CHAPTER 4: TRUTH AND REVELATION

The Next Day

Wren jogged around the compound, enjoying the crisp morning air. As he rounded a corner, he was surprised to see Dee coming from the opposite direction in his jogging clothes. That meant he had just finished his run.

"Good morning," Wren greeted, stopping in front of him.

"Good morning," Dee replied, his tone neutral.

"Did you just finish jogging?"

"Yeah," Dee answered, attempting to walk past him.

"Wait." Wren stepped in front of him.

"What?" Dee stopped, looking at him with mild impatience.

Wren found himself dazed, momentarily lost in thought as he stared at Dee's striking features.

"Wake up. What are you daydreaming about?" Dee waved his hand in front of Wren's face.

"Oh—sorry!" Wren shook his head, snapping out of it. "Can I come talk to you later?"

"About what?"

"It's personal. Can we talk in your room?"

Dee gave him a blank look before saying, "Follow me."

Instead of leading him to his room, Dee took him to a secluded corner of the compound.

"Talk," Dee said.

"But… this isn't your room," Wren replied, confused.

"I don't let people into my room casually."

"Ouch… Plan 1 failed," Wren muttered.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing," Wren quickly covered up.

"So, what do you want to say?"

"The thing is," Wren started, "I just moved in, and the suit the designer picked for me doesn't suit me. I don't want to complain, but I also don't have any cash yet. So, I was wondering if you could buy me a suit?"

"No problem. And no need to refund me—it's just a suit."

"I can't take it without paying you back."

"Do whatever you feel like. The suit will arrive in the morning before the event."

"Thanks… and please, don't tell anyone."

"Okay."

"This is the only valuable thing I have left," Wren said, pulling out a worn-out bead bracelet. "Take it as collateral. Please don't say no, or I'll feel uneasy."

Dee hesitated for a moment before taking it. "Okay."

Without another word, he walked away.

Wren stood there, watching him leave, a smirk forming on his lips. Even if my original plan failed, at least I got this drop-dead gorgeous man to talk to me… and buy me a suit.

No matter how hard he tries to resist, I'll crack him. Time to think of a second plan.

At the Club

Cam and Zoe's Room

Zoe woke up feeling groggy and confused. As his vision adjusted, he realized where he was—and who he was with. His gaze landed on Cam, who was still sleeping beside him.

Memories of the previous night rushed back, making Zoe swallow hard. He found himself staring at Cam, lost in thought. Almost unconsciously, he leaned down, his lips hovering just inches away—

Cam's eyes fluttered open.

"What are you trying to do?" Cam asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Nothing," Zoe lied. "I was just waking you up."

"Why?"

"I just… I want to make it clear that this was a one-time thing. No one should find out about this."

"I know, asshole," Cam muttered, standing up abruptly. "Excuse me."

He walked to the bathroom, but almost immediately returned.

"What is it?" Zoe asked.

"I forgot my phone."

"What do you need a phone for in the bathroom?"

"None of your business." Cam disappeared inside, shutting the door behind him.

Inside the Bathroom

"Siri, what should I do after a one-night stand?" Cam whispered, staring at his phone.

"Step one—"

"Oh my god. This is not someone I can just avoid," Cam muttered, scrolling through his phone in panic.

His eyes lit up when he saw a group chat: LGBTQ Support Group.

He quickly sent a voice message:

"Guys, I was drunk last night and had a one-night stand… and now I don't know how to face him. I made an excuse to hide in the bathroom."

The replies came instantly.

Kiera: Pretend it never happened.

Fossa: Yeah, just go home. We'll arrange a handsome guy to make him jealous.

Austin: I have this guy. He's a little dull, but I think he can do the job.

Cam: Send his number.

Austin: He'll be there in the afternoon.

Cam: Thanks! Talk later.

Everyone: Later!

Cam took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and stepped out.

"Let's go," he said, walking past Zoe.

"I thought you wanted to take a shower?"

"I changed my mind."

"Oh…"

"Yeah, so let's go."

They both left the club, heading back to the Books Mansion.

The Books Mansion – Afternoon

Cam answered his phone. "Are you here already? Okay, I'll come get you from the gate."

He strolled out.

"Where is he going?" Zoe asked, directing the question to no one in particular.

"Why don't you mind your business and sit down?" Wren, who had just walked in, responded.

Zoe scoffed but sat down.

"Where is everyone?" Wren asked the butler.

"Master Dee went out. Young Master Mark is dining with friends. And—"

"So, Cam is coming back," Zoe interrupted.

"Yes, Young Master Zoe. And, might I remind you—one of the traits of a good heir is being well-mannered. Do not interrupt when others are speaking."

"Sorry, Butler More."

"Very well. Young Master Cam said his friend is visiting today."

Just then, Cam walked in with a tall, average-looking man.

"Sorry for delaying lunch, everyone. My friend came to visit. His name is Ran. Ran, these are my brothers," Cam introduced.

"Nice to meet you both," Ran said.

"Nice to meet you, too," Wren replied.

"Same," Zoe muttered, but his sharp gaze made Ran visibly nervous.

"Ranny, will you join us for lunch?" Cam asked, smiling brightly.

"Thank you, Canny, but I'll pass. We can talk after lunch."

"If you say so. Elsa, show him where to sit."

"Yes, sir," the maid replied.

Cam took his seat, and they started eating.

After Lunch

"Can I talk to you both for a second?" Cam asked, looking at Zoe and Wren.

"Sure," Wren said.

"What do you want to say?" Zoe asked.

"I have a crush on Ran. Do you guys think he'll like me back?"

Zoe's expression darkened. "Why would you like someone like that?"

"Is there a problem with him?"

"No… nothing."

"I invited him today to confess my feelings. I hope he feels the same."

"What if he says no?"

Wren sat back, quietly observing the tension between them.

"There's no harm in trying, Zoe," Wren finally said.

Zoe turned to him. "So you want him to go out with that guy?"

"And so what?"

Zoe fell silent.

Cam stood up. "Thanks, guys. I'll go now. Wish me luck."

As he walked off, Wren and Zoe secretly followed, watching from a hidden spot.

Cam excused himself from the table. Once the others were distracted, he sat beside Ran and gently took his hand.

"Ran, there's something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time," Cam began quietly.

"What is it?" Ran asked, his eyes searching Cam's face.

"Every time I see someone special, my heart races—I feel butterflies in my stomach. But there's one person who makes my heart stop every time," Cam confessed, his voice wavering between vulnerability and hesitation.

"Who is it?" Ran pressed, puzzled by Cam's cryptic words.

Before Cam could answer, a familiar voice interrupted. "Cam, Wren is calling you. He said it's urgent," Zoe announced, rushing over.

With a sigh of regret, Cam replied, "Ran, please wait—I'll continue from where I left off," and quickly slipped away to a secluded corner, eager to catch a glimpse of the unfolding drama.

From his hiding spot, Cam heard Wren's low voice. "The outcome you expect isn't going to happen—we can bet on that," Wren remarked, clearly amused.

"What do you mean, and what outcome?" Cam asked, stepping forward, startled by the unexpected commentary.

Wren smirked. "It's obvious you want him to get jealous—maybe even confess his feelings for you—but that blockhead will never go with the flow. I can see right through him; he's as bad at acting as he is clueless about romance."

Cam's face fell as he admitted in a hushed tone, "I don't know exactly when it all started, but I first realized I had feelings for Zoe when we were just 15," he confessed quietly.