CHAPTER 24: STRENGTH PILL?

Elias stood frozen by Viktor’s office door, his hand still over his mouth, heart pounding like a drum. The low, rough sound of Viktor groaning his name echoed in his head, mixing with the cedar scent seeping through the crack in the door.

It hit him hard, stirring heat in his chest, his body tingling despite his panic. He pressed his laps together, biting his bottom lip.

’Why the hell is he doing this?’ he thought, his face burning. ’His kids are missing, and he’s... what? Thinking of me? While doing that?’

The idea was too much, too confusing, and his legs itched to run. But he kept peeking back into the office, watching Viktor as he moved his hand repeatedly.

Elias threw his flushed face away as he took a shaky step back, the vanilla scent of his own pheromones slipping out, stronger than he wanted.

’Shit! This better not happen now,’ he thought, panic rising. If Viktor caught that scent, he’d know... Elias wasn’t a beta. He turned, hurrying down the hall to his room, his footsteps quick but quiet. The image of Viktor in that chair, hand moving, groaning his name, burned in his mind, making his cheeks flush again. He slammed his door shut, locking it, and leaned against it, catching his breath.

Inside, the twins were still asleep on his bed, their soft snores grounding him. He clutched his chest, trying to calm the heat pooling there.

"Relax, Elias! Breath in... Breath out! Just three days left and... That’s all. There’s no way I’ll ever see that huge thing ever again. Never,"

He grabbed his textbook from the desk, hoping to drown out the chaos in his head with studying. But every time he read a line,

Viktor’s voice crept back in, low and hungry. ’Elias... fuuucccck’

He groaned, rubbing his face, and walked to his wardrobe, digging for the plain white bottle of pills. His hands shook as he popped two into his mouth, swallowing them dry. The bitter taste made him wince and squeeze his face. He was about to shove the bottle back when he heard small voices behind him.

"Nanny?" Dante mumbled, sitting up, rubbing his eyes. "Are you sick? Are you sick?"

Elias froze, the bottle still in his hand. He laughed awkwardly, hiding it behind his back. "Sick? What do you mean?"

"You were taking pills. We saw you," Dario added.

"What? I’m fine, seriously. They are just...I’m..." he said, his voice too high as he stared at the bottle behind him. "Just... taking some vitamins. For strength."

Dario sat up, squinting.

"Strength? Oh! Can we have some then?"

Elias’s heart raced. He couldn’t let them see the bottle. Swiftly, he peeled off the label from the bottle.

"Uh, no, these are... adult strength vitamins," he said, shoving the torn into his back pocket. "They are not for kids."

Dante frowned, folding his arms.

"But, you don’t look strong. Are you sure those things work?"

"Yeah," Elias said, forcing a grin. "They’re special. They at least help me complete a whole day with you two without dying."

"Then, let’s have one. Dario and I could share it... We want strength too so we can be as strong as our dad,"

Before the twins could push further, the door swung open, and Luka strolled in without knocking, his usual grin plastered on his face.

"Yo, kids!" he said, clapping his hands. "You’re finally awake. The designers have been waiting for you. Time to get measured for those fancy outfits."

Dante groaned, flopping back on the bed.

"We don’t wanna! Dad’s engagement is stupid and it’s never going to hold. I’d rather remain on nanny’s bed,"

"Yeah," Dario said, pouting. "We HATE Clara. Why can’t Dad just... not marry her?"

Luka raised a brow, glancing at Elias, who looked away, his face still flushed.

"Come on, you two," Luka said. "You’re making the designers wait all day. Move it."

The twins exchanged looks, their shoulders slumping.

"Fine," Dante muttered. "But we’re only doing it because Nanny said we can sleep in his room tonight."

"What?" Elias blinked. "Wait, I didn’t..."

"Yeah!" Dario cut in, grinning. "You promised, Nanny! We’re having a sleepover!"

"Yes! A sleeeeep... Over! Sleep! Sleep! Sleep! Over! With our nanny!!!" The twins danced as they got off the bed.

Luka’s grin widened, his eyes flicking to Elias.

"A sleepover, huh? You’re spoiling them, Elias."

Elias sighed, rubbing his neck.

"Yeah, I said that. You two should head out now and not keep the designers waiting,."

The twins hesitated, then Dario pointed at Elias’s pocket.

"Can we have one of those strength pills first? Please?"

Elias’s stomach dropped. Luka’s eyes narrowed, catching the white bottle peeking out. He stepped closer, his voice low.

"Strength pills, huh? Those look familiar."

Elias froze, his heart pounding. Luka obviously knew what those pills were. But he just smirked, turning to the twins.

"Those aren’t strength pills, you two. They’re for... weak people like your nanny. It helps him keep up with you brats."

Dante laughed, nudging Dario.

"Nanny’s obviously weak! No wonder he needs those pills!"

"Yeah," Dario said, giggling. "We don’t want those. Nanny needs it more than we do. Let’s go."

Elias forced a laugh, his hand shaking as he waved them off.

"See you later, you two."

As soon as the twins left, Elias sighed, slumping onto his bed. He pulled out the bottle, staring at it.

’I’m such an idiot,’ he thought. ’I shouldn’t have brought it out carelessly,’

He’d never worried about it at home where nobody barged into his room. But here, with Luka, Viktor, and the twins always around, he had to be extra careful. He peeled off the last bit of the label, making sure it was just a plain white bottle.

’With this, no one will ever find out now,’

He grabbed a glass of water, chugging it to wash down the bitter aftertaste. He placed the glass down and stretched his hands.

’Now, let’s concentrate on studying and forget about... *’Elias... Hngggg’* Shit! I still can’t forget it!’

Elias covered his face embarrassed.

.

In the main hall, the twins stood on small platforms as the designers measured them, pinning fabric and muttering about colors. The twins didn’t care about what the designers were discussing since they were oddly cheerful, chatting loudly about their sleepover with Elias.

"I’m taking the left side of Nanny’s bed," Dante said, dodging a pin. "It’s closer to the window."

"No way!" Dario said, glaring. "I called it first!"

"Huh? When did you do that? You just want to get close to Nanny! Too bad, I’m his favourite!"

"What? Nanny loves me more than you,"

"No! It’s me!"

Viktor sat nearby, flipping through a fashion catalog, his face unreadable. He’d been listening, his jaw tight, when he caught their words.

"What’s this about sleeping with your nanny?" he asked, his voice calm but sharp. The twins stopped arguing with each other as they turned to face their father.

Dante grinned, unfazed. "Nanny said we can sleep in his room tonight! It’s going to be a sleepover!"

"Yeah," Dario added. "He promised us and that’s why we’re getting measured."

Viktor’s brows furrowed, his fingers pausing on the catalog.

"He asked you to sleep with him?"

The twins nodded, still chatting about pajamas and who’s going to sleep close to Elias. Viktor’s fist clenched, his mind racing.

’That little Elias said he’s here for the money. Is he using my kids?’ The thought made his blood boil. He cared about Dante and Dario more than anything... he swore to protect them. If Elias was scheming, using them for some gain, Viktor would make him regret it.

He rubbed his chin, muttering,

"I guess I’ll have to watch them tonight. Make sure they’re safe during this... sleepover,"

Then he caught the twins whispering about Elias’s "strength pills."

"Are we going to steal some from Nanny’s strength pill?"

"He said it’s for Adults. We can’t just take them,"

Viktor’s eyes narrowed. "What strength pills are you two talking about?" he asked, his voice low.

Dante shrugged.

"Nanny was taking some pills in his room. He said they’re for strength."

"Yeah," Dario said, "but Luka said they’re for weak people. Nanny’s not strong."

Viktor’s jaw tightened, his mind flashing to the vanilla scent outside his office. Pills. Not vitamins. He stood, tossing the catalog aside. "You two go get measured and head back to your room," he said, his tone final. "I’ll talk to your nanny."

"Wait! Dad! You’re not going to take Nanny’s strength pill away from him, are you?"

"No! I won’t. He’ll need it anyway," he said and walked away.

As the twins kept chatting, Dario leaned close to Dante, whispering...

"Why’s Dad so weird about Nanny? You think he likes him?"

"Likes Nanny? Does that mean the nanny succeeded in charming daddy?"

"Oh!" Dario smirked, rubbing his chin. "We should find out after we get measured... Maybe dad doesn’t have to marry Clara,"