Chapter 13 Thinking about him
“Hello, boss,” came the voice on the other end.
Alex opened the door and stepped down from the car, pacing around, his finger tapping on the body of the car.
“Dan, I need you to do something for me.” Alex’s voice was cold and clipped.
“Listen,” he said. “I need you to investigate something immediately. I was served a spiked juice tonight at Club Unite. Annie ended up drinking it.”
His tone darkened.
“Secondly, another guy was served a spiked cocktail near the dance floor. And the guy was affected badly by it. Two separate incidents, possibly connected. I want a deep dive. Pull the club’s security footage—VIP lounge, bar section, and hallway near Room 443. I need everything from the last three hours. Don’t ask questions, just get it to me. Starting from when I entered the club, around 9 PM. I want the bastards who did this caught and arrested. Got it?”
“Yes, boss,” Dan replied with urgency.
Alex ended the call without another word, shoved the phone in his pocket, and strode toward the hospital entrance.
Inside, he found Annie already stabilized and resting. The doctor assured him she was out of danger, though mildly sedated. After settling the bills and speaking with the staff, Alex led the group out. The drive home was quiet.
In the car, Alex turned to the others. “No one tells our parents anything. Not yet. I’ve put Dan on it, so we’ll find out who did this. You guys are to keep it calm until then.”
Everyone nodded.
At Benson's residence that night
Back at Benson's, Alex couldn’t rest. His mind spun restlessly between Annie’s brush with danger and the guy he left in that room. “God, I hope he’s okay. I should’ve gotten his name and number.” He whispered to himself.
He settled on the couch in his room, eyes shut, trying to calm the storm inside him.
Jason peeked in quietly, seeing his cousin sitting still, brows furrowed, muscles tense. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him without making a sound.
Alex didn’t react right away even when he knew Jason had stepped in. After a few seconds, without opening his eyes, he muttered, “What do you want, Jason?”
Jason chuckled, not surprised by how quickly his presence had been detected. “May I come in, big bro?” he teased with a light knock—despite already being halfway into the room.
Alex exhaled through his nose. “You’re already in, genius. Just say what you came to say—if it’s worth hearing.”
Jason stepped in fully and sat beside him on the couch. “Well, I’m just a bit worried about you,” he began carefully. “I know you're pissed about the spiked drink. Anyone would be—but I’ve been watching you. There’s more eating at you than that. It’s about that guy, you’re still worried about him, aren’t you?” Jason asked softly.
Alex didn’t flinch or move. Just silence.
Jason waited, then added with a smirk, “Fine, let’s just spill it. You claimed you didn’t even know him, but bro I know you're worried sick about the guy.
Alex’s eyes opened slowly. He turned to Jason, his voice calm but loaded. “Yes, Mr. Gossip Addict, I’m worried about him. You wanna know why?”
Jason leaned in.
“Tell me—what kind of father drugs his own son, sends a damn escort after him just to make sure he ‘stops being a virgin’ or whatever twisted agenda he has?” His voice cracked with disbelief and disgust. “The guy didn't even know they had such plans for him. What if I hadn’t been there? What if no one had been?”
Jason blinked, stunned. “What? Wait… the guy was drugged by his own father? That’s next-level sickness.”
Alex nodded slowly, the weight in his eyes heavy. “It seems it wasn't the first time his father did that to him. He said he hates parties because of that. He sounded broken, man, but to my surprise, he said he liked my scent. He said I was different and wanted me to stay with him. He even refused to go home. He kept calling me cutie and even asked me to give him his first kiss.”
“What? That would have been sweet if he were sober.” Jason chortled,
rubbed his face, then paused as the pieces clicked. “Oh my jinkies... You think he’s gay… and the dad knows. Or suspects. So the whole escort move was some deranged ‘fix’ attempt?”
Alex nodded again, jaw tight.
Jason exhaled, stunned. “Damn, that’s messed up beyond words.” Then, with a frown, “And you—why do I feel like this is really messing with you?”
Alex didn’t answer. He just leaned back, eyes lost in thought again.
Jason’s brows lifted. “Oh mine. Bro… don’t tell me you’re catching feelings.”
“You’re missing my point, Jason!” Alex snapped, his eyes flaring with anger. “That man has no right to mess with his son's life using drugs just because he doesn’t fit into his damn expectations.”
Jason nodded, expression darkening. “Yeah, I mean, what if those drugs react badly? That stuff isn’t a joke. Should I try digging into who the psycho dad is?”
“Not yet,” Alex replied firmly. “I saw a girl hand him the cocktail—and later, a masked man took him away. That’s what made me follow. That’s when I found him messy, and pieced it together. Anyway, Dan’s already on it. He’ll be reviewing the Unite Club’s security feed. Once I know who was involved, I’ll decide the next move.”
Jason whistled. “Damn. Alright then. It’s a solid plan. Stop stressing, though. Let Dan do his job.” He got up from the couch and stretched. “Try to get some sleep, big bro. Good night.”
“Yeah, yeah. You too,” Alex muttered, standing and letting out a deep yawn.
Jason started toward the door, then paused with a cheeky grin playing on his lips. “Hey, bro... just curious.”
Alex glanced at him, one brow raised. “Now what?”
Jason smiled. “Tell me something—what does this mystery guy look like? Is he, you know... pretty?”
Alex narrowed his eyes. “And why exactly do you want to know? Don’t tell me you’re switching teams.”
Jason burst out laughing. “Relax, man! It’s just curiosity. Is he tall? Sexy? Curly brown hair? Clean, smooth skin? A sweet voice that could melt iron?”
Alex gave him a long, tired stare. “Jason…”
Jason laughed harder, already backing out the door. “That’s a yes! You didn’t deny it!”
“Get out,” Alex said, grabbing a pillow and launching it at him.
Jason dodged it and grinned. “Night, lover boy!”
Alex shook his head, but couldn’t hide the smirk tugging at his lips as the door shut behind his nosy little cousin.
Alex stifled a laugh and stretched. “I need a shower. Good night, Jason.”
But Jason wasn’t done. He grinned mischievously and stepped inside again. “Oh my jinkies… he is a beautiful guy, isn’t he? Come on, bro, don’t leave me hanging!”
Alex rolled his eyes, walking toward the bathroom.
Jason trailed behind him, hands clasped like he was pleading. “Seriously, I won’t sleep tonight if you don’t satisfy this burning curiosity inside me. I saw that little smirk—you smiled when I described him, which means I nailed it!”
Alex paused at the bathroom door. “Jason, you already said goodnight. Please go to your room. And for the record, yes… he’s a beautiful guy. But he’s too young. And mind you, he was drugged—completely out of it, like someone who’d had way too much alcohol. We barely exchanged proper words.”
He stressed again, “Too. Damn. Young.”
Jason chuckled under his breath. “Hmm, age is just a number, bro.” Then he leaned closer, voice low and dramatic. “Tell me the last thing—just one more. Did he get his first kiss?”
“Jason…”