As the morning sun crept through the window, Leo reached for his phone, his hand moving on autopilot to play back the night's messages, his eyes landed on a familiar name - Kian. It was a ritual he had grown accustomed to, receiving a morning message from him every day. Today was no exception. He read the words on the screen; his brow furrowed in curiosity.
"I won't be at school today, we will have a lesson at my house," the message read. Leo's first instinct was to wonder why Kian wasn't coming to school, but he quickly pushed the thought aside. He had learned that sometimes it was better not to interfere into other's personal matters.
As Leo strode towards the entrance of the school, he was met with a familiar group of faces - Joe and his friends. Joe, a notorious bully, had a reputation for being ruthless and intimidating. But Leo didn't seem to be intimidated. He kept his cool, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. But Joe wasn't about to let Leo off the hook that easily. Without a word, Joe took the lead, beckoning Leo to follow him into the school's backyard. The others fell into step behind them, forming a semicircle around Leo as they moved away from prying eyes.
The air was thick with tension as Joe confronted Leo. "What's going on between you and Kian?" he demanded, his tone sharp as a razor.
Leo's expression remained impassive. "What makes you think there's anything going on?"
Joe's grip on his temper faltered, and his voice rose in anger. "Just answer!"
Leo's wry smile was like a spark that ignited a fire. "Why wouldn't you have the guts to do something to me when I'm close with him?" he replied, his words dripping with sarcasm.
Joe's anger boiled over, and he grabbed Leo's collar, pinning him against the wall. "Are you close?" he growled.
Leo's wry smile could have cut glass. "I'm just giving him a math lesson," he replied calmly.
Joe's grip relaxed, and he released Leo's collar, and Leo straightened up, smoothing out his rumpled shirt.
"If you want to challenge me, the one you should avoid is me," Leo warned, his voice low and even. "But be sure you'll get it back." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Joe and his friends staring after him in frustration.
Leo stood outside the principal's office, he was calm and knocked on the door. The warm, gentle voice of Mrs. Richardson called out to him, "Come in." He took a deep breath and pushed open the door, revealing the principal sitting behind her desk.
"Ah, Leo, come on in," she said, waving him to take a seat in the sofa opposite her. "How's school life going you?"
"It's fine, thank you for asking."
Mrs. Richardson's eyes sparkled with interest. "I've invited you here to talk about a few things," she said, her voice measured. "First of all, the mathematics Olympiad selections are approaching. You'll need to focus on your studies during this time. We've never had a student from our school participate in the Olympiads before, so we're a bit... uncertain about how to support you."
Leo's mind went into high gear as he thought about his preparation strategy. "Actually, I think I already have a plan in place," he said confidently. "I've been working with Professor Rodriguez online for three years now, and we've developed a good system. A quiet environment would be helpful for me to focus."
Mrs. Richardson nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. We can make arrangements for you to use the library in the afternoons. As for evenings... well, I suppose it wouldn't be a problem if you worked at home instead?"
Leo hesitated before answering. "To be honest, ma'am, I don't think that would be possible," he said quietly. "I have two brothers at home, and sometimes there are guests... it can get quite noisy and distracting."
Mrs. Richardson's expression turned sympathetic. "I understand," she said gently. "I'll discuss this with the board of directors and see what we can do to accommodate your needs."
"Another issue is about Kian," she said. "He's asked for a private lesson by you, and his grandmother, Mrs. Elgard, has agreed."
"Did Kian ask for this?" Leo asked bluntly.
Mrs. Richardson's expression turned thoughtful. "Yes, we were surprised by the request, but we had no choice but to agree," she said carefully. "However, please keep in mind that these private lessons should not interfere with your own studies or preparations for the Olympiad. And do maintain a good relationship with Kian – it could have positive implications for your future career."
Leo's eyes widened as he processed the implications of Mrs. Richardson's words. The Elgard family was notorious for their influence and connections in every sector of society. It was no secret that many students coveted being friends with Kian solely because of his family's reputation.
As Leo walked out of the principal's office, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. He took a deep breath and looked around, his eyes scanning the hallway until they landed on Alex waiting for him.
"What's up?" Alex asked, concern etched on his face. "Why did the principal call you?"
Leo hesitated for a moment before responding. "Nothing. It was about the Olympiads," he said finally.
Alex's eyes narrowed. "I heard you and Joe got into an argument first," he said. "What's going on?"
Leo sighed and rubbed his temples. "It's no big deal. Just forget about it."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "You're really good at this whole ' secrets' thing, aren't you?" he said dryly.
Leo shrugged. "I guess I just don't want to worry anyone."
Alex nodded, but his expression remained skeptical. "Whatever. So, are you coming to the party tomorrow?"
Leo had promised himself he wouldn't go, but now that he was faced with the reality of it, he wasn't so sure. "Yeah," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
Alex's face lit up with excitement. "Awesome! I knew you'd come around. You said you weren't going to come, though."
Leo shrugged again. "Things changed," he said vaguely.
Alex grinned. "Yeah, I heard Kian is coming too. All the girls are freaking out over it."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
Alex snorted. "Because they're all trying to catch Kian's eye, of course! Anyone would kill to be part of the Elgard family."
Leo felt a pang of envy mixed with annoyance as he thought about Alex's words. Why did everyone always seem to care so much about Kian? Didn't they realize that there was more to life than being part of some influential family?
As Leo continued speaking with Alex, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He excused himself and pulled out his phone to check the message. "The driver is waiting for you." It was Kian's message, as usual.
Leo bid Alex farewell, he hastened to the yard, where a sleek black car awaited him.
As the car navigated the city streets, Leo's thoughts swirled with unanswered questions about Kian. The car finally came to a stop in front of the imposing Bridge Towers Complex, a symbol of opulence and exclusivity.
Leo had passed this place many times before, but never thought he'd set foot inside. Yet, it made sense that Kian, a member of the elite family, would reside in one of the most luxurious areas of the city. The driver instructed Leo to head to the 17th floor, and he stepped into the elevator, pressing the button with curiosity.
As the elevator ascended, Leo realized he hadn't asked which door to expect. But when the doors slid open on the top floor, he was greeted by an unexpected sight – only one door. With a deep breath, Leo pressed the bell, wondering what lay beyond the threshold.
As the door swung open, Leo's eyes widened in surprise as a woman in an apron greeted him with a warm smile. "Welcome, please come in," she said, her voice melodious and inviting. He hesitated for a moment, his eyes scanning the interior of the house before finally stepping inside.
The room was a symphony of colors and textures, every detail carefully curated to create a sense of elegance and refinement. The walls were adorned with intricate paintings, and the furniture was plush and comfortable-looking. Leo's eyes lingered on the beautiful chandelier that hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the space.
The woman led him to the living room, where he settled onto the couch with a soft sigh. His bag landed with a thud beside him, and he began to unwind, letting out a slow breath as he took in his surroundings. The maid returned with a tray bearing a steaming teapot and an assortment of sweet pastries. "Would you like something to drink?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with kindness.
Leo's eyes lit up as he reached for the tea and began to sip it gratefully. The flavors danced on his tongue, and he felt his tension begin to melt away. As he nibbled on the sweet treats, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relaxation wash over him.
The woman smiled and left him alone, saying Kian would come after his online meeting. Leo took advantage of the peace to explore the room, his fingers trailing over the soft fabrics and intricate patterns on the furniture. He paused in front of a beautiful vase, admiring its delicate curves before moving on to examine the books on the shelf.
He finally came to stand in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, where he gazed out at the city below. The sunlight danced across his face, casting a warm glow over his features as he stood there, lost in thought.
'Such a beautiful view.' The voice came from behind. As Leo turned around, he was met with the sight of Kian leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on his with an enigmatic smile.
He approached him cautiously, trying to compose herself. "Do you live here alone?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kian's smile deepened, and he nodded slowly. "For now, yes."
Leo's eyes narrowed slightly as he searched for any hidden meaning behind his words. But Kian's expression remained inscrutable.
"Are you...ill?" Leo asked, her concern evident in his tone.
Kian's smile faltered for a moment before he spoke. "Oh, no. I had an online meeting with the shareholders in America earlier today. My brother wasn't available, so I had to step in."
Leo's eyes widened in surprise. "You've been helping the company at this age?"
Kian chuckled, a low, husky sound that sent shivers down Leo's spine. "Impressed?" he repeated, his voice dripping with amusement.
Leo nodded. "I'd be lying if I said no."
As they stood there, the tension between them crackling like electricity, Kian glanced at the book in Leo's hand and raised an eyebrow. "Let's start the lessons," Leo said finally.
But then Kian yawned, his eyes drooping lazily. "To be honest, I'm a bit tired. I've been up since six this morning."
'Actually, I would like to see your apartment. During this time, you can also relax,' said Leo. Kian accepted his offer.
As Leo's eyes wandered around the sleek, modern lines of the kitchen, he couldn't help but feel a pang of excitement. The gleaming appliances and spotless countertops seemed to radiate a sense of luxury, and he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to cook up a storm in this very space.
The bathrooms were just as impressive, with their rain showerheads and heated floors. And the study? Oh, the study was a dream come true. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves stretched towards the ceiling, filled with tomes that seemed to hold secrets and stories from centuries past.
As Kian led him through each room, Leo couldn't help but feel like he was getting a glimpse into a world he'd never known existed. And yet, when they reached the bedroom, something about it felt different. The sheer size of it took his breath away. He'd never seen a bedroom so spacious, so opulent.
"I can probably just live in this room," Leo muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kian's response was immediate. His smile was sly, and his eyes crinkled at the corners as he said, "We can discuss this."
Leo's face flushed with embarrassment as he realized what Kian must have thought he meant as he hastily excused himself from the room. Kian's laughter followed him out, low and husky, and Leo couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever be able to show his face again.
As he emerged from the bedroom, Leo could feel Kian's eyes on him, enjoying his embarrassment.
Kian beckoned Leo to follow him down the lengthy corridor. He hastened to keep pace with him, his curiosity piqued by the mystery that lay ahead. When they entered the room, Leo's eyes widened in surprise as he took in the sight of the enormous pool that dominated the space.
The ambiance was tranquil, with soft music drifting through the air and the gentle lapping of water against the sides of the pool creating a soothing melody. It was as if they had entered a serene oasis, far removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
"Do you like swimming?" Leo asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as he gazed out at the pool.
Kian's eyes sparkled as he replied, "It relaxes me."
Leo listened intently, feeling a sense of understanding wash over him. Then Kian started to unbutton his shirt.
"Want to swim now?" Leo asked hesitantly, his eyes darting towards Kian.
"Why not?" he replied, his smile radiant as he tossed aside the shir. "You join in?"
Leo hadn't expected this turn of events, but something about his carefree attitude made him feel more at ease.
"I didn't bring any other clothes," Leo commented.
Kian laughed, "I'll give you a new one," he said, diving into the water with a splash.
Leo watched as he swam towards him, his movements fluid and effortless. He felt his inhibitions melt away as he realized that it would be fun to join him. With a nod, he shed his clothes and followed Kian into the pool.
As they splashed and played in the water, Leo couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom wash over him. The tension between them was profound, but it was tempered by the relaxed atmosphere of their surroundings. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Leo felt truly alive.