ROMAN'S P.O.V

It was refreshingly quiet on this Friday morning. I had woken up just a little bit earlier since I needed to go into the publishing firm to grab the next manuscript that I would be editing.

It was only six in the morning so it's not like I was expecting anyone other than Lance to be up at this hour but it seems that he has today off.

I left a note on the fridge for anyone who might wake up first to let them know where I've gone and headed out to my car.

My ride was mostly silent, the only sound being the soft music coming from the radio and once I arrived, I parked in the garage.

When I walked in the building, I stopped by the front desk to say hello to Jean.

"Hey, Jean" I said and Jean turned her head up at me before beaming. Jean was a sweet girl and we talked from time to time about casual things.

"Oh, good morning Roman. It's been a while since you've stopped by. Picking up a new manuscript?" She asked and I nodded.

"Yeah the last one took me quite a while so I'm hoping this one won't be as bad" I said and Jean let out a small laugh.

"Well, go get em' tiger" she said with a wink and I just nodded with a smile before waving her goodbye and heading over to the elevator.

The wait for the elevator was only a few seconds before I stepped inside and a few other people did as well but before the door could close someone's hand stopped it.

The hand belonged to a man clad in a clearly expensive suit with an expensive coat to match. On his wrist was a golden watch and his pointer finger had a silver ring around it. He had on sunglasses that kind of made him look a little suspicious. There was hardly any sun out so what was the need?

I thought nothing more of it as I turned my focus away. The elevator stopped on multiple floors, letting out some people until it was just me and the mysterious guy in the elevator.

Once the elevator stopped on my floor, I was about to head out until I heard the guy cough, as if to get my attention.

"Uh...do you buy any chance work with Mark Benjamin?" He asked and I nodded. I didn't only work with him, I worked for him.

"Yes, why?" I asked stepping out of the elevator.

"I have a meeting with him and I'm kind of lost. I knew the floor but..." he trailed off.

"Well, you can just follow me" I said before walking off. It wasn't hard for the guy to keep up with me as his long legs walked quickly beside me.

The walk to the department office was short and in no time we arrived. I could see Lizzy, my coworker, staring at me wide eyed from her desk.

"The door back there is where his office is" I said pointing to one of the various doors in the room.

"Thank you...uh?" He looked at me and I was confused for a moment before realizing he was asking me for my name.

"Roman" I said and he nodded.

"Thanks, Roman" he said before heading off to Mark's office.

I walked to my own desk and set down my bag before sitting down. We usually had to wait a while for Mark to come and tell us what our next manuscripts were for and when they were due and how often they should be checked up on.

"Are you really going to act like you didn't just walk in here with a hot guy?" Lizzy asked from her desk.

"Yes. I don't know who he is, I was only helping him find his way" I said nonchalantly. She pouted at my answer before turning back to her work.

Just then, my phone vibrated as I received a text from someone.

It was from Ares.

Ares: Hey bro, could you pick up some milk on the way home?

Roman: And you can't do this because...?

Ares: Uhhh...

Roman: I'm waiting

Ares: Top secret highly classified reasons. I'll do your laundry for a month

I rolled my eyes at the text. I didn't trust Ares with my laundry just like Lucas didn't trust Ares in the kitchen while he was cooking.

Roman: Goodbye, Ares

Ares: Nooooo come back!!

After reading that last text, I decided to not respond. I knew Ares' game. He would ask for one thing and once we agreed he would slap on 20 other unnecessary things. The best thing to do was ignore him.

"Hey, Roman" I looked up and saw Hans walking over to my desk.

"What's up?" I said and Hans nudged his head in the direction of Mark's office.

"Mark wants to talk to you" he said and I nodded before getting up and heading over to the office.

When I walked in, the guy from earlier was still in the room speaking with Mark. His shades were now off and I could fully see the extent of his handsomeness. His hair was a dark blonde shade and it was neat, not a single hair out of place. He had turned upon hearing me enter and his hazel eyes made contact with my blue ones. A dimple appeared on his cheek as he gave me a smile, giving the man a friendly air.

"Ah, Roman thanks for coming in. Take a seat" Mark said and I sat in the empty seat next to the mystery guy.

"Roman, this is Alain. He will be working with you on this next manuscript" He said and my eyes widened a little at the name.

Alain? As in Alain Faust? The famed ghost author? No one has ever seen his face in public and the paparazzi were always desperate to get a shot of it, despite not knowing what 'it' looked like. His books were always a hit no matter what genre he wrote for. He was known especially for his thriller novels. I've heard people speak of how they got chills from reading his novels, and that they're especially more fun to read at night. One of his books even got turned into a movie, which is a huge deal for an author.

"Not that I have a problem or anything, but why is he working with me?" I asked.

Alain turned to me, his hazel eyes twinkling with something that I could not read.

"I like to get to know my editors and I am very much looking forward to getting to know you" He said and I didn't know if my ears were hearing wrong but it almost sounded like he was implying something at the end of his sentence.

I didn't let myself get caught up on it as I turned my attention back to Mark who cleared his throat.

"Now, Alain's management team is expecting this book to be his biggest hit yet, so that is why I am entrusting this job to you" Mark said and I nodded.

"I understand" I said and Mark smiled before handing me the manuscript.

I looked at the thickness of it and just by sizing it up, I could tell that this one could probably take me a month if I worked efficiently enough. A little more if I took my time.

"Alain, your manuscript is in very good hands" Mark said giving a reassuring look to Alain and I felt my eye twitch when Alain looked down at my hands that held his manuscript.

"I'm sure they are" he said and at that I sighed before standing up and holding a hand out to Alain.

"It was very nice to meet you. I hope we can work well together" I said and Alain flashed a smirk at me before grabbing my hand in a firm grip, not once breaking eye contact with me.

Feeling a little uneasy, I took my hand out of his and quickly bid the two farewell.

After that, I headed out of Mark's office while trying to calm my nerves. Something about that guy bothered me. I don't know what, but it did. He was way too comfortable with someone he just met. The way his eyes shone with amusement while we shook hands was what really bothered me.

I still couldn't believe that he was Alain Faust. He looked so...young. I would have never expected that someone who wrote such eloquent and attention grabbing novels could be that way. I for sure thought that Alain Faust would turn out to be some guy in his mid thirties maybe early forties, or maybe even older.

Never judge a book by its cover I guess.

While packing my things together, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching and they stopped at my desk.

I looked up and saw Alain's tall frame looming over me. From him being so close, I could smell the faint scent of his cologne and I had to admit it did smell nice.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked and he shook his head with a small hum.

"No, nothing that I can see. I was just going to ask you to get something to eat with me if you aren't busy" he said as his eyes dropped to the papers that I was placing in my bag.

Although I wasn't too keen on being alone with this guy, I also didn't really have a reason to say no. I wasn't required to stay at work, and I didn't have to pick up Max and Ceres until later. Besides, I had to at least try to get along with him since we were going to be working together.

I was going to answer him but once again my phone went off.

"One second" I said before walking into the hallway. The number was unknown and I wondered who it could be.

"Hello?" I said. The last person's voice I was expecting came through the phone.

"R-Roman?" Ceres' soft voice came from the other side and I immediately tensed hearing the uncomfortable tone in her voice.

"What's wrong?" I asked and she paused for a moment before answering my question.

"Uh...I need...I-" Ceres continued to fumble over her words in a distressed manner and that only made me more worried as I walked back into the office and grabbed my bag. I didn't even bothering to acknowledge Alain who looked at me in surprise when he saw me pick up my things and leave out of the office.

"It's alright. I'm on my way to the school right now. Just tell me where you are" I said pressing the elevator button.

"I'm in the bathroom..." she muttered.

"Alright. Stay there and I'll call this number when I get there" I said before hanging up.

During the entire ride to her school, I couldn't help but be worried. Ceres didn't have a phone so that means she had to ask someone to use theirs which may not have been a big deal to some people but to Ceres that must have been stressful. I tried my best to drive quickly without getting pulled over and it seemingly worked as I reached the school and parked not so parallel on the sidewalk.

I went to my recent calls and called back the number as I walked into the school.

"Hello?" Ceres answered and this time her voice sounded pained. Jesus if someone hurt her I don't know what I would do. I guess I'd have to edit that manuscript behind bars.

"What bathroom are you in?" I asked.

"The one on the first floor next to the cafeteria..." she said and I nodded even though she couldn't see me. I walked for a bit, staying on the phone with Ceres but it was a bit hard to listen to her labored breaths.

When reaching the bathroom, I saw a girl standing in front of it and she looked over once she heard my footsteps.

"She's in there?" I asked and the girl nodded before standing to the side. I didn't want to just walk into a girl's bathroom but I was pretty sure that Ceres was the only one in there or else that girl would have said something.

When I walked in, I saw Ceres crouched up on the ground curled into herself. I walked over to her and bent down to get a look at her. I could see that there were unshed tears in her eyes.

"Ceres, what's wrong?" I asked as I pushed back the hair that was covering her face so I could get a better look at her. My heart clenched when she looked at me with that pained expression.

"It hurts..." she muttered and I frowned.

"What hurts? You have to tell me or I can't help you" I said softly.

"My stomach..." she murmured and it took me a minute before understanding what she had meant.

She was having her period.

I sighed in relief when realizing it wasn't anything too serious and that I wouldn't have to go to jail today.

"Alright, lets get you out of here" I said before putting one arm behind her back and the other underneath her knees and lifted her up.

"Thank you for helping her" I said to the girl who was still standing outside. She brightened up at my words and nodded.

I walked to my car quickly and put Ceres in the passenger seat before buckling her in and the walking to my side.

First, we would need to stop off at the store since our house was an all male house, we definitely didn't have any feminine hygiene products. And also some pain killers. And I guess I can pick up the milk Ares asked for.

After picking up the things she needed, it was only a short drive before we were home and after securing Ceres in one arm and the bags in the other I headed inside the house.

"Woah, super mom. You need help?" Ares asked upon seeing us and I just nodded before handing the bags off to him. I carried Ceres up to her room and placed her on her bed.

"I'm sorry..." she muttered and I furrowed my brow.

"What are you talking about?" I asked as I pulled her shoes and socks off.

"You had to leave work to come and get me...and because you had to carry me here..." she said and I shook my head at her.

"Ceres, you needed help. Do you have any idea how glad I am that you called me?" I said. She stayed silent for a moment before opening her mouth again.

"I'm also sorry because we were supposed to hang out..." she muttered and I gave her a small smile at that.

"It's alright. We can always do it some other day. You need rest now. I'll go and get you the medicine to lessen the pain" I said before making sure that Ceres was somewhat comfortable before heading downstairs.

"Is she okay?" Ares asked.

"She's having some stomach pain" I said not sure if Ares would really be comfortable with me right out saying she was on her period or if Ceres wanted the others knowing.

"Aw, poor thing. Hope she feels better" He said and I grabbed the medicine from the bag.

A vibration went off in my pocket for the umpteenth time today. I guess I'm just Mr. Popular today, huh?

I saw that it was a text message from an unknown number.

Unknown Number: This is Alain. I don't mean to be nosy, but I just wanted to check up on you after seeing how you rushed out today.

I was glad that he was worried and all but I just decided that I would respond to the message later. My sister came first before any random stranger after all.