Prince of Gluttony: Born from Betrayal

The girls looked like they were about to start throwing hands but Cain wanted none of that. This was his dorm room. If there was a problem, he was going to be the one who would have to live with the aftermath.

"Okay. That's enough. Both of you. If you are going to fight, do it outside of my room please. Thank you."

"Shut up Cain!" Both girls growled back in perfect unison. However, Cain was not impressed. His brow didn't even twitch as he responded in a flat tone.

"How about...No. If you have a problem with me talking, you can fuck off."

Jayden's head snapped toward him, her smirk gone, replaced by something caught between disbelief and indignation. Anna's eyes narrowed, the faintest flicker of surprise crossing her otherwise icy expression.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension shifted, no longer just between them, but now circling around Cain like a predator sizing up its prey.

Jayden crossed her arms, her tone sharp. "You think you can just dismiss me like that?"

Anna's voice followed, cool and measured. "And here I thought you knew better than to speak to me that way."

Cain met both their gazes without flinching. "No. I'm done standing here like some trophy while you two argue over me. This is my room, and I'm not dealing with the fallout because you can't keep your claws to yourselves."

Jayden's jaw tightened, but she didn't immediately fire back. Anna, however, tilted her head slightly, a faint, assessing smile playing at her lips.

"You seem to have grown up to talk to me that way."

Cain shrugged, his tone still flat. "Or maybe I just got tired of everyone thinking my opinion doesn't matter."

Jayden scoffed, the sound sharp and cutting. "Your opinion matters, but you're wrong, Cain. She's clearly trying to—"

Anna's gaze snapped to her, the faint smile gone. "Trying to what? Do enlighten me! I would love to know what the student with the worst grades has to say!"

Jayden took a step back, clearly caught off guard by the sudden change of topic.

Anna didn't give her a chance to recover. "You might be valedictorian, Jayden, but when it comes to academics, you're dead last. You barely scrape by every term. You shouldn't try to drag down Cain. He shouldn't have a bad influence like you around. "

Cain gave Anna a strange look, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Bad influence, huh?"

He looked toward the small fridge by the door. Its door was slightly open and inside rows of cold beer glistened in the light. Cain knew those were beers Anna had bought just yesterday.

He met her gaze again. "Funny. Last time I checked, you were the one who keeps my fridge stocked with beer."

Anna's cheeks colored faintly but she quickly hid it with a smug smile. "Someone has to keep you out of trouble."

Jayden snorted and crossed her arms. "Looks like the bad influence tag fits you better, professor."

Cain shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. Maybe neither of them was as innocent as they liked to pretend.

"Alright. Let's drop the topic for now. Who wants breakfast."

Jayden rolled her eyes but didn't argue. "Fine. I'm starving."

Anna gave a short nod. "I suppose I could use something to eat."

Cain couldn't help but think they might have been at each other's throat becasue they were hungry.

Gaius who had been watching in silence up until that moment suddenly spoke up.

'I don't know whether you are brave and bold or Stupid and lucky.

'Hmm?'What do you mean by that?

'You told two angry women to shut up and then placated them with food. That's like two death wishes right there. Death Wish Squared. Yet somehow you were spared.

'You are totally exaggerating man. Nothing I said was wrong.

Cain shook his head with a wry smile as he began unpacking the groceries that had been dropped off the day before. "I'm making omelettes. Any requests?"

Jayden's eyes lit up. "Make mine loaded with bacon, sausage, and steak."

Anna's voice was softer than before. "Plain, thank you."

"I'm making omelettes. Any requests?"

Cain shook his head as he began unpacking the groceries that had been dropped off the day before. "I'm making omelettes. Any requests?"

Jayden's eyes lit up. "Make mine with meat. I want lots of meat!."

Anna's voice was softer than before. "Plain, thank you."

Cain couldn't help but smile at the contrast. "Meat it is," he said with a nod toward Jayden. Then he glanced at Anna. "Plain omelette coming up."

Gaius's voice echoed in his mind again. "You know, throwing food at two angry women might just be your best survival tactic so far. I might have avoided so many problems if I did that..."

'Maybe you were the Stupid one then~'

'Oh you can shut the fuck up now! Brat.'

Cain cracked eggs into a bowl as he chuckled to himself and the tension in the room slowly faded. Jayden and Anna sat at opposite ends of the table, their earlier hostility giving way to quieter tones.

Anna leaned slightly toward Jayden, her voice low and hesitant. "I'm sorry for how I acted earlier. I just don't want Cain to get hurt again. He's been through enough already."

Jayden was silent for a moment, her eyes fixed on the table. Then she looked up and met Anna's gaze. "He is a good guy. I'd never hurt him on purpose."

Anna nodded slowly, a faint softness in her expression. "I know. Neither of us does. I just want him to be safe."

Jayden gave a small sigh. "Me too."

Cain listened quietly, the sound of eggs sizzling in the pan filling the space between them. For the first time that morning, the fight felt less like a battle and more like something they might actually resolve.

Cain set the plates down on the table. The omelettes looked hearty and inviting. Jayden's was piled high with meat while Anna's was simple but cooked just right. Both girls reached for their forks, still quiet but curiosity softening their expressions.

Jayden took a bite first. Her eyes widened and then sparkled as the rich flavors hit her palate. She glanced at Cain, surprised. "Wow. You actually know how to cook."

Anna's lips twitched into a rare, genuine smile as she savored her plain omelette. "This is really good."

Cain shrugged modestly, pleased to see them enjoying the meal. "Guess I'm better at some things than people give me credit for."

For a moment, the room was filled only with the soft sounds of eating and occasional satisfied hums. The sharp edges of their earlier argument faded as warmth settled between them, carried by the simple comfort of a good meal shared.