Neo's Pov
The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was sunlight cutting through my curtains like it owned the place it's slanted through striping my face in lazy gold lines my alarm had died 2 hours ago. Great.
I groaned and buried my face in the pillow, somewhere in another part of the city. People with money were probably sipping imported coffee and calling it a morning.people like Lucas Luther who probably didn't even know what being late felt like.
"Rich people don't have hearts" I mumbled, trying to drage myself out of bed."they just have meetings".
My phone blinked on the desk.eight missed notifications,one from pia and the other Aiden my best friend reminding me of a class I can't miss. Great.
I dragged myself out of bed hair sticking in odd directions and stumbled into the bathroom the mirror reflected a sleepy boy who looked like he'd fought dreams and lost. while brushing his teeth a thought came to his mind "should I text him or call him will he even pick up arghhhhhhhh" this man has my head in a knot.
I decided to type a quick message "good morning sir I can't make it to the office today I have a class likely not to miss thank you for understanding" then I just stared at the screen for a full minute before pressing send, read receipts popped up no reply, typical, very annoying human being I mean what is there to get a reply oh well.
The smell of fried eggs pulled me out of my self pity mom's voice came from the kitchen soft but firm "Neo you'll miss the entire class if you keep dragging those feet" I shuffled in my room wearing the same shirts I'd thrown over my chair last night. Pia was already at the table munching on toast like she was in some commercial "look who decided to join the living" she chirped "no work today right" she whispered at me then I nodded my head slowly "good morning to you too" I muttered reaching for the eggs
"Neo you'll be late again if you don't move quickly you're not setting a very good example for your sister" mom said "I'm not the example type" he said buttering his toast "ask pia she's the family prodigy" Pia snorted "me?" Neo smirked but didn't reply.
The eat in a gentle rhythm the kind of silence that only came from familiarity when pia began humming a random pop song neo finished,grabbed his backpack and leaned over to kiss his mom on the cheek "see you later ma" "be careful" she said, the same way she always did pia saluted dramatically behind him.
Outside the sun had raisen fully soaking the streets in heat. Neo squinted, putting on his headphones and heading down the road towards the bus stop.Aiden spotted him halfway through the day loud as ever waving like they hadn't seen each other in years "neo over here" neo half smiled "you always yell like that in public?" "only when I see my favorite person trying to pretend he doesn't know me" Aiden jogged to catch up, his bright shirt practically screaming against neo's muted hoodie.
They walked side by side slipping into easy conversations about assignments professors and random nonsense aiden always had a way of making the air lighter like he refused to let the world be too serious "so" Aiden said after a pause giving him a sideways glance "you seeing any one these days apart from your so called girlfriend you don't even talk to" neo frowned"seeing anyone?" "Yeah you know girls,guys, imaginary lovers from books I don't judge"
Neo almost choked on air "you really need a new hobby man"
Aiden laughed "come on,I'm just saying. You're mysterious half the time you disappear you don't even attend classes and I'm 100% sure your mom doesn't know what are you hiding are you a spy or wait I know a secret boyfriend" Neo hesitated, he'd never told anyone not his mom, not his so called girlfriend no except pia who was his partner in crime.
Neo shoved his hands into his pockets "nothing like that I.. just work" "work" Aiden blinked "like a side hustle" neo nodded lips pressed thin "yeah a part-time stuff" "doing what" but for some reason Aiden's tone light as ever but curious made it easier. He exhaled softly "I'm an office boy" Aiden's eyebrow shot up "wait like you actually work in an office? Filing papers and all that?" "Yeah it's not exactly glamorous" when you have a boss like mine "damn neo I didn't expect that" neo smirked "nobody does guess I'm not that interesting after all" but Aiden shook his head, genuinely impressed "no that's kinda badass, you're actually doing something most people talk about independence, you're living it" neo shrugged "more like surviving it" Aiden's smile softened "still count anyways who is your boss hope he's nice or else amma burst his ass" neo almost couldn't hold back his laughter "you mean the other way around" "I don't get is he that mean or what" aiden asked "yes he's mean truly mean" I said pouting this time "awnn my precious what is his name his bullying my baby" "Lucas .j.Luther" I swear it felt like time froze as I said that name because Aiden froze in the spot eyes stiff mouth opening and closing "Aiden..Aiden are you still there" I said waving a hand in front of him "WHAT!!" this boy literally screamed drawing very big attention towards us "not so loud already and close your mouth" "did you just say lucas.j.luther as in lukas Luther as in El mismo Diablo" he said whispering eyes wide I simply nodded slowly "how..h did you get a job there you even have a chance to face the boss I mean I wouldn't mind him bullying me and being mean to me" great another one gone "I'm his personal assistant" "stop it how I mean how" "it just happened I was lucky I don't know it really just happened" "your luck is too good anyways is he really handsome like in the magazines and TV interviews show him" "yes he is" "take a pic for me when you get back to work next time" I snorted "like I'd even get that opportunity" "oh come on just try for me okay" "we'll see about that" I said smiling a little "anyways I heard that people that work under him are also fine motherfuckers please link me up with one of them okay" aiden winked at me "arghhhh enough, to be honest I haven't even met the people working under him except myself and the other robots that choke themselves all day with their ties" "oh are you for real how sad, just in case do the needful for your single best friend" "yes sir I will, I'll go hunting for you" I said as we were already in front of this hideous school "anyways were late already let's head for that very important class" "arghhhhh Chem 301" we both said out loud
As they neared the school gate a black car slowed down the curb tinted windows, smooth engine purr the kind of car that didn't belong on campus grounds neo didn't notice it but Aiden did "someone's got fancy visitors" aiden joked nodding at the car, neo just chuckled pushing his hands deeper into his hoodie pockets. "Probably some rich kid's ride"
The bell rang ending the lecture Neo stretched, his mind half in the classroom and half somewhere else his text was still unreplied Aiden nudged him with a grin "come on let's breathe some actual air my brains fried from all those notes" they strolled out together the charter of other students filing the corridor Neo felt lighter freer than he had all week Aiden was the kind of person who could drag laughter out of anyone half trouble maker half sunshine they bought bottled drinks from a nearby store and started walking towards the park talking about everything and nothing Aiden swung his bag playfully and said "don't forget to get me a good man from that your office I'm interested"
Neo scoffed "okay I will I'll hang posters on the wall" they laughed again but Aiden's laughter faded suddenly his eyes darted towards the street packed a few meters away was the same sleek black car he'd notice earlier near the lecture Hall dark Windows, polished body, it's screamed expensive and suspicious
"Hey don't freak out but that car it's been tailing us" neo followed his gaze and shrugged "you sure? maybe you're overthinking" aiden folded his arms "overthinking? Neo I might not pass math but I know when a car's following me that thing has been on every corner with turned" Neo sighed "okay and what exactly do you plan to do about it" Aiden's lips curved into a mischievous grin "oh you'll see" "Aiden no-"
But he was already walking toward the car fearless as ever Neo grab his arm but Aiden slipped free tossing back a teasing grin "relax I'm just going to ask nicely" the black cars engine purred softly as aiden approached the tinted windows lowered halfway revealing a pair of cold assessing eyes the driver was a man in a dark suit his presence quiet but commanding
Kellan.
His fingers rested casually on the steering wheel that fainted smirk tugging at his lips as if he'd been expecting this
"lost kid" kellan's voice was low, smooth and annoyingly confidence "actually no I just wanted to know why your cars been playing tag with us since class ended" kallen tilted his head slightly watching him with calm amusement "tag? interesting choice of words" "yeah well stalking didn't sound polite" the smirk widened almost invisible but definitely there instead of replying kellan reached over and unlocked the car door with a soft click Aiden froze "door's opened" with a challenge "since your already accusing me why not come in and tell me exactly what I'm guilty of"
Aiden hesitated for 2 seconds too long, neo a few steps away was whisper shouting "Aiden don't, get out of there" but curiosity was a disease Aiden never tried to cure he opened the door and slipped inside.
The interior smelled faintly of leather and something darker gun, oil may be.
Aiden looked around his earlier confidence melting a bit as he realized how out of place he was, Kellen didn't turn to face him immediately he adjusted his cuffs, his movement deliberate, precise "you know" he said calmly "you shouldn't get into cars with strangers especially ones who might be dangerous" Aiden swallowed his throat suddenly dry "then why'd you open the door" "wanted to see if you were stupid or brave" Aiden blinked "which one I'm I" kellan finally looked at him fully with those eyes sharp unreadable almost amused "I haven't decided yet" Aiden exhaled shakily and muttered "you're... you're really something"
Kellan chuckled "and Your really nosy" "maybe" Aiden finding a bit of his sass again "but if you are really following us I deserve to know why" kellan turned the engine off and leaned back his voice calm as ever "relax I'm not following you I'm waiting for my boss he's trying to surprise his nephew so he's looking for him same with me" Aiden frowned "you sure"
Kellen's expression didn't change but small smirks twitched again "you ask too many questions" "then stop giving suspicious answers" that earned a quiet laugh from kellan short but real "you've got guts I'll give you that" Aiden blinked again flustered by the praise and the proximity "okay well nice talk, Mr mystery, next time try smiling it might make you less terrifying" "noted" though his lips didn't move an inch closer to a smile.
Aiden fumbled for the handle muttered an apology and climbed out almost tripping as he closed the door behind him Neo was waiting at the corner anxiety written all over his face "what the hell were you thinking" Aiden huffed still red "don't ask just don't let's go" neo raised a brow "what happened" "let's just say" Aiden said glancing back at the car "that stalker is really hot and really scary a combination I like" "arghhhhhhhh your unbelievable" then a sound popped up from his phone wait don't tell me he replied shit he did "next time you ask for permission before deciding" are you kidding me right now am I under some rule or what or am I his property all of a sudden I don't get rich people.
Lucas pov
Kellan stood before his desk both hands behind him "he went to class stayed the whole time walked with a friend after I handled it" Lucas didn't look up from the file he was reading "handled it?" kellan smirked slightly "let's just say his friend has a curious personality" Lucas gaze flicked up then Cold sharp "curious people don't live long in this world"
Kellan shrugged "he's harmless just loud"
Lucas closed the file and leaned backwards in his chair the faint of interest in his eyes "you Kellan D'Moretti defend someone that has to be new" "am not defending just stating the obvious"
"Okay just be alert okay" kellan nodded once "understood"
And as he walked away that same small smile ghosted over his lips thinking of the bold boy who had actually walked into his car