Night of gentle reminder

The evening crept in quietly, and the Chang household settled into a peaceful rhythm. Mrs. Chang bustled through the front door, her face lit with excitement as she carried several bags filled with Christmas decorations. She chatted animatedly about the family gathering she was already planning. According to her, it was tradition to host a large Christmas celebration, one where she would always invite Clide and Patricia, and now, she wanted to continue that tradition with the boys.

Jade, Cael, and the rest of the family listened to her plans with soft smiles before retreating to their rooms for the night. As Cael stepped toward his bedroom door, Jade lingered in the hallway, his expression gentle but serious.

Chapter 8: The Vigilant Observer

Cael's slumber was profound, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. Unbeknownst to him, piercing eyes watched from the shadows. A figure sat transfixed, gazing at Cael's tranquil form on the screen.

The observer's breathing quickened, his presence imbued with an unmistakable sexual tension. A sly smile crept across his face as he exhaled, releasing pheromones that swirled invisibly around him.

" Soon," he whispered, his voice dripping with anticipation. His eyes gleamed, betraying a hunger that went beyond mere fascination.

"Lock your room tonight, okay?" Jade said softly, placing a reassuring hand on Cael's head and giving it a light pat. "Don't wander around at night. Just get some good sleep."

Cael nodded, the warmth of Jade's protective nature comforting in the quiet moment. "Got it," he replied, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Jade gave him one last look before turning and heading into his own room. The sound of his door clicking shut echoed faintly through the hallway.

Inside his room, Cael followed Jade's advice, locking the door firmly behind him. But as he leaned against the door, a strange sensation washed over him. It was as if unseen eyes were on him, piercing through the walls of his sanctuary. The feeling was so intense it made him shiver, and for a fleeting moment, he felt exposed—bare, even though he was wearing his usual comfortable, oversized clothes.

He shook his head quickly, dismissing the thought. "Just my imagination," he muttered to himself, trying to brush off the unease.

To distract himself, Cael busied himself with his nightly routine. It was something he had picked up from his sisters during his first life as El Johansen. Memories of his sisters filled his mind as he stood in front of the mirror. They had always dragged him into their beauty rituals, insisting he be their practice model. They'd laugh and chat while applying masks to his face, trying on different shades of lipstick, and perfecting their eyeliner techniques. At first, he protested, but over time, he grew to enjoy their lively company.

The thought made him smile, a soft, bittersweet curve of his lips. It was comforting to hold onto pieces of his first life, especially now in this unfamiliar one. He went through the motions of the routine exactly as they had taught him, his fingers steady and careful.

As he finished, the glow of his skin reminded him of their playful banter and the way they'd tease him for having naturally soft, smooth skin. The memories wrapped around him like a warm blanket, soothing the lingering unease from earlier.

Feeling calmer, Cael slipped under the covers of his bed. The moment his head hit the pillow, he let out a soft sigh. His eyelids grew heavy, and the room fell into a tranquil silence. He closed his eyes, allowing the day's events to melt away.

But even as sleep took over, a small knot of discomfort remained in his chest, a faint echo of the sensation from earlier. The feeling of being watched lingered in the shadows, just out of reach of his consciousness, like a whisper he couldn't quite hear.

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Cael's slumber was profound, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. Unbeknownst to him, piercing eyes watched from the shadows. A figure sat transfixed, gazing at Cael's tranquil form on the screen.

The observer's breathing quickened, his presence imbued with an unmistakable sexual tension. A sly smile crept across his face as he exhaled, releasing pheromones that swirled invisibly around him.

" Soon," he whispered, his voice dripping with anticipation. His eyes gleamed, betraying a hunger that went beyond mere fascination.