Max stood frozen with the note in hand, his breath caught in his throat.
"You looked happier with your guest. Miss him?"
He turned over the paper again, heart racing. A printed photo was stapled neatly to the back — Lucas, standing in front of his apartment building, suitcase in hand. The day he came to stay.
Max's grip tightened. His first instinct was to run.
And he did.
—
As Max reached the apartment, he unlocked the door in a hurry and stepped inside, breath uneven. He looked around.
"Lucas?" he called, worry crawling through his chest.
Lucas's voice floated from the kitchen. "Here! Just trying to cook something before heading out."
Max released a breath he hadn't noticed he was holding. He's safe.
Lucas poked his head out from the kitchen. "Back early? Did something happen?"
Max quickly turned away. "I… forgot my notes. Thought I'd grab them and head back."
Lucas narrowed his eyes suspiciously but didn't press further. Max slipped into his room and closed the door quietly behind him.
That day, Max didn't return to college.
—
Later, when Lucas came to check on him, Max simply said, "I'm not feeling well. Just need some rest."
Lucas nodded, though he didn't look convinced.
By afternoon, Max sat curled on the living room couch, strumming his guitar idly and scribbling down lyrics. A ping from his phone drew his attention. Another post.
A blurry photo of his the usual seat in class— Jack and Mark on either side, with Max's usual seat empty.
Caption:
"Seems like baby Max is angry with his sugar daddies. Skipped class today."
Max stared at it and, this time, chuckled.
He didn't feel angry. Not anymore.
He felt… ready.
Lucas appeared from the hallway, hair still damp from a shower. He moved slowly, eyes slightly distant.
"You okay?" Max asked.
Lucas nodded, then paused. "My assistant arrives tomorrow. I'll be joining the company from then."
Max blinked. "Then why do you look like someone just stole your favorite record?"
Lucas didn't answer right away. "It just feels… sudden."
Max didn't push it. Instead, he smiled and waved his phone. "Anyway, did you see the latest post? I've got a plan."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "You always have a plan."
Before Lucas could ask more, Max's phone rang.
Caller ID: Uncle Waan.
Max groaned. "Why is he calling now?"
The second he picked up, a furious voice came through. "Why didn't you go to college today?!"
Max moved the phone away from his ear. "Calm down, old man."
Lucas stifled a laugh from across the room.
"I wasn't feeling well," Max explained. "And how do you even know?!"
"Jack told me. My son tells me everything."
"Oh, so he's a snitch now," Max muttered. "Anyway, why'd you call?"
"Because I'm coming back from Japan next week," Uncle Waan said. "So be ready."
Max smiled. "Really? That's great!"
But as soon as the call ended, the smile faded.
Uncle Waan didn't know about the stalker. Or the posts. Or the threats.
If he found out…
Max suddenly felt cold.
Lucas noticed the change. He placed a comforting hand on Max's shoulder. "Hey… we'll handle this."
—
Evening.
The doorbell rang.
Lucas opened the door — only for the band to storm inside like a mini tornado, each of them wild-eyed.
"Where's Max?!"
"Is he okay?!"
"Did he faint?!"
Max emerged from the hallway just in time to get ambushed.
Mark grabbed his wrist. "Why didn't you show up today?!"
Tik examined his arm. "Did you hurt yourself?!"
Lucian looked genuinely teary. "Maxie, say something!"
Jack stood in the back, arms folded but calm. "Guys. Quiet down."
They all obeyed instantly, like schoolkids being scolded.
Lucas, watching from beside Jack, looked shocked. "Wow… you've got 'strict older brother' energy."
Max took a breath and held up the note. "This was in my locker today."
He placed it on the table — the message and photo visible to all.
Everyone leaned in.
Mark's face darkened. "That's… Lucas."
Lucas stepped forward slowly. "That's from the day I came here…"
"And they knew," Max said. "They knew he was staying here. They're watching."
Jack swore under his breath. "This is going too far."
Max's voice was calm, too calm. "Whoever this is… they want me scared. But I'm not running."
While they're all talking and joking around to light the atmosphere, a message gets sent to Max's phone.
It's a video.
From a camera across the street.
Each band member entering Max's apartment… one by one.
Message:
"It's cute how you think this is safe. :)"
Max slowly raises his phone for the others to see.
Their laughter dies. Silence falls.
The stalker isn't just watching.
He's very close.
To be continued…