Boy, 21: Love and Lust

Chapter 51: Shame... (epilogue)

The lead security guard stepped forward, flanked by two others. His voice was firm, cold, and final.

"Go put on your clothes."

Joren and Lana didn’t speak. They simply nodded, eyes wide, towels clutched tightly around their bodies. The guards released them and stepped aside, allowing them to slip past and head toward the secluded changing alcove where they’d left their clothes earlier.

Inside the alcove, the silence between them was deafening.

Lana’s hands trembled as she reached for her dress. Her fingers fumbled with the zipper, and she cursed under her breath. Joren sat on the bench, pulling on his shirt with jerky movements, his mind racing.

"I didn’t think he’d actually do it," Lana whispered, her voice barely audible.

Joren didn’t respond. He couldn’t. His throat was dry, his heart pounding. He felt like he was shrinking inside his own skin.

She looked at him once, searching for something — comfort, maybe. But he was too far gone.

When they emerged, fully clothed, the guards were waiting.

The lead guard didn’t say anything at first. He just looked at them — eyes scanning their faces, reading the fear and shame etched into every line.

"Follow me," he said.

They obeyed.

The hallway was crowded.

People had gathered — resort guests, staff, shoppers from the plaza. Phones were out. Whispers buzzed.

"What’s going on?"

"What did they do?"

"Oh my God..."

Joren kept his eyes on the floor. Lana tried to hold her head high, but her steps faltered. The walk felt endless — a slow, humiliating procession past a gauntlet of judgment.

One woman — the receptionist who had welcomed them earlier, shook her head as they passed.

Joren clenched his fists.

They were led out of the plaza and into the resort building, taking a right turn down a hallway with an overhead sign that read "Management "

They reached the end of the hallway, where the guards stopped in front of a polished oak door.

The leader stepped forward and knocked twice.

"Come in." A voice came from behind the door.

The guard opened the door to a huge sprawling office where a man in a crisp suit sat on his desk.

"Are they the ones?" The man asked.

The lead guard nodded. "Yes."

The man waved a dismissive hand at the guard and he turned and exited, leaving the humiliated Joren and Lana in the office.

"Sit," the man said.

They sat.

"I was just informed of what happened." he started. "You understand what you’ve done?"

Lana nodded slowly. "Yes."

"This is a professional establishment. A resort. Not a—" he stopped himself, jaw tightening. "You’ve violated our policies, disrespected our staff, and disrupted our guests."

Joren swallowed hard. "We’re sorry."

The man didn’t respond. He picked up a phone on the desk and dialed.

"Yeah. They’re here," he said. "Get the paperwork ready. We’re processing their removal."

He hung up and looked at them again. "You’ll be escorted back to your suite. Pack your things. You’re leaving the premises within the hour."

Lana’s eyes widened. "Wait—"

"No discussion," the man snapped. "You’re lucky we’re not calling the police."

Joren’s stomach dropped.

The man got up and opened the door. "Let’s go."

They followed him through a back hallway that led to the guest wings. The walk was quieter, but no less heavy. Every step felt like a drumbeat of consequence.

It wasn’t of time until they arrives at their suite.

The man stopped outside, bring out his phone to call someone.

Joren and Lana stepped in, quiet as shadows.

Zuri was curled up on the couch, legs tucked beneath her, scrolling through her phone. Leon sat nearby, half-reclined in an armchair, sipping from a bottle of water. Lucy was perched on the edge of the coffee table, her eyes flicking up as the door opened.

Zuri looked up first. Her brows lifted slightly, head tilting.

"What’s up?" she asked, casual but curious.

Joren hesitated. Lana glanced at him, then looked away. Neither spoke.

Zuri sat up straighter, sensing something off. "Hey. What’s wrong?"

Joren opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, a voice came from behind them.

"They were caught doing inappropriate things in the resort’s plaza."

Everyone turned toward the door.

It was the suited man from from outside.

Leon blinked, stunned. "Wait—what?"

He stood up, eyes wide. "What the hell did you two do?!"

The man didn’t flinch. "They violated a serious rule. What they did could’ve led to criminal charges. But I’m giving them a pass — on one condition."

He looked at Joren and Lana, then at the rest of the group.

"They leave within the hour. And they don’t come back."

Leon took a few steps towards Joren and Lana, voice rising. "Are you two kidding me? Why would you do something like that? I told you — I told you before you left — stay out of trouble!"

Joren lowered his gaze. Lana’s arms were folded tightly across her chest, her face blank. Neither of them spoke. The shame was thick, suffocating.

Leon looked like he was about to keep going, but Zuri’s voice cut through the room.

"Leon," she said softly.

He turned, surprised by her tone.

Zuri stood up slowly, her movements calm, almost gentle. No anger in her posture. No heat in her eyes. Just quiet focus.

She walked toward Joren, step by step, until she was standing right in front of him.

Her eyes met his — unreadable, steady.

"Joren," she said, her voice low.

He swallowed. "Zuri," he replied, barely audible.

Then — a sharp crack.

Zuri’s fist connected with his cheek, clean and fast.

Joren staggered back a step, stunned.

Lana gasped. "Zuri!"

Leon’s jaw dropped. "Zu—!"

But Lucy didn’t flinch. She just watched, her lips curled into something subtle. Not quite a smile. But close. Almost satisfied.

Zuri didn’t say another word at first. She turned slightly, her voice low but clear.

"Dickhead," she muttered.

Then she headed toward the stairs, her steps steady, her face unreadable.

"Leon, Lucy," she said over her shoulder. "Go pack up."

No one said a word after Zuri’s punch. The silence in the suite was thick, almost suffocating.

Then, without being told, Leon turned and walked toward his room. Lucy followed, her expression unreadable now, but her movements brisk. Zuri disappeared upstairs.

Joren and Lana stood there for a moment, still stunned. Then, wordlessly, they turned and headed to their room to pack.

The suite was quiet except for the soft sounds of zippers, drawers opening and closing, luggage wheels rolling across the floor. No one spoke. No one needed to.

When Joren and Lana returned to the living area with their bags, the others were already there, their luggage lined up by the door.

The suited man stood near the entrance, arms crossed.

"Are you all set?" he asked.

Leon nodded. "Yeah. We’re good."

The man turned and opened the door. Two security guards were waiting just outside. He gave them a nod.

"Escort them to the lot."

The guards stepped in, silent and professional.

Everyone filed out of the suite, dragging their bags behind them. Down the hallway. Into the elevator. Through the lobby, where a few lingering guests watched them go.

Out into the parking lot.

Zuri’s car was already there, parked in the same spot as before.

They loaded their bags into the trunk without a word. Joren and Lana climbed into the back. Lucy took the passenger seat. Lucy slid in beside him.

Zuri got behind the wheel.

She didn’t say anything.

She just started the engine and drove.

--------

The car was silent.

No music. No idle chatter. Just the hum of the engine and the occasional bump of tires against the road.

Joren stared out the window. Lana sat beside him, arms folded, eyes down. Leon leaned against the door, watching the passing trees. Lucy was quiet in the front seat, her gaze unreadable.

Zuri drove, her face calm, eyes fixed on the road.

Minutes passed.

Then Lana spoke, voice low.

"Zuri... you shouldn’t be mad at Joren. It was my fault. I pushed it. I—"

Zuri didn’t respond.

Lana glanced up. "Did you hear me, Zuri?"

Zuri’s voice came cold, clipped.

"Shut up."

Lana blinked, stunned. "I—"

Joren gently touched her arm. "Don’t," he whispered.

Zuri noticed, but said nothing.

The rest of the ride was quiet.

By the time they reached the campus gate, the sun was dipping low, casting long shadows across the pavement.

Zuri pulled the car to a stop.

"Out," she said.

Joren and Lana grabbed their bags and stepped out. The door shut behind them. Zuri didn’t wait. She drove off.

Inside the car, Leon shifted. "You were kinda harsh with Joren, don’t you think?"

Zuri didn’t look at him. "Shut up, Leon."

But her voice didn’t carry the same bite.

Up front, Lucy turned slightly, her tone casual. "Hey, Zuri... do you have the number of any of the staff from the resort?"

Zuri glanced at her. "Why?"

Lucy shrugged. "I forgot something at the suite. Wanted to contact someone to help me retrieve it."

Zuri sighed. "I have the receptionist’s number."

She pulled out her phone and texted it to Lucy.

Lucy smiled — not politely. Menacingly.

"Thanks," she said.

Then she looked out the window. "Can you stop here?"

Zuri and Leon looked up, confused.

"You sure?" Leon asked.

"Yeah," Lucy said. "I’m good here."

Zuri shrugged and pulled over.

Lucy stepped out, closed the door gently, and watched the car drive off.

Then she chuckled to herself.

"I’ve got you where I want you, Joren."

She dialed the number Zuri had sent.

The call picked up.

"Hi," Lucy said sweetly. "I need your help retrieving a CCTV footage..."

---

MEANWHILE

Joren and Lana walked through campus, the evening air cool against their skin. Neither spoke for a while. The silence between them was different now, tired.

They reached the fountain and stopped.

Lana looked at him. "I’m sorry," she said. "I ruined everything."

Joren shook his head. "It’s okay. We were both guilty."

"But still," Lana said, her voice rising. "Zuri shouldn’t have punched you like that!"

Joren looked at the water, then back at her. "She was mad. I don’t blame her. If it were me... I’d probably do the same."

He sighed, then turned toward the dorms.

"I’m heading back, it’s already late." he said.

Lana nodded. "Okay. See ya later?"

Joren gave a small smile. "Yeah... I’ll see you later."

They parted ways.

Lana to her apartment,

And Joren.... well, to his dorm.

........

The story doesn’t end here...

Sequel coming out on March 16th...