Zak and Camilla stepped into a cozy seafood restaurant.The establishment was small, with only a dozen seats, and luck was on their side as they snagged the last available table upon their arrival.After Zak placed his order, he handed the menu to Camilla, then caught a familiar voice drifting in from the door."This place is pretty good. I heard it's better than the cafeteria... Oh, isn't that person over there our roommate?"Zak glanced over and spotted Peyton Valencia and Myles Avila.With no free seats in sight, Peyton Valencia approached Zak with a smile, not wanting to come all this way for nothing."Looks like there's no room left. Mind if we squeeze in with you? Is this your friend? I hope she's okay with it."Camilla handed the menu she had chosen to the waiter, poured a glass of sour plum juice for Zak, then folded her arms on the table with a chilly expression."Sorry, but I do mind."Myles grabbed Peyton with a displeased tone, glancing at Camilla, and sneered inexplicably
"Ah, so he's your brother. What's it like having a famous sibling?""Well, I'm not exactly a celebrity, so I wouldn't really know."Kendrick wasn't in the mood for a chat with Myles. He stood up abruptly. "I'm heading for a shower."Silence filled the dorm room as Kendrick left without making a stop at the bathroom.Before closing the door, he cast a deliberate glance at Zak lying on the bed. Then, standing in the corridor, he dialed a number on his phone. "Guess who I ran into today?""It's the guy you mentioned earlier, my roommate.""Yeah, I agree with you. Not much besides being good-looking.""..."After speaking without receiving any response, Kendrick felt perplexed. "Hey, bro?"Finally, the voice on the other end replied. "Got it.""What are you up to, bro? If you're busy, I'll hang up."Gerald placed the envelope he was holding on the table and gazed at his phone. "Not too busy. It's late; you should get some rest."As the call ended, he picked up the envelope again. To confi
He swiftly blocked the unfamiliar number, paying no mind to the threats in the text message.It wasn't until Friday night that Carlos called."Zak, congratulations on the success of your TV drama. It's gaining popularity, and the ratings are rising. Also, you've been embroiled in some scandals and are trending again."The playground buzzed with activity, voices blending into the background."Could it be Juelz? That account? It seems like no one else would be so mundane. Oh, and there's this Gerald guy," Carlos speculated about the identity of the account owner.Zak unscrewed the cap of his mineral water bottle, took a swig, and casually tossed the empty bottle into the nearby trash can. "Can't say for sure, but it's definitely connected to him," he replied nonchalantly.The bottle landed neatly in the trash can.Turning his head, Zak noticed a boy standing beneath a nearby tree, gazing their way.Perhaps sensing he had been noticed, the boy turned somewhat sheepishly and shifted his g
Zak casually scrolled through the comments, his demeanor unfazed. However, the endless stream of text eventually wore him down, prompting him to set aside his phone and attend to the flowers in the vase. It was during this momentary break that he noticed a shift in the trending topics. Shortly after, a blogger swiftly uploaded a video from their past filming sessions together. The video subtly insinuated Zak's disregard for Gerald, capturing their exchanges in a subtly confrontational light. Despite this, Gerald's unwavering support for Zak during this ordeal was a testament to his genuine generosity. The collision between Juelz and Gerald marked a pivotal moment in the unfolding drama. The orchestrated campaign to besmirch Zak's character demanded significant effort and resources. Unfazed by the flurry of comments, Zak confidently reposted the video with a mischievous grin, playfully asking, "Anyone interested in an unedited video with crystal-clear audio? If so, I'm happy to shar
The advertising shoot was a whirlwind of activity, with people bustling about. Juelz maneuvered his wheelchair, encountering difficulty in making progress.When he reached a set of steps, he found himself unable to ascend. He glanced at the nearby staff and began, "Excuse me..."Before he could say more than two words, the staff member was called away for duty, their fleeting glance showing no change in expression.Instantly, Juelz felt a wave of discouragement wash over him.Zak was present for the ad shoot. Juelz had hoped to catch Zak's attention, perhaps gain some advantage, but the dismissive staff member shattered that hope entirely.Amidst the hustle and bustle, no one spared a moment to offer help. Left to his own devices, Juelz struggled to rise from his wheelchair and laboriously maneuver it onto the steps.Just three steps, yet it took him five painstaking minutes. Nearly toppling over upon returning to his wheelchair, he was flooded with a mix of humiliation and anger.As
Juelz sighed deeply, bending down in a futile attempt to reach the bank card. Despite his best efforts, it remained just beyond his grasp. Frustrated, he gritted his teeth and reluctantly abandoned the wheelchair to retrieve it.His trembling fingers struggled to pick up the card from the ground, his nails painfully digging into his skin. After several agonizing minutes, he finally managed to grasp the card, a triumphant grin spreading across his face as he prepared to return to the wheelchair. However, his attempt to steady himself failed, and he toppled to the ground.Unfazed, Juelz chuckled as he lifted himself back into the wheelchair. "I'll keep my word and stay out of your sight."Pausing for a moment, he tentatively asked, "There's two hundred thousand in here, right?"Zak remained silent, his expression betraying no emotion.A sense of unease crept over Juelz as he locked eyes with Zak. "Are you deceiving me? Is there no money in here?""Who said there had to be money in the b
Seven years later, in Utah Valley, November brought persistent cold winds that failed to dampen the vibrant nightlife. The city thrived with bright lights, dazzling neon signs, and bustling streets. Nighttime outshone the day, especially at the riverside bar, where the young and carefree found their haven. Zak was a familiar face, visiting almost every weekend to enjoy a drink, listen to music, and unwind in the liberating atmosphere. Despite being surrounded by people, he often remained passive. As a resident singer poured their heart out in a melancholic love ballad, Zak, true to his routine, ordered a drink and settled into a booth, quietly observing. Despite being present, he felt disconnected from the scene. Lost in his thoughts, Aliza suddenly tapped his shoulder with excitement. Zak, slightly annoyed by the interruption, opened his narrow, upturned eyes. Despite expecting another attempt to point out someone attractive, he followed her gaze. Amidst the dim blue lights and b
The car fell into a momentary silence before Daphne's voice pierced the quiet, her tone now more mysterious than before, a subtle smile gracing her lips as she began, "I remember, back then..." Zak anticipated her words. It was widely known that he had once pursued Daphne unsuccessfully, a fact acknowledged by both of them. Zak couldn't help but find the situation ridiculous. Could he have truly left such an impression on Daphne that, even after all these years and despite her being married, he couldn't shake her from his mind? Zak chuckled before interjecting, "Daphne, what are you trying to say?" Daphne's voice trailed off. "I simply acted out of a sense of duty, giving you a ride home. Do you honestly believe I still have feelings for you? Please don't misunderstand; I would extend the same courtesy to a stranger in need." Zak said. Daphne struggled to find her words, prompting Zak to add, "I've long moved on from the uncertainties of my youth." When coupled with the word "you