Kai had never been good at accepting favors. Compliments were fine. Help was suspicious. Pity was unbearable. So when Daniel asked him out, Kai didn’t immediately say yes—not because he disliked him, but because he wasn’t sure what Daniel actually wanted. By Tuesday morning, he still hadn’t given him an answer. “You’re thinking too much,” Ethan said. They sat beneath a tree outside the medical sciences building during their lunch break. Ethan was eating fries while Kai stared at his notes. “I always think.” “You overthink.” “There’s a difference.” “No. There isn’t.” Kai ignored him. Ethan leaned closer. “So?” “So what?” “Daniel.” Kai finally looked up. “What about him?” “Are you going to accept?” Kai sighed. “I don’t know.” Ethan popped another fry into his mouth. “You like him.” “I didn’t say that.” “You smiled at him.” “I smile.” “Not like that.” Kai narrowed his eyes. “You’re irritating.” “Thank you.” Before Kai could answer, his phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen. Mom. His expression immediately changed. He answered. “Hi, Mom.” Her voice sounded tired. “Are you busy?” “No. What’s wrong?” There was a pause. “The landlord came again.” Kai’s fingers tightened around his phone. “What did he say?” “He wants the rent by tomorrow evening.” Kai closed his eyes. He had been hoping for Friday. Tomorrow was Wednesday. “I’ll get it.” “You don’t have to carry everything yourself.” “I know.” “Kai—” “I’ll handle it, Mom.” He softened his voice. “Don’t worry.” After they hung up, he remained silent. Ethan watched him. “How much?” Kai shook his head. “Don’t.” “Kai.” “I said don’t.” Ethan sighed. He knew better than to push. Instead, he handed Kai the last of his fries. “Eat.” Kai stared at them. “You’re giving me your food?” “Don’t make it emotional.” A reluctant smile appeared on Kai’s face. “You’re disgusting.” “And yet you keep me around.” Kai took a fry. “Unfortunately.” ⸻ That evening, Kai worked another shift at the restaurant. He was exhausted by the time he finished. The manager caught him near the back entrance. “Kai.” He turned. “Mr. Lewis?” “You’ve been taking extra shifts.” “Yes.” “You need to slow down.” “I can’t.” The manager frowned. “You’re a student.” “I know.” “And a good one. Don’t destroy your grades trying to make money.” Kai smiled politely. “I’ll manage.” Mr. Lewis studied him for a moment. “You always say that.” “Because I always do.” The older man shook his head. “Stubborn kid.” Kai laughed softly. “Good night, sir.” He stepped outside. Rain had started falling. Not heavily. Just enough to make the pavement shine. Kai pulled his hood over his head and started walking. His phone rang. Unknown number. He almost ignored it. Then he answered. “Hello?” “Are you working?” Kai stopped. He knew that voice. “Why are you calling me?” “Answer the question.” Kai looked around as though Adrian might somehow be standing nearby. “Yes.” “Where?” Kai frowned. “Why?” “I asked where.” “And I asked why.” A pause. “You’re difficult.” “You’re controlling.” “I’ve been called worse.” Kai rolled his eyes. “I’m leaving work.” “Good.” “Why is that good?” “Because I need to speak with you.” Kai stopped walking. “About what?” “A business matter.” Kai laughed. “You’re calling me about business?” “Yes.” “Then talk.” “Not over the phone.” Kai’s expression became suspicious. “Then forget it.” “Tomorrow evening.” “Tomorrow I’m busy.” “With what?” “My life.” Adrian was silent. Then— “Seven o’clock.” Kai frowned. “I’m not agreeing to anything.” “Seven o’clock. Bellmont Hotel.” “Wait—” The call ended. Kai stared at his phone. “That man…” He muttered something under his breath that would have earned him a lecture from his mother. He shoved the phone into his pocket. He wasn’t going. Absolutely not. ⸻ At Blake Corporation, Adrian ended the call and placed his phone on the desk. Marcus stood across from him. “You could have asked him normally.” Adrian looked up. “I did.” “You ordered him.” “He listens better when I’m direct.” Marcus raised an eyebrow. “He hung up on you last week.” Adrian’s expression darkened. “I’m aware.” “And he just tried to hang up again.” “I noticed.” Marcus smiled. “Then perhaps the problem isn’t his listening.” Adrian leaned back. “The Bellmont meeting is important.” “Yes.” “And Professor Carter will be there.” “Yes.” “And the medical research investors.” “Yes.” Marcus paused. “Which means you could have simply said that.” Adrian said nothing. Marcus quietly gathered the documents. He had worked for Adrian long enough to recognize when his employer was avoiding an obvious truth. Adrian Blake had invited Kai to a business dinner. And somehow, Marcus suspected, the business wasn’t the only reason. ⸻ The following evening, Kai stood in front of the Bellmont Hotel wondering why he had come. He had spent the entire afternoon telling himself he wouldn’t. Then Professor Carter had called. “Mr. Anderson, I understand you’re attending the research discussion tonight?” Kai had nearly dropped his phone. “What?” “Mr. Blake arranged for several students to present their proposals to the investors.” Kai frowned. “Students?” “Only three. Your cardiovascular project is one of them.” That changed things. It wasn’t about Adrian. It was about his work. And Kai would never turn down an opportunity to present something he had spent months developing. So now he stood beneath the hotel’s enormous entrance canopy, wearing his cleanest shirt and wondering whether Adrian had planned the entire thing. Inside, the atmosphere was nothing like the university. Men and women in expensive suits moved between tables. Executives spoke quietly over glasses of water and wine. Representatives from medical technology companies exchanged business cards. University administrators greeted investors. This was Adrian’s world. Kai suddenly felt very aware of his inexpensive shoes. He straightened his shoulders. He hadn’t come here to impress anyone. He had come because he had earned his place. “Mr. Anderson?” Kai turned. Professor Carter smiled. “I’m glad you made it.” “I’m glad you called.” Professor Carter laughed. “Come. I’ll introduce you to the research panel.” Kai followed him. Across the ballroom, Adrian entered. The room subtly changed. Conversations lowered. People turned. Adrian wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his expression unreadable as he walked beside two senior executives from Blake Corporation. He didn’t look like a man attending a dinner. He looked like the man who owned the building. Marcus followed a few steps behind. Adrian’s eyes moved across the room. Then stopped. Kai. For one brief moment, the coldness in Adrian’s expression disappeared. Then it returned. Marcus noticed. Of course he noticed. “Mr. Blake,” one of the investors said, “there’s someone I’d like you to meet.” Adrian listened. But his attention had already shifted. Kai was speaking to Professor Carter. Then another man approached him. Daniel. Adrian’s gaze settled on him. Daniel smiled at Kai. Kai smiled back. Something unpleasant tightened in Adrian’s chest. He ignored it. Or tried to. “Mr. Blake?” Adrian looked at the investor. “Yes?” “We were discussing the acquisition.” “Continue.” But for the first time in years, Adrian found himself struggling to concentrate on a business deal. Across the room, Kai laughed at something Daniel said. Adrian’s jaw tightened. Marcus quietly looked away. He had seen enough. ⸻ Later, Kai finished his presentation to polite applause. The investors asked difficult questions. He answered every one. By the time he stepped away from the table, he felt relieved. Professor Carter patted his shoulder. “Well done.” “Thank you.” “You should speak to Mr. Blake before you leave.” Kai’s smile disappeared. “Why?” “Because he helped organize this opportunity.” Kai glanced across the room. Adrian was already looking at him. Their eyes met. Neither moved. Then Adrian walked toward him. Kai crossed his arms. “You planned this.” “Yes.” “You could have told me.” “You wouldn’t have come.” Kai opened his mouth. Then closed it. He hated that Adrian was right. Adrian stopped in front of him. “You did well.” Kai blinked. That was unexpected. “Thank you.” Adrian studied him. “You’re different here.” “How?” “Confident.” Kai gave him a small smile. “I am confident.” “I know.” Something about the way Adrian said it made Kai’s smile fade. Before he could respond, Daniel approached. “Kai, are you ready to go?” Adrian looked at him. Daniel looked back. The air changed. Kai noticed immediately. “Yeah. Just a second.” Daniel nodded and stepped away. Adrian’s eyes followed him. “You’re leaving with him?” Kai frowned. “Why do you care?” Adrian looked back at him. For a moment, neither spoke. Then Adrian said quietly, “I don’t know.” Kai’s heart skipped. He hated that it did. Adrian stepped closer. “That’s the problem.” Kai stared at him. “What problem?” Adrian’s expression became unreadable again. “I haven’t figured that out yet.” Then he walked away. Leaving Kai standing there with a strange feeling in his chest. For the first time, Kai wondered if Adrian Blake was confused too. And somehow, that was far more dangerous than being certain the man simply wanted to control him.

The First Crack