Sunday morning sunlight flooded Elian's room, but for the first time in days, he didn't feel fear. He felt safe.
He sat on his window seat, a vintage leather-bound diary in his lap. This wasn't just a diary; it was his Survival Guide.
Elian opened a fresh page. He picked up his fountain pen and began to write, his violet eyes focused.
[Current Status: Alive]
I survived the Gala.
He paused, biting his lip. He thought back to the original novel, "The CEO's Forbidden Love."
This wasn't just a diary. It was a record of a Tragedy.
Elian picked up his pen. He needed to remind himself why he couldn't be careless. Why he couldn't just enjoy life. Because in the original book, his entire family was slaughtered.
He wrote down the "Original Fate":
THE TRAGEDY OF THE STERLINGS (Original Book):
Cause: The Original Elian bullied and hurt Serena Vance (The Heroine).
The Avengers: The Twins, Gabriel Cross, Detective Damien, and Dr. Felix all loved Serena. To avenge her tears, they destroyed the Sterlings.
THE DEATH LIST:
Grandfather (Arthur): Died of a massive heart attack after seeing the family empire collapse.
Mother & Father: Died in a suspicious "car accident" on the highway. Brake failure.
Declan : His company was bankrupt by the Twins. He couldn't handle the shame and debt... he jumped from his office building. (Suicide).
Adrian & Noah: Their careers destroyed, lives ruined, eventually killed in "accidents."
Elian (Original): Found dead in a dark alley. The police (Detective Damien) closed the case as a "robbery gone wrong." But it was never solved. It was a Mystery.
Elian dropped the pen. Ink stained the paper like black blood.
"They killed everyone," Elian whispered, his chest tightening. "Just because the original Elian was jealous of Serena."
He looked at the mirror.
"But I am not him. I haven't hurt Serena. I haven't annoyed Gabriel."
He picked up the pen again and wrote in bold letters:
NEW RULES FOR SURVIVAL:
Avoid Serena Vance:She is the trigger. If she cries, the world burns.
Avoid the Harem:Gabriel, The Twins, The Doctor, The Detective. They are all dangerous.
Protect the Family:Declan must not go bankrupt. Mom and Dad must stay off the highway.
Keep the Mystery Buried:I don't know who killed the original Elian. I don't want to find out.
"I will save them," Elian vowed, closing the book. "I will cook, I will smile, and I will stay far away from the drama."
He stood up, wiping a cold sweat from his forehead.
He had no idea that Step 2 (Avoid the Harem) had already failed. The Twins were already obsessed with his scent.
He stood up, stretching. His stomach grumbled. It was time for his favorite therapy: Cooking.
"Time to cook," Elian muttered. "Cooking calms the nerves."
The Kitchen & @VioletKitchen Update
The Sterling kitchen was quiet. Elian tied his apron. Today, he wanted to make something visually stunning for his blog.
Menu: Japanese Fruit Sando (Fruit Sandwich).
He took out slices of fluffy, thick milk bread (Shokupan).
In a cold bowl, he whipped heavy cream with vanilla bean paste and a touch of mascarpone cheese until it was stiff and sweet. The smell of vanilla filled the air—his signature scent.
He spread a thick layer of cream on the bread. Then, he carefully arranged whole strawberries, kiwi slices, and orange segments in a geometric pattern. He covered them with more cream and placed the second slice of bread on top.
"Now, the reveal," Elian whispered.
He took a sharp knife and cut the sandwich diagonally.
The cross-section was beautiful—bright red strawberries and green kiwis embedded in snowy white cream like jewels.
It looked too pretty to eat.
He set up his lighting near the window.
Click. Click.
He opened his secret Instagram account, @VioletKitchen.
[New Post]
Image: A close-up of the Fruit Sando, looking soft, sweet, and airy.
Caption: Sundays are for sweetness. Soft cream, fresh fruit, and a moment of peace before the chaos of Monday begins.
#HomeCafe #FruitSando #SweetSunday
Within seconds, likes started pouring in. And then, a comment from his "Loyal Customer."
[User_K]: Detailed. Precise. Sweet. You have good hands.
Elian smiled at the screen. "User_K is always the first one. I wonder who he is? Probably a lonely food critic."
He put the phone away. "Time to feed the family."
The Greenhouse: Mom & Dad
Elian carried a tray of the sandwiches to the backyard greenhouse.
He found his parents there. usually, they would be arguing. But today, it was quiet.
Eleanor was frowning at a drooping orchid. Richard was hiding behind a newspaper, trying to avoid a business call.
"Delivery," Elian announced softly.
Eleanor looked up. "Elian? What is that?"
"Fruit Sandwiches. Less sugar, more fruit," Elian smiled, handing her a plate. "And Dad, put the paper down. It's Sunday."
Richard grunted, but he folded the newspaper. He took a bite of the sandwich. The cream was light, the fruit refreshing.
"It's... Testy," Richard muttered, which was high praise from him. "Better than the rocks you used to bake when you were ten."
Elian laughed. "I'm glad."
Eleanor ate delicately. She looked at Elian—really looked at him. "You seem different, Elian. You haven't asked for money in a week. You haven't shouted at the staff. You... cook."
"I just realized that being angry takes too much energy," Elian sat on a bench next to them. "I'd rather grow flowers and bake bread."
Richard looked at his son, his stern eyes softening. "Whatever you are doing... keep doing it. The house is quieter. I like it."
For the first time, Elian felt a connection. They weren't the perfect parents, but they weren't the monsters the book made them out to be. They were just stressed people. And Elian was healing them, one sandwich at a time.
The Game Room: The Brothers
After lunch, the peace was shattered.
"NO! THAT'S CHEATING!"
The scream came from the media room. Elian walked in to find Adrian standing on the sofa, throwing a cushion at Noah.
"It's not cheating, it's physics!" Noah argued, his massive biceps flexing as he held the controller. "I pushed you off the track!"
"I am a National Treasure! You can't push me off a track!" Adrian yelled back.
Declan sat in the armchair, reading a file, ignoring them completely.
"Elian!" Adrian pointed. "Join us. Help me destroy this muscle-brain."
Elian smirked. "You're on."
The Gaming War
The peace didn't last long. In the media room, a war had broken out.
Adrian vs. Noah vs. Elian in Mario Kart.
"Die! Die!" Noah screamed, mashing buttons.
"My hair looks good even when I lose!" Adrian declared dramatically.
Elian stayed quiet, tongue poking out in concentration...
For the next two hours, the room was filled with laughter and shouting.
Elian wasn't the loudest, but he was the sneakiest.
While Adrian and Noah fought each other, Elian drifted his kart past them and crossed the finish line.
"WINNER!" Elian cheered, raising his arms.
Noah grabbed Elian in a headlock (gently) and ruffled his hair. "You little brat! When did you get so good?"
"I have hidden talents," Elian giggled, trying to escape Noah's grip.
Declan looked up from his file. He watched his three brothers laughing—a sight he hadn't seen in years. A small, rare smile touched his lips.
Suddenly, the door opened. Grandpa Arthur stood there, leaning on his cane.
The room went silent.
Arthur looked at the chaos—cushions on the floor, Adrian on the sofa, Noah holding Elian.
"Hmph," Arthur grunted. "Too much noise."
But as he turned to leave, he looked at Elian. He tapped his cane once on the floor.
"Drive safely tonight, Elian. Don't let your guard down."
It was a warning. But it was also care.
"Yes, Grandfather," Elian bowed slightly.
The Departure & The Condo
Evening came too quickly. It was time to leave.
Elian packed his bag. He preferred staying at his private condo during the week because it was right next to the University.
"Are you sure you don't want a driver?"
Declan asked, standing by the car. "I can hire a security team."
"Declan, it's just college," Elian laughed, putting his bag in the trunk.
"And I live in The Obsidian Tower. It has biometric security, 24-hour guards, and private elevators. It's safer than the White House."
"True," Noah nodded. "That building is a fortress."
"I'll be fine," Elian promised. "I'll see you guys next weekend."
He drove away, waving at his family.
He felt light. He felt free.
He was going to his own space. No plot. No drama. Just him and his cooking.
The Blackwood Perspective (The Penthouse)
Ten floors above Elian's apartment, in the same Obsidian Tower, the air was cold.
Kaelen Blackwood sat on his balcony, staring at the city lights.
In his lap, he held the White Suit Jacket.
He wasn't angry. He was... contemplative.
"Kieran," Kaelen spoke without turning. "Did you find out who he is?"
Kieran walked out onto the balcony, holding two glasses of whiskey.
"Not yet. The guest list was a mess. But we know the jacket belongs to a Sterling connection."
Kaelen brought the jacket to his face. The scent—Vanilla and Rain—was still there, faintly. It calmed the storm in his mind.
"He is elusive," Kaelen whispered. "Like a ghost."
"We have a Board Meeting at the University tomorrow," Kieran reminded him, handing him a drink. "We need to approve the budget for the new Art Wing. We don't have time to chase ghosts, Kaelen."
Kaelen took a sip of the whiskey. He looked down at the city streets below.
"I know. Business first."
Kaelen sighed. He wasn't planning to hunt the boy at the University. He thought it was a lost cause.
"Fine. We go to the University, sign the papers, and leave. No distractions."
He closed his eyes, letting the wind hit his face.
"But I hope... just maybe... fate is kind to me."
Irony:
Kaelen had no idea that the "Ghost" he was dreaming of was currently in the elevator of the same building, humming a happy tune, pressing the button for the 40th floor.
Fate wasn't just kind.
Fate was laughing.