Bound by his name

Chapter Six - Uninvited

The Monday morning sun shone brightly over Ashton University, but Vincent barely noticed.

He walked across campus with his backpack slung over one shoulder, an Earl Grey tea in one hand and his timetable in the other.

His mornings had become... predictable.

Wake up.

Tease William for sleeping through three alarms.

Attend lectures.

Study.

Eat lunch together.

Study again.

Go home.

It wasn't exciting.

It was comfortable.

And comfort was something Vincent hadn't realised he'd been missing.

"You've been smiling a lot lately."

Jake appeared beside him, balancing two coffees and a stack of folders.

Vincent frowned.

"I have not."

Jake laughed.

"You're doing it now."

"I'm thinking."

"About?"

"My lab report."

"Liar."

Vincent looked genuinely confused.

"I'm not lying."

Jake bumped his shoulder playfully.

"You've got that look."

"What look?"

"The 'my roommate is slowly ruining my emotionally unavailable lifestyle' look."

Vincent almost choked on his tea.

"...That's oddly specific."

"Am I wrong?"

Vincent opened his mouth.

Then closed it again.

"...No comment."

Jake grinned victoriously.

"I knew it."

The engineering lecture ended just before noon.

Students poured out into the courtyard, laughing and making plans for lunch.

Vincent and Jake had barely stepped outside when the atmosphere changed.

The chatter faded.

Engines rumbled.

One.

Then another.

Then a third.

Three sleek black SUVs rolled through the university gates and stopped directly outside the engineering building.

Students paused mid-conversation.

Someone whispered,

"Who are they?"

Another lifted a phone.

"Is someone famous here?"

The first SUV door opened.

Two men in black suits stepped out.

Bodyguards.

They scanned the area before opening the rear passenger door.

A young woman stepped onto the pavement.

She wore a cream-coloured tailored suit, oversized sunglasses and heels that clicked confidently against the stone walkway.

Every movement was effortless.

Elegant.

Confident.

She removed her sunglasses and smiled.

"There you are."

Vincent's heart dropped.

"...Jennifer."

Without hesitation, she crossed the courtyard and wrapped him in a warm hug.

"Vinny!"

The entire courtyard fell silent.

Jake's eyes widened.

"...Vinny?"

Vincent looked deeply uncomfortable.

"You weren't supposed to come here."

Jennifer pulled back just enough to study his face.

"I was in the area."

"You drove two hours."

She smiled innocently.

"So?"

Jake leaned closer to Vincent.

"...Should I leave?"

"Probably."

Jennifer turned to him with a bright smile.

"You must be Jake."

Jake blinked.

"...How do you know my name?"

"Vincent mentioned you."

Vincent looked horrified.

"I... did?"

Jennifer laughed.

"No."

"I guessed."

Jake sighed dramatically.

"You're both terrifying."

At that exact moment...

William and Mason rounded the corner after football training.

Mason froze.

"Dude..."

William followed his gaze.

His smile disappeared.

Vincent stood in the middle of the courtyard.

A beautiful young woman held onto his arm as though she'd known him forever.

Students whispered around them.

Phones were already recording.

"Who's she?"

"They look close."

"Is that his girlfriend?"

William didn't answer.

He simply watched.

Something inside his chest tightened.

He didn't understand why.

Jennifer noticed him immediately.

She leaned towards Vincent.

"Friend of yours?"

Vincent turned.

His eyes met William's.

For just a second...

He looked worried.

"Yes."

William walked over.

"Hey."

His usual easy smile was there...

But it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Hi."

Vincent sounded strangely nervous.

Jennifer offered her hand.

"I'm Jennifer Perez."

William shook it politely.

"William Moretti."

"Oh."

Recognition flickered across her face.

"The football captain."

William chuckled.

"Guilty."

Jennifer looked between the two young men.

"So..."

She smiled mischievously.

"You're the famous roommate."

William raised an eyebrow.

"Famous?"

Vincent sighed.

"Jennifer..."

"What?"

"You've mentioned him twice during family calls."

William blinked.

Vincent stared.

"I have?"

Jennifer grinned.

"You really don't listen to yourself, do you?"

Heat rose to Vincent's cheeks.

William tried—very unsuccessfully—not to smile.

"Walk with me?"

Jennifer asked quietly.

Vincent hesitated.

"...For a minute."

She lowered her voice.

"It's about your father."

His expression changed instantly.

"I'll be right back," he said to William.

William nodded.

"Take your time."

He watched them walk away together.

Neither of them noticed that William's smile had faded.

Jennifer stopped beneath a large oak tree, far enough away that no one else could hear.

"He's angry."

Vincent looked down.

"I know."

"You haven't answered his calls."

"I don't want to."

"You know he won't let that go."

"I know."

Jennifer's expression softened.

"Vin..."

She rarely called him that.

"He wants you at the charity gala next month."

Vincent closed his eyes.

"No."

"It's not a request."

"It never is."

Jennifer reached into her handbag and handed him a cream-coloured envelope embossed with the Wynne family crest.

Vincent didn't open it.

He already knew what it contained.

An invitation.

A reminder.

A leash.

"He also expects us to arrive together."

Silence.

Finally...

Vincent whispered,

"I'm so tired of everyone deciding my life for me."

Jennifer looked at him for a long moment.

"I know."

There was no judgment in her voice.

Only sadness.

Back near the engineering building...

Mason nudged William.

"You okay?"

William kept his eyes fixed on Vincent.

"...Yeah."

"You don't sound okay."

"I don't know."

He laughed awkwardly.

"I just realised..."

"What?"

"...I don't actually know anything about him."

Mason followed his gaze.

"Then ask."

William nodded slowly.

"Maybe I will."

Vincent returned a few minutes later.

Jennifer smiled politely.

"I'll leave you boys alone."

Before getting into the SUV, she looked back at Vincent.

"Don't forget."

"I won't."

The convoy pulled away.

The courtyard slowly returned to normal.

Jake walked over.

"So..."

Nobody spoke.

Jake folded his arms.

"Anyone want to explain what just happened?"

Vincent looked at the envelope in his hand.

Then at William.

For the first time since they'd met...

He wasn't sure what to say.