[Gabriel's POV]
I have a good life. Truly, I have no complaints. In our house, following what my family wants isn't just a rule—it's the safest choice. My brothers always know what's best for me. But lately, there's this weird feeling in my chest. A piece of something is missing.
I suppose every story needs a beginning. Mine starts at home, in the room that has been my sanctuary and my cage for twenty years.
"Gaby? Wake up, sleepy head. Gaby, come on. Brother has to go."
"Mmm..." I groaned, burying my face deeper into the pillow.
"Gabriel." I suddenly felt the bed dip. I blinked my eyes open to see a familiar, tired face hovering over mine. It was Dorian, my fourth brother. Even though he looked exhausted, his hair was perfectly styled—a habit from his long days as an Assistant Director.
"I have to head to the set," he whispered. "Give your brother a hug. I'm already late."
Still half-asleep, I sat up and wrapped my arms around his neck. He squeezed back firmly, then leaned in to press a kiss to my forehead. "Be good today," he murmured. "I'll try to be home early."
"Take care, Brother Rian," I mumbled, my voice thick with sleep. "Can you... can you buy me matcha ice cream on your way back?"
Dorian chuckled, reaching out to ruffle my messy hair. "Only if you behave. I'm going now. Love you. Bye-bye."
"I know. Love you too. Bye-bye." I watched him disappear through the door.
Dorian is my role model. He's the reason I'm taking up Film Production—I want to see the world through a lens just like he does.
"Gabriel! Are you finally awake? Let's get down and eat." That was Alistair, our eldest who just passed by at my room. He's been the father of this house since our parents passed away when I was only five. He gave up his own education so the rest of us could have ours.
I stood up and reached for my glasses. Catching my reflection in the mirror, I sighed. All my brothers are striking—tall, sharp-featured, and confident. Then there's me. I'm just... plain. My bangs are a bit too long, partially veiling my eyes, but I prefer it that way. It's easier to hide when people look too closely.
Downstairs, the kitchen was a beautiful, noisy chaos. Five of my brothers were already there, swirling around the small space in the kitchen. We only eat at the big dining table in the dining room every Sunday to gather, but we love to spent time in this small table in the kitchen together.
"Good morning, Big Brothers," I announced.
"Good morning, our baby Gaby!" they replied in perfect, accidental sync.
I pouted, pulling out a chair at the worn wooden table. "I'm twenty. Please stop calling me 'baby'."
"Yeah, yeah. Don't be sulky," Callum, the third eldest, teased. He slid a tall glass of milk toward me.
"Drink up so you'll finally grow taller." Callum is the "success story"—our engineer. He's the first one who finished his degrees, and he never misses a chance to poke fun at me, even though he's the first to defend me if I so much as trip.
"I'll be taller than you one day. Just watch," I shot back, sticking my tongue out. He just laughed and patted my head like I was a puppy.
"Gaby? Plain rice or fried?" I looked toward the stove where Bram, my second brother, was flipping a pan with practiced ease. He's the one who kept our mother's coffee shop alive. He does the laundry, the cooking, the cleaning—he's the quiet backbone that keeps us fed and cared for.
"Fried rice, Brother Bram. Please."
He served me a steaming plate a moment later. "Eat well" he said.
"Here is your spoon and water." Finnegan sat beside me, sliding the utensils into place. Finn is the sixth brother, only four years older than me. He's a dreamer, currently navigating the brutal world of acting auditions. He's my closest friend in this house, the one who usually understands my silence.
"Gaby, don't forget your vitamins," Alistair said, placing a small pill by my plate. He was already checking his watch, looking sharp in his hotel uniform. "And remember, contact me if you need to go out. Don't just wander off."
"I know, Brother Ali. Take care at work." After Alistair left, Evander—the fifth brother—leaned in, his eyes narrowing at my arm.
"Gaby, what are these? Mosquito bites? Why didn't you say something?"
"It's fine, Brother Evan. I just turned the fan off last night."
"You should have told me," he fretted, already looking for the ointment. I just smiled. If I didn't smile, the nagging would last all through breakfast.
"Finn," Callum said, grabbing his keys. "Stay home today. Keep Gaby company since he doesn't have classes."
"Got it, bro," Finn chirped.
"I can take care of myself!" I protested weakly, but it fell on deaf ears.
"Or you two could come help me at the cafe," Bram suggested, finally sitting down to join us.
" I have homework," I said quickly. "I have a lot to finish. Maybe later?"
"Okay, okay," Bram conceded. "Just stay inside and rest."
I looked around at them—my protectors, my heroes, my family. Most people would think I'm the luckiest guy in the world to have six older brothers watching my every move. And I am lucky. But as I stared at my reflection in the back of my spoon, I realized I couldn't see my future. My entire world was a straight line between this house and my university. For twenty years, this was all I had ever known. And for the first time, the safety felt a lot like a cage.
-----
The afternoon was slow and hazy. Finn and I were sprawled on the sofa, a mountain of homework between us that I was barely touching. The noisy TV in the background is our only constant companion to our lazy Friday.
" Wait!! Don't change the channel, brother." When he tried to change the channel, I stopped him.
The news anchor's voice sharpened as a familiar face filled the screen. It was him. Caius Vale. The king of the screen, caught by a swarm of flashing cameras at the airport. His latest international film had just shattered the box office records, and even through the grainy news footage, he looked... untouchable.
"Brother. It's Caius Vale. He is back in the country." I whispered, leaning in. " Maybe he will have new series with his love team, Dianne. I know It's going to be good. He got more handsome with his new hair," I told my brother excitedly.
As an aspiring director, I didn't just see a handsome man. I saw a masterpiece of lighting and bone structure. He was the kind of actor who could tell a whole story in just his eyes.
"Tsk. Overrated." Finn Grumbled. " He's just got a good stylist. Give me two years. I'll be the one they're chasing in the airport."
I laughed, seeing the faint spark of jealousy in my brother's eyes.
"Don't worry, brother. You'll be a top star too. I'll make sure of it. I'll direct your first big hit. "
" Aww. My Little Gabby is really sweet!" Finn suddenly lunged, wrapping me in a suffocating bear hug.
" Ack- Brother, stop. It tickles. " I shrieked, kicking my legs as he began mercilessly poking my ribs. The house was filled with kind of loud, messy laughter that only happens when Alistair and Dorian isn't home to tell us to pipe down.
Ding-dong!
The doorbell slice through the noise. Finn froze, his hands still poised to tickle. " Someone's at the gate, " he said.
I smoothed my rumpled shirt and hurried to the door. Standing outside the iron bars was someone wearing a designer denim and expensive luxury car.
" Gab!? You alive in there?!"
" Seb! What are you doing here?" I opened the gate, a smile spreading across my face.
He is Sebastian Laurent, my best friend, my shield, and the only person outside my family who really knew me. We'd been inseparable since daycare. While I was the plain son from a family that had lost everything but their pride, Seb is the heir to the Laurent Empire. But you'd never know it by the way he treated me.
" Oi Seb. You're here. Come in. " Finn called out from the couch, barely lifting his head.
" Afternoon Brother Finn. " Seb chirped, walking in like he owned the place. He sat right next to Finn, his expression shifting into something suspiciously sweet.
" So what's up Seb? " I asked, leaning forward to him a little. "We don't have classes today right? "
" Actually," Seb whispered, leaning toward me, " I'm here to invite you to a party."
I felt my stomach drop, "Oi, You know my brothers Seb. They even barely let me go to the mall. "
" Let me handle this," Seb winked. He turned back to Finn, his voice dropping into a respectful, pleading tone.
" Big Brother Finn. You see... Gaby and I officially got our internship placements today. We will start next week! "
Finn sat up, looking impressed. " Really? That's big, Gab. "
" And," Seb continued, " I really wanted to celebrate Gab's birthday that I missed yesterday. Can I take him to my condo? Just a small gathering with our classmates. I promise to take care of him. "
" No!, " Finn said immediately. " He has a ten o'clock curfew, Alistair will kill me. "
" Can't he stay for an overnight? Just one night. We will just be in the condo. I'll guard him I promise. Big brother please. Please, nah nah-" Seb pouted, looking like a kicked puppy.
" Hey Seb, " I stopped Sebastian, or else my brother would be angry, but he only gave me a 'don't worry, I can handle it' look.
" Pwaa. Don't call me big brother. You're being creepy now. Stop doing that. What about you, Gab? Do you want to go? " My brother looked at me, and I nodded happily. I want to go with Sebastian.
" Okay. Let me call Brother Ali first. " Brother Finn called Brother Ali, but he didn't answer, so he called Brother Bram for me who finally gave in to Seb.
" Just this once Gaby, " Finn warned, pointing a finger at me. " No alcohol. You wait until we're all home to teach you how to drink properly, okay? Don't let anyone see your 'drunk face' first.
" Yes, I promise, brother. Love you. "
--- Inside Sebastian's Car
"Seb, why are we stopping at the mall? And why are you looking at me like that?" I asked as we pulled into the parking lot.
"Because, my dear Gaby, you are wearing a plain white oversized shirt and slippers. We are going to a party, not a sleepover."
"But you told my brothers—"
"I told them what they needed to hear," Seb smirked, dragging me toward a high-end boutique.
"You're twenty now. It's time for a little bit of 'exciting' life. No more hiding in the house."
Thirty minutes later, I was staring at a stranger in the dressing room mirror. A dark blue polo that hugged my frame, crisp dark trousers, and real shoes.
"Wow," Seb breathed, leaning against the door. "That blue makes your skin look like porcelain. You actually have a great build, Gab. Why do you insist on dressing like a sack of potatoes?"
"I feel like a trying hard," I muttered, tugging at the hem of the shirt.
"It's too much. And my hair—" Seb reached out, his fingers brushing toward the thick bangs that veiled my eyes.
"Let's just trim them a bit, or gel them back—" My hand shot out, gripping his wrist before he could touch a single strand. The air in the small dressing room suddenly felt very thin.
"Not the hair, Seb," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I'll wear the clothes. But leave the bangs alone."
Seb went silent, his eyes reflecting a mix of frustration and deep pity. He knew the story. He knew exactly why I needed that curtain of hair between me and the world.
"Okay," he said softly, pulling his hand away. "Okay. You look good as you are. Let's go pay. The night is waiting."
---- Next Chapter At the club.