Arek's charcoal pencil moved across his sketchbook in quick, angry strokes. Ashley's face emerged from the darkness – not the perfect, composed version everyone saw, but the one he'd glimpsed during their project. Head thrown back in genuine laughter, hair slightly messy, eyes bright with real joy.

He'd filled half his sketchbook with her. Different angles, different moments – her frustration when he'd avoided her, her determination as she chased him down, her vulnerability when she finally let her mask slip.

"Damn it," he muttered, slamming the book shut. This wasn't supposed to happen. He wasn't supposed to care.

The Thompson mansion echoed with emptiness around him. His parents were in Singapore or Sydney or somewhere – he'd stopped keeping track. The housekeeper had left dinner outside his door hours ago, probably cold now.

His phone buzzed. Another email from his father's assistant: Your mid-term grades have been concerning. Your father suggests additional tutoring.

Not even worth a direct message. Everything filtered through assistants and secretaries, like he was just another business obligation to manage. 

But that’s when he saw it. Ashley’s contact. He completely forgot he gave it to her and that the first time she texted him, he saved it without hesitation. Ever since then, she has been his escape, and just looking at her name has made him feel at ease. Should he text her? The chat was already filled with his messages. The “hello?”, “Are you doing okay?”, “Is everything alright?” and she hasn’t responded. Maybe he was being too much? Was he overwhelming her? She’s a busy person and maybe he was being a big distraction.

Running his colorful painted fingers through his hair, he took a deep breath before tossing his phone to the side. She clearly didn’t want to talk to him right now. If he pushed, she might… leave.

"Young master?" The housekeeper's voice carried through his door. "Your aunt and cousin are here."

Great. More people to disappoint.

Downstairs, his cousin Maya sat with his aunt in the formal living room, looking uncomfortable on furniture that was more for show than comfort.

"Arek!" Maya brightened. At sixteen, she was two years younger than him but somehow more put together. "Tell Mom I should go to the Halloween party with Kelly! Everyone's going to be there! I only get to come down here once in a blue moon! This is my one chance to have fun with Kelly while I’m visiting!"

"Absolutely not," his aunt cut in. "You're too young for high school parties. Who knows what goes on there?"

"But Mom—"

The halloween party? He remembered Ashley speaking about going to that. She even invited him but he was too stupid and declined it. Even if he wasn’t a party person, It would’ve been a chance to… Talk? Maybe? He didn’t know. Maya clearly wanted to go. She seemed just as excited as Ashley was.

"I'll go with her."

The words left his mouth before he could stop them. His aunt and Maya both stared.

"You?" His aunt's skepticism stung. "Since when do you care about chaperoning?"

Right, of course, he would need an excuse to do something he wouldn’t normally do suddenly and Ashley’s name wouldn’t be a good one.

"Since I'm trying to be more responsible," he said instead. "Show the parents I can handle it."

His aunt's expression softened slightly. She knew about his parents' absence and had tried to include him in family dinners before he started pushing everyone away.

"Please, Mom?" Maya unleashed her best puppy eyes. "Arek will keep me safe. Right, Arek?"

"Yeah." He managed a smile. "No drinking, no drugs, just... normal teenage stuff."

His aunt studied him for a long moment. "Fine. But you stay together, and you're home by midnight."

“Of course, ma’am, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll keep her safe.”

Maya gave him that skeptical look she always gave him when she didn’t believe a word that slipped through his mouth, but his glance at her was enough to tell her to shut up. Otherwise, this deal was off. 

“I appreciate it, Arek. I really do.” his aunt smiled.

“No problem. So what brings you guys here?”

“Right.” Aunt Sarah adjusted herself to the uncomfortable sofa, “About… well… Your parents and—”

“I’m not apologizing to them for anything.”

“No! That’s not what I was going to say, Arek. You don’t need to apologize for anything.” She breathed, trying to prepare herself, “I wanted to ask them about something, but I should come to you first. Would you like to… live with us? Maya and I?”

Arek froze for a moment, “Live? With you guys?”

“Why do you say it like that? Don’t wanna live with us?” Maya crossed her arms.

“No, it’s just. My parents—”

“Are neglecting you.” Her aunt said sternly with a sharp look in her eyes. It reminded him of all those times she argued about Arek with his mom—her sister, “You are 18 and can decide where you wish to live, and if you want to stay here, then I will respect that, but… I feel like you need more than servants and assistants, Arek. If you live with us, we don’t have to travel so far whenever you need family.”

Arek couldn’t understand what he was hearing for a moment. He’s always wanted to live with Aunt Sarah. Maya was already more of a sister than a cousin, and Aunt Sarah traveled here quicker than ever whenever he needed someone other than his parent's assistants. Not to mention, Aunt Sarah lives by the art school he’s always wanted to attend, but his father would never give him the money to go there. This was a big deal. A great deal, but living with Aunt Sarah means leaving home and traveling much farther away. Away from his old school, the prison he calls home, away from…. Ashley….

Aunt Sarah stands up, “It’s a lot to take in. I know. Don’t feel rushed. I would never rush you. I just want to know what's best for you, and you can decide that. Why don’t you sleep on it and let me know? We’ll be staying here for a few weeks, so you have time. We figured it would take you a moment to process the idea.”

Arek nodded, giving his best try at a smile, “Yeah… It will… Thanks. Really. Thanks. I have a lot to think about.”