I’d made sure to sleep in the next day after the celebration.

Though I did not intend to wake up when it was already nearing the afternoon. I didn’t think anyone would be in the dining room for breakfast, so I was thoroughly surprised when I caught sight of two young men sitting at the table, quietly before a pot of tea, not discussing a thing.

I stood in the doorway for a minute, hesitating to enter. But when I noticed that Felix had seen me, I gave in and sat at the very end of the long table. The place was grand, with two giant chandeliers hanging above us, and a huge fireplace placed in the middle of the wall beneath four large, looming windows made entirely of stained glass.

The morning light shone in on us, revealing a bright-eyed Felix, smiling pleasantly as he had done so last night, and of course Lucas, who, appeared to be experiencing a small hangover. Had he really had a lot to drink during the party?

I stayed quiet whilst a glass of orange juice was poured at my side by a maid, who immediately left when she was done.

I would’ve done the same as well, fully aware now that there was a sort of tension in the room. I didn’t know what was really occurring, but there was a strangeness in the air. And if the stare-down between Lucas and Felix wasn’t enough to draw my attention, then their lack of manners did.

Did those two despise each other? At first, I didn’t think so, but now, now it looked as if they were fighting over something, but what?

“Dear cousin,” Felix began, sitting forward in his chair. His blonde hair was as perfect as I remembered it, and so was his appearance. Did the guy own anything besides tuxes? “Are you feeling well?”

Lucas seemed as if the question annoyed him. “I’m a little under the weather, Felix.” He said severely.

Felix turned to me, smiling, “Good morning Sammy, you look lovely.”

“G-good morning.” I replied.

I was far from ‘lovely’. I was still wearing my pajama shirt, with jeans I’d thrown on and without combing my hair. Maybe he was just being polite.

Lucas rolled his eyes.

“I believe I’ll be in your company for the next few days.” Felix told me, sipping his tea elegantly. His French accent was more pronounced in the morning. “My loft is currently under it’s last bit of construction in the city.”

“Loft?” I said, widening my eyes. That sounded pricey.

“It’s right in the middle of the city.” He sighed, “It’s my first time living in such a place. I do wish I had someone to show me around . . .”

I agreed. I didn’t know what else to say. The city was pretty far from our small little town. Usually, one would have to take the train all the way there. But the city was a fantastical place, full of things I’d never really experienced before. I somewhat envied him for having that in his hands.

Felix eyed me, “How about you stay with me for the rest of the summer, Sammy?”

Surprised, I choked on my orange juice, “W-what?”

Lucas sat up, “Felix. What did I tell you before—?”

“It was just an offer.” Felix said innocently, grinning at him. “You’re welcome to tag along too, dear cousin.”

“Like I’d want that.” Lucas muttered, crossing his arms.

I couldn’t help but be amused by their antics. It was the first time I’d seen Lucas interact with someone his own age besides me. Was he always this moody with other people?

I turned to Felix, watching as his blue eyes never left mine. He really was very different from Lucas. Felix was light, bubbly, whereas Lucas was . . . well . . . he was . . .

“I have a job here. I can’t really leave.” I said. “But, thank you for the offer.”

“If money is an issue, I’ll gladly pay off your debt—” Felix leaned over the table to speak to me.

Lucas cut him off by slamming his teacup down forcefully, making us both jump. “Sammy isn’t here against his will.”

“Oh?” Felix said, still smiling. Not a trace of anger was ever written on his features. “Or is it that you simply like his company—?”

“How’s your mother, Felix?” Lucas disrupted him, obviously miffed at his cousin.

Felix responded smartly, “How’s the modeling coming along, Lucas?”

Lucas narrowed his eyes at him.

It was then that a presence disrupted our conversation. The appearance of Mr. Rangel completely halted whatever they were doing. It was incredible what the man could do by simply standing there.

The butler cleared his throat. “Forgive me, young masters, but I need to speak with Sammy.”

Felix sat back, looking a bit pleased at the way Lucas was fuming from across the table. Again, I didn’t know what to make of it.

I was mostly distracted by Lucas, honestly. He looked completely worn-out. Also, I was curious as to how the conversation with his father went. He didn’t discuss it, nor did he bring it up. It concerned me, even though I knew it was none of my business

Was that why he didn’t look so happy?

Momentarily, Lucas glanced at me. I peered into his grey eyes for only a second, before I noticed how nervous they made me feel. I hoped the heat in my face didn’t show.

“Sammy.” Mr. Rangel continued, “There’s been a slight disturbance at the front entrance. I would like to escort you there, if possible.”

“Disturbance?” I tore my eyes away from Lucas to look at the butler in confusion. Why would he come to me about a ‘disturbance’?

“I believe you will find the answer to your question there.” He said, directing me out of the dining hall. “The sooner we figure it out, the better.”

I got up hesitantly.

What could he have been talking about?

“I’ll be waiting for you here, Sammy.” Felix called, waving a hand at me.

I nodded, confused by what he meant.

Lucas, all the while, stayed in his seat, as moody as ever.

I had to see what was ailing him at one point. But currently, I had to deal with something else.

Hopefully, it was nothing too bad.

Oh.

That was what he was talking about.

Mr. Rangel had led me through the entirety of the massive mansion to bring me to what looked like a menacing building located near the front gate. Security had been there, as serious as ever when we entered with Mr. Rangel’s Identification Card, whilst I followed behind, feeling a little weary.

But when I realized what was before my eyes when I entered the waiting room where they held ‘suspicious figures’, I gave a long, long sigh at what I was seeing.

A boy, of about my height but slightly shorter by an inch, with curly hair and plump lips downturned into a pout while he sat amidst the security men standing at his side, rocked himself back and forth in child-like fear.

When he saw that I’d arrived, he flung himself from the bench he was previously sitting on, only to embrace me with his gangly limbs.

“Sammy!” He shouted in relief, holding me close and wailing dramatically. “Where have you been?! I’ve tried calling you but you never answer! And your grandma only told me they were holding you captive somewhere—!”

I patted my best friend’s back, giving a small thumbs-up to the security men who appeared relieved that he wasn’t some random intruder. “Theo. I’m fine.”

“How are you fine?!” He screamed, complaining. “Why didn’t you answer my texts . . . ?!”

“They took my phone away when I arrived.” I told him.

I guess the experience of coming here to the mansion and being held by security had given him quite a shock. I would’ve been surprised to see my best friend in such a place too. Though why security thought he was a threat confused me. Theo was by far the purest of souls out there. I contained any sort of laughter at the thought as he held onto me, staring daggers at the large security men behind him.

Mr. Rangel cleared his throat, gaining our attention. He did that quite a lot. “It seems this young man climbed over the front gate.” He advised me, watching Theo with a suspicious look. “Security caught him when he tried running away into the gardens.”

“You could’ve just used the intercom like a normal person.” I told him, holding in my laughter.

Theo shook his head, letting go of me. “That’s not fun.”

I snickered.

Theo and I were opposites when it came to ‘fun’. I couldn’t count how many times the boy had run away from home, only to come climbing into my window in the early hours of the morning solely because he was hungry. He barely even managed to get his high school diploma.

“Well. I’m alive.” I showed him, spreading my arms out to reveal that I was indeed still living.

Theo pouted again, “It still doesn’t help the fact that you didn’t say anything to me!”

I shrugged.

I sort of, probably, couldn’t have told him anyway. The whole thing about the broken plate was rather rushed. Plus, Theo had disappeared to the city after graduation. I hadn’t seen him since.

“Whatever.” He said. And at that moment, his stomach began to growl.

“Let’s get you something to eat.” I said, acknowledging that maybe taking this conversation elsewhere would lighten up the mood of the place. I doubted security liked us being there. I hooked my arm in his. “There’re some people I want you to meet.”

“People?” He asked. “Who?”

I didn’t respond.

It couldn’t be helped. He’d have to know about Lucas at one point. Also, I wanted to tell him what I’d gotten myself into.

He was my best friend, after all.

Walking through the entire mansion with Theo was rather weird.

I didn’t expect him to be so wide-eyed at every single little detail. He’d experienced far too many things, I hardly believed he’d be astounded by the mere sight of this place.

Of course, I was also shocked when I’d arrived, but for some reason I’d grown to be used to it all, to the point where I noticed that I was probably going to miss it when the time came to leave.

I grew solemn at the thought, though was pulled away from it whenever Theo would grab at my sweater in awe every time we passed a new room. The mansion was a literal world of its own. It was amazing.

But then I remembered how much of a contrast we were against it. Theo was dressed as I was, in weathered clothes and worn-out converse.

It was even worse when we came across Felix and Lucas, who, looked more like fictional characters than anyone else we’d ever seen. They were also much, much taller than we were, which, somewhat intimidated us.

Felix raised a brow as I held an arm out to Theo, introducing his presence. The young man was wearing a pricey, tan tux that could’ve looked casual, had he not had the figure of a model.

Lucas, staring at us with his usual scowl, had his hands stuffed in his black ripped jean pockets, strong arms pronounced as he wore an equally black T-shirt that hung around his neck. Again, looking like a cover model for some magazine.

Just the sight of those two made me want to run away. Why did I know them in the first place? For some reason, I felt awkward knowing Theo was aware of my close relationship with the two picturesque individuals. It didn’t help that he was gulping visibly, as timid as I probably was when I first met Lucas.

“This is my best friend . . . Theo.” I introduced, expecting the worst. I couldn’t imagine Theo interacting with such uppity people.

Felix took Theo’s hand gracefully, bringing it close to his lips as he bowed in front of him. “Enchanté.” He said, “My name is Feliks. Pleasure to make your acquaintance—”

Lucas grabbed him by the collar suddenly, hauling him far from Theo, who, was by now confused at the entire scene.

“Shall we take this somewhere else?” Lucas suggested.

Felix took his arm, still with that smile on his face, “I don’t believe we need to.”

“Lucas.” I said, scolding him slightly.

He let go of Felix immediately as I glowered at him.

“Theo.” Theo replied, aware that he needed to introduce himself. “My name’s Theo. I’m Sammy’s friend.”

“Friend?” Felix said. “Are you perhaps romantically involved?”

Theo laughed aloud at the question, “Hell no!”

“Is that so?” The blonde man asked, stepping closer once again to Theo and giving him a grin. “That’s very nice to hear.”

Lucas stood next to his cousin, nudging him in the ribs. “That’s enough, Felix.”

Felix ignored him, and chose to take Theo’s hand, bringing him up the steps of the grand, outdoor stone staircase. We were currently standing outside the entrance to the ballroom, located near our rooms.

The sound of the fountains in the gardens muffled out whatever conversation they were having. Amazingly, I didn’t find it a bother that Theo was already being dragged along into the world I was first afraid of. But then again, he was one to invite any sort of new experiences.

I sighed in relief when I felt the strictness in the air had ceased. Silently, I watched as both young men continued to walk up before us, talking animatedly, sociably.

Lucas appeared at my side, hitting his shoulder against mine softly.

Patiently, I waited for him to speak, knowing fully well how irritated he probably was over everything.

I found that I was much calmer than I thought I’d be. The night before brought on something I wasn’t familiar with. It was like an oncoming wave of . . . what? And I recognized it was his fault. Whenever Lucas became caring, it always made me short-circuit, knowing he could be like that. Honestly, it constantly surprised me, especially when most of the time he was like this—angry, moody, unpleasant, and unpredictable.

“Sammy . . .” He said, finally after a few minutes in silence.

“What?” I answered, peering up into his face.

His expression was unreadable, though it always was. “Can we . . .”

He kept on trailing off, as if he didn’t want to say whatever was on his mind out loud. Did this have to do with the party, with his father, or both?

I continued staring at him, “Lucas?”

His eyes met mine, but they immediately left to look elsewhere. He rubbed the back of his neck, shifting in place. “I’ll . . . I’ll tell you later.”

Confused, I tilted my head. What could he have wanted to say?

“ . . . okay.” I said. I didn’t want to pester him. Not when it was most likely about his family.

But, maybe it wasn’t anything important.

Maybe.

Knowing Lucas though, it was something I needed to hear. Lately, he’d been acting unusual. It started ever since the party was mentioned.

How could I figure him out?

I tugged at his arm, aware of how cold he felt despite the intense summer heat, “Let’s go.”

He nodded, still not meeting my gaze. “Yeah.”

This . . . was going to be difficult.