As you walked out of your room, you rubbed your eyes sleepily, expecting to see Topher downstairs with plastic bags full of food. You blinked a few times as you realized you and your friends had reluctantly agreed to let Topher stay at the mansion. 'Oh, right...' You watched Molly follow Topher into the dining room.

Gert had already informed everyone that Topher had escaped through a made-up tunnel in his room. He was presumed to have gotten away by the group. As you glanced down at the dining room, your friends approached you. "Did you find him?" Karolina asked.

"He's in the dining room with Molly." You informed. Chase, Alex, and Nico rolled their eyes in dismay. The rest nodded at each other and walked down the stairs while you followed behind. When you turned around, you noticed Alex had no braids in his hair. "You put your hair back?" You asked.

Alex looked at you. "You said you liked my hair before." He shrugged before hurriedly descending down the stairs. Your cheeks grew red as you blinked multiple times before catching up with the others.

As soon as you and the team came, you heard Molly and Topher conversing. Topher and Molly both stopped and stared at everyone. "Me and Molly whipped up some chow."

You and your friends gazed down at the table, which was laden with food and drinks. With your arms crossed, you raised your eyebrows in astonishment. "So this is why you left?" You asked Topher.

"Explains the little remodeling job upstairs," Gert added as she slightly pointed her finger up.

"We assumed you were gone for good," Chase stated as he looked at Topher. "And by 'assumed,' I mean 'hoped'."

"You showed me kindness, amigo, and I'm showing it back," Topher replied before sighing. "Had to get past your 'guard dog' first." He looked down at one of Chase's Fistigons that Chase was caressing protectively. "What's this?"

"My guard dog." Chase hissed.

You hid a smile when you saw Molly glaring at Chase while Topher laughed. "You people are muy interesante." He said as he watched Chase wear his one Fistigon. "Is there something going on here that I need to know about?"

Nico shook her head. "I think you know too much already."

Molly jerked her head towards Nico, who gave her a look and moved her head to the side. Molly sighed. "Sorry... but he might be my relative. Isn't that nuts?"

"Where did your relative get all this food?" Chase questioned sternly.

"It's called urban foraging."

"Is that like artisanal stealing?" Alex asked, causing Molly to look at him and clenched her jaw.

"No, man." Topher chuckled as he answered Alex's questions. "Stolen goods? That ain't me. I asked permission first."

"By permission you mean you asked permission first to steal a basket of fruit?" You asked as you gazed at Topher. Topher cackled as he placed one hand on his hip. "You're funny, hermosa. Come on, go ahead. Make yourself a plate."

When everyone didn't move, Topher raised his eyebrows. "No?" He asked. "Look, I can see you guys aren't... sure about me."

Alex nodded. "You're right. We aren't."

Topher shrugged. "So, I'm gonna be honest." He stated. "I know who you are. You been all over the news." Topher remarked. Gert, who had been leaning against the doorway, straightened up and looked at you and the others. You shuffled slightly in your position as you turned away. Topher smirked a little as he scoffed. "Pretty hard to miss, if you ask me."

Topher glanced at you. "Especially with that pretty face of hers."

You furrowed your eyebrows in discomfort and Alex grasped your wrist, moving you behind him while glaring and scowling at Topher. Chase adjusted his grip on his Fistigon. "You should leave."

Topher faced Chase. "Oye. Cálmate, hombre. Think about it. You know why you can trust me? Because I don't need you." Topher declared. "I've already got this whole street-life thing wired. You guys? You need all the help you can get."

Karolina slightly scoffed. "We're doing fine, thanks."

Topher scoffed back. "Are you?" He questioned. "You can't even say yes to good food. That kind of pride is just some rookie shit. Us street kids, we stick together." Molly nodded along in agreement. "We give and we take... and that's how we survive, right?" He turned to face you.

You looked back at him as Topher grinned. "I know you used to be a street kid, hermosa. Muñeca told me. I know how hard it was especially at a young age. No offense, but seeing as how you were now raised by crazy rich people, I'm thinking you have lost your skills slightly." He said. When you thought of your days on the streets of Sokovia, you squeezed Alex's arm. "I have skills, knowledge you can use—"

"Oh, yeah?" Chase scoffed. "Like where to dumpster dive?"

Molly rolled her eyes while Topher chuckled loudly. "Damn straight." He exclaimed at Chase. "This ain't Brentwood, you fool."

"Okay, so what's in it for you?" Alex asked Topher.

Topher stifled a laugh. "¡Claro!" He exclaimed. "I like sleeping indoors... in a bed."

Nico briefly checked her nails. "Thanks for the offer. We'll think about it." She let out a sarcastic and forced smile.

"Look, I'm just saying. Rich kid runaways... you gotta be extra careful. You're like housecats out in the wild." Topher stated. "I remember this one dude—good-looking, deluxe family... but when folks on the street found out that there was a reward on him, they didn't hesitate to collect. He just.." He slowly approached Chase and Alex. "...hadn't built that loyalty out there, you know?"

Everyone fell silent, which prompted Topher to sigh and laugh to ease the tension. "Not that I would do that, you know? It's just, not everyone is as trustworthy as me." He shook his head to change the topic. "Enough all that, please. Who wants quiche?"

Gert huffed before taking a muffin. "I think this one's gluten-free." She commented as she walked away with the muffin. Karolina picked up a fruit and noticed Nico glaring at it, uncertainly. "I saw him eat one of these," Karolina reassured. "It's not poison."

Nico gave in and let Karolina feed her with the fruit. Molly grinned in delight to see some of her friends begin to eat. "Yes. I knew they'd come around." She told Topher. "Come on. Let me give you a tour of your new home."

Topher nodded. "Lead the way, muñeca." He glanced at you as you picked up an apple. "Does your friend mind joining us?"

When you looked at Topher and Molly, you noticed your best friend was beaming. "Yeah, (Y/n), you should join us!"

Alex shook his head just as you were about to answer. "Yes, she does mind. She's staying here to eat or she might lose her appetite." He answered for you as he gazed at Topher with hatred and jealousy. Topher shrugged and nodded, while Nico cast a glance at Alex. She sighed. "Don't get lost." She told Topher. "Or do."

While you were putting the apple back on the table, Topher and Molly came out of the dining room. Chase shifted his gaze to you and Alex. "You're both not hungry either?" He asked. "There's something about that guy that makes me lose my appetite."

Karolina smiled as she looked at Chase. "Maybe you're just jealous... or threatened."

"What? Why would I be jealous?"

"Because he's handsome and street-smart, and a really good provider."

"Chase is handsome." Gert defended Chase as she munched down her muffin. Chase proudly smiled down at Gert, who swiftly returned her gaze to her food. "This is so good." She quickly shifted the conversation's focus to the muffin she was eating.

"We should all feel threatened," Nico stated. "He's hiding something."

Alex sighed as he studied the newspaper clippings, pins, red threads, and a few sketches of the PRIDE, as well as photos of you and your friends, that he had created the night before. "Whatever he's done, it's nothing compared to our parents."

"Guess someone couldn't sleep last night," Gert made a comment while staring at the wall.

You approached Alex in worry. "You okay?"

Alex shook his head. "As long as PRIDE pays for what they've done, I am."

"You put your hair back," Nico commented on Alex's hair.

"I lost my focus," Alex replied. "But I'm back now, and we still have an earthquake to stop."

Chase nodded. "Yeah, except now we got a new distraction."

"Molly thinks he's her long-lost brother." Nico and Gert rolled their eyes at the idea of Topher being Molly's brother.