gave a casual shrug.

**

The bus rumbled to life, engines growling as it began to roll out of the school yard.

 Laughter, music, and the occasional shout of excitement filled the air, echoing through the aisles. Students leaned against the windows, giggling excitedly.

Sergio slouched comfortably in his seat beside Hyce, one arm draped lazily around his shoulder. His phone buzzed softly in his palm.

✉️ Already sent the things you need for the plan. Do a good job. ✉️

He stared at the message for a moment, thumb hovering.

✉️ Okay. ✉️

He locked the screen and exhaled slowly, eyes shifting to Hyce. His boyfriend was already lost in his movie, earbuds in, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Completely unaware.

Sergio’s lips curved into a small, secretive smirk as he leaned back, the scenery outside blurring into streaks of green and gold.

He muttered under his breath, voice just loud enough to be drowned out by the music and chatter around them.

“This three-day camp is gonna be one hell of a trip.”

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𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝 ✰

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