Valerian sat down on the couch and sighed in relief. "Thank God he's finally gone. I'll be at peace until he gets back." He let his eyes wander around the room, his mind drifting. "Why is his house so big?" he muttered to himself as he stood up, taking in the lavish surroundings.
The house was grand, modern, and impeccably designed. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their light casting a soft glow over the room. A massive Samsung 110-inch ultra-widescreen TV played an animated film, mounted above a stylish artificial fireplace. The living area was designed with elegance in mind, each piece of furniture carefully selected to complement the other. The couches were large and plush, and the dining area was equally stunning, with colors and textures blending seamlessly.
Marbled tiles covered the floor and walls, giving the house an air of sophistication. The ceiling was intricate, lights glowing from every angle, adding a warm ambiance to the space. The kitchen was visible from the living room, its sleek design a testament to the house's modern appeal.
Yet, despite the cozy and welcoming atmosphere, it seemed like a stark contrast to the cold-hearted man who owned it.
Curiosity got the better of Valerian, and he wandered into the kitchen. Everything was pristine, the utensils and equipment shiny and new, untouched by the hands of their owner. He opened the fridge and blinked in surprise. It was fully stocked, filled to the brim with fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats, and more. It was like the pantry of a gourmet chef.
"Why is it so full if he doesn't even know how to cook?" Valerian murmured, confused as he opened a cabinet to find grains, pasta, and spices—all the essentials anyone would need for a feast.
Shaking his head at the contradiction, he pulled out a pot and set it on the stove. **Might as well make something**, he thought.
An hour later, the house was filled with the mouth-watering aroma of food. Valerian didn't even realize how much he had cooked until he looked around. There were several dishes, each more delectable than the last. He had baked a cake, made desserts, and prepared enough food to last days. His love for cooking had taken over, and seeing the abundance of ingredients had sparked his enthusiasm.
He packed everything neatly into transparent food containers, placing them in the fridge, now empty of its original contents. Satisfied, he served himself breakfast and ate quietly, enjoying the peace and quiet.
A few hours later, Valerian found himself bored. After eating, he washed the dishes, watched a few movies, but without his phone—he had been told not to bring it on this mission—it wasn't long before restlessness set in. The mission, which had already gone wrong, left him feeling trapped.
He walked to the entrance, opened the door, and peered outside. **Maybe I could escape**, he thought. But as soon as he stepped closer, he felt the sting of the barrier. Yelping in pain, he retreated inside, rubbing his hand. The magical force field was still intact.
He tried chanting a teleportation spell, hoping for a way out, but nothing worked. The house was his prison, and it seemed impenetrable.
"I swear, if I get out of here, I'll slit Sebastian's throat with my bare hands," Valerian muttered darkly, collapsing back onto the couch.
The air conditioner hummed softly, cooling the room as he made his way back to the kitchen. He opened the fridge and pulled out the cake he had baked earlier. It was decorated with whipped cream, a small comfort in his current situation. He cut himself a slice, placed it on a plate, and carried it back to the couch, the fork in his hand as he settled in to watch another movie.
---
**At school...**
"Dave, why didn't you come to school yesterday?" Rihanna asked as they met during lunch.
Dave scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "Got myself captured by a beast who doesn't want me to leave his bed."
Rihanna chuckled knowingly. "Really? And we were all worried about you, thinking something happened. Turns out you were doing something nasty at home, huh?"
Dave grinned at her teasing. "Something like that."
Just then, Ortho approached, his expression warm but slightly unnerving. "Hey, Dave."
Dave greeted him back with a wide smile. "Oh, hey, Ortho."
Rihanna's smile faltered as Ortho joined them.
"Why didn't you come to school yesterday?" Ortho asked.
"I was busy with some things, that's all," Dave replied, his tone casual.
"Oh, okay. I thought you were sick or something."
"Nope, I'm perfectly fine. Why, did you miss me?" Dave joked, earning a playful eye roll from Rihanna.
Ortho smiled, a little too brightly. "What about your boyfriend, Kelvin? Did he come today?"
Dave's face lit up. "Yeah! Want to meet him? I can introduce you after school."
Ortho's face brightened. "Yeah, I'd love that."
Before Ortho could say more, Rihanna grabbed Dave's hand and pulled him away. "If you'll excuse us, Dave and I have somewhere to be."
Dave called back, "See you later!"
As they walked away, Rihanna shot Dave a look. "I don't like you hanging around Ortho."
Dave frowned. "Why not? He's nice."
Rihanna shook her head. "Nice? He gives me the creeps with that smile of his. Don't you see it? He looks like a creep"
Dave laughed, brushing it off. "Come on, Rihanna. He just wants to be friends."
"Not with someone like him," Rihanna muttered under her breath, their conversation drifting off as they disappeared into the crowd.
---
Back at Sebastian's house, it was already 9 p.m. when the door creaked open, and Sebastian walked in. His eyes immediately fell on Valerian, fast asleep on the couch. One hand dangled over the side, clutching the remote, and one leg was bent while the other was stretched out, making his thighs visible beneath the oversized shirt he wore. His mouth was slightly open, and he looked almost childlike in his sleep.
Sebastian's gaze lingered, a smirk forming on his lips as he took in the scene. Something was different, though. The house smelled... different. Sweet, almost inviting.
He followed the scent to the kitchen and paused. Everything had been rearranged. The counters were clean, but the utensils and equipment weren't where he had left them. The fridge was full, not with the ingredients he had stocked but with freshly cooked food, all stored neatly in containers.
Sebastian scanned the kitchen, his smirk deepening. "So, you've been busy, haven't you, Valerian?" he whispered to himself, before turning back toward the sleeping figure on the couch.