* * *

Signing at the sight of the huge gate opening as he arrived at the place he was supposed to call home, Reese braced himself as his driver drove inside and moments later pulled over at the garage. After his morning class had ended, his mom suddenly called him over and told him to quickly come home as she had something important she wanted to tell him. Of course, being that he still had class in the afternoon plus his planned lunch date with Lan, Reese didn't want to go. However, despite his displeasure, he still didn't want his mom to get sad or disappointed so he didn't have a choice and go.

"We're here, Sir," Reese's driver announced to which Reese responded with a nod. He had asked the driver what might his mom need him over that she specifically asked him to come home even on a school day, but as expected, a driver really can't know anything about the family affairs. Still, it was no harm asking.

"Thank you," Reese only said and finally stepped out of the car, silently walking to the entrance. He looked around and as usual his step-dad's house was really huge. Anyone could tell that whoever lives in the house would surely have no problem with money. And indeed they don't. Of course, that's just his step-father as he couldn't wait to leave this house once he graduated highschool.

"Reese, I'm glad you're here... We have been waiting for you," As soon as he stepped inside the house, his mom came to meet him with a huge smile on her face and quickly hugged him. It's been a while as well so he hugged his mom back, wondering what was so important that she couldn't tell him on the phone and needed him home as soon as possible.

"How's school? Have you made friends yet? Your roommate, are you getting along together?" 

"Yeah and school is good..." Reese replied monotonically. After his mom got exposed to her new lifestyle, she had changed a little and it's been awkward to talk to her. She was no longer the mom he used to know and love. Still, she's trying to make up for the changes that had been made but Reese didn't have much expectation. After all, he gave up when she'd rather be with her new husband and daughter than ask what was happening to him. But he does understand. After all, it's what makes her happy. She was newlywed and in love, she couldn't possibly be worrying about his son going through a rebellious phase.

"Great! I was worried you wouldn't make any friends there. I've asked your sister to take care of you and she said she'd do it. But she told me it's been difficult to see you," she asked again before finally Reese noticed what's this all about. His step-sister must have been saying nonsense about him again to make trouble for him and since her mom wanted them to get along, she wanted him to go and talk to Stella and make friends.

Truthfully, it didn't really matter to him but the problem was that Stella didn't even want to talk to him let alone be in the same room as him. She has been tormenting his life ever since his mom and her dad started dating to the point where everyone in his old campus antagonized him, spreading rumors about him and his mom being gold diggers. And no one even knows it because she's been keeping a different personality whenever she's in front of everyone except for him.

At first he honestly didn't know didn't know why he's being targeted but later he realized that he was the easiest target. No one wanted to believe him and everyone just thought he was going through a phase because of the remarriage. They thought it was difficult to understand him because he was homosexual and so rather than talk to him about the problem, it was much easier to ignore and leave him alone.

"Mom, I have classes in the afternoon. If you don't have anything important to tell me, can I go? You said you wanted me to study. Now that I am doing what you want, you suddenly called me on a school day just to talk about this," Reese countered, a little bit annoyed because he knew no matter what he says, his mom would take Stella's side and say he needed to be patient because he's the older one when there's just a few months apart between him and Stella. His mom had been forcing him to go and talk to her, to act as if they're siblings but she doesn't know that he already tried and it was no use. His step-sister simply doesn't like him and no matter how much he told this to his mom, she would never listen, believing that it was just him making excuses.

"Reese!!! You know I only want what's best for you. I'm trying here... I want us to be happy like we used to... so please... cooperate with me on this one," Reese mom said desperately, looking at Reese with a serious but almost begging gaze. 

"You know... Your sister said she wanted to be close to you. How about you two go ahead and have lunch together sometime? If you're not comfortable, bring with you your roommate... she said she's interested in him. If you introduce him to her, you two might finally get along... How about it?" Reese's mom said with a smile while softly reaching out for his hand. On the other hand, understanding what this actually means, he felt hurt as he pulled his hand away.

"So this is what this is all about? She wanted me to introduce my roommate to her... As always, you actually believed that she would want to get along with me. Mom, wake up! We will never become the family that you wanted us to be. Stella hated me, Mom. Why can you understand that?" Reese said in an outburst. He had said it before and he would say it again even if he knew his mom wouldn't listen. Stella does not want him anywhere near her. 

"That's not true. It's you who is not trying, Reese... You're the older one so you should be patient with her. It's been more than a year since Freddy and I married, it's time to accept her. She may be a little bit too much but she's your family now... When the time comes, you'll only have each other," Reese's mom said again with a stubborn frown, making Reese feel frustrated as always. He quickly doesn't want to be in the same room anymore and it has always been this way. 

With a hurt expression, Reese looked at his mom in defeat. He loved her and of course he wanted his relationship with her to go back to the way it was. He didn't care if he had a new father or a sibling but it's simply impossible now. Not until she accepts the fact that he and Stella would never get along and she stops blaming him for it. He's tired of being the one in the wrong.

"I've had enough. I'm going back. If Stella wants to fix her relationship with me, she can always go and find me... but, I will not introduce her to my roommate. If she wants him, tell her to talk to him on her own," Reese said before he turned around and started to walk away.

"Reese... Why can you just listen to me!? Don't you want us to be happy? I know you miss your Dad and you didn't want me to marry but don't you want a comfortable life? To never worry about food or house? I'm doing this all for you. I'm only asking you to get along with Stella. Is that too much to ask?" Reese's mom replied with teary eyes as she grabbed his hand and stopped him from leaving. Meanwhile, listening to her, Reese was even more hurt.

"I never asked for this mom. I was happy and comfortable before even without all of this. Even if we struggled with what food to eat,  at least... people don't call us gold diggers—" Reese countered, hoping that his mom would understand, however as soon as he finished his words, a slap immediately came flying to his cheeks. He was surprised since his mom never laid a hand on him but at the same time understood. His mom didn't know what he knew so it's natural for her to get mad.

"You're being too much, Reese..." she accused. Her demeanor was also surprised at what she did but couldn't bring herself to apologize.

"I'm going..." Reese only managed to say, ignoring the stinging pain on his cheeks before leaving. Thankfully, this time his mom didn't stop him as he finally stepped out of the house. He wanted to cry in frustration but he suppressed himself and hurriedly went to the car asking the driver to drive him back to school. As always the driver got worried for him but there was nothing he could do so he just immediately drove Reese to school.

The drive didn't take too long so he arrived back at the school and still had time to have a quick lunch before afternoon class started but having lost his mood, he decided to go back to his dorm room instead. He didn't want to eat or even go to school. He just wanted to lay in bed and sleep the pain and disappointment away... and he did! While not realizing that tears had started streaming down his cheeks as he closed his eyes.

* * *

"Hey..." Elven called with a smile, looking at Lan who was with a disappointed look on his face after making a short call. "What's the problem?" he added, nearing the Alpha.

"Nothing..." Lan replied with a sigh. He was really looking forward to today's lunch because it'll be the first meal he'll have with his lover but the Beta suddenly canceled on him because he was called home.

"Oh... Anyway, not going to have lunch with Reese today?"

"Yeah... He said his mom called him over..." Lan replied with a disappointed sigh, making Elven chuckle a bit now understanding why the Alpha was disappointed in the first place.

"Then, do you want to have lunch with me today? It's been a while..." Elven suggested. They used to have lunch before the confession happened but now that they have settled the situation, he was hoping everything would go back to the way it was. On the other hand, Lan is looking at Elven. He thought for a bit before he finally nodded. He didn't want the Omega to think that he's avoiding him after what they have talked about last night so he had no choice but to agree with Reese being away.

"Great... Let's eat at the usual place. I cooked your favorites today hoping we could get lunch together as always. I'm happy you're free," Elven said excitedly before quickly walking back to his chair and picked up the one he usually brought when he brought food for the both of them to eat. Lan watched Elven and for obvious reason, he only felt hurt and sad. Still, he smiled helplessly when the Omega came over and quickly offered to carry the bag for him before they went ahead to have lunch.

Seeing them together after a month of avoiding each other, students began whispering as they have for past weeks. Some were relieved that the two had made up but some were also disappointed thinking that if Elven and Lan would separate, they would have a chance. Rumors about the Alpha hanging out with a Beta from a different class spread but most think it was much easier to deal with an unknown person than Elven who was infamous for being someone with a dangerous background.

"They made up?" One female student commented, whispering to her friend as they looked at the couple walking out of the classroom.

"I guess so... I mean, do you really think they wouldn't? Everyone knows Lancel liked Elven," another female student replied, rolling her eyes.

"True. No else has a chance. In fact, I'd rather have them together than that Beta... Lancel's been hanging out with him recently. Some even said they were quite intimate... I heard his name was Reese..." Another girl said, having a friend in the same class as Reese.

"WHAT!? No way! He's a Beta you know! No matter how pretty he looks, Lancel can't possibly be with him. Besides... I heard his mom was a gold digger. It explains why he managed to go to this school. I wouldn't be surprised if he's aiming for Lancel just like his mom..."

"What!? Where did you hear that!? Is it really true?"

"Yeah... I'm in the same club with this girl and she's his step sister..."

"I couldn't believe it. I'm fine if it's Elven but anyone else, I refuse to believe I'm not better... and with a leech at that!" the first girl said with a frown. She really hated those kinds of people and if she could, she'd make their life miserable. 

"Hey... Do you want to do something fun about it?" Her friend suggested with a mischievous smile.

"I don't know what you're thinking but I have a feeling I will like it..." She said before a series of giggles erupted in their group.

* * *

To be Continued...