109. He's gone
BROOKS MANSION — AIDEN'S ROOM --
Maximilian and Kyron stood outside Aiden's door.
Inside, soft groaning noises echoed.
Kyron whispered,
"…Is he dying?"
Max knocked twice.
"Aiden."
Aiden's miserable voice responded immediately:
"Go away.
I'm already dead.
Let me fade."
Kyron mouthed silently to Max:
Drama. Queen.
Max ignored him and opened the door.
---
THE STATE OF AIDEN--
Aiden lay face-down on his bed, arms spread like a corpse.
One shoe was on, one shoe was halfway off.
His bag was thrown at the corner.
His hair—and LIFE—were in complete chaos.
Maximilian's eyebrow twitched.
Kyron burst out laughing.
"Aiden… oh my god. You look like someone unplugged your soul."
Aiden lifted his head from the pillow, face smushed, eyes swollen.
"She… She was with him."
Max frowned.
"Marcelline?"
Aiden froze.
Max said her name perfectly— cold, smooth, controlled.
Aiden sniffed. "You… you know?"
Kyron pointed at Chloe downstairs.
"She told us everything."
Aiden sat up, shoulders slumped.
"That's even worse."
---
THE DRAMA BEGINS--
Aiden pouted like a betrayed puppy.
"You should've seen him, Max. That guy—HE IS NOT HUMAN. What kind of man looks that perfect? Perfect hair, perfect jaw, perfect everything! Even the sun obeyed him!"
Kyron stretched his legs, leaning against the wall. "So basically… handsome."
Aiden glared. "HANDSOME? He was a Greek god wearing jeans! Even Chloe—CHLOE—blushed at him!"
Kyron innocently asked, "Did he talk to Marcelline?"
Aiden's shoulders drooped further.
"She RUN to him. RUN. And—and he put his hand over her head to block the sun… like she was made of glass… like—like—they were a couple!"
Aiden dramatically flopped back on the bed.
Max and Kyron both blinked.
Kyron whispered,
"…He's gone."
Aiden groaned, "You don't understand… He is so handsome I almost fell in love with him too."
Kyron choked.
Max pinched the bridge of his nose.
---
MAXIMILIAN GETS SERIOUS--
Max sat at the edge of the bed, his tone shifting—calmer, older-brother, but firm.
"Aiden. Jealousy is normal. Annoying, but normal. But you cannot assume they're a couple just because he picked her up."
Aiden turned his head. "But they look perfect."
"Everyone looks perfect when you're insecure," Max replied bluntly.
Kyron nodded. "True. When I'm hungry, even food looks like marriage material."
Aiden threw a pillow at him.
Max continued:
"You don't know who the man is. Could be a relative. Could be a friend. Could be a driver. You don't know anything yet."
Aiden whispered pathetically, "He wasn't acting like a driver…"
Kyron laughed again.
---
Aiden finally spoke softly,
"Marcelline looked so happy with him…"
Max stiffened just slightly at the name.
He kept his face neutral.
"So," Max said carefully,
"this Marcelline… you really like her?"
Aiden nodded miserably. "I REALLY like her. But she doesn't like me like that… she doesn't even realize I exist half the time."
Kyron whispered, "No, she sees you. You just get overshadowed by 'Greek God Unknown'."
Aiden groaned loudly.
---
Max stood up.
His voice went from big-brother soft to CEO-sharp.
"Listen carefully, Aiden."
Aiden straightened instinctively.
"If she matters to you, talk to her. Calmly. Like an adult.
Not like a jealous five-year-old who wants to switch departments—"
Aiden flushed deeply. "WHO TOLD YOU THAT?!"
Kyron snorted.
"Chloe. Obviously."
Max folded his arms.
"You're staying in Finance. You are NOT ruining your academic career for a girl."
Aiden sulked. "…Fine."
Max placed a hand on his shoulder. "Rest tonight. Tomorrow, go to college and talk to her. Understand?"
Aiden nodded weakly.
Kyron approached with a grin. "And hey—if that unknown handsome guy shows up again… just don't fall for him."
Aiden threw another pillow.
---
DOWNSTAIRS..
As Max and Kyron left the room, Kyron whispered,
"You know, Max… the name Marcelline sounds familiar, doesn't it?"
Max's eyes darkened just slightly.
Very slightly.
"Hm."
Kyron smirked.
"Oh no. Don't tell me YOU'RE interested now."
Max glared at him. "Kyron."
Kyron raised both hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. Just saying. The plot thickens."
Max walked ahead silently.
And yes—
The plot was thickening.
---