The group was still shaken by the stalker's message. That video. That smiley face. That eerie sense that someone was watching them closer than they thought.
Mark broke the silence. "This is getting too much. We can't do it alone anymore."
"We need help," Sol agreed.
"I know someone," Jack finally spoke. "He's coming next week for Dad's birthday. We can talk to him."
"Who is he?" Tul asked.
"You'll meet him next week," Jack replied. "But until then—we stay alert. Max, I don't think you should attend college until we figure this out."
"I agree," Mark added. "It's not safe for you right now."
Before Max could respond, Lucas's phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and sighed. "It's my father. Excuse me."
Lucas walked into his room and picked up the call. "Hello, Father."
"Your assistant is arriving tomorrow," Leo Lancaster said, skipping any pleasantries.
"I know."
"Don't mess anything up. This business just started, and I've put my reputation on the line."
Lucas's shoulders sank. "I understand."
"I also know you're living with someone. That boy—those posts about him. Don't get involved. Keep your name clean."
Lucas wanted to say something—but didn't. "Okay," he whispered.
Leo hung up. Lucas stared at his phone, bitterly smiling. Stupid of me to think he'd ask if I'm okay.
---
Meanwhile, in the living room, the tension hadn't disappeared.
Jack sat beside Max, quiet at first. But Max could sense it.
"You want to say something, Jack?" Max asked.
Jack met his eyes. "Yes. You need to send Lucas away."
Max stiffened. "What?"
"It's safer for him—and for you," Mark chimed in. "You know it's the right thing to do."
"I'm not sending him anywhere," Max said firmly.
The tension thickened.
Mark tried to calm things down. "Max, please—"
"No!" Max stood. "He's finally feeling like himself. I'm not pushing him back into that cage."
"You're being reckless!" Jack snapped. "You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment."
"I'm not!" Max shouted. "I know what I'm doing."
"Then what is it?" Jack challenged. "What's the real reason you won't let him go?"
Max didn't mean to say it. It just came out. "Because I love him!"
Everyone froze. Dead silence. All eyes flicked to Lucas's room.
Thankfully, the door remained closed.
"You… like Lucas?" Lucian gasped.
"More than like," Sol muttered.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Tik whispered.
"Because I didn't have to!" Max barked.
Tul raised his voice. "That's not the point right now. Focus!"
But Jack wasn't done.
"You think you love him?" he asked, bitterly. "You barely know him."
"I've loved him since middle school," Max said, voice trembling. "Even when I didn't see him for years… I never stopped."
Lucian blinked. "So that painting of the boy with his back turned—"
"Was him," Max said softly. "It's always been him."
Mark nervously laughed. "I knew it! I sneaked a peek in your room once—I knew I recognized him."
"I'm going to kill you later," Max muttered.
But Jack wasn't laughing.
He stood. His voice low, shaking with emotion. "You don't love him, Max. You're just projecting. You don't love Lucas—you love the idea of him. You're using him to fill your emptiness."
That hit Max like a slap.
His smile vanished. His fists clenched.
Jack realized it too late.
Max turned around and stormed off. As he passed Lucas's room, the door opened.
Lucas had heard the shouting. He watched Max's back as he walked by—and slammed his door shut.
"What… happened?" Lucas asked softly.
Jack looked away, guilt burning in his eyes.
" None of your business. "
Lucian approached Lucas and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Jack's just worried. He… saw Max go through something bad in the past. He doesn't want history to repeat."
Lucas nodded slowly, concern growing in his chest.
Behind the closed door, Max sat on the floor, staring at nothing.
That one line from Jack replayed in his head like a curse:
> "You're just using him to fill your emptiness."
But Max knew the truth.
He wasn't empty.
Not when Lucas was around.
---
To be continued…