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

Chapter 11: New Neighbors

Lucas woke up to the sound of hushed voices downstairs. He blinked, momentarily disoriented, then remembered the events of the previous night—the confrontation with Mr. Morton, the treehouse, the snake. He pushed himself up, feeling the familiar weight of resentment and determination settle in his chest.

Dressing quickly, Lucas tucked the jar with the snake safely into a corner of his closet, covering it with a pile of clothes. He then slipped out of his room, moving quietly down the stairs. As he approached the foyer, he heard Mrs. Morton's voice, bright and overly friendly.

"Lucas, come here, please," she called out, her tone suggesting she was trying to make a good impression.

Lucas walked into the room, his expression carefully neutral. His pale skin stood in stark contrast to his dark, tousled hair and sharp, calculating eyes, which missed nothing. His movements were quiet, each step measured and purposeful.

Standing beside Mrs. Morton was a boy about his age, even smaller and slighter than Lucas. The boy had dark hair that fell into his eyes, making him look even more bashful. He was dressed in expensive-looking clothes—a neatly pressed shirt and designer jeans that spoke of his family's wealth. His eyes, wide and brown, darted around nervously, betraying his introverted nature. He was fidgeting slightly, his hands twisting together as he stood awkwardly by Mrs. Morton.

"Lucas, this is Dimitri," Mrs. Morton said, smiling. "He's our new neighbor. The Bennetts moved in next door, and I thought you two might get along."

Dimitri offered a tentative smile, his eyes scanning Lucas with open curiosity but also a hint of apprehension. "Hey, Lucas. Nice to meet you," he said, his voice soft and unsure.

Lucas nodded, his gaze flicking to Mrs. Morton, who was watching the interaction closely. He could almost feel her calculating how this friendship could benefit them, given Dimitri's obvious wealth.

"Hi," Lucas replied, his tone noncommittal. He didn't offer more, his stance relaxed but his eyes watchful.

Dimitri shifted his weight from one foot to the other, clearly feeling the pressure of the moment. He tried to maintain eye contact but found it difficult under Lucas's intense gaze. The silence stretched awkwardly between them.

Mrs. Morton, sensing the tension, approached Lucas quietly. "Lucas, could I have a word with you for a moment?" Her voice was low but insistent.

Lucas followed her to a corner of the room, his expression unreadable. Mrs. Morton looked at him with a blend of urgency and coaxing.

"I know you're grounded," she began, "but I'll made a deal with you. If you take Dimitri out for a walk today and show him around, I will lift your grounding completely."

Lucas raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident in his gaze. "Why would you want to do that?"

Mrs. Morton's eyes narrowed slightly. "It's a chance to get out of the house and spend time with someone who might be beneficial for us in the long run. Besides, it'll be good for you to get some fresh air."

Lucas considered her offer, weighing the prospect of a permanent reprieve from his confinement against the effort of spending time with someone he barely knew. After a moment, he nodded. "Fine. I'll do it."

Mrs. Morton smiled, relieved. "Good. Just be polite and make it seem like you're actually interested in getting to know him. It'll help smooth things over."

Lucas turned back to the foyer, where Dimitri was still waiting, looking increasingly uncomfortable.
"So, uh," Dimitri began, his voice barely above a whisper, "I just moved here a few days ago. Still getting used to the place."