The hum of the private jet was the only thing filling the silence of the cabin. Aiden felt like a ghost on board; Damien had retreated to a workstation with his brothers, leaving Aiden to sit by a window staring at the clouds. Feeling the weight of the isolation, he pulled out his phone and FaceTimed Justine.
"What? You're actually on your way to Japan? Unbelievable," Justine exclaimed as soon as the video connected.
"Yeah…" Aiden sighed, leaning his head against the cool glass. "It happened so fast."
"Hey, what's wrong? You look like you're going to a funeral, not Tokyo."
"Nothing… just worried about Mom. She doesn't know where I am."
"Don't worry about that. I'll check in on her for you. Just focus on staying safe and being good, okay? Don't pick a fight with a billionaire."
Aiden managed a small, weary smile. "Thanks, Justine. I owe you."
"I totally envy you, though," Justine admitted, grinning. "Private jets and sushi? Sign me up."
"It's not all glamorous," Aiden countered. "I've been in this seat for over an hour already—it's a twelve-hour flight and nobody is talking to me."
"Not even… him?"
"No. Not a single word. I'm bored out of my mind."
"I understand, but you have to wait until you land. You need to behave, Aiden. Just sleep."
"Whatever… I'll try," Aiden muttered, ending the call. The exhaustion of the day finally won, and he drifted into a heavy sleep.
By the time they touched down in Japan, night had draped over the city. They were driven to a massive traditional-modern estate. As they entered the foyer, a butler bowed low.
"Welcome, sirs. Madam has been expecting you," the butler said.
"Madam?" Aiden whispered, blinking back sleep.
Damien didn't look at him. "Where is she?" he asked the butler sharply.
"In her study, sir. She requested you meet her immediately," Sean explained, stepping forward.
Damien pointed at Aiden. "Kate will lead him to his room. Make sure he has what he needs."
Aiden was too tired to argue. He followed a maid through a maze of hallways to a room that was larger than his entire dorm. He fell onto the bed and was out in seconds. Meanwhile, in the study, the three brothers greeted their grandmother.
"Grandma, how have you been?" Charlie asked, giving her a hug.
"I've been well, son. And how are your studies? I heard you've been busy."
"Stressful…" Charlie pouted. "Fourth year is trying to kill me."
"I trust you're keeping a low profile at the university?" the elderly woman asked, her eyes sharp.
"I was, ma… until today, when these two showed up in a motorcade to pick me up," Charlie replied sheepishly.
The grandmother turned her gaze to Damien. "And you brought someone new, Damien? Your new boy, perhaps?"
"Nah… just a boy," Damien replied curtly, avoiding her eyes.
"And you, Charles? Business?"
"All good, ma. But I might not be staying long," Charles added.
"I'm off as well," Madam Smith smiled, rising from her chair.
"To where?" Damien asked.
"A meeting, dear. Business never sleeps," she answered with a wink.
The next morning, the sun was high when the family gathered for breakfast. Damien noticed the empty chair next to him.
"Where is Aiden?" he asked a passing maid.
"Sir, he said he wasn't hungry and preferred to stay in his room," she explained.
Damien frowned and stood up, heading straight for Aiden's room. He found him sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at his phone.
"Why weren't you downstairs for breakfast?" Damien asked, leaning against the doorframe.
"I'm not hungry," Aiden mumbled without looking up.
"What's going on in that head of yours? You've been quiet since we landed."
"I just… I don't feel welcome here. I'm just some guy you kidnapped from a faculty hallway."
Damien sighed, stepping into the room.
"I understand. I may have overstepped by bringing you here like this, but I promise it won't happen again. Now come on—my grandmother is waiting, and you shouldn't keep her standing."
Reluctantly, Aiden followed him down. When they reached the table, Aiden bowed politely to Madam Smith.
"Have a seat, dear," she offered warmly. "You look a bit pale."
"Thank you, ma'am," Aiden replied, sliding into a chair.
As they ate, Charlie nudged Damien with his elbow. "Bro… aren't you going to introduce your guest properly?"
"Stop being mischievous, Charlie. It's up to him," Damien snapped. Then he looked at his grandmother. "Ma, meet Aiden. Aiden, this is my grandmother."
"Nice to meet you, ma'am," Aiden said respectfully.
"Likewise, dear. You must visit whenever you're in town," she smiled. "And what do you do back home?"
"I'm a student, and I run a small café for the university students," Aiden explained.
"That's lovely. A young entrepreneur. I can see why you're special," she beamed. "And where did you two meet? At a gala?"
"Err… we… we met at…" Aiden stammered, his face turning bright red.
"Enough questions for now, Grandma. Let's finish breakfast," Damien said firmly, cutting off the conversation.
Once the meal was over, Damien checked his watch and turned to Charlie.
"Charlie, please take Aiden shopping. He doesn't have any proper clothes for being here. After that, take him out to see the city."
"But I was going to hang out at the club—"
"Make an exception. I have a business meeting in another province that I can't miss. You two will be fine. I'll be back tomorrow," Damien said, a smirk playing on his lips as he walked toward the door.
Charlie shook his head in disbelief.
"How cruel of him. He leaves me with the babysitting duty." He looked at Aiden and sighed.
"Well, come on, Blondie. Let's go spend some of his money."