Fate, My Old Friend
The black sedan rolled down the campus unhurriedly, its tinted windows providing shade against the sunny morning. Inside, Sulien watched the campus buildings disappear gradually in the rearview mirror, and leaned back on the seat. The faint scent of smoke still clung to his clothes. His eyes were half-lidded, and his foot tapped against the floor in thought.
Earlier, he had been ready to drive straight back to the estate. His plans for the day had already been laid out for him. He was free that afternoon and had thought about just sinking into his bathtub until all the fatigue he felt had drowned under the hot bath.
Grimm drove in silence, his hands steady on the wheel, eyes on the empty road. The quiet hum of the engine filled the awkward silence between the two men until, halfway through the highway, Sulien’s phone buzzed.
A message lit the screen. It was a text from one of his lackeys.
\[The crates have been dropped off, sir. The Orlov’s men say the boarding site is clear. Waiting for confirmation\]
Sulien read this indifferently. It was just another report on the task he had ordered his men to do. He was about to lock his phone screen when another message notification came in.
\[Location: Old boarding site, east wing of XX University\]
Sulien’s lips curved immediately. He had no interest in running errands for the Orlovs, but Valeriya had requested it as a peace offering for when she talks with her father. She insisted the goods be placed at a site that was convenient for her for pickup.
Sulien tapped the edge of his phone against his knee rhythmically. His men had reported the delivery as successful; There was nothing unusual about it. But the location caught his attention.
XX University. That was Snow’s school, the very campus he had just left a while ago. What were the odds? Just when he was thinking of ways to keep meeting with him.
He allowed himself a small laugh, it was low and amused. Then looked up at Grimm.
“Drive back,” he instructed Grimm.
Grimm glanced at him in the mirror, his brows knitted. “We’re going back?”
“Mm. Campus.” Sulien’s fingers drummed once more before he let the phone slip into his pocket. “I think fortune has decided to be generous today.”
The car slowed before circling back towards the campus. Sulien rested his chin against his hand, his fingers brushing his mouth in thought. A smile tugged at his lips again. He didn’t know why, but he was suspiciously excited.
By the time the car screeched to a stop outside the forgotten edge of the school grounds, Sulien was already in motion. He got down from the car, his gaze sweeping past the rusted chain-linked fence to the van parked beyond it. The old building stood nearby, with its washed-up bricks and its paint curling and peeling like dried bark.
He ordered Grimm to wait, then slipped his hands into his pockets and walked through the gates. He had not yet reached the van when a movement at the far corner of the building caught his attention.
The figure he saw was careless and looked to be on guard, but his outline was something Sulien could not mistake. He stood in the distance, surrounded by men in overalls. His men.
Sulien’s eyes narrowed as a ripple of amusement tugged at his chest.
Ah. What a sight.
Then he thought of something. He could use this. The solution to his problem was right in front of him. All the pieces fit so neatly together that he wanted to laugh.
Good. This works for me. It all works for me.
He walked gingerly to the scene.
“...hello?”
“...Mr. Vargrave?”
“Vargrave?”
Snow called again. They were talking not too long ago but Sulien had suddenly zoned out.
“Can you hear me? You said they stole from you.” he repeated slowly after confirming that Sulien had come back to his senses.
“Mn,” Sulien’s tone was calm, almost casual, but his eyes stayed on Snow’s face, watching every twitch, every faint change in expression. “Merchandise. Nothing you need to worry about. I only came to take it back.”
Snow’s brows drew together faintly, as though he could sense something off in what Sulien had said. But he said nothing more, only shifted his weight from one foot to the other, the dampness of his earlier crawl through the grass still clinging stubbornly to his clothes. His hair had grown slightly dishevelled, strands falling against his forehead.
“Ah…” Snow hummed faintly under his breath. He still didn’t believe Sulien, but he still decided to acknowledge it. He wasn’t going to push further. At least not now.
Instead, his lips pressed to a thin line as if in thought. Then he tilted his head lazily, his lashes lowering once again.
“Convenient timing,” he said, his voice mild but edged.
Sulien’s answer came smoothly and laced with amusement.
“It all worked out, no?” He smiled, pleased at himself and the outcome. He was left with something far better than a successful delivery. Snow himself.
And just like that, the lie settled neatly between them. Snow’s about his “project,” and Sulien’s about his “stolen goods.”
Sulien let his gaze rest there longer than he should have. The boy’s stubborn blankness, the way he cloaked himself with indifference, seemed nothing but… cute to him. He was greatly interested in this person, and he was going to find a way to get them. Just then, he realized that the boy in front of him kept shaking like a leaf. It was most likely that the cold had gotten to him.
“You’re shivering,” Sulien said softly.
Snow blinked, his mouth tightening. “It’s nothing.”
“Mm,” Sulien hummed, a smile pulling at the corner of his lips. “Nothing, yet you look half drowned.”
Snow exhaled in annoyance but didn’t say anything. He only dropped his gaze, brushing the dirt from his hands as though he could scrub away the awkwardness of standing before this man.
What did he mean half drowned? He was clearly exaggerating to get a reaction from him.
Before he knew it, there was a thick coat draped around him. Sulied had slipped off his coat and put it on Snow.
“Wear that or you’ll catch a cold. And it’s okay, you don’t have to thank me” Sulien raised his hand slightly, faking being humble.
Snow’s expression immediately turned bitter. What the fuck was wrong with this guy?
“My card is also there in the pockets. If you ever decide to visit, to talk about my stolen goods and your research work,” his voice dropped lower, as if whispering. “You’ll find me here.”
Snow looked at Sulien as if wondering where he got all that arrogance and confidence from. He couldn’t help but think that his confidence level was enough to rival Jamie’s, and that said a lot. Still, it was all working out in his favour. He needed a chance to have access to Sulien. Who knew he’d be presented with that opportunity by Sulien himself?
His fingers searched the innards of the coat and touched the hard card that was tucked in it. Slowly, he took out the card.
His gaze skimmed the address printed there. The Vexley Estate.
Snow’s lips parted, just barely. He certainly didn’t expect this. His eyes lifted again, disbelief flickering for an instant. “You’re… inviting me to your home?”
Sulien leaned closer, he seemed quite proud of himself. “I don’t invite just anyone, Snow. You should feel honoured.”
Snow scoffed under his breath, tucking the card away. “Is that so…?.”
Sulien’s smile deepened. “Either way, I’ll be expecting you.”
Before Snow could reply, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the moment. Grimm had walked up to them, his tall frame cutting across the light. He glanced first at Sulien, then swept over at Snow. His eyes narrowing slightly, before returning to his master.
“You took your time,” Grimm said flatly.
Sulien straightened, his hands slipping back into his pockets as though nothing had passed between him and Snow. “We’re finished.” He said, dismissing any other thing Grimm was going to say.
Grimm’s gaze lingered on Snow, assessing him. He didn’t voice his thoughts out of Sulien’s dismissive tone, but the faint crease between his brows spoke of how he truly felt.
Snow, for his part, only returned the look with a faintly sour expression, the damp chill still clinging to his clothes, but the coat provided warmth. He inhaled the scent of cedar and tobacco from it.
Sulien turned back, his smile returning, though this time it was less playful. “Don’t forget,” he said quietly to Snow. “The gates of the estate will open for you. Anytime.”
With that, he pivoted smoothly and fell into step beside Grimm, leaving Snow standing by the wall.
They walked in silence until they reached the car. Grimm opened the door for Sulien, but before he could climb in, Grimm finally spoke.
“Was that wise?” His voice was low, laced with disapproval. “Showing interest like that. And more importantly, inviting him to the Vexley Estate? To a civilian?”
Sulien paused, one foot inside the car, and tilted his head back to look at him. His smile was slow and dangerous. He didn’t say anything, just looked meaningfully at Grimm.
A civilian? Sulien thought to himself. Snow didn’t flinch or cower in fear when he was surrounded by his men. Though he couldn’t tell if that was blind bravery or not. But most importantly, when Snow had seen the address on the card, he wasn’t surprised by who Sulien actually was. It was like he knew who he was. Most people already know the name Sulien Vexley as one of the top Mafia leaders in the UK, but still, the normal reaction of anyone would be to show fear of his status. Not Snow.
If anything, he wasn’t just a normal civilian.
Sulien smiled at Grimm once more. He wasn’t going to pursue the matter for now, just enjoy the moment.
He slipped inside the car, settling comfortably before answering. “He attracts trouble wherever he goes, almost as if he calls for it. Do you really think he’s just another student? An ordinary civilian?”
“And besides…” Sulien’s voice grew softer, almost indulgent, “I chase after the things I want. If that means handing him the estate’s address, then so be it.” He let his gaze drift out the window, where Snow’s figure still lingered faintly in the distance. His smile went sharp again. “If he bores me, or if he becomes a problem… I’ll just kill him. It’s that simple.”
Grimm shut the car door, circling to the driver’s side. His expression was unreadable, but there was understanding in his eyes.
He had almost forgotten who Sulien Vexley was, and how ruthless he could be.
The Author Has Something to Say
Sulien: Did you see how honored he looked when i gave him my coat, Grimm?
Grimm: …I don't think...
Snow (off-screen, yelling): Who the fuck is honoured? Come take your fucking coat back!
Sulien (pleased): See? My benevolence knows no bounds.
Snow (Dumbfounded): …
Grimm (sighing deeply)