Ken stared at his phone, the glowing screen illuminating his stunned expression.
"I have gotten news about your hard work and dedication... I admire your effort, and because of that, your debt has been totally cleared. You will receive salaries as usual, and you are given this coming weekend off at both the restaurant and the club. Keep up the good work." — Delvon
The message felt oily. Having been in Delvon's presence, Ken knew the man wasn't capable of "admiring effort" or offering sympathy. He was a shark.
I wonder what the catch is, Ken thought, a chill running down his spine. Or is this one of Lucien's hidden favors? I can't deal with this right now. If the debt is gone, I'll take the win. Nothing is ruining today. He clicked the screen off, burying the suspicion deep.
"Is there a problem?" Mikael asked, his hand momentarily tightening on the steering wheel as he glanced at Ken.
"No... it's not relevant. Just a message from work. I'll deal with it later."
"Alright," Mikael smiled, and the car purred as they drove away from the university.
Across the city, in a secluded high-rise, Delvon El Lucil sat in his "Red Room," the air thick with cigarette smoke. He stared at the sent message on his phone, his jaw tight. He hated every word of it. But he wasn't a fool; he wouldn't defy the King of Hell twice.
You won this round, Ken, Delvon thought, swirling a glass of dark wine. He touched the faint, stinging scar on his cheek—the mark Hades had left. But soon, my plans will be complete. When I find a way to separate you from Hades, you'll pay for this humiliation with your life. He blew a slow cloud of smoke toward the ceiling, his eyes cold and predatory.
Mikael pulled into the lot of the city's most prestigious mall. As they walked inside, Ken felt small. Every storefront displayed items that cost more than his previous three months' salary combined.
"Don't worry about the price," Mikael said, sliding his arm around Ken's waist, pulling him close. "Just pick whatever you want."
"Mikael... I'm sorry, this is too much," Ken muttered, stopping in his tracks. "I can't accept this."
The change was too fast. Two weeks ago, he was a debt-ridden student fearing for his life. Now, he was being treated like royalty. It felt like vertigo.
Mikael stepped in front of him, blocking out the rest of the mall. He gripped Ken's waist with both hands, leaning down until their foreheads touched. His voice was a low, seductive velvet.
"Ken, you are mine now. You don't need to be strong all by yourself anymore. Please, let me take care of you. Let me show you how much I love you. If I can't provide for the person I claim to love, then what kind of man am I?" He pressed a soft, lingering kiss to Ken's forehead. "Let me take away your worries. Please."
Ken looked up into Mikael's blue eyes and felt a wave of warmth he hadn't experienced in years. A single tear escaped, sliding down his cheek. Mikael caught it with his thumb, his gaze tender.
Is this what love feels like? Ken wondered.
"You don't have to worry anymore," Mikael whispered. "Just know you have me. Live, Ken. Live however you want. I've got you."
Gently, Mikael guided him toward a cart. Ken finally gave in. He began to shop with a frantic, joyful energy, picking out things he had only ever seen in magazines. He even picked out two designer dresses—one in a fiery red and one in a midnight black—for Amy and Laura.
Mikael paid without even glancing at the total. They spent so much time shopping that they didn't return for their afternoon classes.
Lucien sat in the back of the lecture hall until the very last student left. His eyes remained fixed on the empty seat where Ken should have been. The silence of the room only amplified his fury. Mikael was crossing boundaries—treading on territory he didn't realize was owned by Death itself.
Mikael dropped Ken off at his apartment to leave his bags before driving him to his shift at the restaurant. Ken hopped out, clutching the gifts for his friends. After a final, sweet kiss from Mikael, Ken hurried through the back door of the kitchen.
"Who was that?" Amy asked, looking up from a prep station.
"Mikael," Ken said, his face flushed. He handed a box to her just as Laura walked in. "This is for you, and this is for you."
"Wow... it's a dress," Amy gasped, pulling the fabric from the silk paper. "Ken, this looks expensive."
"I don't know, I just picked them. I remembered you liked red and Laura liked black."
"It's beautiful," Laura whispered, running her fingers over the black lace. Suddenly, she fumbled with the price tag. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head. "Wait... ten thousand dollars? For one dress?!"
Amy frantically checked hers. The price was the same. "Ten thousand dollars? I didn't know they were worth that much... oh no, I hope Mikael doesn't think I'm just after his money," Ken muttered, his anxiety returning.
"You certainly know how to attract the wealthy," Laura teased, though she was clearly stunned. "Show me your secrets, Kenny."
"I don't know... maybe luck is finally on my side," Ken said, a genuine smile breaking across his face.
"Wait... what about Lucien?" Amy asked, lowering her voice.
"Oh, him?" Ken's smile faltered. "I'm not keeping track of him. It's not like we have anything in common."
"Strangers already? What happened—fill me in," Laura started.
"Well, it's a long story, I—"
The doorbell chimed. Ken looked through the service window and his heart dropped. It was Lucien and Sylvia.
"Speak of the devil," Laura whispered, seeing Lucien take his usual seat. "Aren't you going to attend to him?"
Ken looked at the "Man in Black" and then thought of Mikael's warm kisses and the ten-thousand-dollar dresses. Mikael was clear. Mikael was safe. With Lucien, everything was a riddle wrapped in a cold shadow.
"Could you cover for me?" Ken asked. "I don't want to speak to him."
The girls were in shock but they nodded, understanding the silent conflict. Laura stepped out to the floor while Ken retreated to the dishwashing station, keeping his head down.
"Good day, sir," Laura said, her voice professional but wary. "What may I get you?"
Lucien looked up. His eyes didn't linger on Laura; they darted toward the kitchen, sensing the familiar rhythm of Ken's heartbeat. He knew he was being avoided. He could feel his grip on the boy slipping away.
"Black coffee," he muttered, opening his book.
"Same for me," Sylvia added.
As Laura walked away, Sylvia watched her master. In centuries, he has never been this tense, she thought. His composure is a mask, but his emotions are spiraling. How can a hollow being contain this much storm?
Late that night, Lucien sat in his apartment, the city lights below looking like fallen stars. A sharp knock sounded at the door. Lance entered, bowing deeply.
"Lord Hades... this is the file you requested. Everything there is to know about Mikael Newman is inside."
Lucien took the folder, his gloved fingers tightening on the edges. The game was no longer about observation. It was about elimination.