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Grayson woke up close to midnight after only three hours of sleep. He had dreamt of Emily, which made his longing for her even stronger, making it difficult for him to move on. Just the thought of her brought back memories. The way her laughter echoed through the Hawthorne halls, her bright smile that could chase away the darkest of shadows. It was a painful reminder of what he had lost, what he had broken.

He decided to go to the pool, knowing it would be empty and quiet. But as he entered, he heard splashing water and turned towards the source. "There goes my swimming plans," he inwardly groaned. Grayson was surprised to see Mason swimming at this time of night.

Mason sensed Grayson's presence and stopped gracefully, locking eyes with him. A mysterious smile played on his lips as he emerged from the water, droplets cascading down his body. Unlike Grayson, Mason didn't have well-defined abs but had a toned physique and a beach boy tan.

"So, Grayson, did you find what you wanted during your trips to New York and West Virginia?" Mason asked, his voice cool and collected.

Grayson narrowed his gaze, feeling his guard rise. "Why are you here? Following me around?"

Mason chuckled softly, the sound echoing through the pool area. "You really remind me of Alison, and dealing with one Alison is more than enough," he admitted, grabbing a towel and sitting on a sunbed. "Why do you care?" he asked abruptly, his voice laced with curiosity and annoyance.

Though the question was vague, Grayson knew he meant why he cared about Alison or why he was so determined to know. Grayson left his towel on a sunbed and entered the pool, feeling the cool water against his abs. "If I'm such a problem, why haven't you gotten rid of me?"

Mason glared at Grayson, a touch of amusement in his voice. "First, you're a Hawthorne." That simply implied that if Grayson dies or disappears, it would easily be traced back to Mason. "Second, I'm not a bad person." That was open to debate. "Third," Mason whispered reluctantly, "Alison."

Grayson held his breath for a moment, leaned against the pool's edge, and fixed his eyes on Mason's. "Did Mason still have feelings for Alison?" That was the first question that came to Grayson's mind, and he knew it shouldn't been. His silver eyes demanded an explanation, and if his words couldn't get what he wanted, his eyes would.

"Alison always had the burden of an inquisitive mind," Mason said in awe. "But she was a force of light in the dark." The way Mason spoke hinted as if he missed or longed for something, a memory of him and Alison, maybe from their time at Harvard. "Part of our agreement was that I wouldn't harm you."

Grayson's grip on the pool's edge tightened, his knuckles turning white as he fought to stay composed. " William and Hudson-"

"What they do has nothing to do with me," Mason interrupted. "Part of the agreement was that I paid them, along with her parents, and nothing more." The mention of an agreement stirred something primal within Grayson, igniting a fire that pushed him further to win. This agreement must be the connection between Alison and Mason. But what was its purpose?

Grayson pushed himself away from the edge of the pool, his movements calculated and deliberate. He began to swim while Mason chimed in,"Today happens to be my birthday, and there will be a celebration." Grayson could almost hear the smile in his voice. "Let me guess, I'm not invited," Grayson hoped. "I hope to see you there, unlike last time."

Mason's footsteps faded into the night until only silence remained. Grayson swam with frustration and anger, his strokes cutting through the water like a hot knife through frozen butter. He didn't need Alison's protection; he was capable of handling things on his own.

Hours passed unnoticed as Grayson swam, each lap pushed him harder, driven by his anger, frustration, and unyielding determination. He didn't need anyone to protect him or hold his hand.

With the first rays of dawn, Grayson emerged from the pool, his body covered in glistening droplets. He stood there for a moment, his chest rising and falling, feeling the sun's gentle touch on his skin. Taking a deep breath, he wrapped the towel around his shoulders and walked away, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions.

He slowly felt his feelings for Alison gradually fading with every step he took, until he no longer cared. Why had he entangled himself in these situations anyway? Was it solely the desire to win that drove him?

Grayson had planned to go to Harvard University to escape mysteries and games, to stop playing. And that's exactly what he intended to do.