You come down the stairs quietly, trying not to wake anyone as you search for a late-night snack. As you step into the kitchen, you freeze. Ana is bent over the sink, her tight jeans perfectly outlining her prominent behind as she washes a glass.
"Hmph. What are you doing here so late?" She straightens up, turning to face you with a sharp glare. Her thick Russian accent is unmistakable. Her delicate features crinkle slightly as she leans closer, sniffing the air. "Is that alcohol I smell? You’ve been drinking, haven’t you? You are just like my son’s other friends—reckless and foolish." She crosses her arms, her cold, piercing eyes fixed on you.
She steps closer, her heels clicking against the floor. "I should wake my husband. He would not like to know his son’s friend behaves so irresponsibly."
yyyyyy I was just looking for a toilet, Tyler and I recently came back from a party, he's sleeping and I wanted to pee, says a tipsy Luke
Luke, you know I'm always happy to help with anything. But please remember that your behavior reflects poorly on the family name and your father's business. You are his successor, after all. So be responsible. Now go back to sleep before anyone sees you like this. She motions toward the stairs with her hand
Don't let me catch you drinking again, understand?
Yeah, Tyler's mom, I'm going upstairs, but where's the bathroom?
The guest bathroom is down the hall to your right, just before you reach the stairs. You thank Ana as you stumble off in that direction.
Luke can't take his eyes off Ana and he ends up hitting his head on the door frame a second later as he enters the restroom.
*Amused by Luke's clumsiness, Ana shakes her head and walks back toward the living room. She sits down on the couch, flicking through channels aimlessly until she finds something interesting to watch. Though she pretends not to be paying attention, she can't help but feel a small sense of satisfaction at being able to assert her authority over the situation and remind everyone of their place in this household. After all, it's her job as the trophy wife—and the one who keeps track of everyone else's messes. *
Luke finally comes out of the toilet, clutching his head, goodnight, Tyler's mom
"Good night, Luke," she says coolly, not taking her eyes off the screen. "Remember what we discussed." Her tone is stern, but there's a hint of amusement in her voice as well. She knows he'll be back for more attention soon enough.
that's how I remember it, no drinking and always wash your hands after using the toilet, I remember that
That's good to hear, Luke. Now go back to bed and get some rest before tomorrow's events. Your father will be pleased to see you behaving so responsibly. She continues watching TV, idly flicking through channels again while making sure to keep an ear out for any noise from upstairs or the rest of the house.
Luke heads towards the stairs, but before he goes up, he checks in on Ana again, what will you be watching?
"Oh, just some trashy reality show," Ana answers casually, not bothering to look up from the screen. "You know how I like my mindless entertainment." She pauses for a moment and then adds with a hint of sarcasm, "Though I'm sure whatever you choose would be much more interesting."
I'll join you, Luke sits down on the sofa and starts watching what she chooses
"Well, aren't you just the perfect gentleman," she says with a laugh that carries more ice than sincerity. "I must admit, it's been so long since anyone has actually wanted to spend time with me for anything other than what they can get out of it." She pauses again, looking at him over her shoulder. "That is, if you truly don't mind watching such 'trashy' television?"
There's a challenge in her eyes now, daring him to answer honestly or prove that he's as shallow and materialistic as she thinks he is.
meh, I once watched masses on TV for 11 hours with my grandma, so there's nothing that can destroy me
Luke's comment catches her off guard for a moment. It's not often that someone challenges her assumptions about others, especially someone as young and inexperienced as Luke. She considers his words carefully before responding with a small smile. "Well, I suppose that does show character," she says with mock sincerity. "But remember, just because you can handle it now doesn't mean you won't develop more discerning tastes in the future."
Her gaze flicks back to the television before returning to him, assessing his reaction to her teasing. There's a brief flash of genuine amusement in her eyes as she realizes that he might not be quite as easy to manipulate as she had thought. This intrigues her.
Looking at the fact that I'm 16 years old and my psyche makes me feel like I'm going to a psychiatric hospital, I have a feeling that nothing will make me lose my steel psyche for a long time.
"Hmm, it's good to know that you're so resilient," Ana says with a raised eyebrow, not quite convinced. "But sometimes, exposure to too much of anything can have the opposite effect." She pauses for a moment before adding softly, "I hope you never lose that spark, Luke. It's rare and precious in this world." There's a touch of sincerity in her voice now, as if she genuinely cares about how he turns out.
She glances back at the television for a moment before turning to face him fully, leaning forward on her elbows. "So, tell me," she says curiously, "why do you think I let my husband keep you around?" Her eyes flicker to his, daring him to answer honestly.
hmm, considering that when I was 11 years old, my parents died, while my dad was friends with my adoptive father, also known as your husband, it's probably just because
It's certainly true that Tyler felt a responsibility to help you after such a tragic loss," Ana acknowledges with a small nod. "But I wonder if there might be something else as well. You seem like an intelligent boy, Luke." She pauses, considering her words carefully before continuing, "I'm sure there are plenty of people who would gladly take your place. So why do you think I let you stick around?" There's a challenge in her eyes now, daring him to dig deeper and find the real reason she's so interested in him tonight.
eeeee because hmm, and I know maybe because I'm never bored and even though I often behave like I'm a circus clown and everyone is entertained by it when I need to be, I can think better than anyone can expect?
Luke's answer catches her off guard yet again. It's clear that he's thinking deeply about this conversation, which is more than she expected from him tonight. There's an undeniable intelligence in his eyes when he speaks, and it makes her wonder if perhaps there's something else she could be doing with her time.
She sits back on the couch, folding her arms across her chest as she considers his words carefully. "Well," she says after a moment of thought, "while I appreciate your ability to provide entertainment and distract from my husband's many faults, I admit that there is more to it than that." Her gaze flickers upward briefly before meeting his again. "I suppose... you remind me of myself in some ways."
There's a pause as the words hang in the air between them. Finally, she asks curiously, "Do you
that I resemble you? I'm scared when I look at you because you look like you're about to punch me and knock me out.
You're not that far off the mark," she says with a faint smile, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "I see in you the potential for great things, Luke...if only you could learn to focus that energy on something more productive than mere entertainment value." She pauses, considering him carefully before adding softly, "Perhaps one day you might even become as formidable as I am."
The words hang in the air between them like a challenge. Ana wonders if he'll rise to it or if she's wasting her time trying to encourage him at all. For now, though, she's content to sit back and watch how this game plays out...because whether or not Luke realizes it yet, they are both playing one.
dangerous like you? This conversation is starting to get more and more interesting
"Ah, Luke," she says with a small laugh that holds no humor at all. "You have so much to learn about power and influence if you think they can only be wielded in dangerous ways." She leans forward on the couch again, her expression becoming more serious as she fixates on him. "The truly powerful know how to use their abilities to shape the world around them...for good or ill. It's not about being reckless, but rather about understanding the consequences of your actions and using that knowledge to achieve your goals."
Her gaze bores into his, searching for any sign that he comprehends what she's saying. The silence stretches on between them as she wonders if he will be capable of living up to her expectations...or if he will simply end up like so many others who have crossed her path before him: trophies on display but nothing more than pretty decorations in the end.