Reckless – Episode 31&32

RECKLESS

Reckless – Episode 31&32

→ Out•Of•Control ←

[Book 1 in The Untamed Duet]

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a BOLDLY written permission from ME.

Copyright © 2025

Naomi Cindy B.

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★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Despite Stacy’s jump into Cove’s arms, Dorian was about to still move forward, but when she shoved her face into the crook of his neck at the sound of the second shot, it was over.

That was it.

Dorian stopped moving, a crunch settling in the middle of his brows.

His sleep jacket fell off his right shoulder slightly, pulling against his biceps slowly.

Even if the third gunshot is to come right now, it’s sure he won’t move a leg cos his shock is still fresh.

Zendaya on the ground looks like a corpse someone forgot to bury. Only thing missing is the wool in her nose.

Angela as a bright smile on her face, and it matched the freak in her expression.

She was really asleep, but the opening and closing alarm on the main door is secretly connected to her phone, so she knows when Dorian leaves the house even for a little stroll around their estate.

So she followed, and here she is, witnessing a series.

She’s aware that Stacy stays in this estate, but why would she tell Dorian about it? So he can stalk her?

Nothing is sweeter than the disappointed look on Dorian’s face right now. C’mon Stacy was facing Cove. Was he expected her to turn and jump on him at the back?

Nah, that’d be outright wrong.

Good job, Stacy. For the first time ever, she’s happy with her.

Cove is just there. Only action he’s doing is holding Stacy’s laps to his body, and when she shoved her face in his neck two minutes ago, he wasn’t a bit shocked.

Has anything ever shocked him? Some people say when you’ve experienced hell on earth, then nothing shocks you again.

So this dollface in his arms is not an exception, but she got points though.

Last time, he carried her on his back, and now she’s clinging to him from the front, tightly.

That’s new—him allowing constant bodily contacts from females.

As she’s in his arms, he’s now facing Dorian squarely, and he’d be lying if he says he’s not seeing the disappointed look in his friend’s eyes.

Dorian looks like he wants to snatch Stacy from him right now.

He sighed soundlessly, lowering his eyes to Stacy’s stature in his arms. He could smell pink rose from her skin…so tender.

“Are you planning to sleep up there? I don’t think it carries the shape of a bed, Bad Idea,” he muttered.

And that was enough to bring her out of her fear trap.

She raised her head, looking around.

Her eyes caught Zendaya’s face on the ground, and with a freezed throat, she jumped down His arms.

He let go of her laps.

Initial plan was to hit him for choking Zendaya, but the gunshot had to ruin things and she had to do that fearful just…

To him. F+k.

She stepped away from him, walking backwards till her back met Dorian’s.

She jerked, then looked back to see him there.

“Hey…” She asked said.

“You ok?” He asked slowly.

As a result of jumping on Cove, her micro skirt has ridden up her thighs so much her panty is about to start showing, so he carefully pulled the skirt down to reach the quarter part of her laps where it’s supposed to be.

Not that it makes a noticeable difference, but at least panties are not showing now.

“I’m cool, and thanks…” She released her breaths, keeping her eyes on him.

She definitely doesn’t wanna look ahead again cos she’d surely see Cove there with those ravenous eyes.

So yeah, she kept her eyes on Dorian.

The opening of the Montana gate made her turn, and when she saw the compound guards rushing out, she rushed over to them.

“What was the gunshots?” She demanded.

“A dog went wild and hurt a child in Mansion 4. You know the giant resident of the mansion? He was the one who released the shots on the dog. We received a info call,” one guard explained.

Stacy breathed in.

“F+k, he could have alerted the whole estate before opening fire, and there’s silent pistol for crying out loud! Why shake the entire estate for a stupid dog? I’ve been traumatized…geez!”

“Do you want this reported to your dad when he arrives? He has the power to send anyone out of the estate except for the Mansion 6 owner of course,” the guard continued.

Mansion 6 is Dorian, so she understands immediately.

“Do whatever you want I dunno,” she sighed again.

That guard sighted Cove, and he immediately went closer with his comrades.

“You’re not a face that should be in this estate, you’re the garage boy. How come you’re in?”

“Cos I wanna be in?” Cove replied simply.

The guards raised their guns, right on his head.

He didn’t fret.

Dorian quickly stepped in.

“He came with me, lower the guns.”

The guards looked at Stacy, waiting for what she has to say.

She finally looked at Cove, but she couldn’t look for long before throwing her face off.

If she fails to say anything, then Dorian’s words don’t be alone, and Cove will be locked up again.

“He said he came with him, get the guns off,” she said.

Her guards obeyed, but they didn’t leave that place.

“I’ll pay a visit tomorrow then. Tonight is ruined,” Dorian said.

“Yeah…sure,” Stacy squeezed a smile.

“Fabio, care to come to my place?” Dorian faced him.

Cove didn’t argue. He followed him away, and Stacy and Zendaya followed the guards back into Montana Mansion.

The guards returned to their posts, and Stacy proceeded inside, but Zendaya got in her car straight.

“This is 1:30am, babe! Where’re ya going?” Stacy said.

“To my house of course,” Zendaya scoffed, grabbing her wheels. “I have a house, so I’ll go have my sleep over there. I’m not gonna wait and witness you kissing Cove.”

“He choked you, you puked blood!” Stacy yelled.

“Yeah but you jumped on him and kissed his neck!” Zendaya spat.

Before Stacy could say anything about that, Zendaya was already driving to the gate.

The guards opened the electric gate for her car, and she rolled it out.

Stacy returned inside.

Surprisingly, the other girls are still sleeping soundly especially Kehlani.

She took off her micro skirt and took her place back in bed, dragging her teddy to her chest.

She shut her eyes, but she can’t sleep, so she opened up, staring her beautiful ceiling.

Soon, she turned in bed.

Was he really gonna kill Zendaya?

Who is that guy exactly?

—

[Dorian’s Mansion]

Angela got home before the guys. She was asleep before he left. She had to go back to sleep so she don’t give herself out.

Also, there’s nothing to be watching out for anymore.

There’s no Stacy.

She doesn’t like Cove too, but that’s not her problem tonight.

If the guards report to Kaylee again that Dorian is still allowing Cove around, it’d be Dorian’s fault.

Dorian invited Cove into his living room, and the latter didn’t argue again. He came in, and at 2am, Dorian served him pineapple juice.

“Peak, I had to stock my freezer with it cos I knew you’d visit me one day, and that day is here,” he winked.

“I don’t drink pineapple juice,” Cove replied curtly.

“Strange, so you only eat pineapple?” Dorian blinked.

“They process pineapple juice before it became juice, they add preservatives and whatnot. I hate altercations,” Cove said.

“Jokes on you, I have pineapple in my freezer too cos one of my crew members like it. I’ll go wake Angela to peel it for you,” Dorian offered.

“It’s 2am, I won’t eat pineapple by this time, Wesley.” Cove replied.

“F+k, I’m exhausted…you’re so hard to please. Fine, no pineapple!” Dorian fell on a couch beside him.

“So how were you able to enter the estate? This place is several estate inside one estate and you need the estate card and security scanning before you can enter. How?”

“Isn’t it all computer? The scanning?” Cove raised a brow.

“Ok you hacked the scanner, but the card?” Dorian blinked.

“I got one from one of the residents in a store. You could say I stole it from her bag when she was shopping,” Cove shrugged, looking around the mansion like it’s beneath him.

“Ok this is starting to resemble a crime documentary,” Dorian frowned. “You messed with the scanner, stole a card, just to come here to strangle Zendaya?”

“Cos I wanna kill her?” Cove said flatly, voice too at ease.

“Kill someone in this estate and you think you’d walk out without handcuffs?” Dorian scoffed.

“If I wanted to, I would…” Cove replied, balanced as if he has done it a few times in the past.

“Now I’m getting chills,” Dorian nodded. “Talking about killing someone with your voice like that? Who the fûck are you?”

“You didn’t take me here to ask about me, did you?” Cove looked up.

“I made my researches, Fabio. You’re from a family of three in the Bronx— just you and your parents, but your parents are dead, so…..” Dorian said.

A dark smirk pulled Cove’s lips.

“Drop it, Wesley.”

“Dropped, fine…I won’t talk about it anymore,” Dorian sighed. “But I can talk about myself, can I?”

Cove picked the antique on the center table, tracing the edges with his fingers slowly.

“I know everything about you, you don’t have to say it.” He said.

“Including the fact that I might have a crush on Stacy?” Dorian said.

Cove’s finger stopped on top of the antique he’s tracing.

“Look, dude…it just came and I don’t even know when it started but maybe the night I made her apologize to you at the concert?” Dorian palmed himself on the face.

“I’ve had few crushes before in my highschool in San Francisco. I even had a girlfriend but she was only there cos of my fame, so we broke up on the day of our last exam, but this is is feeling too real. I have no one to talk to about this, so I told you….”

“You trust me with your feelings, that’s cute…” Cove looked up.

“You’re my best friend, guy.” Dorian was dead serious as he talked.

Cove dropped the antique back on the table, nodding.

“Tell her. Crushers tell their crushes. Isn’t that the procedure?”

“No, Fabio. Some crushes fade after about a month, so I’m waiting a little bit more to confirm my feelings, then I can tell her. I can’t believe she’s the same girl I was thinking of talking to for your sake, but now….”

Dorian stood. “Damn, the heart is a bastard.”

That dry smile almost touched Cove’s lips, but he stood.

“I should leave,”

“It’s 2:30, Fabio. I have many spare bedrooms in this mansion.”

“I have too many programming to do before daybreak,” Cove said dryly.

“You and programming,” Dorian gave his shoulder a pat.

“Don’t be silly,” Cove almost rolled his eyes, and Dorian chuckled.

He saw him to the mansion gate, and as he watched him walk away, he smiled again.

—

[Saturday, Young Mansion]

Silas was eating saltine crackers in the living room, and some of the crumbs hung on his beard which he’s not make any effort to shake off.

He plans to spend all day at home today with family, and he’s keeping to that, but breakfast is taking too long to get done, so he’s making do with the crackers.

He was on another piece when he received a call, and he quickly dropped the cracker to pick.

It’s from the San Francisco search agency. They report their search results to him every Saturday, and today it’s still the same.

No news about Scott’s sister.

Silas’ mood dropped immediately.

His dead wife might be a nutcase, but her second fruit it’s bad.

Scott might be a recalcitrant one, but his sister is calm and only demands for gifts daily.

Other than that, she’s pure, and not having her in this house for a year now is making him grow wrinkles.

Where’s Lynn???

He’s still so lost in thoughts when Owen came downstairs to meet him.

She looks dull, but seeing him there made her brighten fast.

She’s wearing more and more long sleeved shirts these days cos right now she’s wearing another one of them…a frilly white color.

And she’s wearing that hairpin he got her. It’s nearly attached to her hair.

“Darling? Come here!” Silas shifted on the cushion, and she joined him, taking her seat beside him.

He placed an arm on his shoulder, and she cringed slightly like she’s on pains, but she didn’t let it show.

She rested her head on his shoulder.

“Why aren’t you watching any show? You don’t like football?” She smiled, taking the TV anchor.

“Not all men like football, Owen. Some men like it, but I like you…” Silas grinned.

“Don’t be sugary,” Owen looked at him, and they laughed out.

The smell of breakfast steam wafted out of the kitchen, hitting their nostrils.

“Finally the slow maids are done….where are the boys?” Silas asked, looking around.

“I heard sounds at the pool lounge, they’re probably there,” Owen shrugged.

“Pool? This cold morning?” Silas blinked under his glasses.

—

[Pool Lounge]

Scott’s head rose above the blue pool water, water gumming his hair to his forehead, but he pushed it back with his palm, inhaling.

He woke up this morning feeling queasy. Anytime he remembers what Kane did to Max at the Mixer, he gets unsettled which is strange.

After all, Kane stabbed him and stabbed Remo and Frank too, so why is his stab on Max giving him the chills more than required.

Maybe because Kane promised to stab Max and actually kept to his promise? That must be it.

He should still be swimming, but the ringing of his phone made him surface. The phone sat by the poolside, and he picked up.

It’s Remo, as expected.

“Sup bro?”

“Max is awake, bastard. Why did you leave the hospital last night?” Remo’s angry voice came.

“He was unconscious, my presence won’t suddenly wake him,” Scott rolled eyes.

“Your maniac stepbrother did it, and you live in the same house, why not just poison the bastard?”

“Didn’t you say you’re a bigger maniac than him?” Scott smirked. “Why not get him killed instead?”

“You know me well, Scott.” Remo grinned. “You know if I set my mind on him, he won’t survive it. I won’t attack directly, I’ll target weak points, and it seems his mother ain’t his point cos he doesn’t like her, so I’ll just wait in silence till he gets a weakness, then I attack.”

“What are you talking about?” Scott frowned deeply.

“You don’t have to worry. When it hits, you’ll feel it too, but for now, I’ll focus on the other two bastards. Cove? I’m going for his brother Trevor, I’ll gouge out his eyes. Dorian? I’m going for his mother in San Francisco. I’ll fuvk his mother Kaylee and paste her pvssy on the net for all eyes!” Remo threatened.

Then he cut the call.

“I hate when he gets too serious,” Scott muttered, but then a turbulence happened behind him.

His head turned as he dropped his phone back at the side, and his leg was suddenly pulled underwater.

He slipped back into the pool, the water doing nothing to remove his shock as he swam without planning to, finding his way back to the surface.

When he surfaced, he met Kane on the surface too, smiling at him.

“You’re the second maniac I met, and yeah…I’m impressed. Now can you fuckin stop?” Scott breathed.

“Wait…I’m the second? That’s disrespectful,” Kane blinked. “I’m guessing the first is Remo. I don’t like that…how many people has he blinded or deafened? Wait…did he kill before?” He blinked again.

“I’m not in the mood for your craziness this morning,” Scott moved away, but he could only go two stroked before he was pulled back.

He found himself back in front of Kane, and Kane’s hands locked around his waist, holding still.

Scott tried to unlock, but Kane pinched him with nails, and Scott groaned, then he threw his head forward, headbutting him.

Kane’s hair scattered, and the headbutt definitely made his skull ring, but he didn’t act like he felt it.

Instead, he smirked, his hand still on Scott’s waist. He dipped him down, ready to submerge him…

“Stop!” Scott shouted. “Stop it, I said!”

“And you promise to be a good boy?” Kane muttered, staring down at him cos Scott is still below.

“Good what?” Scott frowned.

“Down you go!” Kane pushed him into the pool, holding his head down.

Scott struggled, holding his breaths and beating the water… desperate for some air which Kane isn’t allowing.

“Good boy means you’ll never mention Remo before me, and you’ll never try to walk away whenever I’m in front of you. Yeah I’m a year one student and you’re in your year two, but that’s because in Germany, I avoided school for a year, so naturally I’ll be one year below my mates. Don’t think you’re up there when you’re right here with me, freckled sin!” Kane read.

Then…he pulled Scott up, smiling as he watched Scott coughing water.

Scott pushed him off.

“What do you want!”

Kane came close again, glancing at the bandage on Scott’s arm.

“My stab must still be fresh under that bandage…I like it.” He muttered.

“What do you want? I asked,” Scott replied seriously, panting.

“Let’s start from what you want. You want Cove in your team. Dorian is Cove’s friend, and I’ve talked to Dorian twice, so I can help you get to Cove through Dorian next week,’ Kane got serious too.

“And in return you want?” Scott said.

“I want you to fake-date me. Let’s drive our parents crazy a bit, shall we?” Kane smiled.

Scott’s eyes widened.

—

[Hospital, Max’s Ward]

Despite the ‘no smoking’ sign, Frank is blowing pot inside the ward.

He sat with Remo not far from the bed, and Remo himself is too angry to even smoke right now.

He’s still with his phone after the call hr made to Scott.

“What do you mean by you want Kane to grow a weakness?” Frank asked, smokes clouding.

“When it starts, y’all will see. I don’t have to blow it up now.” Remo smirked again.

His eyes went to Max who’s now getting down from his bed.

His arm has layers of bandage, and they’re already bloody.

The nurse will come change it very soon and he’s even planning to get out of this hospital today.

“You good alone?” Remo asked.

“I’m not some legless plushie, I’m fine,” Max groaned.

Elmira entered the ward, and he felt at ease immediately.

“Mira,”

“Baby!” She breathed, running to him. She gave him a tight hug, and he reciprocated with one arm.

“I didn’t want to come since last night cis students eyes were on you. After you ended things with that bîtch, students are craving to know your new girl, but I want you to heal before you go out with me next week. So sorry, you just have missed me.” She pouted.

“I did, you look good.” Max smiled, and she kissed him deep.

He grabbed her arse with his fine arm, slapping it hard.

It bounced.

“Who the hell did the stab anyways?” She asked.

Max looked at Remo and Frank by the window, then he sighed.

“We haven’t figured that out yet, but you’re here now. I’m good.”

“But you’ll feel better if I breastfeed you, huh?” She chuckled.

“You know what I want,” he groaned, and she shifted back.

Remo and Max left the ward.

Elmira stripped down her blouse then carried her breàsts to Max’s lips, sitting on his laps.

He sucked, and she kissed his head.

—

[Zendaya’s Mansion]

Tasha called that Kehlani is up and better than last night, so Zendaya dressed up to go see her.

She’s currently in front of her mirror, seated with her second phone.

Of course she has a second phone, but too bad she didn’t record Cove’s body on that one.

The only useful video on that one is the video of their tango on the expressway. She recorded it.

But it’s not yet time to use it, so after watching the video twice, she minimized and went to OBSCURE.

She wrote a brand new secret on the app for two minutes, her thumb moving so fast till she was done.

She dropped the phone and turned back to the bed.

Cove’s shirt is right there, spread in the middle.

She couldn’t sleep last night. Each time she closes her eyes, images of Stacy in his arms floods her head, and she was only a gap away from madness throughout dawn.

But it’d be over soon anyways.

She stood, and her shoulder gave her a slicing sensation.

It hurts too much from the dislocation he gave her.

She visited the historical last night on her was back home after ste left Cove’s apartment, and a nurse helped her reset the bone, but the reset journey isn’t over.

She’d still have to keep going for a month before the bone can fully heal

She grunted as she picked her backpack from the vanity table.

It contains the clothes she’s gonna gym with cos today, her gym sessions starts.

She’s gonna go to the gym after she sees Kehlani.

To hell with her broken bone.

—

[Melrose Avenue]

Dorian’s fan sign event was held at Obsidian Pulse Arena in LA—a sleek black-glass event hall tucked off Melrose Avenue.

The venue was known for hosting underground rock showcases and exclusive artist meets, but today it was chaos in the best way possible.

Metal banners draped across the entrance. A twelve-foot LED screen looped Dorian’s upcoming music video dark teasing picture.

Security guards lined the barricades while fans screamed his name like a ritual chant.

To attend, fans had to:

Pre-order the limited edition album bundle (proof of purchase required), register online for a numbered wristband, present a valid government ID at check-in and several other requirements.

And they must follow the “no prolonged physical contact” rule enforced by staff.

Still, rules didn’t stop devotion.

The line wrapped around the building. Some fans wore ripped fishnets and combat boots.

Some came in school uniforms. One guy had painted Dorian’s stage logo across his chest in black acrylic.

A girl brought a vinyl record from his very first underground release.

Another brought a leather jacket with his lyrics hand-stitched inside the lining. Someone even brought a custom electric guitar pick encased in resin for him to autograph.

And Dorian?

He was sunshine in black.

Rings on his fingers, chains glinting under the lights. He has a messy dark hair falling over his eyes today and a face cap worn backwards over it, but that grin?

Pure golden retriever.

“Hey, don’t cry, I’m not retiring,” he teased the trembling fan sitting in front of him, gently tapping her signed poster.

“If I retire, who’s going to scream at you through your headphones at 2 a.m.?” He continued.

The fan girl smiled, and the insane crowd laughed heartily.

“Can I touch your hand? Please….” The girl asked nervously.

Dorian tendered his palm, and she placed her hand on it.

Dorian squeezed gently.

“Your hand is so warm and soft, I love you so much! I came all the way from South Africa please can you put South Africa on your upcoming tour?” She rushed, still nervous.

“My crew decide the countries, not me baby,” he smiled.

“But my parents won’t allow me come for a concert in another country. Yunno Mr. Silas Young daughter—Lynn, she came to attend your concert in San Francisco when she went missing, so my parents have been skeptical since then. Even this fan sign, I had to craftily follow my dad on a business trip to this city to be able to attend. Please add South Africa!” She begged, already crying.

“Wipe those tears, please…” Dorian said seriously.

She nodded and wiped.

Behind Dorian with the guards, Angela secretly scoffed.

Why being unnecessarily extra?

“South Africa will be my first tour country, I promise.” Dorian said.

“Thank you!!! I love you so much you’re do kind! Thank you!!!” She screamed, still screaming as Dorian sign on her birthday card.

“By the way, your eyeliner is metal approved,” he winked, and that girl nearly fainted.

When she left, a teen boy came.

He fist-bumped the nervous teen boy who admitted he started learning drums because of him.

He leaned over the table to properly read a handwritten letter before signing it.

Flash. Sign. Smile. Wink. Move along. That was the process before it happened….

A familiar type of bold fan stepped forward. She wore a mini skirt and confidence.

After Dorian signed her album, she lifted the hem of her skirt slightly and turned sideways, exposing the upper part of her thigh.

“Sign here,” she said with a playful smirk. “You’ve done it before.”

The crowd reacted instantly—whistles, phones lifting, security subtly shifting.

Dorian waited half a second because yes—he had done it before.

He signed and kissed female thighs countless times…

But that was before a certain girl.

His grin softened.

He leaned back slightly in his chair, twirling the marker between his fingers.

“Tempting,” he said lightly, voice still cheerful. “But I’m trying to behave these days.”

The fan blinked. “What?”

He tapped the table playfully. “Let’s keep it PG. Your album cover is safer. Future me will thank present me.”

The crowd oooh-ed dramatically.

The girl laughed awkwardly but nodded, sliding the album back toward him.

He signed it with a dramatic flourish instead. “Still iconic”

With a wider grin, the girl left for others to come forward.

This fan sign will end by 12, and he’d have the ambassadorial shoot at 5, so between 12 and 4, he’d have time to go see Stacy.

He was smiling as he signed the next album.

—

[A Tattooist Shop]

The bell above the door jingled once, but Cove barely glanced at it as he came in.

The shop smelled of antiseptic and ink, but to him, it was just another inconsequential backdrop.

The fluorescent light flickered slightly overhead, casting pale shadows across his sharp features.

The tattooist—a wiry man with ink-sleeved arms and eyes that had seen too much, raised an eyebrow.

He pointed at the tattoo catalog, but Cove doesn’t seem interested.

He took off his shirt, sat and just described the tattoo he wanted. The man listened attentively.

“You sure about placement?” he asked after the description, gesturing toward Cove’s collarbone.

“I didn’t stammer,” he said, voice low. His gaze wandered to the darkened window, where clear clouds played in the sky.

He flexed his hand, the veins standing out like cords beneath skin.

“Start.” He told the tattooist.

The needle buzzed to life, a white-hot sound that seemed punctuate the silence.

He didn’t flinch as it touched him.

He didn’t speak.

Each line traced the meaning he already carried—ownership, obsession, inevitability.

It took just an hour for the tattoo to finish up.

It’s a neat latin phrase…

“Quod volo, meum est.”

Drawn right below his collarbone, and beneath the phrase, the delicate lines of a thin breaking chain was drawn too.

He examined it in the small mirror, and a faint smirk brushed his lips, cold and private.

The world outside could continue in darkness and remain ignorant, but here, on his skin, a message has been carved that would never be ignored.

What he wants is his, and nothing survives in his path.

He stood and paid without a word, but that was when Trinidad entered the shop with Roxy.

“Oh look who I met! Covey motherfuckin Fabio!” She said a little too loud.

“And your tasteless third wheel isn’t with you?” Cove muttered.

“Elmira?” Roxy smirked. “She’s not a third wheel, she’s not just here you bastard,” she rolled eyes.

Cove ignored her.

“You came for a tattoo?” Trinidad asked.

“Isn’t that what this place is made for?” Cove muttered.

“Tattoo is the main, but there’s a small game house at the side. What do you say about a little snooker session? Tsk tsk,” she smiled.

Cove didn’t decline.

He followed them as Trinidad stuck hands with the tattooist, and they entered the side building.

Snooker, beer pong, video games, dartboards and whatever.

This place is a gap away from being a arcade.

There are few people inside playing games over drinks already, so they just picked their own snooker table.

Roxy settled for a drink while Trinidad and Cove settled to play.

“You look effing hot when playing snooker, I swear,” Trinidad grinned in the fifth minute.

“I know,” Cove replied.

“You’re self-aware. You kmow you’re a ten, and that’s why you’re so effing arrogant,” Trinidad laughed, knocking another egg.

“You have a problem with that?” Cove knocked a egg too.

“Problem? Damn problem, I like your personality I’m a fan!” Trinidad was loud as she talked.

Cove looked down at the table, smirking as he moved to a different angle to knock.

But his phone buzzed, and when he pulled it out, a hard look crossed his perfect features.

Unknown Line: Lunch in my house at 2? It’s not to apologize.

His eyes stilled, then another text popped up.

Unknown Line: Albert Montana.

Cove continued staring at that name like it’s a taboo appearance, but now there’s something else in those eyes apart from the dark.

The flesh below his right eye bunched a little.

It’s his tell for intrigue.

He was still staring at his screen when Roxy came to Trinidad with her phone, grinning.

“Look! Zendaya Hippo is in the gym, working the fûck out!” She showed the picture.

Zendaya is on the treadmill.

“All for Ice prince?” Trinidad scoffed. “I think she has sawdust in her skull instead of a brain.”

Cove is still staring at his phone.

—

[San Francisco, Boulevard]

The private dining salon was closed to the public, sunlight pouring through tall windows overlooking the Embarcadero.

Crystal flutes caught the light, white orchids stretched low across the table, and every woman seated there carried generational wealth in her graceful posture.

It’s a luncheon for the extra rich women of San Francisco, and as usual, Kaylee arrived last.

She wore ceam silk suit. Structured shoulders and diamond studs that could pay off a mortgage.

She removed her sunglasses slowly and took her seat.

“Kaylee,” the closest woman to her drawled, swirling her champagne. “Still ruling the private banking universe?”

Kaylee smiled. “I wouldn’t say ruling. More like… directing.”

There was soft competitive laughter among the women.

They began with caviar and brioche before the conversation drifted from investment portfolios to offshore expansions before landing exactly where Kaylee knew it would.

“And your son,” another woman said, delicately cutting into her truffle omelet. “Dorian the singer…

Kaylee’s gaze lifted.

“Not just a singer,” she corrected lightly. “He’s still the most streamed metal artist in the world this year despite his hiatus.”

There was a pause.

“He sold out arenas in Los Angeles, two weeks ago.”

The woman’s smile tightened. “Isn’t metal a bit… aggressive though?”

Kaylee dabbed her lips with her napkin before talking. “Power often sounds aggressive to people who don’t have it.”

The table went still for half a breath.

“And he returned to school?” another woman asked.

“At RIDE in Los Angeles,” Kaylee replied. “I insisted he finish. Fame without education is fragile.”

The server refilled their glasses.

“Forbes is profiling him next month. ‘The Metal Prince of a Generation.’ Their words.” Kaylee continued.

Flaunting her son? Bragging with her wealth? Kaylee owns that spot and dragging it with her only means you wanna get dragged too.

Her Private Banking Network is so insane she holds the secret to the wealth of so many people in this country, and she creates her wealth from that, so she’s untouchable.

Richest woman in the country.

Sickly wealth. Lavish. Extravagant.

Her only son is her life, and if she can’t brag with him in this lifetime, then what’s the purpose?

The women gave her secret jealous glances, and as the dessert arrived, she received a text.

From the guards in LA.

She excused herself from the table and we to the mobile section of the boulevard.

They’re pictures of Cove Fabio inside Dorian’s Mansion last night.

“He invited him to his last concert and I was quiet about it. Now he’s in his house? What was Angela doing?” She muttered furiously.

She dialled Angela, and Angela picked fast, sounding chic.

“Hey Kaylee!”

“The filthy garage boy in my son’s mansion? I trusted you, so I sent you there with him to manage him. What’s going on! The heir to my Network…and a mechanic? Angela what’s happening!”

“I swear to gawd, I was already asleep when he brought him in last night, and it was the guards who reported to me this morning but I could do nothing. Your son is stubborn about him!” Angel said.

Kaylee cut the call and dialled her own secretary.

“Yes ma’am?’ the make voice dropped.

“Flight to LA tommorow. I’ll be there throughout next week. Cancel all my schedules,” she ordered.

—

[LA, Montana Mansion, 1:50pm]

Kehlani left since 1 with the twins, and Stacy is currently planning to go meet her. She’s currently at the twins mansion cos it’s like she’s currently allergic to her own mansion.

But when Stacy came downstairs after her one hour sleep, she met Anita setting dishes on the dinning table carefully, and she yawned.

“What’s going on here?”

“Hey beauty!” Anita looked up, beaming. “Your dad is coming today, so asked me to prepare lunch for three people,”

“What! And why three people? Who’s the third?” Stacy raised her brows.

“That’s a secret, sweetheart,” Albert entered with guards behind him carrying armfuls of gifts for Stacy.

“You sure know how to bribe,” Stacy muttered with a sigh.

“Of course, I know I did wrong so here I am, bearing apology gifts,” Albert smiled.

“And I missed you, a little.” Stacy made faces.

Albert spread his arms, and she walked into it, hugging him.

“I missed you so much, sweetheart. Whole time I was thinking of your forgiveness,” Albert said.

“I missed you biggest, but I still hate you,” she pouted.

“The hate will dissipate after this lunch, trust me.” Albert chuckled. “We’re eating a French lunch.”

Stacy broke the hug.

“I’m gonna go shower, I’m eagar to see who this guest of yours is….” She broke the hug.

Anita took the gift bags from the guards, taking them after Stacy as she returned upstairs.

She only dropped them in her room then returned downstairs.

Albert is lessening the grip of his tie around his neck, and they heard car engines purring into the compound.

“That must be him,” Albert said.

“Who exactly?” Anita asked.

Albert just shrugged, and three minutes later, Dorian entered.

“Not who I expected, but Dorian Wesley?” Albert nodded.

Anita immediately faced the dinning, not making a single eye contact with Dorian like she’s scared.

“Gooday, was here last night and Stacy said I could visit today,” Dorian smiled awkwardly.

“Of course she said that, otherwise the guards won’t even open the gate for you,” Albert smiled. “She’s upstairs. Middle room”

Dorian went upstairs immediately.

“So who’s your own guest sir?” Anita asked, unable to push her curiousness away.

Then…the doorbell rang.

“Must be him!” Albert smiled.

Anita went to the main door, impatiently throwing the door open.

She gasped when she saw who stood there in a black hoodie and black jean, black sneakers too and a presence that made the room shift.

“Cove?” She sounded.

“Come on in!” Albert sounded from the expansive dinning, and Anita stepped out of the way.

Cove entered.

—

[Upstairs, Stacy’s Room]

When Dorian arrived two min ago, he heard the running shower, so he knew she was in the bathroom.

He just sat in front of her vanity table, peeking at his own perfection in the mirror at times, but he’s also peeking around the room.

He smelled pink rose, and he inhaled healthily.

Her bed is messy with teddy by a side, a small bra by another side, and then her laptop and a textbook.

But other than that, other part of the room is neatly arranged.

He sighted the bra again, and he smiled before looking away.

His phone buzzed, it’s Angela.

Angel: The f+k are you? The guards can’t trail you!

Angel: You sneaked out of their protection? Are you for real? You’re Kaylee’s son, there are enemies!

Angel: do you wanna get killed? You want Kaylee to kill me?

Angel: Reply my messages.

Angel: Do a video of where you are!

Angel: Riri please!

Angel: wait…. you’re not with Stacy, are you?”

Angel: I’m coming to that mansion right now!

Angel: No, that’d make me look like a mad person. Rian come back!!!!

Angel: Rian!!!!!!!

As he read the messages, he could nearly hear her screams in his ears.

That’s not all, but he got fed up and stopped reading.

The bathroom door opened, and Stacy came out.

His phone fell off his fingers immediately cos…

She doesn’t use the usual thick bathroom towels. Hers is thin, transparent!

The water on her cherubic skin made the thin towel material gum completely to it.

It outlined that killer waist, the little hips, and he could see the waist chains too underneath.

Even the navel ring.

Her soft wet hair is gummed to her back and shoulders skin.

Ethereality? Yes.

He stood before he knew it, and when Stacy saw him in her room, she almost screamed, but then she contained it.

Is he her dad’s guest?

“Rian? Why are you in my room? Are you…you…the guest?”

But instead of answering, Dorian took dangerous steps close.

She didn’t want to move before, but seeing the lethality in his eyes made her move back.

Her back smudged the bathroom door, and she stopped.

When he stepped right in front of her, her breaths caught.

“Rian?” She whispered.

He lowered his face.

—

[Downstairs]

Cove already sat with Albert, across each other at the dining, but none of the food impressed him.

Not the hors d’oeuvre or the main dishes. He’s not a sucker for food, but he’s not planning to decline.

“With your GPA, you can work part-time while schooling, and trust me, AI companies will be dying to have you. Before you graduate, you’ll become a millionaire. I can link you up if you don’t mind,” Albert offered.

“I don’t appreciate visibility. I’m fine, like this.” Cove replied curtly.

Albert frowned, wondering what kinda human doesn’t hoard connections in the slightest.

“Why is Stacy not back?” He wondered.

“Should I go check?” Anita asked.

“No, he will,” Albert nodded at Cove who looks frozen.

“Third room, chop chop.” Albert smiled.

Anita stepped back, and a minute later, Cove is going up.

“That’d be the second boy sent up to her room in space of ten minutes, sir.” Anita said.

“I’m very open-minded,” Albert shrugged.

Anita went silent.

Cove didn’t count the rooms, his eyes just alerted him when he arrived at the door of the third room.

He wanted to knock, but the silence is suspicious.

Dollface isn’t the quiet type.

He pushed the door open, and what he saw made his jaws grit so hard his face nearly split in two.

Stacy’s thin towel is already….

On the floor.

TBC.