Bound by his name

Chapter Ten - Behind Closed Doors

Three days passed.

Three days without another message from Connor.

Three days without another black sedan appearing outside the university.

Three days of pretending everything was normal.

Vincent knew better.

His father never stayed quiet unless he was planning something.

Wednesday mornings belonged to the engineering laboratory.

The room smelled faintly of ethanol and polished steel as students gathered around their workstations.

Professor Bennett walked between the benches, clipboard in hand.

"Today's experiment will be completed in pairs."

Groans echoed through the room.

Jake immediately turned to Vincent.

"We're partners, right?"

Before Vincent could answer—

"Actually..."

Professor Bennett adjusted his glasses.

"I've already assigned today's pairs."

Jake looked horrified.

"Oh no."

The professor began reading names.

"Matthews and Carter."

Jake sighed dramatically.

"My dreams are ruined."

The class laughed.

"Benson and Ahmed."

"Lopez and Singh."

Then—

"Wynne..."

Vincent looked up.

"...and Moretti."

Silence.

Jake slowly turned toward William, who had just walked in wearing his football jacket after finishing an early fitness session.

William blinked.

"...Me?"

Professor Bennett nodded.

"The Sports Science department asked if a few students could observe today's engineering practical."

William scratched the back of his neck.

"I think they sent the wrong football player."

The professor smiled.

"Perhaps."

"But you're here now."

William took the empty stool beside Vincent.

"I should warn you..."

Vincent looked at him.

"I almost failed chemistry in high school."

Vincent stared.

"...Really?"

William nodded confidently.

"I set something on fire."

"...On purpose?"

"No."

"That's somehow worse."

Jake burst into laughter from the next table.

"I'm suddenly very interested in this experiment."

Professor Bennett placed a tray of glass equipment in front of each pair.

"You'll be measuring reaction rates."

William looked at the equipment.

Then at Vincent.

Then back at the equipment.

"...I'm scared."

"You should be."

"You're supposed to reassure me."

"I've seen your football training."

"You survive people trying to tackle you."

Vincent picked up a beaker.

"I'm not convinced glass is safer."

William grinned.

"You've got jokes today."

"I'm spending too much time with you."

For the next hour...

Vincent patiently explained each step.

William listened far more carefully than anyone expected.

"So..."

William frowned at the worksheet.

"If temperature increases..."

"The reaction speeds up."

"Because?"

"The particles move faster."

William's eyes lit up.

"Oh."

"I actually understand that."

Vincent smiled.

"I told you."

Jake leaned across from the next station.

"Should I be worried?"

William looked proud.

"I know science now."

"You know one sentence."

"It's a start."

As the experiment continued...

William reached for a flask at the same moment Vincent did.

Their hands brushed.

Both froze.

Only for a second.

Vincent quietly pulled his hand back.

William cleared his throat.

"You go first."

Vincent nodded.

"...Thanks."

Neither of them mentioned it.

Neither of them could explain why such a small moment lingered.

After class...

Professor Bennett stopped Vincent on the way out.

"Mr. Wynne."

"Yes, Professor?"

"I've nominated you for the National Engineering Excellence Scholarship."

Vincent blinked.

"...Me?"

"Your grades speak for themselves."

Jake's jaw dropped.

William smiled immediately.

"I knew it."

The professor continued.

"It's highly competitive."

"But I believe you have an excellent chance."

Vincent stood speechless.

"Thank you, sir."

Professor Bennett smiled warmly.

"You've earned it."

Outside the laboratory...

William threw an arm around Vincent's shoulders before remembering himself.

He quickly stepped back.

"Sorry."

Vincent looked up.

"It's okay."

William smiled sheepishly.

"I just got excited."

Jake laughed.

"You looked like you'd won the lottery."

William pointed at Vincent.

"He practically did."

Vincent looked down at the scholarship letter in his hands.

For the first time in days...

Hope returned.

Maybe...

Just maybe...

He could build a future that belonged to him.

Across the city...

Connor Wynne sat at the head of a boardroom table.

His assistant entered carrying another file.

"Sir."

Connor didn't look up.

"What now?"

"Your son has been nominated for the National Engineering Excellence Scholarship."

Connor's expression remained unreadable.

"What does it require?"

"If accepted..."

"He'll receive international research opportunities."

Connor finally looked up.

"Where?"

"The United Kingdom."

Silence.

His assistant shifted uneasily.

Connor closed the file with deliberate care.

"No."

One word.

Calm.

Absolute.

"He isn't leaving this country."

The assistant nodded.

"I'll make the necessary arrangements."

Connor turned toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Ashton University has forgotten who financed their new engineering laboratories."

His reflection stared back at him.

"It seems they need reminding."

That evening...

The dorm room was filled with the smell of instant ramen.

William proudly carried two steaming bowls to the desk.

"Dinner is served."

Vincent raised an eyebrow.

"You added an egg."

"I'm becoming a chef."

"You boiled water."

"I also sliced spring onions."

Vincent laughed.

"I stand corrected."

William handed him a bowl.

"Congratulations."

"For what?"

"The scholarship."

Vincent looked at the noodles.

"I haven't won it."

"You were nominated."

"That's still impressive."

Vincent smiled softly.

"Thank you."

William lifted his fork.

"I'll be there when they announce the winner."

Vincent looked surprised.

"You would come?"

William looked equally surprised.

"Of course."

"As your friend."

Those last three words settled gently between them.

Neither noticed the tiny flicker of disappointment they both felt when William added them.

Neither was ready to ask why.