In the heart of a bustling, ultra-modern metropolis, nestled between towering skyscrapers, sat a high-rise that dwarfed its surroundings. At the very top, in an office that screamed wealth and power, was a man whose very presence commanded attention. The room was lavishly furnished rich mahogany wood, deep leather chairs, and sleek modern technology blended seamlessly with old-world charm.
But amidst all the luxury, one object stood out: a vintage, worn-out watch that rested snugly on the wrist of a man who looked every bit like he had conquered the world.
The man was formidable. His age, somewhere between 45 and 50, didn’t dull his sharp appearance. He had the build of someone who had once been in the military, his posture ramrod straight even as he sat in his leather chair. His black shoes gleamed under the warm light of the office. His black suit, tailored to perfection, draped across his broad shoulders with effortless authority.
But it was the eyes dark, brooding, and intense that sent a chill down the spine of anyone who met his gaze. Those eyes, even while staring at a laptop, always seemed ready for battle.
He was focused, reading through confidential reports on his laptop. The glow from the screen illuminated his clean-shaven face, highlighting the deep lines that marked a life of discipline, control, and hard decisions. Despite his firm grip on the present, the watch on his wrist spoke of a past that remained close, perhaps the only part of him that wasn’t meticulously polished.
A relic of a bygone era, the watch, worn and battered, stood as a quiet testament to something or someone long gone.
The silence in the room was broken by a soft knock at the door. The man’s fingers paused over the keyboard, a frown barely creasing his face. He didn’t like interruptions, especially when he was in the middle of work. But he also didn’t react emotionally. His voice, low and steady, carried through the room.
“Come in.”
The door swung open, and in stepped a younger man, dressed in a suit as sharp as his superior’s. He moved with the grace of someone trained to walk soundlessly, closing the door behind him without a creak. His face, too, was composed professionalism etched into his very being. This wasn’t a man who stumbled into his job. He was handpicked, trusted, and precise.
The younger man approached the desk quietly, not daring to speak from a distance. He moved to the side of the towering figure seated at the desk, leaning down slightly to whisper something clearly meant for only one person to hear.
“Sir… Mr. Lucian Kane… has rejected Miss Avey’s proposal.”
The older man’s eyes narrowed slightly, though he made no other movement. It was subtle almost imperceptible but the man standing beside him noticed. He always noticed. The elder man said nothing, prompting the younger to continue in a low, measured tone.
“Seven minutes and thirty-five seconds ago, at Wolly City College. It seems Lucian Kane has finally lost his love for her. The reports say his real prime is about to start.”
The room fell into silence again as the words hung heavy in the air. The man seated at the desk didn’t move for a long moment. His face remained as stoic as ever, betraying nothing no shock, no anger, not even curiosity. And yet, beneath the surface, a ripple of tension ran through him, the only evidence being the slight narrowing of his pupils and a faint tightening around his jawline.
This was a man trained to control every reaction, to maintain absolute composure even when the world around him shifted.
He turned his head slightly, a gesture that signaled the end of the private report. The younger man, understanding this unspoken command, straightened immediately, his posture rigid and his expression as professional as ever.
“Your orders, sir?” the younger man asked, his voice steady, though the weight of the situation was undeniable.
The older man finally stood from his seat, rising to his full height of 6’3″, his broad frame casting a long shadow across the polished floor. His presence was imposing, each movement calculated and powerful. Despite his aging appearance, the cuts and scars visible on his neck and arms hinted at a man who had fought both figuratively and literally to reach the top.
He hadn’t arrived here by sheer luck or inheritance. He had earned it, step by step, fight by fight.
“Prepare for contingencies,” he ordered, his voice carrying the weight of authority. “Send immediate instructions to the Central Bureau. No one is to interfere with Lucian Kane’s affairs… for now.”
The younger man gave a sharp nod, acknowledging the subtle undertones in his superior’s command. Lucian might have lost his love, but that didn’t mean he was to be underestimated. His prime, as they called it, was a critical phase one that could change everything. And Miss Avey, despite her rejection, was still an essential piece on the board.
“And as for the girl,” the elder man continued, his voice darkening slightly, though his face remained impassive. “She may be out of favor for now, but ensure no one touches her as always. If Lucian’s mind changes, the consequences will be severe… for everyone involved.”
The younger man’s eyes flickered for a moment, understanding the gravity of that statement.
“We’ll observe, but we won’t interfere directly. Kane is in a volatile state, and we don’t want to stick our hands into burning fire.” The man closed his laptop with a soft click, signaling the end of the discussion. He straightened his already crisp suit and stepped away from the desk, his movements precise, controlled.
“Prepare for anything,” he said as he moved towards the floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the sprawling city below. From up here, everything seemed small, insignificant. The lights of the city glittered like stars, but in the grand scheme of things, the lives playing out below were mere blips on the radar.
The younger man gave one final nod, turning on his heel and leaving the room just as silently as he had entered. As the door closed softly behind him, the elder man stood still, his hands clasped behind his back, eyes staring out over the city. His expression remained unreadable, but inside, the wheels were turning. He had to stay ahead of the game.
Lucian Kane was no longer a mere player on the chessboard he was about to become a king in his own right. And in this game, the kings were the ones who reshaped the world.
As he looked out at the horizon, the man’s gaze sharpened. The world was about to change, and he would be ready. Always ready.
—–
Lucian pov
It had been almost ten minutes since the proposal scene with Avey, and Lucian’s mind was still racing with countless thoughts. Was he right or wrong? It didn’t matter. He had already made his decision back then, and turning back wasn’t an option now. He was walking a path he had chosen one to live for himself and those truly worthy.
Avey had already left the college, taking a leave for the day since everyone was buzzing about what had just happened. Lucian had learned about this from the whispers around campus. He decided to leave too, avoiding the strange looks people were giving him.
Lucian didn’t even bother going to class. He sighed and made his way out of the building, walking down the wide college pathways toward the parking lot. As he reached his bike, something felt off. The noise around him was different today, more chaotic.
When he arrived at the parking area, he saw a group of 30 to 50 students some first-years, some third-years. He didn’t pay much attention at first, until he saw someone sitting on his bike. It was Parry Stakey, a third-year student, son of a wealthy man in Wolly City. Though his family wasn’t as influential as the Kane family, they still had some power.
As Lucian approached, Parry stood up and walked toward him. Suddenly, students from all sides, a mix of first, second, and senior years, surrounded Lucian. He sighed, recognizing their childish behavior.
“What’s this about?” Lucian asked, barely reacting to the situation.
Parry stepped forward, now face-to-face with Lucian. “Did you pressure Avey’s family to make her do this? It’s disgusting,” Parry sneered. “I was pursuing her too, but after she rejected me, I didn’t push further. I even respected you a little for sticking with one girl, something I couldn’t do. But what happened today…
you went too far.”
Lucian stayed silent as Parry continued, accusing him of using his family’s influence to stage today’s events just to maintain his image. Parry figured it was a win-win for both—Avey’s family gained benefits, and Lucian’s pride remained intact.
Lucian couldn’t help but think Parry had a knack for writing fiction. “No, it’s not like that,” Lucian said plainly. “And you know my relationship with my family. That’s why you even have the guts to stand before me like this,” he added, emotionless but feeling something inside.
Parry hummed, unconvinced. “It’s hard to believe a girl who rejected you would suddenly change her mind. And what about you? Three days ago, you were proposing to her, and now, right after her feelings changed, yours did too? Seems too convenient.”
Lucian crossed his arms, nodding slightly. “Yeah, it does make sense… but it’s the truth, impossible as it seems.”
Parry, with a look of disgust, pressed on. “You staged this just to improve your image. You’ll reject her too, and tomorrow, it’ll all go back to normal same you, same proposal, right?”
Sighing, Lucian responded, “It’s not like that. And I know you won’t believe me. So what do you want from me now?”
“An apology,” Parry said, rubbing his chin.
“What’s in it for you?” Lucian asked, still curious but not offended, his arms crossed, tapping his finger on his bicep.
Parry, didn’t said anything
“What if I don’t apologize?”Lucian said. “And what would you do if I refuse? Do you really think you’d get away with this, even if my family doesn’t care about me?”
Parry shrugged. “Who said anything about beating you up? If that was the plan, you’d already be down by now. And if we really wanted to fight, you’d be beaten black and blue with all these people here. But we can settle this without hurting you much.”
Lucian chuckled, amused. “So how do you plan to settle it?”
“Call your people. I’ll call mine. Let’s see who wins,” Parry said.
“Nah, that’s a waste of time. Come one by one or all together I’ll take you all myself,” Lucian said, still chuckling.
Parry raised his hands. “No, I’m not stupid. You’d be dead like that. Call your people; you’re not going anywhere,” he said, now sitting on Lucian’s bike.
Sighing again, Lucian thought, *Such childishness. This is college, not a playground. Why are these kids so full of pride?
“He slid his hands into his pockets.”
—
sighhh guys what a bad day it was today…i didn’t even wanna write but guess i had too
thanks for reading guys haha