The weekend passed in a blur.
"Girl… tell me who this Chinese guy is you've been texting online," Tracy said, giggling as she spun in front of the mirror.
I rolled my eyes, trying to suppress a smile.
Tracy had come over for a sleepover, claiming she needed to be driven to school for our trip by the "handsome chauffeur."
In reality, she had begged me with those ridiculous puppy eyes of hers—and I simply couldn't refuse.
"Please, Vicenza. I need tea. You said you would tell me, but I'm dying here," she said dramatically, switching outfits one after another.
"You really don't know when to stop, do you?" I said, laughing softly.
"You'll meet him soon enough," I added, closing my suitcase.
"Really? When? Where?" she asked immediately, sitting beside me on the bed.
"That's all you get for now," I said, tapping her cheek lightly. "Consider yourself lucky I even said that much."
She pouted. "Fine."
Then, just as quickly, her mood shifted.
"Anyway… what do you think of this outfit for the beach?" she asked, striking a pose. "All the boys in class are going to drool over me."
"I'm sure they will," I said, smiling. "You're a goddess, Tracy."
She grinned proudly and went back to packing.
Tracy was beautiful—short natural hair styled in a wolf cut, an hourglass figure, and a sharp personality that matched her short temper perfectly.
That night, Li Wei had told me he was busy with a family business meeting and would text me the next morning.
But the room was silent now.
Too silent.
Only the sound of crickets outside and Tracy's soft snoring filled the air.
I turned in bed, unable to sleep.
The heat was unbearable despite the air conditioner running.
"Ugh…" I muttered, sitting up.
Carefully, I slipped on my slippers and made my way downstairs.
The kitchen was dark except for the faint glow from the moonlight spilling through the windows.
I opened the fridge and pulled out a tub of ice cream, grabbing a spoon before settling onto the kitchen counter.
"This is so much better," I sighed, taking a bite. "Cold… perfect."
Then—
I felt it.
A presence.
My eyes lifted slowly toward the corner of the room.
A dark figure stood there.
"Greyson…?" I blinked. "What are you doing in the dark?"
"I couldn't sleep," he replied in a low, calm voice.
He stepped slightly into the moonlight, revealing himself.
Still. Controlled. Quiet.
"Same here," I said, holding out the ice cream. "Want some? We can share."
He hesitated for a moment.
Then walked over and took a spoon, sitting across from me with the tub placed between us.
Silence fell.
Not uncomfortable.
Just heavy.
Ever since the hall incident, he had been distant—careful, almost as if he was avoiding me.
But tonight, he was here.
Eating ice cream like nothing had changed.
Yet every time I looked up, I caught him staring at me… quickly looking away.
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"Is there something on my face?" I teased.
He paused.
"It's just…" he said slowly. "…you look different when your hair is in a messy bun."
I blinked.
He continued quietly, almost like he didn't mean to say it aloud.
"...attractive."
The word hung in the air.
Unfiltered.
Uncontrolled.
____________
Greyson's POV
She sat across from me.
The same girl who had slowly been breaking every rule I had built for years.
And yet—
Here I was.
Watching her like I had no control over my own gaze.
She looked… devastatingly beautiful.
Soft. Natural. Dangerous in a way she didn't even understand.
I wanted to reach out.
Tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
Kiss her forehead.
Pull her into my arms and hold her there until everything else disappeared.
But I couldn't.
None of that was allowed.
Not in my world.
Not with her.
__________
A sharp sound broke the silence.
The kitchen lights flicked on.
Both of us froze.
Mr. Kuguma stood at the doorway.
His expression was unreadable—but his eyes were sharp.
"Greyson," he said coldly. "To my office. Now."
__________
Greyson's POV
The door clicked shut behind me.
The sound felt final.
"Sit," Mr. Kuguma said calmly.
I remained standing.
A pause.
Then he exhaled slowly, as if deciding whether or not I was worth the patience.
"Greyson," he began, folding his hands on the desk. "I did not bring you into my home to become a complication."
My jaw tightened slightly.
"I understand my duties," I said evenly.
"Do you?" he replied.
Silence stretched.
Heavy. Controlled.
He leaned back slightly in his chair, studying me the way one studies a problem that has started to behave unpredictably.
"You were assigned one task," he continued. "Protection. Observation. Distance."
A pause.
"But lately…" his eyes sharpened. "…distance seems to have become optional for you."
My fingers flexed slightly at my side.
"I have not compromised her safety," I said.
"That is not what I am referring to," he replied immediately.
The air shifted.
I didn't respond.
He stood slowly, walking toward the window behind his desk.
Outside, the city moved normally.
Unaware of anything happening in this room.
"You are one of the few people I trust," he said quietly. "That is not something I say lightly."
Then he turned back to me.
"But trust is fragile."
Another pause.
Longer this time.
Then his voice lowered.
"She is not just my daughter, Greyson."
I stayed silent.
"She is the only thing standing between order and chaos in this family's future."
My expression didn't change, but something inside me tightened.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
He always noticed everything.
"There is a reason she lives unaware," he continued. "A reason she believes this household is ordinary."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"And there is a reason you were chosen specifically."
That line hung in the air longer than the rest.
I finally spoke.
"I was chosen for protection."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Protection is what I told you," he said simply.
Then—
a pause.
"…but not the whole truth."
Silence.
He walked back to his desk and picked up a thin file, tapping it once against the surface.
"You are dismissed."
I didn't move immediately.
Something about the conversation didn't end properly.
Like it was cut intentionally.
Then he added, almost casually—
"Greyson…"
I stopped.
"If you lose focus," he said quietly, "you will not only lose your position."
A pause.
His eyes sharpened again.
"You will lose access to her entirely."
That was the real warning.
Not anger.
Not jealousy.
Control.
I bowed slightly.
And left.
End of pov
______________
Vicenza's POV
The next morning, Stacy shook me awake.
"Girl, wake up! The bus will leave us!"
I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head.
"Five more minutes…"
But sleep didn't come easily last night.
After Greyson left for my dad's office, I couldn't stop thinking.
Did he get fired?
That thought had haunted me all night.
Eventually, I dragged myself out of bed and got ready.
Tracy was already buzzing with excitement, drying her hair as she packed.
Soon, we were both dressed in matching sweatpants—her idea, of course—and rolling our suitcases outside.
When we reached the entrance, I felt my chest loosen.
Greyson was there.
Standing beside the jeep.
Alive. Present. Still employed.
Relief washed over me instantly.
My dad appeared behind us.
"Are you sure you don't want Greyson to accompany you? I can arrange it," he said, already reaching for his phone.
"No, Dad," I said quickly. "For heaven's sake, I need freedom."
My mother gently took the phone from his hand.
"Let her go. It's just a week."
That surprised me.
For once, she was on my side.
"Bye," I said, grabbing Tracy's hand and stepping into the car.
Greyson opened the door for us silently.
No eye contact.
No words.
Just duty.
The engine started.
As the car moved, my phone buzzed.
I glanced down.
Li Wei: Good morning, dear. Has your trip already started?
I stared at the message.
Then looked out the window.
At Greyson.
And suddenly—
My peaceful school trip didn't feel peaceful anymore.