I Bullied the Future Mafia's Boss(Dark Bl)

Chapter 3: Beneath the Surface

Mornings at the Morton household unfolded with a precision that felt almost mechanical. Lucas navigated his daily routine with an efficiency that belied the tension simmering beneath the surface of his life. The house, with its warm tones and meticulously curated decor, seemed to mock the discontent within him.

Lucas’s room was his sanctuary, a minimalist retreat that stood in stark contrast to the rest of the home. The walls were painted a somber gray, the color deepening the sense of isolation. Abstract art posters adorned the walls, hinting at the chaos of his thoughts. His bed, always neatly made with black sheets, and the desk cluttered with notebooks and sketchpads, spoke of a world internalized and kept hidden.

The digital clock on his nightstand blinked 6:30 AM. Lucas pushed himself out of bed, his movements deliberate and practiced. He stepped into the bathroom, going through the motions of brushing his teeth and washing his face with a detachment that had become second nature. The ritual was almost meditative, a way to center himself before facing the day. As he dried off and walked back into his room, he froze.

Mr. John Morton stood in the doorway, tall and imposing. His figure was a silhouette against the dim hallway light, casting a long shadow into Lucas’s room. John was a man in his late forties, with graying hair that framed a face marked by sharp features and deep-set eyes. Those eyes, now fixed on Lucas, held an intensity that made Lucas’s skin crawl. The man’s presence was a looming specter, his gaze an unsettling mix of scrutiny and something darker that Lucas could never quite decipher.

“What?” Lucas snapped, his voice edged with irritation.

John remained still, his eyes lingering on Lucas. For a moment, his expression was unreadable. “Just checking on you. You seem… different lately.”

Lucas met his gaze briefly before turning back to his reflection. “I’m fine,” he muttered, grabbing his backpack. The exchange was brief but loaded with an unspoken tension that seemed to amplify the oppressive atmosphere of the house.

John’s sigh was barely audible, and he seemed to take a step back, though his eyes stayed fixed on Lucas. “Alright. Just… be careful, Lucas. And remember, we’re here if you need us.”

The words were meant to be comforting, but they felt hollow. Lucas scoffed inwardly. The notion of needing anyone was laughable to him. He brushed past John and descended the stairs. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of pancakes, a contrast to the chilly atmosphere of the rest of the house. The house nanny Ms.Thoman was busy at the stove, her smile strained but polite in front of his adoptive mother Ms.Violet Morton who sat at the kitchen counter a newspaper in hand sipping her daily coffee.

“Morning, Lucas,” she said robotically. “Want some pancakes?”

“No, thanks,” Lucas replied curtly, reaching for a piece of candy from a jar on the counter. The fleeting sweetness was a small indulgence, a rare comfort in an otherwise bitter existence.

Rachel’s smile faltered slightly, but she didn’t press the issue. “Have a good day at school,” she said as Lucas headed for the door without any further acknowledgement.

The walk to Crestwood High was a familiar part of his routine, offering Lucas a moment of solitude to mentally prepare for the day. His thoughts swirled with the thrill of his recent schemes and the complex dynamics within Kane’s gang. The streets, lined with neatly maintained houses and manicured lawns, seemed to underscore the stark contrast between his chaotic life and the mundane normalcy of the suburban landscape.

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  The hallways of Crestwood High buzzed with activity as students rushed to their classes, but Lucas moved with a languid grace that set him apart, an island of calm in the chaotic sea.