Jay adjusted the cuffs of his blazer as he entered the quiet, reserved lounge of the hotel. His chest felt tight, but not from nerves. At least that's what he told himself. He had rehearsed this meeting in his head so many times, weighed the pros and cons until he could no longer sleep. Today was not about hesitation; it was about survival.
Adrian was already seated, his tall frame relaxed against the leather sofa, one arm stretched over the backrest as though he owned the room. He didn't rise when Jay approached, only gave a thin smile that revealed just enough arrogance to remind Jay of the imbalance between them.
"You're late," Adrian said calmly, swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand.
Jay forced a small smile. "Traffic. You know how it is."
Adrian motioned for him to sit. "I don't like wasted time, Jay. So...have you come with your answer?"
Jay sat down, crossing one leg over the other to mask his restlessness. His heartbeat felt too loud in his ears, but his voice carried steady. "Yes. I'll accept your offer."
Adrian's smirk widened. "Good choice. You're smarter than most. This arrangement will benefit you more than you realize."
"But," Jay interrupted, leaning forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I have one condition."
Adrian raised a brow, clearly amused. "Oh? And what makes you think you're in the position to bargain with me?"
"I may not be," Jay admitted, his tone calm but firm. "But without me, this deal doesn't work, does it? You said it yourself, I'm useful. So hear me out."
Adrian's expression cooled. He set down the whiskey glass with deliberate care, signaling that Jay had his attention.
Jay took a slow breath. "My boyfriend must be out within two months. If he's not, I won't continue. I don't care what stage the contract is in, I'll stop cooperating. That's non-negotiable."
For a long moment, silence stretched between them. Adrian's eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned Jay's face as if trying to read whether the man across from him was bluffing. Then, finally, Adrian chuckled, the sound low and unsettling.
"You've grown a spine," he mused. "Interesting." He leaned forward, clasping his hands. "Fine. Two months. But don't think for a second that gives you control. You must also get Noël out of that house within two months and if you try to cross me—"
"I won't," Jay cut in smoothly, though his stomach twisted inside. "I just want clarity."
Adrian smirked again, almost as if he admired Jay's nerve. "Then we understand each other. Welcome aboard."
They shook hands, Adrian's grip firm and suffocating, a reminder of the invisible chains Jay had just allowed himself to wear.
When the meeting ended and Jay stepped outside into the daylight, the air felt colder, heavier. He'd made his choice. Whether it was the right one or not didn't matter anymore; he was committed.
But as he got into his car, guilt gnawed at the back of his mind. Avery's face surfaced unbidden—calm, stern, yet occasionally soft whenever Noël was around. Jay clenched the steering wheel, shaking the thought away. Avery was just a stranger, a distraction he had no business caring about.
Still, something twisted in his chest, an ache he couldn't quite suppress. If he was going to play his part, he needed to be convincing. That meant seducing Avery. Slowly, naturally, in a way that wouldn't raise suspicion. He had to study him, learn what disarmed him, what softened that icy exterior. It couldn't look forced. It had to feel real.
Jay exhaled deeply. "Two months," he whispered to himself. "Just two months."
_______
Meanwhile, Noël's world was brighter that same day. After the stress of exams, he wanted nothing more than a simple outing, something that reminded him he was still just a student, not always weighed down by circumstances beyond his control.
Leo was more than happy to oblige. "It's been forever since we hung out properly," Noël said as they walked through the buzzing gates of the amusement park.
"Forever and a half," Leo laughed, slinging an arm around his shoulders. "You've been trapped in study mode. And I've been…well, surviving."
The scent of popcorn and fried dough filled the air, children's laughter and the metallic clatter of rides mixing together into something that felt alive. Noël's eyes lit up, his lips curling into a smile he hadn't worn in what felt like ages.
They started with the roller coaster, the kind that looked manageable from the ground but felt like death once the carriage climbed its first peak. Noël screamed half in terror, half in exhilaration, clutching the safety bar as if it could save him. Leo laughed the entire time, his voice carrying over the rushing wind.
When the ride finally screeched to a halt, Noël stumbled out, dizzy but laughing. "I swear I almost died!"
"You screamed louder than the kids behind us," Leo teased, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.
They moved from ride to ride. Bumper cars, the spinning teacups, even the haunted house where Noël nearly fell on Leo when a prop ghost jumped out. Between attractions, they ate cotton candy and hot dogs, greasy and sugary enough to undo any nutrition Avery had tried to instill in Noël's diet.
But for Noël, none of that mattered. For the first time in months, he felt light, unburdened.
At one point, while sitting on a bench with ice cream cones in hand, Noël sighed. "I missed this. Just being out, having fun without worrying about tomorrow."
Leo glanced at him, his grin softening into something gentler. "Then let's make the most of today."
Noël nodded, smiling, his chest warm. He was grateful for this moment, grateful for Leo's presence and maybe, just maybe, a little guilty that Avery wasn't here to share it.
________
The day slipped into its later hours with Avery still locked in one meeting after another. He hadn't even had the chance to take lunch properly. Just sips of bitter coffee and a bite or two of the sandwiches Miss Reed had pushed in front of him between conference rooms. Each potential partner had something to gain and even more to demand. Avery's patience, usually cold but steady, was thinning. Every smile, every careful nod of politeness felt like another brick stacked on his shoulders.
But beneath all that business talk, his thoughts kept straying. He found himself checking the time too often, wondering whether Noël was enjoying his day out, whether he was safe, whether the crowd at the amusement park might be too overwhelming. He shook the thoughts away each time, telling himself Noël deserved to enjoy himself without Avery hovering. Still, the unease wouldn't leave him.
Miss Reed noticed the restless way his eyes flicked toward the clock. "Sir, you'll have him back home before evening. He'll be fine," she murmured, her voice low enough not to disturb the potential partners in the room. Avery gave a non-committal hum, but it was clear he wasn't convinced.
Back at the Cheng residence, Jay sat alone in the quiet of his guest room. He had returned from his meeting with Adrian earlier, but his mind refused to calm.
Adrian had gotten exactly what he wanted—the deal was signed—but Jay had slipped in one condition of his own: His boyfriend had to be out within two months. The memory of Adrian's expression still replayed in Jay's mind. The older man had smirked, clearly pleased, as if he had anticipated Jay would make such a demand.
"You'll have your boyfriend out of the way. Just keep your side of the contract. Don't waver, don't get sentimental," Adrian had warned, his tone sharp.
Jay had nodded, keeping his voice firm. "Two months, Adrian. No longer. If he's still locked up, I'm pulling out. That's my line."
Now, pacing the length of the room, Jay was plotting how best to play his part. If Avery ever suspected that his sudden affection was forced or calculated, the entire thing would fall apart. He couldn't risk that.
He sat on the bed, fingers clasped together tightly. "I can't rush this. If I look desperate, he'll see right through me," he muttered under his breath. "It has to feel… natural. Like I've always been interested, like it's just now surfacing."
The scheming side of him began listing options. Maybe he could start with small gestures—casual compliments about Avery's work ethic, his leadership, things that wouldn't raise suspicion. Slowly, he could move closer, weaving himself into Avery's personal life. Offer help where Noël couldn't. Be present in ways that made him seem indispensable. And when the timing was right, he'd blur the lines between "friendship" and something more.
But there was a catch, Noël. He wasn't naïve, and he wasn't blind. Even if Avery didn't immediately see through the act, Noël certainly would. That thought made Jay's jaw tighten. "Then I have to start soon while he is still distracted with school" he whispered darkly, running a hand down his face.
_______
By the time Noël returned home with Leo, dusk was settling over the city. The two of them stumbled in with bright faces and small bags of treats. They smelled faintly of fried food and cotton candy, laughter still bubbling between them as they recalled the ridiculous spinning ride that had nearly made them sick.
Noël looked freer than he had in months, his cheeks flushed from the crisp evening air. He held up a small prize he'd won from one of the booths. A soft plush bear that looked comically out of place in his hands. "Can you believe I actually won something?" he laughed, nudging Leo with his elbow.
Leo grinned back. "Barely. You usually have the worst luck. Maybe Avery's rubbing off on you."
That mention made Noël pause, the plush squeezed unconsciously against his chest. He felt a pang of longing, wishing Avery could've been there to see his small triumphs, to laugh with him on the rides. But then again, he knew Avery's world was different. Meetings, deals, endless responsibilities. Still, he thought about saving one of the caramel candies they bought just for him, a silly token, but something that made Noël's heart swell.
After seeing Leo off, Noël went upstairs, humming softly under his breath. He didn't notice Jay standing in the hallway, watching quietly. Jay's eyes lingered on the boy's easy smile, the lightness in his step. Something inside him twisted. Not guilt, not really, but irritation. Noël's joy was proof of how deeply rooted he already was in Avery's life. And that was precisely what Jay had to undo. He realised how difficult this mission is.
______
Later that night, Avery finally returned. His body was tired, but his mind sparked alive when he saw Noël curled up on the sofa, fast asleep, clutching the plush bear like it was a treasure. Avery couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips.
He lowered himself carefully, brushing stray strands of hair from Noël's face. For a long moment, he simply sat there, watching him breathe. The weight of the meetings, the pressure of his family, the noise of the world, everything faded.
Miss Reed passed by quietly, setting Avery's briefcase aside without a word. She understood well enough what that scene meant.
Jay, from the upstairs railing, saw it too. His jaw clenched, his nails digging into his palm. "Two months," he muttered under his breath. "That's all the time I need. Then I'll be gone."
But as he turned away, the plan he was crafting only grew darker, weaving itself tighter into the fate of everyone in the house.