Jason sat in front of the mirror, one leg crossed over the other as a maid carefully worked through his hair.
"I don't really like the last styling," he said, scrolling through his phone. "Let's make this one better."
"Okay, sir. I'll do my best," the maid replied, adjusting her grip and starting over.
Just then—
a notification popped up.
Elena.
"Hey, you didn't bother reaching out after the birthday party. Looks like you used me to heal for that night?"
Jason's fingers paused over his screen.
His heartbeat picked up.
He had ignored her all these days—intentionally. After everything that happened with Vivian, he wasn't ready to get tangled again.
Not like that.
Not with anyone.
He exhaled slowly before typing.
"Hey. Not that… I've just been busy."
The reply came almost immediately.
"Too busy to text your healer?"
Jason lifted his head, his face meeting with his reflection, he was already frustrated.
"Hmm. I've been good, Elena. I'm fine."
A few seconds passed.
Then
"Do you mind us meeting up? A private moment, maybe?"
Jason stared at the message.
His expression hardened.
No.
He wasn't doing this again.
He dropped the phone beside him, choosing to ignore it. But minutes passed… and the message stayed on his mind, pulling at his thoughts.
With a quiet sigh, he picked up the phone again and typed:
"I'm really busy right now. I'll let you know when I can."
He was about to go offline—
Then another message came in.
"I have a friend in your department. Your lectures end by 12:00 tomorrow. I'll be outside waiting for you."
Jason sat up instantly.
"What?"
His fingers moved quickly.
"Wait… what?? We have lectures tomorrow? How do you know and I don't?"
The reply came just as fast.
"You don't seem as serious as your face, Jason."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Jason dropped his phone slowly, staring at his reflection like he didn't recognize himself.
This wasn't normal.
This wasn't casual.
This was… planned.
Calculated.
"I don't want this…" he muttered under his breath.
A pause.
Then, quieter—
"…not again."
"Sir?" the maid called gently, confused by the sudden shift in his mood.
Jason didn't respond.
His eyes were still fixed on the mirror—
But his mind was somewhere else entirely.
Later that day, Damian stepped out in his red robe, the fabric falling loosely around him as he made his way downstairs.
He didn't call anyone.
Didn't pick up his phone.
For once, he just needed… quiet.
The cool air hit his skin as he stepped outside, walking slowly around the compound. His mind wasn't at rest—not even close.
So he kept walking.
Until his feet led him there.
The playground.
He paused.
Then walked toward it, lowering himself onto one of the swings. The chains creaked softly as he pushed himself back and forth.
And just like that—
The past found him.
"Mom! You can't leave us—Jason is still a child!"
His younger voice echoed in his head.
"I have to go. Your grandmother will take good care of you both…"
Tears.
Fear.
Confusion.
Everything came rushing back—
Then—
"Here, brother… have it."
Damian blinked.
Reality.
Jason stood in front of him, holding out a glass of juice with a small smile.
Damian took it silently.
Jason sat on the swing beside him, taking a sip from his own.
"You seem troubled," Jason said casually. "That's unlike you."
Damian scoffed lightly.
"Unlike you, I actually have things on my table."
Jason frowned slightly, his lips pushing forward in a childish pout.
"If you can't take care of me anymore… I can leave," he said quietly. "I don't want to be a burden."
Damian glanced at him.
"Too late," he replied, taking a sip of his drink.
"I took an oath never to let you leave my side."
Jason rolled his eyes.
"It's not like you love me that much."
Damian leaned back slightly.
"Do you remember when we knelt at Mom's husband's gate for days?" he asked.
Jason went quiet.
"We were starving," he muttered. "How can I forget…? All thanks to Uncle Joe."
Silence settled between them for a moment.
Then Jason suddenly stood up, walking over and grabbing Damian's hand like a child.
"Brother… I'm bothered about something."
Damian frowned.
"I don't like this, Jason. You're no longer five."
Jason didn't let go.
"But I'm allowed to be myself around my brother," he said softly. "I know you care. You just act like this to hide it."
Damian didn't respond.
He already knew that.
"What are you scared of?" he asked instead.
Jason hesitated.
"Elena… she—"
Damian burst into laughter.
"Oh? You two are actually a thing?" he asked, clearly amused.
"It's not funny," Jason snapped. "She texted after the party. I've been keeping my distance… I'm not fully over Vivian."
This time, he was serious.
"What do you know about her?"
Damian tilted his head slightly.
"Well… we were supposed to—" he paused, then smirked.
"What do I get in return for that information?"
"My heart?" Jason
"I'll have it plucked out tomorrow." Damian
Jason jumped.
"No! Not that! I mean—I'll love you, are you dumb?"
Damian chuckled.
"She has a clean profile. You're safe," he said. "A friend was supposed to link us up, actually. I was surprised when I heard she liked you."
Jason's eyes widened.
"Ohhh… so that laugh earlier? Jealousy?"
Jason laughed pointing at him
Damian stood up immediately.
"I'll break those fingers of yours."
"Have you seen my girl? She's way better than yours!"
"Janaya?" Jason asked, already walking toward him.
"She's nothing compared to my Elena—"
That was it.
Damian lunged forward.
Jason ran.
And just like that—
Two grown men turned into boys again, chasing each other across the playground, laughter echoing through the quiet compound like nothing had ever gone wrong.
Janaya stood by the window, watching them from above.
A small smile formed on her lips.
"He doesn't seem like the cold CEO anymore…" she murmured to herself.
The next morning, both she and Jason were getting ready for class.
Damian, already dressed, picked up his car keys.
"I think the white jacket goes better," he said casually, glancing at Jason for a second.
"I'm only saying this because I don't want Elena disappointed."
Jason froze slightly.
"Elena?" he repeated, feigning confusion. "That name sounds familiar. Who is that?"
Damian smirked.
He understood immediately.
Jason didn't want Janaya involved.
"Elena is your girl, young idiot," Janaya cut in, hitting the back of Jason's head.
"Hey!!" Jason snapped, rubbing his head.
"Enough," Damian said, already heading toward the door.
"I have somewhere to be. If you're not in that car in one minute, I'm leaving you both."
"See you in class!" Janaya said quickly, grabbing her bag as she rushed after Damian.
A few hours later…
"The next class, we'll be having a test," the lecturer announced before walking out.
The entire class groaned.
Jason slumped in his seat, exhausted.
Elena?
Completely forgotten.
"Hey, Jason."
He looked up.
Kami.
"Hi…" he replied weakly.
"I'm Elena's friend," she said. "She asked me to tell you she's around. Second red car at the departmental park."
And just like that—she walked away.
Jason sat frozen.
"She actually came?" he muttered.
Panic hit instantly.
"I'm doomed."
He stood up quickly.
"I forgot my mouth spray—"
"Hey, Timothy!" he called, rushing over.
"As I'm talking to you now… do you perceive anything?"
Timothy sniffed lightly.
"Like tomato-sauced chicken breast?"
Jason's eyes widened.
"Yes—wait—how do you know what I ate?! My breath smells??"
Timothy frowned.
"Oh… you sent it to the group chat."
Jason froze.
Then sighed deeply.
"Man… I hate you more than my brother."
He turned and walked out of the class immediately.
But the moment he stepped outside—
He stopped.
Elena.
She was right there.
Standing at the door.
She had been about to walk in.
Guess she got tired of waiting.
For a second—
Neither of them moved.