~ Parties

|| 𝕰𝖕𝖎𝖘𝖔𝖉𝖊 22: 𝕻𝖆𝖗𝖙𝖎𝖊𝖘 ||

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𝐙𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐈𝐒 apartment, sighing as he looked around the mess he had left behind. Unlike Celeste's penthouse where he always felt at home, this place held dreaded memories that he wished to forget. But apparently, you can't let go of every memory.

He had rather reluctantly left Celeste's penthouse in the morning after enjoying a delicious breakfast of waffles. Gracie loved to cook and fortunately for her, Zion had a nice appetite. She tested all her new recipes on him and he happily became the lab rat.

He placed his bike keys on the table in the common hall.

His place was shabby looking with no color. The walls were as white as the bedsheets of a hospital and there was an old sofa placed in the hall with a wooden table. No photos or paintings hung on the wall - it looked dull enough to be not be categorized as home. There was not much furniture here since he didn't want to waste any money on them.

His dirty laundry laid on the sofa and books were scattered on the table with an empty glass of coffee. He sighed as he realized that he needs to clean his house before it started looking like a fucking dumpster.

Zion's room was nothing better with an unmade bed, pillows thrown on the floor and clothes lying on the floor. Here also, pages and books decorated the bed, taking up his sleeping space. He got to work at once, gathering everything up and sorting them out.

He put on some music on his phone as he connected it for charging and started cleaning. The world became blank around him as he drowned himself in Bruno Mars voice. His back started aching with all the bending he had to do but he wasn't going to stop anytime now.

Soon enough, his work was done and with a broad grin he examined his now spotless house. He knew that he wasn't that great at vacuum cleaning or anything related to house chores for the matter but he was good enough to not ruin anything.

After a long shower and a lunch of instant noodles, he laid back on his bed. He looked at his watch - his class began in just thirty minutes. Zion groaned as he sat up to change into his black shirt with denim pants. He ran his hand through his charcoal black hair, not wanting to comb them.

After being satisfied with his appearance, he grabbed his keys and bag.

But before he could walk out of his house, his phone rang. He picked it up.

"Hello?" he answered.

Zion closed the door behind him and walked towards the stair.

"Zion, it's Leo." the voice answered back.

"Oh.... what's up?" he asked.

He climbed down the flight of stairs, his attention mainly focused on getting to his class as quick as possible. He hated missing on the beginning of the lectures because that meant that he would have difficulties in understanding the rest of it.

"I have a deal you can't refuse." Leo said.

Zion almost stopped in his tracks when he heard those words. Somehow, he knew what it might be about.

"How much?" he asked as he finally got to his bike and started it.

"Hundreds of thousands." Leo replied.

Zion didn't think as he replied - he needed the money more than anything right now.

"We will talk during training." Zion replies as his bike roared to life.

"Okay." Leo replied and disconnected the call. Zion knew that it was going to be something big since they were offering this much money, but it was a risk he was more than willing to take. That much money can secure his and Ryan's future. He can even pay back Celeste for what she has done for him.

He will do this no matter how hard it is.

Even if that meant he could die in the end. Ryan was worth dying for.

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𝐍𝐘𝐗 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐒 she looked at the called ID - apparently, her dear father has been missing her a lot lately. Although this behavior didn't surprise her considering that he had started keeping more tabs on Nyx after his ex-wife died - at least more than before.

There was no denying that he loved his second family more than his first one and dealt with Nyx out of guilt. Her father was a clever man who was very much aware that Nyx was important for his reputation.

The facade that they had created in the public was so dense that nobody could look past it. For the world, they were the ideal father-daughter example. Little do they know what goes behind the closed doors.

No matter how much Astrid and her mother might try to fit in, they would always be considered as non-worthies. They haven't earned their position in the elite world since they were simply given it on a silver plate by the Knights.

"Mr. Knight," Nyx said as she picked up the phone. She was in a good mood since morning and that meant that she could deal with her poor excuse of a father for the moment.

"Celeste. How are you?" her father asked.

Nyx rolled her eyes at her father's poor and failed attempt to spike a conversation with her. She doesn't think she would be ever able to share anything about her life with her father.

"I am as good as I can be. Now, let's cut to the chase, what do you want?" she asked. Her mood was slowly turning sour and now, she regretted picking up the damn call.

"There is a ball tonight. I want you to be present. Bring a date with you as well." her father said.

"I will be there," she replied.

She didn't mind her father being late in informing her of the ball - she was shocked that he even remembered the ball at all. Her father was more of a businessman and these balls were just a waste of time for him. Even if he did attend them, it was strictly for business and sometimes, to catch up with his old friends.

She disconnected the line and her focus shifted to the sound of a bike that was nearing her. She was grateful that she decided to wear her jeans and crop-top or she would have trouble sitting on the bike.

Zion parked his bike right in front of her and removed his helmet to look at her.

Celeste looked as beautiful as ever in her black crop-top that left her stomach on display. Her bellybutton was visible and Zion wondered how it feel if he kissed her there. Her brunette hair was left free. Zion had an urge to run his hand through them.

"You are late." Nyx said as she removed her sunglasses.

"Get on or we would seriously be late," Zion replied.

Nyx rolled her eyes as she sat behind him on the bike, wrapping her hands over his waist and resting her head on his back.

"There is a party tonight and I need to bring a date. Will you accompany me?" she asked him.

She felt Zion tense under her and she bit her lower lip wondering what will his answer be.

"And get the chance to see you in a sexy gown? Hell, yeah." Zion replied.

Nyx chuckled at his reply. She knew that Zion hated being around the elites but she was also aware that he had somehow accepted that part of her life over the years. This might be the first party they would be attending together in a while.

She couldn't wait for the night to begin.

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