𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇☆ - Gᴇɴᴛʟᴇ Yᴀɴ! Bᴏss/CEO x Rᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

★𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉ℯ𝓇 5★

Asterios nodded with a blank expression. He looked up to his father.

"Why does it have to be this way, father?" He asked, small tears threatening to escape his brown eyes. The older man walked closer to his son, crouching down in front of him.

"I know it hurts, kiddo. Think of all of the things this apartment complex has done to you. Don't you just want to see it burn? I can make that happen. You and your mother will be safe and sound. You will have everything this life has to offer. Doesn't that sound good?" The older man pet his son's hair gently and carefully, as if to ensure him of his safety.

"W-What about her?" Asterios sobbed, tears falling onto his cheeks freely. He gestured to the picture frame of you and him at one of your hang out spots.

His father sighed. He knew Asterios liked you, and wanted nothing more than to have you safe.

...If he needs his own blood as a successor, he will have to make sure of your safety.

"She will be okay. Sad, after we go away, but she'll get over it soon. So, pack your bags and let's go. Once we're in, there's no going back."

Manipulation was normal to the stone-cold man. He always got what he wanted, whether it was getting his son to be his successor in his business, or manipulating him into thinking you'd forget him.

Asterios wiped his tears and looked up into his brown eyes. "She's not going to forget me, father. I know her too well to believe your blatant lies." He said, returning the cold glare. The older man chuckled halfheartedly, "I knew you were a good investment. Let's go, bud. Your future of luxury is calling."

Asterios looked back at the apartment that will soon be engulfed in flames. His mom was already far away from this place, though he didn't know where. As long as she was safe and away from her... Flour, he'll be okay with it.

He looked at his small backpack, that didn't even contain clothes or similar necessities, but photos of you and him together, small charms you've made him and his most prized possession of all, a friendship bracelet.

He wore it everywhere. It was a dark purple bracelet that didn't have any names or words on it, but it had soft pink flower charms in between some of the purple pearls, making it very eye-catching, symmetrical, and most of all, beautiful.

He took it off and put it in his backpack so his father wouldn't see. Asterios was afraid that he'd take these memories from him. His father gestured him to move closer. Asterios obliged.

"Here. There is no going back once you take it." His father said, handing him a chic lighter in the shape of a dragon. It spewed fire out of its mouth, and could reach up to half a meter in range. It was a professional lighter used by arsonists, that's for sure.

Asterios hesitated for a moment, but grabbed it. "Let's get rid of this place." His father said, and a few men in masks and uniforms came in with gallons of gasoline.

_____

You walked happily with a spring in your step. You held the box in both of your arms, and looked around at the neighborhood you'd soon exit. You were excited to meet Asterios again, and maybe even his mom.

You were worried for his mom, but you hoped that it wasn't anything too serious.

As you neared the apartment complex, you noticed that in the distance were a lot of black SUVs. There were many men, all holding firearms. You stopped nervously and looked around. 'What is going on here?! Is Star in danger?'

You noticed that most of the men looked distracted, but you didn't want to take your chances. You pondered on what to do.

If you came closer, there was a high chance you'd get shot, or worse, killed. But on the other hand, if these men were ready to kill, it meant that they'd kill Star, as well. You stood there, and you didn't realize you stood there long enough to get noticed.

One of the taller, more muscular men saw you, and without hesitation, aimed his gun at you. "What is your business here?! Get over here, now!" He yelled, and you almost dropped the box. You flinched a bit, more men noticed you now. You walked closer, hesitant and ready to kiss your life goodbye.

As you neared the man, you heard another man in the distance talk through his comms. He obviously let his boss know that an intruder was here. You couldn't hear anything specific, however.

"Hello... Um, I came here to deliver a cake..." You looked the tall man in his eyes, trying to appear confident despite your shaking hands.

Being held at gunpoint wasn't on your bucket list of things to experience.

"Your name?" He asked, and the man next to him observed your features. Something in him snapped, and his eyes widened, an imaginary light bulb lighting up above his head. "Dude, put the gun down, I'm serious!" He shouted, using his arm to lower his co-workers hand.

The man looked at the other, angry that someone dared tell him what to do, who wasn't his boss. Before he could say anything, they both grabbed their comms situated in their ears and listened closely.

Almost on cue, the entire group of men that were around the apartment complex nodded their heads, "Yes, sir!" They said, on cue.

"Give it to me, miss. Leave. We will deliver it for you." The calmer man said, opening his arms for the box. "You don't know who to deliver it to, though? I have some cookies in my bag if you're hungry."

Your baker mind instantly thought that they'd take the cake for themselves, and went to offer them the cookies you packed, just in case you got hungry during your trip. Looks like they came in handy.

"What?" The calm man couldn't help but wonder if he heard you right.

Were you actually stupid?

The man with the gun furrowed his eyebrows. He loved cookies.

"Well, I thought you wanted to take the care for yourselves... Here." You said with a small smile, hoping to soften them up a little to at least know what was about to happen. You handed the calm man a generous pack of cookies tied with a pink bow.

"So... What is going on here, exactly?"

_________

Asterios walked down the stairs, hearing desperate cries of residents, locked in their own apartments. They were all sticky from the gasoline, and they were scared of what was going to happen to them. Asterios didn't feel bad.

They caused this to themselves. His father, who was a few steps ahead of him, stopped walking. He listened to his comms. Asterios could hear the faint whispering as well.

"Sir, there's someone here. She's a young girl, and she's holding a pink cake box. What's the course of action?" The man in the comms said, and Asterios' eyebrows furrowed.

You were here, despite him telling you otherwise. His father looked at him briefly before responding, "Do not harm her, under any circumstances. Make her leave without raising suspicion."

Asterios thought it was stupid. It was already suspicious enough that countless men with functioning and fully refilled firearms stood at the entrance, not letting anyone enter or leave. Either way, he knew you weren't stupid. You'd have figured out at least a little.

He knew you wouldn't leave, because of him. There's no way you'd leave, knowing your best friend was in danger.

"Son. What would make her leave?"

"She won't. She cares about me, and unless she knows I'm safe, she'll stay here."

______

After an infinite amount of back'n'forth, you started walking away. You were led to believe that they were the special forces, and were here to take care of the substance problem in the area.

Their uniforms fit, but you still had a bad feeling. You looked at your empty arms, sad that you couldn't get Star his gift. You walked slowly, and out of sight, your body subconsciously pulling you back to make sure Star was okay.

After a few minutes, you could smell fire. You looked around, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. You gulped. You had a feeling something was going on behind you. The fire department's vehicle rushed past you, followed by four ambulances.

Your head flipped around.

Star's apartment complex was completely ablaze.