CHAPTER 21: OFFER REFUSED!

Elias woke to the sound of his alarm, the early morning light barely filtering through his curtains. His head felt heavy from the double dose of pills, and his lips still tingled with the memory of Viktor’s kiss.

He pushed the thought away, rubbing his eyes. Today was about the twins, school, and surviving Luka’s shopping trip. He couldn’t let yesterday’s chaos distract him. He got dressed, choosing a simple shirt and jeans, and headed to the twins’ room.

"Dante, Dario, up!" he called, knocking. The door swung open, revealing the twins already half-dressed, wrestling over a sneaker.

"Nanny!" Dante grinned, tossing the shoe at Dario. "We’re ready!"

"Yeah, but he stole my shoe!" Dario said, lunging for it.

Elias sighed, grabbing the sneaker. "Enough. Get your backpacks. Breakfast must be waiting already."

Milo had left plates of scrambled eggs and toast in the kitchen, and the twins scarfed them down, chattering about their training. "You should’ve seen us yesterday," Dante said, mouth full. "I flipped the trainer!"

"No! You didn’t. He tripped," Dario corrected, smirking.

"But I landed a punch."

Elias smiled, pouring them juice. "Sounds like you’re getting tough. Ready for school?"

They groaned but nodded, grabbing their bags. Elias led them to the car, where Marco was waiting. "Morning, Elias," Marco said, opening the door. "Are you okay? I heard what happened with the master yesterday,"

Elias’s stomach twisted, but he forced a smile. "I’m fine. Nothing much happened. Just get the kids to school safely."

"Of course! Shall we?" Marco opened the door.

The drive was quick, the twins singing off-key to a pop song on the radio. Elias waved as they ran into school, their backpacks bouncing. He checked his phone... 8:15 a.m. His own classes started soon, and he needed to meet Jace.

He caught a bus to campus. He didn’t want Marco to drive him and allow him to cause a scene with the expensive car again. The first time was enough and he didn’t want a second time.

At school, Elias found Jace outside the lecture hall, holding two coffees like he was purposely waiting for Elias.

"Hey, good morning!" Jace said, handing him one. "You look tired. You had a rough night?"

Elias took the coffee, grateful.

"Yeah, just... a lot going on. Thanks."

"Let’s go! We’re late already," Jace said.

"You didn’t have to wait outside for me," Elias said.

"Oh! I wanted to." Jace replied with a wink.

"But what if I didn’t come?"

"You won’t miss class for anything. Shall we?" Jace asked and they entered the class together.

.

Later... They sat in the courtyard for lunch, splitting a sandwich from the cafeteria. Students passing by whispered, their eyes on Elias. "What’s Jace doing with him?" one girl muttered. "He’s, like, a nobody."

Another laughed. "Yeah, he’s always alone. Such a weirdo."

Jace glared, his voice sharp. "Ignore them, Elias. They’re just being mean."

Elias smiled, shrugging. "I’m used to it. It doesn’t bother me."

Jace frowned, leaning closer. "It should. You’re not a nobody. You’re... you."

Elias’s cheeks warmed, and he looked away. "Thanks, Jace. Let’s just eat."

They finished lunch, and Jace walked him to the campus gate. "You sure you’re okay?" Jace asked, his eyes searching. "You’ve been off since yesterday."

"I’m fine," Elias said, forcing a smile. "I’ve been busy with the kids."

As Jace waved goodbye, Elias spotted a familiar figure leaning against a sleek black car... Luka, sunglasses on, smirking.

Whispers erupted around them. "Is that Luka Drago?" a student hissed. "The mafia guy’s brother?"

"What’s he doing with Elias?" another said, staring.

Jace raised a brow, stepping closer. "Who’s that, Elias?"

"Luka," Elias said, his voice tight. "We’re going shopping."

Jace’s eyes narrowed. "Shopping? With him?"

"Yeah, for... an event," Elias said, avoiding details. "See you tomorrow?"

Jace nodded, but his expression was uneasy. "Be careful, okay?"

Elias waved, hurrying to Luka’s car. "Let’s go," he said, sliding into the passenger seat.

Luka grinned, pulling onto the road. "So, you and Jace," he said, his tone teasing. "You two a thing?"

Elias’s face heated. "No! He’s just a friend. Besides, I’m not... ready for a relationship."

Luka raised a brow, chuckling. "Sure, kid. Whatever you say."

They drove to a fancy boutique downtown, the kind Elias would never step into on his own. Luka dragged him through racks of suits, pulling out a dark blue one.

"Try this," he said, tossing it to Elias. "You’re meeting the family at Vik’s engagement. You have to look sharp."

Elias’s chest tightened. He wouldn’t be at the wedding... he’d be gone, with Lila, far from the Dragos. But he couldn’t tell Luka that. "Okay," he said, taking the suit.

Luka piled more clothes on him... shirts, ties, even shoes.

"You’re gonna steal the show," Luka said, grinning. "My sisters are dying to meet the guy who made Vik apologise."

Elias forced a smile, heading to the fitting room. The suit fit perfectly, hugging his frame, and he barely recognised himself in the mirror. Luka whistled. "Damn, kid. You clean up nice."

"Thanks," Elias mumbled, changing back. He didn’t want to steal any show... he just wanted to survive the week.

Next, Luka dragged him to a salon. "You need a haircut," Luka said, pushing him into a chair. "No arguments."

Elias sighed but let the stylist work. She trimmed his hair, giving it a sleek, modern cut that framed his face. "You look hot," Luka said, smirking as Elias blushed. "Relax, it’s a compliment."

They ended the day with a massage and facials, Luka insisting it was "part of the package." Elias’s shoulders relaxed under the masseuse’s hands, but his mind stayed on the twins. "Who’s watching the kids?" he asked.

"Got it covered," Luka said. "Marco’s picking them up. Vik gave permission."

Elias nodded, relieved but uneasy. Viktor’s permission meant he knew about this trip, and after yesterday’s kiss, that felt... dangerous.

"Thanks," he said quietly.

Luka glanced at him, his grin softening. "You’re a good guy, Elias. Vik’s lucky to have you around."

Elias looked away, his chest aching.

’He won’t have me there for long.’

They stopped at the hospital next, at Elias’s request. The sterile halls smelled of antiseptic, and his heart raced as they reached Lila’s room. The doctor met them at the door.

"She woke up for a few minutes today," he said. "She’s improving, but it’s slow. The next few days could also be critical."

Elias’s throat tightened as he looked at Lila, pale and still, tubes snaking from her arms. "Thank you," he said, his voice soft. He sat by her bed, holding her hand. "Hang in there, Lila," he whispered. "I’m getting you out soon."

Luka stood by the door, his usual grin gone. He hadn’t realised how bad Lila’s condition was. He only knew that his sister was at the hospital.

"Elias, are you okay?"

"Yeah," Elias lied, his voice tight. "I’m just... glad she’s better."

Luka nodded, staying quiet as they drove back to the estate. The silence felt heavy, and Elias’s mind raced.

They pulled into the estate, the mansion’s lights glowing against the dark. Inside, the twins sat at the dining table, eating pasta, with Viktor across from them, typing on his laptop. Before Elias could say anything, Milo’s loud voice rang out. "Elias! Yo, you’re back!"

Elias forced a smile, setting his shopping bags down. Gerald appeared, taking the bags from him and Luka. "I’ll put these in your rooms," he said, his tone warm.

"Thanks, Gerald," Elias said, turning to Milo. "Hey, good to see you too."

Milo grinned, leaning on the counter. "I saw you at school today, man! I didn’t know you went to my college."

Elias blinked, confused. "You’re a student?"

"Yeah, Art department," Milo said, laughing. "We should hang out sometime. Grab coffee or something."

The twins paused, forks halfway to their mouths, whispering. "I think Nanny’s too popular," Dante muttered.

"Yeah," Dario said. "First Jace, now the cook? He’s too handsome, that’s the problem."

Viktor’s fingers froze on his laptop, his jaw tightening, but he kept his eyes on the screen, pretending not to hear. Elias’s face heated, and he focused on Milo.

"Maybe," he said, keeping his tone light. "School’s busy, though."

Milo shrugged, unfazed. "The offer’s open whenever you’re ready, man."

Viktor’s voice cut through, low and steady. "Elias, what are you studying?"

The room went quiet, the twins staring, Milo’s grin faltering. Elias hesitated, his heart racing. Viktor’s question felt like a trap, especially after yesterday. "Nursing," he said finally, his voice quiet. "I’m in my second year."

Viktor nodded, his eyes still on his laptop. "Good. I’ll cover your tuition from now on. You stay with the family, I’ll pay for your school until you’re done."

Elias’s eyes widened, his stomach dropping. Milo clapped, grinning. "Wow, that’s awesome! Congrats, man!"

The twins cheered, but Elias’s voice was firm. "Permit me to reject your offer, master," he said, his tone polite but sharp. "I can handle my own tuition."

Viktor’s head snapped up, his grey eyes narrowing. The twins gasped, and Luka, leaning against the wall, raised a brow. "Are you sure about that?" Luka asked. "That’s a big offer."

"I’m sure," Elias said, his heart pounding. "I don’t need it."

Viktor’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing, returning to his laptop. The twins exchanged looks, whispering again. "Nanny’s tough," Dante said.

"Yeah, but Dad seems mad now," Dario replied.

Milo laughed, breaking the tension. "You’re wild, Elias. Come on, let’s make some dessert. You like chocolate?"

Elias nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Sure."

He already rejected Viktor’s offer because he was going to stay in this estate for a long time. There’s no way he would accept something that’ll keep him stuck in this family. Never.