I arrived at Leander's building. The building was a statement of modern luxury—sleek curves, floor-to-ceiling glass, and futuristic design that seemed to defy gravity. Its fluid architecture gave it an almost organic feel, like a structure in motion. Inside, the air smelled of polished steel and expensive leather, everything polished, modern and open. I went to the reception area and asked that I'm here to visit Leander. Not much later I was guided to the turnstiles and went the elevator to Leander's apartment. As I reached the floor, I knocked on the door, rocking on my feet a little since it's been a while since I last saw my friends. The door swung open, Benjamin stood in front of me and rushed to wrap me in a tight hug.

"You're here!" I hugged him back and then another weight came in for a hug, it was Leander this time.

"Welcome back, Kensington." Dominic, ever the silent operator, the groups emotional anchor, calmly join in the group hug forming outside Lean's door.

"Can I come in?" I asked Leander and he just rolled his eyes at me and dragged me inside his apartment. The apartment mirrored the building's sleek, futuristic elegance. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathed the space in natural light, offering an uninterrupted view of the city skyline. Every detail, from the curved metallic accents to the seamless glass partitions, exuded understated luxury—sophisticated, modern, and undeniably expensive. A stairway leads to the upper floor of the complex with sleek glass railings.

"Is this how modern popstars live these days?" I told Lean and just gave a wink and dramatic sigh. As we navigate through Lean's apartment, I touched Lean's hair, longer now since last I remembered, shoulder length, silver blonde, lighter than mine almost platinum.

"I had to grow it, I hate wearing wigs during performances also saves the hassle of wearing one." I smiled. It was beautiful, full, silky and smooth.

"Suits you," I said and then something caught my eyes—we weren't alone it seems. I looked at the three of them and they just offered a simple smile. The man was leaning against the counter, He stood like a fortress, broad-shouldered and impossibly solid, every inch of him honed for protection.

His physique carried the hardened edge of military discipline—thick arms crossed over his chest, veins subtly visible beneath tanned, battle-worn skin. Tattoos crept from beneath his sleeves. A sharp jawline, dusted with a hint of stubble, framed a face that was both commanding and unreadable—eyes scanning the room with a calculating intensity, always assessing, always ready.

His black Henley clung to his powerful frame, emphasizing the ripple of muscle beneath, while his stance, deceptively casual, spoke of someone who could spring into action in an instant. He was more than just a bodyguard—he was a human shield, a quiet storm, and an unshakable presence that made danger think twice. Lean went to his side, motioned his hand to the man who could probably snap all of us like a twig in a whim.

"This is my new bodyguard, Zed." Zed didn't even smiled and just gave us a small nod in terms of acknowledgment. So this was Marcus's replacement. Dominic and Benjamin stood behind me, Benj looked like a child hiding underneath their mother's skirt. Dominic, as expected, calm as a river. I cleared my throat and offered a hand.

"Pleasure to meet your acquaintance," my voice went to diplomatic mode. "Alexander Kensington." I wasn't afraid of the man per se, he's just intimidating. His presence kind of sucks the air around and it's his job to be like that. He's not a malicious man, he's just intimidating and it's all part of his job. He looked me and then to my hand and took it. His hands were exponentially bigger than mine, arm yet he had a firm shake.

"Dominic," Dom said, and just raised his hand.

"Benjamin," Benj said, shaking his nerves away. "Or should I call you daddy?" Leander's eyes widened and I palmed my face. Dominic rolled his eyes.

"Christ Benj." He was just scared like a puppy one second and now he's hitting on Leander's bodyguard. Dom looked anywhere else but the humiliation was there as well. Zed didn't say anything, didn't move nor did he show any emotions at all. Stoic like a wall.

"Okay enough with the introductions," Leander grabbed Benjamin towards his living room and Dominic followed right after.

"My apologies for his behavior." I gave an apologetic smile and follow soon after. As we settled in, Leander hit Benj on the shoulder.

"What was that for?"

"Stop hitting on my new bodyguard!" Dominic and I shot Benjamin a look.

"What, he's hot." I rolled my eyes. Out of the four of us, Lean and Benjamin were spitfires and firecrackers all in one. You wouldn't really know what you will get from them amusing, yes, but their mouths can get you to a whole lot of trouble.

"Well why didn't you tell me that your bodyguard was that hot and he's over six feet tall. Not to mention that tattoo sleeve. I will climb that—"

"Benj..." I started before he even finishes that sentence.

"Oh c'mon, you could not even deny it." He crossed his arms and raised his brow. The three of us looked at each other. We all know he was right. Jeez we're no better than men. I laughed at the comment in my head.

Well it's because you all are, is it not obvious? I told myself.

"Are you sure he's just your bodyguard?" Benj asked as Lean placed a charcuterie board and four wine glasses on his coffee table, removing the stacked coffee books and flowers that were originally there, opened up a bottle of rosé wine and gently poured to each glass.

"He just started over a week ago." Lean started. All of us waited for him to say something else.

"Yes I know he's eye candy, but the man is aggravating." I frowned.

"Aggravating how?" Dominic asked.

"Controlling, couldn't make me do things I usually do when Marcus was around, I even had beg for him for us to be here." Benjamin raised a brow.

"And what kind of begging did you do to make him say yes?" he was obviously teasing. Lean sighed and grabbed a piece of cubed cheddar cheese and pop it in his mouth.

"I just let him run a background check for the three of you." It wasn't a shock for me, I mean, I think that's part of his job, Dom seems to share my sentiment but Benjamin seems a bit put off by it—his privacy has been invaded.

"Sorry," Leander said as another sigh came out of his lips.

"It's fine, I actually don't mind." I said, Benj shot me a look.

"I do!"

"Why? It's not as if you're hiding something dark from us are you?" Dominic challenged. Benj threw a grape on Dom, hitting him on the forehead. I laughed.

"Look, bottom line is, he didn't find anything unusual to all of you and gave me the green signal. As much as I hate to admit that he is indeed, a beautiful man, I don't want to talk about him." I raised a brow at him. He looked at me directly, changing the topic.

"What's going on with you." Leander pointed at me with his wineglass. Oh boy. I thought. I saw Lean and Dom were already locked in on me.

"Where do I begin," I took a sip of the wine glass and placed it on the table.

"Start from the beginning," As Benj popped a grape in his mouth leaving me to tell the tale of how my freedom got stolen from me when my wayward twin started to vanish in the face of the earth.