Chapter 2 THE ENCOUNTER

Her fingers tightened weakly around his arm. "You are strong, Mason; you've always been. Don't lose that, no matter how tough things get."

He nodded, though he couldn't help but wonder when things would finally get better.

***********

"You're fired,"

Mason's heart dropped to his feet as the cruel words sank in. He searched for a hint of compassion in the middle-aged man's face, but there was none. His boss looked at him with the same icy indifference he'd shown for the past few weeks.

"But... sir, I was at the hospital-"

"Singing the same song again about your sick mother?" His boss sneered, cutting him off. "I'm tired of being so considerate, boy, ignoring all your mistakes and taking your lame excuses." His voice was sharp, each word hitting Mason like a physical blow. "You're not the only one with problems. Get your priorities straight."

Mason's throat tightened. He had expected this-deep down, he knew it was coming-but hearing it out loud made his world crumble.

"I-" He swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady. "I need this job... you don't understand."

"I don't care what you need," the man spat, his face twisted in disdain. "This is a business, not a charity. Get out."

"Sir... just one last chance, I promise to-"

"Security!" the man roared, seeming to have made up his mind long ago, just waiting for this moment. This job was his main source of income, covering his meals and his mother's hospital bills. Realizing he wouldn't be able to convince the man, Mason clenched his jaw and left.

--

Mason returned to school after spending the night searching for job opportunities but found none. This was the worst possible time to get fired. With his mother's diagnosis so close and the rent overdue, he knew he was about to face the worst.

The moment he stepped into the classroom, his eyes locked onto Authur, whose lips flashed with a mischievous grin, eyes glinting with excitement.

"Look who's back," Authur laughed, watching Mason take his seat in his usual spot-away from the others. Alone, like an outcast.

"Seriously, does he only have one outfit? It's the same fucking blue hoodie," Thane chuckled, with Reed, their third, joining in.

Mason struggled to keep his anger in check. Those bastards needed to pay for what they had done to him. They didn't just torment him; now they had made him lose his only source of income.

Authur rose from his seat and sat beside him, throwing his arm around Mason. "Hey, do you miss me?"

Mason swallowed the bile rising in his throat; it was taking all he had not to punch this motherfucker in the face right now.

Authur leaned close to his ear and whispered those dreadful words. "You know what I mean."

Mason's eyes teared up, raising to meet Authur's sly smile. Memories washed over him-the day this bastard forced him to their place to do unimaginable things.

Authur slapped Mason's head, pushing his gaze away. "Don't glare at me, dumbass. Do you want to deny enjoying the fun?" He chuckled and whispered, his fingers caressing Mason's hair. "Does your ass still hurt?"

A tear slipped from Mason's eyes as he shut them, fists clenching as he tried to suppress the memories, his head down, hiding the shame and anger burning on his face.

The classroom, filled with the familiar buzz of students chatting and laughing, felt suffocating. To them, it seemed just like another day, but to him, it was a nightmare.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Mason asked, his voice filled with anger and pain. It was barely audible, but Authur heard him.

"No reason," Authur clicked his tongue, his words making Mason's anger rise. The worst part was, he could do nothing to stop these relentless taunts. He was insignificant in the eyes of both the students and lecturers, even though he was the top student.

Authur continued. "But I can tell you how to get out of this." Mason looked up at him, curious about what he was about to say. "You just have to drop out. Seeing you just makes me want to do things to you." With a final tap on his head, Authur left the seat, leaving Mason frozen.

Drop out? School was his only way out. The only chance to build a future for himself and take care of his mother. The thought of giving up on everything made his stomach churn.

But Authur's words gnawed at him. 'Seeing you just makes me want to do things to you'. The threat was clear, but he wasn't going to just give up.

"Where the heck is the lecturer? We've been sitting here for an hour!" one of the girls complained, breaking Mason's thoughts. He quickly wiped his tears.

Others voiced their frustrations, and some started to gather their things to leave, but then the female vice chancellor stepped in. The class fell silent, respecting her presence.

"Good afternoon, everyone," her voice resonated through the room. "I have an announcement to make... Apparently, Mr. Chris resigned yesterday-"

"Does that mean we won't have History?" One of the girls in the class interjected."No," the vice chancellor shot a warning look at the girl, her voice firm. "You have a new professor to guide you in that course."

"Let's welcome Professor Ste-phen, if we must, please."

Jaws dropped, eyes widened as shock and disbelief swept across the room at the tall, imposing figure who stepped in.

Professor Ste-phen entered with an aura of authority that commanded immediate attention. The soft click of his polished black shoes against the floor seemed to echo louder than the murmurs that gradually faded.

He wore a tailored black suit that hugged his tall, built frame, and his dark hair was slicked back, framing a remarkably cold handsome face.

His gaze was sharp and cold as it swept across the space. Was he even human? Everything about this man screamed perfection.

Mason felt an unusual magnetic pull that made his breath hitch. Something about him felt off.

"Good afternoon, everyone," Professor Ste-phen's voice sliced through the silence, deep and sharp like the edge of a dagger. "I'll be taking the History course for the remainder of the semester."

Mason's gaze remained fixed on him. Suddenly, those cold eyes flicked in his direction, causing Mason's heart to skip a beat.

He quickly averted his gaze, his chest heaving as a strange heat rose to his cheeks.