Adrian
"Is he finally asleep?" Roderick asked.
"Yeah," I nodded quietly.
He finally let go—of the worry, the fear, and the crushing sense of responsibility he's been carrying since Ryan's accident.
These past two days have worn him thin.
Even after Ryan woke up and we confirmed he was stable, it didn't bring Maxen peace. Not fully. Dr. Sean, Dr. Sheila, and I practically staged an intervention just to convince him to come home. He wouldn't budge—insisting he wouldn't leave the hospital until Ryan was discharged.
And that discharge date? Still unknown.
I know why he's like this.
It's not just friendship.
It's guilt.
Or maybe something older—a bond rooted in the past, long before I ever stepped into his life.
Whatever it is, it's swallowing him whole.
And it scares me.
Because I can love Maxen through his storms… but I can't watch him drown in guilt that was never his to carry.
"Thanks for the coffee," I said, taking a sip.
"It's okay," Roderick replied, his tone soft, neutral.
"I haven't seen you since the start of the week," I added.
He shrugged. "Well, you've been busy—with music and everything."
I gave him a playful side-eye. "Right. Says the man entangled with one of the company's best singers."
His face shut down instantly. The walls were back up.
Before he could retreat behind another vague excuse, I reached over and patted his back.
"Rick… I'm always here for you, okay? I'm your best friend. Just because I have a boyfriend now doesn't mean we're not still that. You can talk to me. About anything."
He paused. Then turned. And without a word, he hugged me.
"I know," he murmured. "I will. When I figure out how to put it into words. If I ever do."
I didn't push. I just held him a moment, then let go.
Later, after Maxen finally dozed off, I went back to check on him. He was still fast asleep—his body and mind completely worn down.
I sent a quick message to Dr. Sean asking for an update on Ryan.
A few minutes later, his reply came in:
Stable. No complications. Resting well.
Relieved, I headed to my study to catch up on the emails I'd been avoiding.
The ring of my phone pulled me out of work mode.
Rachel.
"Yes?"
"All's settled at the café," she began. "The reporters weren't from any major outlet—just vultures trying to ambush Maxen this morning. Fortunately, he wasn't there. His mother was. I got there in time."
"Good. Thank you."
I paused, then added, "Keep everything clean, Rachel. No leaks. Scrub it online. Keep the café and the charity center insulated from media noise. Especially Lena. She doesn't need that stress."
"Got it, Boss," she replied, teasing. "Such drama. You'd think no one else would go this far to protect someone they love."
"See you at the office tomorrow."
"Humm… ummm."
I narrowed my eyes, though she couldn't see it. "What is it?"
"Vision Entertainment's acting CEO. He's behind this."
"I know."
"Of course you do," she sighed. "But how? We were both at the event. There wasn't even a flicker of hostility."
"I have my ways."
"Right. Extend my greetings to Maxen."
I ended the call and slowly set the phone down.
Of course it was Silas.
He and I have been rivals since college—him always clawing for a lead, me never needing to chase. I still remember the time he tried to leak our project prototype during the senior showcase, just to sabotage my presentation. He failed, of course. But his desperation hasn't changed.
How someone so shortsighted and insecure is trusted with Vision Entertainment is beyond me. But bloodlines blur judgment.
He's banking on a deal with Mr. Gavin to secure his seat. That alone makes him predictable. And petty.
And while I'd never say it aloud…
I wonder how much of his father's declining health came from years of trying to steady a son who only ever steered toward chaos.
Stress like that doesn't just disappear.
It builds. Wears. Breaks.
Legacy doesn't mean much if it's handed to someone determined to burn it down.
I checked the time—two hours had flown by.
I made my way upstairs to check on Maxen.
I heard his voice before I reached the door.
"Yes, Mum. I'm okay, really. And the café? Hope the media hasn't been bothering you."
Thank God I called Lena first.
I quietly pushed open the door.
He was already sitting up in bed, phone pressed to his ear. When he saw me, a small smile tugged at his lips.
I walked in and sat on the edge of the bed. Without hesitation, he leaned into me like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I exhaled, wrapping an arm around him and pressing a kiss to the top of his head.
He ended the call and settled deeper into my arms, his head resting on my shoulder, his nose brushing softly against my neck.
"I called Dr. Sean," he murmured. "Ryan's fine. Sleeping peacefully."
Of course that's the first thing he'd do after waking up.
I threaded my fingers through his hair gently, offering quiet comfort.
"You don't owe him anything, you know that, right?" I said carefully.
"I know," he whispered after a pause. "But I just… want to be there for him."
"Good," I said softly, pressing another kiss into his hair.
A beat passed. The silence wrapped around us like a blanket.
Then I asked, "What do you want for dinner?"
He didn't answer immediately, but the way he held me tighter said enough.
Dinner could wait.
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TO BE CONTINUED...
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