Chapter: Chapter 31Vegas stepped into the penthouse later that night after leaving Julian’s place, the door clicking shut behind him with a heavy finality. The drive back had been quiet, his mind still replaying the conversation from earlier.Julian had been going on and on about the upcoming gala, how his father had been on his case about being serious and already getting outfits that would go with Cindy's.The pressure sat on his shoulders like it always did, greatly despising the thought of forming polite conversation for hours. But tonight, his thoughts kept drifting back to Autumn. The gala was in a few days, and he'd already decided Autumn was coming with him. The image of Autumn standing beside him felt right; after all, he was his live-in assistant anyway, however temporary. But an unease lingered too, that confusing pull he couldn’t quite name. He spotted Mochi curled up in a ball in the corner, little crumbs close to her paws, indicating that she had eaten not long ago. The tiny Pomeranian
Last Updated: 2026-07-02
Chapter: Chapter 30Over the next couple of days, Autumn assumed his official position as Vegas' lap dog, much to the notice of about half the campus and much to his dismay.He would dart to stores, his faculty, and the cafe between classes, accidentally knocking himself down a few times.He barely had any time left between that and his schoolwork, now growing accustomed to passing out on his bed the moment he touched it when he finally shut off his laptop.Sometimes, Vegas would act as though he were a decent human being, even patting his head whenever he made one of his deliveries, causing the rumor to go wild.While other times, it seemed as though he was trying to mess him up more aggressively, eyes glaring as if Autumn had done something gravely wrong.On one occasion, Vegas had tossed a cup of bubble tea at his arm, grumbling about him mixing up the flavor, causing the brown liquid to spill all over his plain white shirt, the dribble hitting the floor comically.“That’s gotta stick,” someone yelled
Last Updated: 2026-07-01
Chapter: Chapter 29It was supposed to have been like any other day. Just heading to class, his backpack slung over one arm while tucking the large sketchbook under his arm, a strand of hair or two slightly falling over his face.Today, however, had been different.Autumn stared out of the car at the students in little clusters at the front of the building, some checking out the boards pasted on the wall.He was one long breath away from possibly choking, the thought of gaining more attention putting him in fight or flight mode.But he didn't react all that much, not outwardly anyway.“Thanks for the ride,” he managed, sparing only a glance at Vegas, who'd been driving silently the whole time, which somehow seemed to make him more nervous.Even more annoying, he didn't even give a fucking reply.Autumn stepped out of the car quickly, walking past several people before deciding to stick to the corner after almost bumping into someone.By the time he got to the entrance, he suddenly turned back, his head d
Last Updated: 2026-06-30
Chapter: Chapter 28Autumn lay awake on his new, unfamiliar bed, the silk sheets not bringing much comfort as he kept tossing around. The room was quiet except for the low hum of the AC.Sure, he wouldn’t say his tiny room with the old paint and loud bangs coming from some rooms on his floor had been heaven, but he longed for the feeling of independence he’d had until now.The new space just wasn’t his and would never be, so it was proving hard to make do with it.He ran a hand over his pajamas, trying to activate some feeling of actual warmth in the almost too-cool room.He looked around the dimly lit room, taking in the hours spent on arrangements. His books and sketchbooks were neatly laid out on the large desk, with a laptop beside them, along with a few building models at the end, resting against the wall.The closet hadn’t even been filled up to a tenth after folding and hanging all his clothes and other personal items, testing out the robes that’d been provided a bit too languidly.He couldn’t eve
Last Updated: 2026-06-29
Chapter: Chapter 27Vegas was already seated at the dining table when Autumn came downstairs, Aaron heading toward the door as soon as he walked in.The air was thick with the rich, savory smell of grilled steak and roasted garlic. Warm, buttery bread sat in a basket, its golden crust still steaming slightly.The faint sweetness of caramelized onions and herbs mixed with the sharp tang of red wine that Vegas had already poured into two glasses. The plates looked expensive—heavy, white ceramic that clinked loudly as they were set on the table, the middle-aged chef also heading outwards.“Well, don’t just stand there,” Vegas grumbled, voice low and flat. He didn’t look up at first. He kept cutting into his steak, the knife sliding through the meat with a soft hiss, juices pooling dark and glossy on the plate.Autumn pulled out a chair, settling down stiffly. The wooden chair felt cold and hard. ‘I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be sitting at his table like this is normal. Like I belong to him.’ The thought
Last Updated: 2026-06-28
Chapter: Chapter 26The next day came too fast. Autumn stood outside his dorm with a single duffel bag, the strap digging into his shoulder, and a red traveling box on his right. The black car pulled up right on time. “2 sharp,” Vegas had texted earlier, along with a smug sticker, much to his annoyance. The driver took his bags without a word and opened the door. Autumn climbed in, heart heavy, the anguish of being situated right under his nose burning into his mind, filling him with all sorts of crazy thoughts. “What if he chokes me in my sleep?” he mumbled, looking at the front mirror in case the driver had heard him, hoping not to come off as deluded. He had packed only essentials: clothes, sketchbooks, a laptop, a charger, and a couple of personal items from his mom. Everything else hadn't seemed all that necessary, resolving to stop by for them whenever. The drive felt short compared to last time, his thoughts racing the whole time. When the elevator doors opened into the penthouse, Autumn step
Last Updated: 2026-06-27
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