No One Will Ever Hurt You Again I Promise-Chapter 33: What Lucian Is Up To

Why don’t you invite your friends over, we’re not savages here after all. They pick you up every morning and drop you back every evening.

The boys were surprised to find their father greeting them outside the large front door like the maids and their butlers do and the words he spoke were even more shocking than seeing him at the entrance.

What’s up with him, Ayke asks his brother through their bond, while giving each other shocked and worried looks. He spent the week pushing us to make conversation with him. Why does he suddenly notice us, it’s creepy, don’t you think?

I don’t know, but we’ll find out very soon what he’s up to, or maybe it’s his wife’s absence that weighs too much on him. he felt the need for some company. I warn you, I don’t babysit and nothing will get me into his little game, ok. His brother replies.

What, are you ignoring me?

Oh, he’s still there. Ayke exclaimed, rolling his eyes, bored.

Yes, I’m still here, his father replied, and I’m not going to magically disappear. I asked that they don’t let them leave, so we can have dinner together tonight. Give me your friends’ number, let’s say their parent’s number so I can let them know they’ll be home a bit late tonight because I’m inviting them to have dinner with us...

He couldn’t finish his sentence when their phone started vibrating in their pocket. A message from Howie explaining that they can’t get out because the gate doesn’t seem to work.

Leave them alone, they don’t want to have dinner with us or anyone else, let them go home.

They have been taking care of your transport for a few weeks and you seem to love their company, so I would like to know the friends of my sons, is there a problem with that gentlemen?

Why do you suddenly care about what we do and who we do it with, what’s on your mind? If you want to play one of your dirty tricks on us, believe me, Mr. Morgenstern, you picked up the wrong day and the wrong opponents.

Hey, calm down guys, I came in peace, and you don’t need to address me as you do. I am your father and it never bothered me to hear you call me daddy. It’s just your mother’s rule, on my side everything is perfect. Call me daddy, I like the sound back then.

Address me as you hear it one by one or in one voice as you have just done. I don’t want to deprive you of what makes you who you are. I just want to eat with my sons and meet their friends, I have no tricks up my sleeve.

The roar of the Taycan’s engine caught their attention, and they turned at the same time to meet the gaze of a pissed-off Howie, his head poking out the window.

He’s been waiting in front of the gate for a long time without anyone daring to open that damn electronic gate and the boys couldn’t respond to his text.

They rush towards the car which is parked not far from where they had remained planted to discuss with their father, on the defensive.

Hey dude, whispered Aike, we’re sorry about all this, as you can see we’re still outside.

I believe our father has set an ambush for us and he wants you to have dinner with us. We don’t know what he’s up to and that pisses us off a bit.

You don’t have to listen to him, let’s go together, we go up with you because we know the access codes to the gate, and we can open it manually for you.

No, don’t worry, Howie replies, let’s see what he wants from us. so we’ll know what to expect, okay?

Are you sure you want to do this? we don’t care what his intentions are as long as you stay off his radar.

Hey, calm down, you’re starting to worry too much about me, I feel like I’ve had two dads, for the past few weeks. I didn’t think you were that protective, Howie teased.

Since the match, Aike and his brother’s behavior toward Howie become increasingly protective and they are super attentive to him. They don’t care what the other kids think of them.

It is as if they were being pulled toward him by an unstoppable magnetic force. They don’t let him be the only one to worry about them, they do everything to prevent him from coming into conflict with Todd or Hugg who do everything to try to trap him, or to get him to make a mistake as he pushes them out of their hinges. they want to play the same game as him...

Even the teachers were surprised by the protective barrier they erected around him and El continues to curse these two who remind him why Lyke preferred Lugh over him.

Well then, will we get out of this damn car, or you will continue this little caring game under your father’s eyes who is waiting for you impatiently? An annoying El intervenes before getting out of the car without even waiting for H’s answer.

Why has he been getting so irritated these past few days? it looks like he’s changed, I don’t find him as happy and carefree as before, Ayke whispered, which didn’t prevent El from hearing everything.

Howie, in his turn, got out of the car, he glances at El who avoids looking at them by fixing his gaze straight ahead, it looked like he was challenging Lucian but in truth, he does not even notice him.

Of course, he was looking in his direction but his mind was elsewhere, far from Lucian.

Don’t worry about him, Howie whispered back to them, he is just seeking a little attention.

He had noticed that whenever the twins undertook to do something or any gesture extremely intimate or caring about him, the beating of El’s heart and his breathing quicken, not to mention the drops of sweat that bead his temples and forehead, but it is rare to see him sweating during hours of training.

Lucian on his side had not been able to notice the particularity and the crazy charm of Howie the first time he met him he was in a hurry and he had no time for clashes between teenagers. These are things his wife normally handles and everything to do with Wood Hill.

So what he has in front of him is completely outrageous and insane. No one, he said no one, not even a girl has such beauty when he doesn’t even look like a girl.

What is this madness, is he real? Has he undergone any aesthetic surgery? No, it’s absurd, no doctor can do such a good job, there is no human intervention in what I have in front of me, he says shaking his head in disbelief.

And the other with his white hair, he should look like an old man. I’ve always hated seeing youngsters wearing white or gray shades. I have always said that he ages them but he is the opposite and since when Wood Hill had so many young boys who can take your breath away with a mere look at them, they have that kind of beauty that exceeds any ethical, social and human standard.

Luckily my boys aren’t ugly and I can even be very proud because they’re handsome, very handsome. But I assume to say, those two aren’t human, there aren’t any humans who are so exquisite.

When he sees them walking towards him, with their impeccable cadence and posture, slender and distinguished silhouette. He can’t take his eyes off of them, yet all he wants is to look away, otherwise, they’ll take him for a pervert or some kind of creepy father.

I just want to bond with my kids, not scare them away by shaming them in front of their friends. he says mentally by trying with all his needs to look elsewhere.

Howie and Bravael smell the odor resulting from his anxiety.

He smells really bad, Bravael commented grumpily between his teeth with clenched jaws.

He knows very well why Lucian is smelly, but that’s not what interests him at the moment. Howie gave him another sideways glance when he heard his comment.

You know very well that he is anxious, why make such a comment? Howie asked him, a conversation that cannot be heard by human ears. And you, when you stress your ass out do you smell like roses, do you think so?

Never mind El replied, right now he’s the only one making me nauseous by insulting my sense of smell with such a shitty smell. And why exactly is he stressing out, wasn’t he the one who wanted us to stay? They are all creepy in this family in the end.

What’s wrong? H asked him, stepping unconsciously in his direction, why are you insulting them? What did they do to you to change your attitude towards them? you treat them like crap and they never made you feel uncomfortable, not even once. Howie growled, clenching his fists.

But he still keeps the conversation going between them. the twins in front of them couldn’t notice a thing in their quiet little clash.

They didn’t do anything to me, I’m sorry El replied a little sad at the state Howie got himself into just because he made a derogatory and stupid comment about his friend’s father. He shifted a little to the side to avoid him.

From experience, he knows he shouldn’t confront Howie when he’s pissed off. He wonders what it will be like later when he decides to indulge them like they once were.

Bravael knows only too well that the human body secretes two types of sweat, when humans are in a panic or when they are oppressed by stress, or even in a moment of worry, the body will secrete sweat through the apocrine glands, which are normally located in the armpits, in the anus, on the skin, and around the nipples.

This sweat is milky and greasy because it contains fatty substances and pheromones. It is rich in nutrient which promotes bacteria and it is for this reason that it has a unpleasant smell, for those who have an overdeveloped sense of smell it is ten times worse.

This is different from the sweat secreted by the eccrine glands which are often caused by exertion or exercise.

But at the time that’s not what he wanted to think about, he finds that the Morgensterns are starting to come out of his eyes. The way they act around H as if he belongs to them bothers him yet they have no idea who they really are and they are already very possessive of him.

How would it be when they learn who they are and who he is? For him, it will become unbearable the day they will find out who they are and who Howie is, and everything he went through before will come back to haunt him once again.

He slipped his hands into the pockets of his white jogger like Howie except that the latter wears black all day long apart from his uniform which changes the game every morning.

He wears a ribbons harem jogger which highlights his figure and he looks a lot like a player in this jogger so his bad-boy side that he has been displaying for a few days is becoming more and more enticing and attractive.

His father no longer complains about the piercings, it’s not worth it at all cause every time he talks to him about them, he makes a new one so he decided to wait for him to pass the stage to come back as before on his own free will if he ever will of course.

He still hopes that he will do it one day before Philipe finds out because he didn’t report it to his father, he’s a teenager, and it’s the teenage crisis, he said to himself. Philipe himself has had his share of piercings, it was the Belle Époque, he thought while displaying a small smirk.

They come up to Lucian who is starting to relax a bit. he never had to receive his children’s friends because they didn’t have any. And for the first time in sixteen years, they had a friend who cared about them.

He wants to find out the intention behind this sudden friendship. Above all, he didn’t expect to see two boys who look nothing alike, but at the same time look alike like two drops of water because they have the same effect on those who look at them, they exude a particular aura, which frightens and attracts you at the same time, it’s a little disturbing for Lucian.

However, he notices that they are almost as tall as each other except that one is a half-breed and the other is a tall, dark brunette with piercing eyes like an eagle, who exudes an assurance that is almost scary.

Both are endowed with an extremely confusing beauty that can push others into a great form of depression. One wears his hair tied up in a bun, which appears to be very long, and the other wears it loose down his back, but his hair is white dreadlocks.

these two alone represent a biological scandal, what could have happened to Wood Hill since I left?

His whole life he has never seen such a sight, then doubt comes to hover in his mind that makes him frown.

And if one of them was that famous Howie who didn’t deign to show up at the time to this meeting, after ripping the poor Hugg’s wrists to shreds?

Provided that he is the half-breed, the dark-haired boy is far too confusing, there is something about him that is frightening. Way too calm for a teenager, and all those piercings blinding me.

No, even Maryse will find it difficult to keep calm in front of this kid who exudes insolence, confidence, and above all arrogance. Worse would be if what the rumors say is true. Provided that all this story is nonsense invented to harm my twins.

Without knowing it Lucian has a lot of expectations but we are afraid that he will be disappointed...

The boys have a few minutes waiting for him while he’s lost in thought, frowning. Aike and Ayke eventually got tired of calling him, they let him stand in front of the entrance with his thoughts and dragged the other two behind them inside.

What’s got into him all of a sudden? Ayke asks, glancing over his shoulder.

Is your father always so weird? El questioned them, repeating the same gesture as Ayke.

We’d like to know which fly bit him today, Aike replies, but don’t worry about him, we’ll soon know what he’s got in mind.

The butler rushed to the entrance, casting a worried look at the boys who had the nerve to let the master of the housing crash on the landing. He is especially afraid that their attitude will cause them much more problems.

Already Lucian has taken the initiative to invite his son’s friends to have dinner with him, which is definitely not a good sign though the latter.

Are my sons gay? Whispered Lucian without realizing it, he was still lost in thought.

He had insisted on welcoming the boys back from school, which is why the butler and the other staff members were busy with their respective activities, especially since Lucian told them of his intentions.

El and Howie effortlessly pick up the whisper of Lucian who is unaware of what he just said, the butler scratched his throat to announce his presence for fear of making a sudden move.

El glanced at Howie to see his reaction, but he showed no sign of any, and he knew very well that he heard what the father of his kittens just said.

El rolled his eyes, that boy is worse than Lyke himself the two of them combined aren’t a good thing for the rest of the world. He followed the twins to the playroom they hadn’t set foot in for a decade.

You’re going to stay here until he comes to his senses, Aike explained to them, inviting them to step into the room. the room is richly decorated, they have at their disposal the different versions of PlayStation and other game consoles that they have never touched since their friend was found dead in excruciating pain.

Everything about the room, from its size to the monstrous amount of money they had to spend on getting the boys all those things they never touched, screams how rich the Morgensters are, just a simple playroom for two children. the rest we are not even going to discuss...

Only one part of this large hall caught H’s attention, He was the second person to cross the threshold of the door. He senses the twins’ reluctance towards the room. He went to the corner where stands a whole set of musical instruments ready to serve and well maintained. he takes his place behind the grand piano, leaving the twins in the doorway.

This room reminds them how cruel their mother can be when she doesn’t have what she wants and their father how good he is at closing his eyes to the things that happen before his eyes and how much he vows unconditional love to their mother.

Her word is the way to go, and he always acts on her needs. But he had the presence of mind to try to cover the lack or the void that the loss of the puppy had left in the boys’ lives. He has never seen them laugh since that incident, although he never really knew what happened to this poor animal.

He went to their room in the evening to caress their little heads, he often found them together in a single bed but he never mentioned it to his wife, at one point he had the cameras removed which opened into the hall leading to their rooms.

But one thing is sure if Maryse was not ready or in a hurry to have children, for him it was the least of things, he wanted them.

He kept hoping that one day they would find their childish joy, and their carelessness, but unfortunately that day never saw the light of day. On the other hand, he continues to keep the room up to date despite his wife’s protests.

Howie takes a seat behind the grand piano, while El plugs in one of the virtual headphones he spotted from the doorway, to each his own after all.

He plays Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K. 545, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart which is one of his most famous piano sonatas. It is nicknamed Easy Sonata or Simple Sonata. Mozart listed the work in his catalog on June 26, 1788, along with his Symphony No. 39.

The symphony rises in the room like a breath before invading the house, the twins remained standing on the threshold without moving but their fingers itch, and they feel like tingles in their bodies, they don’t know why, but each time H finds himself behind a piano, they have only one desire to join him, to become one with him. And his way of playing and his musical tastes are revitalizing.

The boys rarely play when they are at home and when they do it, it’s sure there is no one but their maids around, and mostly they use the music room instead of the game room.

When they heard the sonata rise in the villa, they had like a step back in time and everything told them that the music comes directly from the playroom. this playroom, which saw them laughing and fooling around a while ago ten years from now. Without knowing how their steps lead them all to a single point, they waited a long time to see them enter this room that they had deserted.

Lucian was surprised to hear music playing in the house after so many years and especially from the playroom it just made him hurry, he was eager to see them at work without them feeling forced to do it for someone else’s sake.

But he was flabbergasted when he arrived in front of the room, just as Aike slipped his hand into his brother’s in search of comfort, after all, he was the one who showed himself strong when they discovered the tragedy.

Ayke trapped his icy fingers in his hand, he felt him quiver at his touch. At the same step, they cross the threshold of the room under the dumbfounded gaze of their father who had stopped not far from them, making himself very small for fear that he would bother them, leaving them a little space.

For the first time Lucian feels invaded by such joy, tears streamed down his face that he is unable to restrain his butler who was on his heels handed him a handkerchief which he grabbed, he blew his nose noisily like a kid without worrying about how his staff looks at him.

So who’s at the piano? He asks, glaring at the butler, who took a step back, handing him the crumpled and disgusting handkerchief that the latter takes from his hands without blinking or grimacing.

He saw him grow up, so it’s not the first time he’s found himself in these situations with Lucian. As a child he was turbulent and had his heart in hand but since he met his wife he has completely changed for better and for worse.

Don’t let it be the bad boy, he heard himself whisper as he progressed towards the entrance of the room.

Ah, my dear Lucian, you’re kidding yourself, if you hope it’s someone else, El commented, gritting his teeth.

Lucian should have known it a long time ago, however, all our wishes are not necessarily achievable, and often it is those that we reject with all might that comes our way, mouth shaping in heart form.

He stopped dead in the doorway when he recognized the well-built figure dressed in black leaning over the piano.

Why do I stubbornly believe something else, actually it’s him. artists, geniuses, virtuosos, they’re all kind of off-kilter, right?

So among all the teenagers that Wood Hill abounds, it had to be him, this heartthrob with Olympian charm?

He ran a nervous hand through his hair, he cast a worried glance around him as if he was afraid that something would appear out of nowhere in the middle of the room to disturb the painting.

His boys are back in the playroom, and it’s not thanks to him and his miscellaneous expenses that his wife didn’t find reasonable. but thanks to this boy who plays the piano like a god, birds of a feather flock together, it’s finally true.

The trio continues to play the sonata together without hitting a single wrong note.

I doubt they trained together, comments Lucian who leaned against the door frame, his arms crossed on his chest. I have one last wish that they aren’t gay, Maryse won’t be able to bear it and I don’t want to see my babies sad and suffer yet another martyrdom.

This wish did not cross his lips, he kept it to himself because they often say what we wish on our heart, hide from malicious ears will eventually come true.

A good five minutes have passed since the three of them started playing, while the tense Bravael can no longer concentrate on his game. he is listening to Lucian mutter his thoughts aloud.

He feels that the latter will not be one hundred percent against the possibility that his sons are gay, but there is something else that torments him and he cannot get his hands on it.

He also knows that Howie’s physique worries him, not to mention this disguise he wears to hide what he feels, he’s Howie, isn’t he? He does everything he wants and even if he’s scared he won’t show it unless there’s someone he feels completely safe with and blindly trusts.

When they finished the performance, murmurs rose behind them, and Howie felt the change in temperature, all the tension that amplified the air fell. Now it’s more viable less tense and everyone here seems to breathe better even Lucian perceived the change in the atmosphere.

He turned back to the members of his staff who had gathered to listen to the boys play for their pleasure after so many years of seclusion. He applauds, making a sign for them to imitate him, they all accompany him with warm smiles drawing over their faces, sincere smiles like the one drawn on Lucian’s lips, after all, it’s him that contaminated the others.

The boys smile discreetly, they remember why they love music so much, why they liked to play it when they were young. Ayke put his arm around Howie’s shoulder who leaned his head against his shoulder before pulling it back as quickly as he put it down to repeat the same gesture with Aike.

While Lucian thought he had something when he saw Howie repeat the same gesture with Aike, he understood that it was nothing but a gesture of encouragement and congratulations, surely, because they made very nice work with this sonata, Mozart himself would agree to bring this touch.

Howie is about to get up when Aike grabs his hand, he releases it as quickly as he grabbed it from the current that electrocuted him.

A small purple light like lightning materializes under their eyes, and the pentacle engraved on H’s forehead began to shine in a short time during the impact, but weakly.

Only Howie noticed it, it happened so fast that the twins didn’t have time to notice it and Bravael felt its power. He tore the VR headset from his eyes and put it down, he took a quick look around to take control of the situation.

All was quiet no one else but the four of them witnessed what just happened, although El only felt the power of the pentacle, it was his experience that pushed him to understand that something that didn’t shouldn’t just happen.

He got up and walked over to the little trio who still can’t believe what just happened, speechless Howie stares at his hand while Aike and his brother keep staring back at him. What was that? Ayke finally articulated as his eyes widened.

I don’t know, Howie muttered between his teeth, the first time he felt this sensation was before the game when the boys refused to go to class without him but she was less strong, maybe it’s because of the door that separated them, he thinks.

It must be said that since his merger he avoids the embarrassing situations in which he appeared with the twins, like holding their hands, teasing them relentlessly, playing word games with Ayke, or putting Aike in situations that make him surrender to him. And they see each other less than before, fortunately for him.

But now he doubts that this peace will last long, they will do everything to understand why there was this flash while their two hands were touching.

We have to go home now, El whispers to him, just behind him, leaning on his shoulder.

Excuse me for interrupting your little one-on-one, gentlemen, but no one is leaving, or at least not until I decide.

El executed an about-face, he came face to face with Lucian who had to stop abruptly not to collide with him. Ah, youth and their energy, I had almost forgotten that part, yet I’m not that old. Not long ago I was like you but today look at me, I’m stuffed up and old-fashioned.

I don’t think you’re old-fashioned, sir, replied El, who inhaled a good mint-fresh smell from Lucian’s breath. He had fresh breath like a child and he is quite handsome. His children inherited his features but their refinement and delicacy must come from their mother. The mother must be a beauty too, to tell the truth, the twins are rather beautiful.

That too, with age we lose it, the breath of old people no longer smells as good and refreshing as before. It smells old and musty, like old wet socks mixed with rum or whiskey.

I am of another opinion sir, you are very young and even very handsome, he said sweetly. He has time ahead of him like Marc, they are young. he thinks And he wanted to tease him but he resists this stupid urge that’s nagging him, he doesn’t want to create problems for Howie.

Thank you replies Lucian, flattered. Hearing such a compliment from a teenager is rare, they call, "old geezers", anyone who is at least three years older than them.

El shifted to the side to let him pass, Lucian was surprised to see him react so he was no longer defensive like a trapped animal when he rushed towards them a moment ago. Ok muttered Lucian, he looks a bit like Aike.

He approached the trio who hadn’t moved, a little shaken by what had just happened.

But Lucian’s voice is enough to snap them out of their trance and put them in a bad mood all of a sudden, when he started talking to them, the three of them suddenly stood up as if they synchronized their movement, and turned to face Lucian who keeps nitpicking about the similarities between his sons and this creepy boy.

He is staring at them one by one. No one cannot be as seductive, handsome, and charismatic as he is despite his childish features to be so gifted on top of that. He might leave a little to others, for God’s sake!

I bet he is the student Celine sells the merits and looking at him that close isn’t a good idea for anyone, he is definitely not one of those people who from a distance seem attractive to you but up close breaks the spell. He has everything, really everything.

Lucian crosses his arms and starts looking Howie up and down. He seeks to intimidate him by taking his head as an influential businessman who has been on the cover of Forbes for ten years in a row. It’s not a pimply little teenager who’s going to steal his spotlight.

H’s wicked smile tugged at the corner of his lips when he noticed Lucian’s attempt to intimidate him. El perceived the smile which announces nothing good, he intervenes in the small confrontation which is on the point of taking place in front of him.

Certainly, Mr. Morgenstern would feel humiliated if he let Howie play this game with him. He smells the scent emanating from Lucian, he was fully in his role and he believes in his abilities. And Howie loves people who think they’re resourceful enough in arrogance to compete with him.

He was a little stooped, he straightened up in all his glory, he slipped his hands in his pockets his gray-green eyes seem to glow a little more and were very pronounced.

Lucian jumped, he hadn’t noticed he was so tall, he misjudged the opponent and now he felt like he was facing a giant, he felt compelled to raise his head towards him because he towers squarely over him with his tall figure.

Howie crossed the luxurious piano bench behind which he was stuck with the twins, he passed very close and even really too close to Lucian for the latter to feel his shadow covering him.

El clenched his fists until he felt his knuckles hurt, and the twins are amused, they are enjoying the show crossing their arms like their father who can’t believe he has been swept away with a backhand by a little brat barely out of his mother’s breasts.

He tilted his head to one side with a question on his face, he blinked and then lifted his head. I can’t believe it, did he just treat me like one of his classmates, he wonders, gradually regaining his pride, torn to pieces by this insolent toddler.

I don’t like this kid at all.