LOGINThe sun had long since dipped below the horizon, leaving behind a canvas of wine and orange that stretched endlessly over the water. The beach had grown quiet, the distant giggles and splashes replaced by the gentle rhythm of waves hitting the shore.Nathan hadn't spoken a word since they returned to the villa.He'd walked ahead of Valentino, his shoulders rigid, his strides quick. The moment they crossed the threshold, he'd disappeared into the bedroom and locked the door behind him. Valentino had stood in the hallway for a long moment, his hand raised, hovering inches from the wood. But no words came. Nothing he could say would undo what he'd just revealed.Nothing he could say would erase the cruelty he'd inflicted on a boy who was already drowning in his own sorrows.He'd ended up on the couch.The leather was cold against his back, the cushions too firm, the space too empty. He'd stared at the ceiling for hours, replaying every moment, every harsh word, every time he'd watched
The crystal clear water glinted as it caught the light, its waves rippling, curling at the edge in white foams.In it, some students from Nathan's department played, passing a beach ball, their distant giggles drifting in the air. Nathan watched from the bench, his lips curling into a small smile. He brought the drink in his hand to his lips and sipped the sweet, orange liquid slowly. A shadow suddenly fell over him and he looked up, barely able to make out Mikhail's features. "For someone who crashed my engagement ceremony, you sure are having the time of your life."A chuckle bubbled in his throat. He set the drink down and shook his head, using a hand to sit upright. "Take it up to Valik," he shot back, watching Mikhail lower himself on the bench beside his. The boy gagged. "Stop calling him that."Another chuckle slipped out of him, his eyes squinting. "Whatever. Where's he?"It had been well over two months since the crashed ceremony. Two months since Nikolai had been esco
The grand doors opened once more. This time, Valentino's grandparents walked in. The guests and Nikolai's wench had since long spilled out.Valentino stood beside Nathan, his grip tightening on his hand as the elderly couple walked towards them. "My son," Eleanor, his grandmother said, her smile laced with both pride and grief, her arms wide open. Holding Nathan, the man closed the distance, chuckling as he pulled his mate into the hug. Eleanor chuckled, patting their backs gently. "Sorry I took too long," he murmured against her, his voice soft. Then, he pulled away and smiled. "No, you did what we couldn't do, and for that, we're greatful," George, his grandfather chipped in, and Eleanor nodded, her eyes gleaming. "Thank you." She glanced towards Nathan and reached for his cheek, pinching the rosy skin lightly."You're such a cutie." The boy blushed and chuckled, muttering thank yous. His head then darted to the back and Valentino followed his gaze to...Mikhail and Elena.Mi
Tonight, everything would change. In the Ivanov's mansion. Like it did once before. Like it did on the night he got tied to Nathan. The car pulled to a stop on the property and Valentino glanced towards Nathan, reaching for his cheek. Had he really moved on from his brother?Even though he never really thought about it much, tonight, he just could not help but imagine how Nathan would feel seeing someone he once had a longtime crush on getting engaged. Though amidst the sympathy was a jealous feeling he was trying to suppress.The boy placed his hand over his and smiled, his eyes gleaming with warmth. Perhaps he could feel it, too. This strange familiarity. The house that changed their lives in one night. "You okay?" He asked and Valentino smiled, his heart throbbing. He scoffed and nodded, before he leaned in and kissed his forehead.The man pulled away and unfastened his seatbelt, then he slid out of the car and rounded it to the passenger's side. Tonight, he was formally int
"You're still upset?" Valentino asked, his voice low. He pulled to a stop in front of his house and turned towards Nathan.The boy didn't reply; he simply rested his chin on his hand and looked out the window. He had been ignoring him since they left his apartment. "Should I open the door myself or what?" He mumbled and the man shook his head. "No, I'll open it," he replied, staring at his pouted lips for a long moment before he slid out and rounded the car. Valentino's lips curled into a bright smile as he opened the door and leaned in until their faces were mere inches apart. Then, with deliberate slowness, he unfastened his seatbelt and sliced his gaze towards him."A-are you done?" Nathan croaked, his eyes darting to the side as he leaned away from the man. "I'm sorry," Valentino said, his voice smooth, though he was anything but remorseful. If he went back in time, he would do it again. He leaned in towards the boy and held his chin, then he turned the his face towards his s
This was beyond absurd. Beyond what Nathan could comprehend. Beyond anything he could have ever imagined. Valentino?In a maid's costume?His hand fell—much like his lower jaw did—from the door handle as his gaze swept over the outfit repeatedly."I'll be over there, sir," Andrew said from behind him, his voice low, breaking him from his trance. He gasped once and stepped into the apartment fully, before slamming the door shut. Then, his eyes sliced back towards Valentino. The man was red from the folds on his forehead to the hairy skin of his legs. His eyes were shut from what could only be perceived as both regret and mortification. "Valik..." His voice was barely above a whisper."Theo," Valentino whimpered, almost, his hands clenching into fists by his side. His lids flicked open and he bit his lower lip. The words just weren't coming. If they could even be called words. Just a lump of uhs and whys stuck in his throat. "T-take a seat."Nathan barely registered what he had sa
Nathan's eyes darted to Celyn as she walked towards him. He shifted, hoisting himself onto the chair. Celyn lowered herself beside him, her lips curved up into a small smile. The boy looked away, fiddling with his fingers. He'd never been good with girls, especially not with one as mature and eff
Celyn walked into the study, her eyes landing on Valentino. He was standing by the book shelf, hand brushing the books lined on it. "Why?" She asked, but Valentino didn't respond. "Val," she called. "Celyn." She froze at the venom lacing his tone, watching as he slowly turned to face her. Vale
Valentino's heart raced inexplicably, each thump like a hammer to his ribcages. He frowned, confused. He'd only had one drink, he thought, as he sat upright on the bed. His hand moved to his chest, thumb caressing the left side. He sighed, thinking of the physically demanding tasks at work he'd t
Nathan stirred, eyes fluttering open slowly as they adjusted to the morning light.He sat up on the floor and rested his back against the door, glancing down at the string. Valentino was still here. Confusion crept in, as he looked up. He'd expected the man to barge in and cause a ruckus last nig







