The next day arrived swiftly, casting its warm golden glow over everything on earth. Sunlight filtered in through the half-drawn curtains, painting faint patterns across the bedroom walls.
Fred tossed restlessly on the bed, his brows knitting together as discomfort gnawed at him. Before he could even fully register what was wrong, a sharp ache twisted violently in his stomach.
His eyes flew open.
"Oh shit "
The pain jolted him upright, forcing him out of bed as he stumbled toward the bathroom. He barely made it to the sink before vomiting violently, his hands gripping the porcelain edge for support.
He kept retching as though his body was determined to empty itself completely—as if even his intestines weren’t safe. His throat burned, eyes watering, breaths coming out shallow and uneven. When nothing else ca up, he leaned weakly over the sink, chest heaving.
After a while, the nausea eased slightly.
Fred turned on the tap, splashing cold water over his face repeatedly before rinsing his mouth thoroughly. Only then did he straighten, staring at his pale reflection in the mirror with a grimace.
"...I feel like I want to die," he murmured under his breath.
Dragging his feet, he returned to the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. But the relief didn’t last long.
Another wave of nausea slamd into him.
"Not again—"
He bolted back to the bathroom, barely holding it together before vomiting once more. After cleaning himself up for the second ti, he walked back into the room, exhausted and slightly dizzy.
Did I eat sothing bad yesterday? he wondered inwardly, rubbing his temple. I didn’t even have breakfast... I barely ate anything except dinner.
He paused, then frowned.
Or maybe... maybe it’s because Lucas and Roo are here.
His jaw tightened slightly.
Yeah. That has to be it. My mind hasn’t been at rest since I t them yesterday.
Just thinking about them made his chest feel tight.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Fred flinched slightly at the sound.
"Who’s there?" he asked, unable to completely hide the irritation in his voice as he turned toward the door.
"Food is ready, Young Master," the servant replied politely from the other side. "The other masters are already at the dining hall. They’re all waiting for you."
"I’ll be downstairs in the next five minutes," Fred replied imdiately.
Soon after, he heard the servant’s footsteps receding down the hallway.
Without wasting much ti, Fred returned to the bathroom to bathe. He turned on the shower and let cold water pour over his head, running down his shoulders and spine.
If I cool down, I should feel better...
And thankfully, it worked. The lingering nausea subsided, leaving only mild exhaustion behind.
Once he was done, he dressed quickly in a crisp white shirt and black trousers before stepping out of his room and heading downstairs.
At the dining table, Alex, Gabe, Lucas, and Roo were already seated. Their conversations quieted the mont Fred took the final step down the stairs, several pairs of eyes turning toward him.
"Hey—how are you?" Damien asked imdiately, standing slightly from his seat. Worry was etched clearly across his face. "I ca to call you earlier, but you didn’t respond. Are you okay?"
"Oh—yeah," Fred replied quickly, forcing a small laugh as he took the empty seat opposite Damien. "I’m a deep sleeper. I must’ve been completely out when you ca. I just woke up."
He then turned toward the others and smiled politely.
"Good morning, everyone. Sorry for delaying you. You could’ve eaten without .
Alex replied imdiately. "You’re here now, so we can eat."
Gabe let out a quiet sigh and nodded. "Yeah. We can start now."
The others murmured in agreent.
However, Gabe’s eyes lingered on Fred longer than necessary.
"...You look really pale," he said after a mont, brows knitting together. "Are you seriously okay?"
There’s no fucking way I’m okay, Fred thought bitterly. Not when I spent the whole night thinking about the danger surrounding us.
"I am, Gabe," Fred replied aloud, offering a warm, reassuring smile. "I just need more rest. I haven’t relaxed properly since we got here."
Roo leaned back slightly in his chair, fingers tapping thoughtfully against the table. His gaze flicked between Gabe and Fred before he spoke.
"How about we get to know you both properly?" he suggested casually. "Mr. Gabe. Mr. Fred."
Both Gabe’s and Fred’s hearts skipped a beat.
"I believe one-on-one discussions," Roo continued smoothly, "would help us connect better."
Fred swallowed hard, while Gabe shifted subtly in his seat.
"Exactly," Lucas chid in, his voice calm yet firm, carrying an unmistakable weight of authority. "We’re only told that you’re Alex and Damien’s friends. And since you both get to stay at our vacation house, that ans you’re really close to them."
His gaze shifted deliberately between Gabe and Fred.
"We’d like to know more about you two."
There was a brief silence before Roo leaned back slightly in his chair, fingers interlacing lazily. His eyes settled on Gabe, who had suddenly stopped eating.
"How about we have a one-on-one discussion after breakfast?" Roo suggested smoothly, his tone light, almost casual—but his gaze never left Gabe’s face.
Gabe’s grip tightened on his cutlery.
Fuck. I’m not interested in any of that.
His heartbeat spiked violently, fear and irritation flashing across his face before he could fully hide it.
"You can ask whatever questions you want right here," Fred interjected sharply, his tone edged with irritation as he glanced between Roo and Lucas. "We’ll answer you."
He straightened slightly in his seat, continuing more firmly, "This isn’t a job interview where you need to speak to us one-on-one."
Fred exhaled slowly before adding, "As you can see... I’m not feeling too well. And I’m sure Gabe isn’t either. Yesterday was a shock for both of us."
His gaze flicked briefly to Gabe.
"The basketball almost hitting him....he’s still shaken. That fear hasn’t left his heart yet."
Why does Gabe look like this?
Alex’s brows furrowed slightly as he observed Gabe more closely.
Why does he look scared the mont Roo and Lucas speak? Like he’s seen them before... or knows them sohow.
Alex swallowed hard.
Even if he does know them... why does he look so tense? Almost terrified or it he like this because of yesterday? Because Roo almost hit him with the basketball? But then he was like this the very day he t them too.
"It’s fine, Fred," Gabe suddenly said, breaking the silence.
Fred froze.
"I’ll et with them," Gabe continued, lifting his gaze to Roo and Lucas. "I’m curious about Mr. Roo and Mr. Lucas anyway."
The words sent a wave of shock straight down Fred’s spine.
"What?" Fred turned sharply toward him. "Are you sure about this, Gabe?" He raised an eyebrow. "You really need to rest."
"Yes, I’m sure," Gabe replied calmly, though his tone carried an unmistakable edge of resolve. "It’s just a conversation. I’ll talk with them and then go back to my room."
Fred swallowed hard, unease creeping up his spine.
"You can stay behind, Mr. Fred," Roo added smoothly, a faint smirk curling on his lips. "Since you’re not feeling too well."
Sothing about that smirk made Alex’s lips twitch faintly.
Sothing is really off, Alex thought, continuing to observe everyone quietly while eating. Roo. Lucas. Gabe. Fred.
Even Fred seems involved sohow.
"...Alright then," Fred finally muttered, responding to Lucas’s earlier question.
Just then, he reached for a plate of pancakes. The mont the sweet scent hit his nose, his stomach churned violently.
His face drained of color.
He quickly set the plate down and grabbed a hamburger instead—but the second he lifted it closer, nausea surged again.
He dropped it imdiately.
"What’s wrong?" Damien asked, frowning as his attention snapped fully to Fred. "You look even paler now. Should I drive you to the hospital in town?"
"There’s no need for that—seriously," Fred replied hurriedly, his voice strained.
The nausea overwheld him completely.
Before anyone could say another word, Fred pushed himself up from the table and rushed toward the stairs, one hand clamped over his mouth.
He couldn’t hold it anymore.
He needed to vomit.
"Fred!" Damien called, already standing as he followed after him, leaving the others behind at the dining hall.
Is he sick?
Gabe’s heart pounded as panic flared inside him.
How can he be sick at a ti like this? Seriously?!
But then—
Wait.
A slow, dangerous smile almost crept onto Gabe’s face.
...Maybe Fred being sick right now isn’t a bad thing after all.
Excitent sparked in his eyes as an idea suddenly struck him.
I already said I wouldn’t be using any of the fucking three days here... and my wish just got granted through Fred.
He clenched his fists.
Now I have two options.
Either I pay Roo back the money I stole from him...
Or I leave this city completely. Go sowhere he’ll never find .
"I want to check up on him," Gabe said aloud, his tone carefully neutral though excitent buzzed beneath the surface.
He wheeled himself after Damien, leaving Alex, Roo, and Lucas behind.
Alex, however, stood up imdiately and followed.
Reviews
All reviews (0)