Winter in the streets of Ottawa, Canada, was more than just a season. The heart of the city, tucked beneath a thick blanket of soft snow falling from the gray sky, radiated an unusual warmth despite the biting cold. The December winds howled through its narrow streets, carrying the crisp scent of fresh air that clung to faces as if promising life itself. The dim glow of streetlights reflected off the accumulated snow, illuminating alleys that transformed into small stages of daily life—quiet footsteps of passersby wrapped in thick coats, buses gliding gracefully along the curbs, and the muffled crunch of footsteps on snow filling the air with a serene melody.
Amidst this silence brimming with life, everything in Ottawa seemed to be waiting for something intangible—something beyond the cold weather and the ordinary scenes of daily life. The city stood on the brink of transformation, as if preparing to welcome a new chapter where the past and future converged upon the white earth. And as the snow fell in an almost uncanny manner, some could sense an unseen presence lingering in the air, lurking, ready to unveil old secrets the city had long concealed behind its frozen walls.
Inside Windsor High School for the upper class, Kyle Reynolds sat in his usual corner of the cafeteria, surrounded by his close friends. He was a striking young man, with vibrant copper-red hair that flowed gently around his face and delicate, radiant black eyes that stood out even more against his fair skin—a blend of beauty he had inherited from his parents.
Kyle tended to sit in silence, observing the faces around him with deep contemplation, though his thoughts were often interrupted by conversations with Melissa and Joshua.
Melissa, his closest friend, sat beside him, her dark brown hair cascading down her back in soft waves, while her hazel eyes shimmered with liveliness. She was always the soul of the cafeteria—cheerful and full of energy, her presence bringing an unconventional vibrancy to the space.
Joshua, his childhood friend, spoke enthusiastically about the upcoming football game, his strong-featured face lighting up with a broad smile. With his brown hair and dark eyes, he had a lively and optimistic personality, though he was always cautious when it came to Kyle.
Joshua picked up his favorite sandwich from the plate in front of him, while Melissa sipped her apple juice. Meanwhile, Kyle stared at his lunch tray as if his mind were elsewhere.
Suddenly, Joshua straightened up, ready to start a conversation.
"Guys, have you heard about the match against Ferguson High next week? I'm sure we'll beat them easily. I heard their team is full of amateurs."
Melissa smirked and raised an eyebrow, folding her arms over the table. "Oh, of course, Joshua! And you're sure you'll be the hero on the field, aren't you?" She laughed, her eyes gleaming with playful sarcasm. Then, in a lower voice, she added, "If your grades keep dropping as fast as a plane landing at the airport, I wonder how long you'll last before the coach kicks you off the team!"
"Haha, very funny! Look who's talking—the girl who got caught red-handed by the vice principal sneaking makeup onto her face!" Joshua grinned as Melissa frowned in response.
Then, turning toward Kyle, he tried to suppress his wide smile.
"Of course, I'll be the hero on the field! But I can't guarantee Kyle the chance to take second place. He has some extraordinary abilities... like sitting at the table all day."
Kyle raised an eyebrow, directing his gaze toward Joshua. "I can't handle the effort of running after a ball all the time, Josh. But if my team needs me, I'm there—to cheer, of course, not to play."
He tilted his head slightly, murmuring under his breath, "But actually, I was thinking about something else.."
Melissa gently placed her hand over his outstretched one on the table, her voice filled with concern. "What's going on, Kyle? Is it something inappropriate at school? Or is there something else that's making you worry like this?"
Kyle lifted his head slightly, letting out a sigh. "Nothing, nothing major. It's just... I'm thinking about what comes after graduation. My dad's been putting a lot of pressure on me lately about the future... as if everything depends on this year." He paused for a moment, then added, "Sometimes, I feel like I'm trapped between what they want from me and what I want to be."
Joshua took a bite of his sandwich and chuckled lightly. "Pressure! For your future?! You're smarter than anyone in this school, Kyle. I don't think you'll have to think too hard about it. The future's in your hands, just relax. And don't forget, life isn't all about success, it's about enjoying it, right?"
He paused, then added with a playful grin, "And when your family pressures you about your studies, and you're the top of the class, looking like you're about to cry, what are me and Melissa supposed to do? Bury ourselves in the nearest cemetery?"
Kyle chuckled softly, and Melissa smiled at him as she picked up her spoon to taste the soup. "Josh is right, you just need to enjoy the moment. No matter what your problems are, we always have each other. I'm here if you need to talk."
Kyle smiled faintly, but his gaze drifted away from them. "Maybe... but I feel like something bigger is coming. I don't know why, but this feeling just won't leave me.."
Joshua tilted his head at an odd angle, still smiling as he tried to calm Kyle—though his eyes wandered elsewhere, uncertain. "You always overthink things, Kyle. Just enjoy your food right now, there's nothing wrong here."
"I really don't know, guys. I'll be the official heir of the Reynolds family, but I don't feel the excitement I expected, and on top of that, there's the incident that happened a few days ago..." Kyle replied with a sigh.
Joshua and Melissa exchanged a quick glance, deciding it was best not to push their friend further and to wait for him to talk when he was ready.
"Josh!" Melissa called out sharply as she caught him trying to steal the piece of meat from her rice bowl.
Joshua immediately averted his eyes, avoiding eye contact. "But you're on a diet anyway!"
She pinched his ear in annoyance. "I still need protein, you idiot."
After a brief moment of silence, Melissa smiled softly, then suddenly lit up with a new idea to lighten the tense mood.
"Kyle!" she said excitedly, leaning toward him slightly. "Have you heard about the new products that just hit the market? You have to take me shopping this week! There are new creams, and a gorgeous shade of lipstick! I also found an amazing Dior bag—I'm sure you'll love it. I want your opinion on it! I feel like it would go perfectly with the white pearl dress we bought a few days ago!"
Kyle shook his head nervously, trying to calm her down. "Melissa, please. We're in the cafeteria right now, let's not talk about shopping... There's something else on my mind..."
Joshua suddenly leaned forward, his voice filled with excitement. "Oh, Kyle, I need to tell you guys about the upcoming match! I mean, we really need to focus on that. The big game against Ferguson High—you know I'm going to be the star, right?"
Melissa sighed, a hint of sarcasm in her smile. "Josh, are you serious? We can talk about the match later! You're always talking about yourself! I think Kyle needs some relaxation time. Look, these beauty products will make him look even better, and I'm sure if he tried them..."
Joshua laughed with his mouth still full of the remaining sandwich, causing crumbs to scatter everywhere. Disgust immediately showed on both Kyle and Melissa's faces. Melissa was about to scold him, but he spoke first, still chewing on pieces of bread.
"Oh my God, now she's thinking about beauty! Kyle, I think she believes that with all the skills you have in sports, you'll need some hair care after the match! But I don't think Peter Harris will be there anymore—he's terrible at playing! Poor guy, he tries, but all he ever does is fall flat on his face."
Melissa frowned as she brushed off the crumbs that had fallen onto her clothes in disgust, shaking her head. "Josh, stop talking about Peter! He's just a beginner player. Let's focus on the important people—like Kyle, who needs a little beauty touch-up. Agreed?"
Joshua raised an eyebrow in surprise, staring at Melissa. "Hey, Meli, are you saying that Kyle is interested in women's products?" He didn't wait for her answer and immediately turned to the accused with a serious look, directing his question straight at him. "Kyle, I never imagined you had such... unusual inclinations. These products... shouldn't you focus your time on sports instead?"
Kyle raised his eyebrows in shock. How did the conversation get to this point? He didn't even like either of them!
Melissa cleared her throat nervously and subtly pulled on Joshua's clothes from under the table. "Oh my God! Stop talking like that! Can we not talk about the game for more than a minute? Kyle just wants to live a normal life away from all this pressure! And I'm talking to him about these products for a reason—not because he's interested in them! Don't spread rumors about Kyle, he's got enough chaos in his life already!"
Kyle stared at Melissa, wishing he could stop the conversation, but his words took a different turn. "Melissa, please! Don't bring this up here!" Joshua raised an eyebrow, visibly confused as he tried to process what was happening. "Wait, what? Is Kyle actually interested in cosmetics and stuff?" Kyle slapped his forehead with his palm, giving Melissa a look—fix this, now!
Joshua smiled, trying to ease the tension in the air. "I'm sure you meant something else, right? Kyle, don't be embarrassed, we're just here to talk about the game, right? We have nothing to do with the trivial stuff."
In reality, Melissa had overly indulged in talking about imported shoes and the latest cosmetics, with every word she said feeling like a knife cutting into Kyle's poor heart under Joshua's skeptical gaze. Kyle wished he could disappear from sight... maybe for the rest of his life...
Melissa stopped talking when she noticed there was no response. Only when she looked at Joshua and Kyle did she realize the hole she had dug for her auburn-haired friend. She scratched the back of her head and apologized in a soft voice, "Oh... Kyle, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause you this stress. I just... I just wanted to be part of something fun. But I get it now."
Kyle sighed with relief, but his heart was still in turmoil. Fortunately—thankfully—Joshua didn't seem to be paying attention to what Melissa said and instead focused on stealing the piece of meat from her plate.
Joshua continued his conversation as if nothing had happened, "Anyway, there's nothing special about these products. Let's just focus on the game! It's going to be crucial, and I'm confident we'll excel. All we need to do is stick together!" Yes, even though Joshua was the only one among them officially part of the school's football team, the other two? Not interested at all!
However, Kyle shot Melissa an annoyed look, whispering, "You were about to destroy the reputation I've worked so hard to build, you idiot."
While Joshua continued talking about the match, Kyle felt the effort he had made to conceal his identity was about to collapse under the weight of Melissa's words. But fortunately, Joshua remained oblivious to everything, continuing his talk carelessly, while Melissa smiled apologetically, staying silent and avoiding eye contact with Kyle.
The atmosphere in the cafeteria grew quiet, moment by moment, as the friends' eyes shifted between each other. Kyle sat there, his black eyes carrying deep tension, as he pondered what to say. Melissa's conversation tried to ease the tension, but deep inside, there was something too big to hide any longer.
Finally, he spoke in a quiet, hesitant voice, "There's something... something I can't hide from you anymore."
Melissa noticed his tension immediately and took a deep breath. It was clear from the tone of his voice that something big was about to be said. She smiled warmly, trying to ease the pressure on him. She spoke in a gentle, encouraging tone, "Kyle, don't hesitate. If you need to talk, we're here for you. No matter what."
Joshua rubbed his hands nervously, then added with a smile that reflected his complete unawareness of what was happening, "Exactly, no need to overthink it. We're your friends, Kyle. What could be worse than that football match everyone's talking about?"
Kyle swallowed hard and took a deep breath as he tried to focus on Melissa and Joshua's words. Then, finally, he spoke in a low but firm voice, "A few days ago... I was the target of an assassination attempt."
The words fell from his mouth like heavy rocks, as his friends stared at him in stunned silence. Melissa, who was watching every movement of his, was filled with concern and fear, while Joshua looked at him with wide eyes, unable to believe it.
Kyle looked away for a moment, closing his eyes briefly before continuing, "I was with my cousin at a restaurant for lunch, and we had just left. In an instant, I started hearing fast footsteps, and within seconds, I heard gunshots. Someone was trying... to kill me."
Kyle closed his eyes again, his words slowly falling from his lips as he tried to explain what had happened. His mind went back to that moment, where he felt deeply that his life was about to end.
He continued slowly, "I ran as fast as I could, trying to escape, but they were chasing me through the narrow streets. For some reason, I felt like I couldn't escape, their footsteps getting closer and closer at a rapid pace. I managed to lead them carefully to a place near the police station."
He took a deep breath and continued, "After that, the police arrived immediately when they heard the gunshots. That was the only moment I felt relief... but it was almost over, if not for that luck. As for my uncle, he wasn't as lucky as I was. He's now lying in Ottawa Central Hospital, receiving the necessary treatment, but he hasn't woken up yet..."
Melissa was sitting there, a deep shock evident on her face, her eyes almost bursting with tears. This wasn't the Kyle she knew; this was someone else, someone who was on the verge of breaking from fear and tension. It was natural for her to feel this way, as her auburn friend had never faced an assassination attempt before...
She spoke in a sad voice, extending her hand to hold Kyle's palm. "Why didn't you tell us about this before? Why did you carry this alone?" she said with sorrow and worry, her eyes filled with pain. "Kyle, we're here for you. How can we be friends if we don't share everything?"
Joshua, shaken from his shock, placed his hand on his head, messing with his hair as he mumbled, "Wait, what?! An assassination attempt?! Why didn't you tell us? How could you bear all of that alone?" Well, Joshua had always been slow to grasp things...
He continued, looking even more stunned, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. "This... this is madness! How did we not notice anything?"
Kyle, starting to ease his tension, hesitated as he looked at them. His heart was racing, but he continued speaking in a weak voice. "I didn't want to worry you. I didn't want to be a burden to you... this is just part of life, and the family hid anything related to it from the public. It's supposed... it's supposed to be a minor thing for the future head of the family..."
"Damn you, Kyle! You're not the head of the family yet, you're just a high school student now!" Melissa spoke angrily, wanting to shake him hard. How dare he think that way?!
Melissa took a deep breath, then leaned closer to him, placing her hand on his shoulder, her eyes filled with understanding. "No, Kyle, this shouldn't be a burden you carry alone. You're part of our lives, and we're with you in everything, no matter what. We're here now, and you'll never be left in the dark."
She continued, whispering softly in his ear, "Even if it means we need to stand up against everything for you."
Joshua, who seemed confused due to not fully believing what Kyle had said, finally understood what he was talking about. After a few moments of thought, he nodded his head and took a deep breath. "Well, I guess I was being stupid. But now, Kyle, you need to be more careful. This means there's something much bigger than we imagined. I never would have thought something like this could happen."
Kyle felt the weight of the words, but after a few moments, a small smile appeared on his face, even though he still felt the heaviness of the situation. "I won't leave you... I promise."
Melissa smiled gently, giving him a light punch. "Of course, you won't, you idiot."
-----
Inside the halls of Windsor School, Kyle felt a sense of unease.
Light footsteps followed him, almost imperceptible, but his sharp sense of threat made him aware of them. He could turn around and face whoever was following him, but instead, he continued walking steadily. He didn't need to raise suspicions.
At the corner of one corridor, he caught a faint reflection in the glass. It was Veronica Montagu. The girl with long black hair and the confident smile, belonging to the Montagu family, rivals to the Reynolds family. Her dark eyes were watching him closely, but Kyle acted as if he hadn't noticed.
He remained calm, heading toward the nurse's office with steady steps. He knew Veronica wouldn't risk following him inside the room. Indeed, her footsteps stopped at the entrance.
Kyle gave a light smile to the nurse as he slowly entered, leaning on the desk, pretending to suffer from a severe headache. He spoke in a weak, hoarse voice, "I feel like my head is going to explode... I think I need to go home..."
The nurse, despite her slight hesitation, couldn't ignore his exhausted and convincing expression. She gave him early dismissal with a note that he needed rest. All credit goes to Kyle's excellent acting skills!
A few minutes later, outside the school building, Kyle got into the sleek black family car, where the driver was waiting for him. He sat in the back seat, quietly closing the door behind him, relaxing a bit.
The driver, Mr. Marcus, was a man in his mid-forties, with short gray hair and serious features. He began speaking after a few moments of silence as the car made its way through the city streets, his voice calm as he cast occasional glances through the front mirror. "Young master, everyone is talking about your future. So many expectations weigh on you. Being the heir of the Reynolds family is not an easy task."
Kyle, who had been staring out of the window at the other cars, didn't turn around immediately. His mind was heavy with thoughts, but Marcus' comment pierced the silence. He took a deep breath before answering in a calm yet sarcastic tone, "Everyone talks about my future, but has anyone wondered if I actually want this?"
Marcus gave a slight smile but didn't stop. He continued speaking to his young master, "You may be right, young master. But not everyone has the luxury of choosing their path. Especially in a family like yours."
Kyle responded with a small laugh, filled with bitterness, "Sometimes I think about running away. An isolated island, no phones, no meetings, no prying eyes. It sounds like paradise."
Marcus let out a short laugh, unsure whether to consider it just a joke or a buried truth. "An isolated island? I can see that, but you'd need someone to captain the yacht, wouldn't you?"
Kyle chuckled sarcastically and replied, "Of course, Marcus. I'll hire you to be the captain of my yacht."
Silence returned between them, but Kyle kept staring out the window. His eyes moved between the speeding cars, the pedestrians going about their daily lives, and the busy streets of the city. Inside, he felt the heavy burden that he couldn't easily share. He knew he was being watched, even though he thought Veronica had stopped following him for now.
Finally, after a while, the car stopped in front of the magnificent Reynolds family estate. Kyle slowly got out and cast a quick glance at the imposing facade. He felt as though the place, despite its beauty, was a golden cage surrounding him.
Marcus spoke before Kyle closed the door, "Whatever your thoughts are, young master, remember you're not alone. Things may seem heavy now, but they will change eventually."
Kyle nodded silently, then closed the door. His steps were heavy as he entered the mansion, but he knew this was just the beginning of another day full of burdens and pressures.
Inside the magnificent Reynolds family mansion, Kyle was greeted immediately as soon as he passed through the heavy, ornate doors.
The head butler, a tall man with sharp features, was waiting in the spacious hallway. He wore a sleek black suit, his demeanor exuding sternness and professionalism. His name was Edmund Pierce, a man who was no more than fifty years old, but he appeared older due to his serious aura. He was also more professional than all the younger servants.
Edmund spoke in a calm yet formal tone, "Good evening, young master. I hope you're well. I noticed you returned early from school. Did something happen?"
Kyle, who seemed as if all his energy had been drained on the way, ignored the question. He handed his bag to the head butler without even looking at him, then began walking toward the grand staircase that led to his private suite.
Edmund asked in a more curious tone, though still professional, "Young master, won't you tell me? Is there something that requires concern?"
Kyle paused for a moment at the stairs, but his back remained turned to the head butler. He knew perfectly well that every word he said would be reported to his harsh father immediately. Even his expressions might be conveyed. So, he gave Edmund only a cold and quick response, maintaining his carefully controlled composure.
"Nothing to worry about, Pierce. Send Adele to my room immediately. I need a shower, then I'll go to sleep."
He didn't wait for a reply. He continued up the stairs with steady steps, ignoring the scrutinizing gaze of the head butler. Kyle knew that Edmund noticed everything—the fatigue in his eyes, the slight droop in his shoulders, even the small speck of dust that had stuck to his coat from the school seats. Kyle was completely exposed to this man, who held unwavering loyalty to his father, not to him.
Kyle entered his private suite, his room was a world of its own. It was so large that it contained a separate sitting area, an elegant wooden desk piled with papers that he barely touched, and a massive bed surrounded by heavy silk curtains. Despite its opulence, the room always felt cold, as though it reflected his inner sense of isolation.
Kyle took off his school jacket and threw it on the chair by the door, then walked to his large window overlooking the house's back gardens and opened it. He stood there for a moment, gazing at the gray sky that threatened rain. He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the weight of the day.
A soft knock on the door broke the silence. A gentle feminine voice came from behind the door, "Young master, may I come in?"
Kyle gave his permission, maintaining his position without turning around. "Come in, Adele."
Adele opened the door quietly, holding a towel and some clean clothes on her arm. Adele was a young woman in her early twenties, with gentle features and long brown hair usually tied back. Her hazel eyes reflected a mix of concern and loyalty to the young master.
Adele asked in a worried tone, "Are you alright, young master? I heard you came back early. Is there anything I can do?"
Kyle finally turned his head toward her, hesitating for a moment before replying in a low voice, "Nothing, Adele. I just need a hot shower to relax a bit... and I want to sleep afterward. I don't want to be disturbed."
Adele nodded silently, then placed the towel and clothes on the edge of the bed before turning to leave the room. However, she stopped at the door and looked at him for a moment, as if she was about to say something else, then changed her mind and left quietly.
Kyle let out a long sigh as she closed the door behind her. He headed to the bathroom, trying to rid himself of the feeling of tension and pressure that had become an inseparable part of his life. All he wanted now was a brief moment of peace... though he knew it wouldn't last long.