The floor-to-ceiling windows frame the glowing city skyline. Neon lights pulse in the distance, blending with the flicker of the TV inside the luxury high-rise apartment.
Daniel lounges on the couch, early twenties, tall, dark, and clearly handsome. His long arms drape across the backrest as he watches a pop music video—his own. His stomach growls. He leans forward, eyes locked on his dance routine.
Ding dong.
The doorbell breaks his focus. He navigates around boxes, trash, and clutter on the way to the door.
Standing there is a short, baby-faced guy with a bright smile and a suitcase.
"I'm Lucas! The agency sent me."
Daniel tilts his head. "You're the sitter?"
"Assistant," Lucas replies quickly.
Daniel steps aside. Lucas rolls his luggage inside.
The apartment is chaos. The kitchen and living area are separated by a narrow walkway, both buried in clutter and dirty dishes.
Lucas surveys the mess, lips parting slightly.
"Haven't had help for a week," Daniel mumbles.
"Only a week?" Lucas asks.
Daniel coughs and gestures down the hallway. "Your room's this way."
Lucas steps into the guest room—small, with a twin bed by the window and a dresser by the door. He tosses his suitcase on the bed and unzips it.
Daniel's eyes lock onto a bright yellow bushel of bananas.
Lucas notices. "Aren't they beautiful?" he says, lifting the fruit. "Got them from the market downstairs." He sets them on the dresser.
Daniel wanders to the fridge. Inside: ketchup, mustard, mayo—and a white box.
He grabs the box and tries to hide it as Lucas enters the kitchen.
"I'll get it!" Lucas says cheerfully, picking it up. "Your suppositories, Daniel."
Daniel snatches the box, shoves it back in the fridge, and slams it shut.
"My ex's," he mutters.
Daniel notices Lucas has something big and long stuffed in his pants.
Lucas follows his stare. "Oh!" He pulls out a banana and snaps it open. "Need me to go to the market tomorrow?"
"Can't live on suppositories alone," Daniel mutters.
Lucas laughs and turns on the faucet.
He starts moving dishes, then screams.
Massive cockroaches scurry from under a plate.
Lucas leaps into Daniel's arms.
"What?!" Daniel yells.
Lucas points. "They're huge!"
"I told you I haven't had help."
Lucas eyes him suspiciously. "They've been here longer than a week."
That night, Lucas sleeps in banana-printed pajamas. Moonlight pours over the bananas on the dresser, spotlighting them like divine treasure.
The door creaks.
A hand reaches out. Snap. A banana breaks off the bunch.
Lucas stirs, turning toward the sound. Daniel freezes, mid-snap, crouched like a thief.
Lucas doesn't wake.
Daniel slips out.
In the living room, smacking sounds echo as he devours the stolen fruit.
He pauses.
"Where's the peel?" he whispers.
Morning sunlight beams in. Lucas stretches, yawns, and bounces out of bed.
He dances to the dresser, stops. The bananas look off.
He counts them, frowns.
Shrugs. Keeps dancing.
Fully dressed, Lucas enters Daniel's bedroom.
Daniel lies shirtless on his bed, the curtains still drawn.
"Daniel, wake up," Lucas says, gently brushing hair from his eyes.
Daniel blinks awake. "How do you know I have practice?"
"They sent me your schedule."
Lucas, in a bright yellow apron, plates breakfast. The kitchen shows progress—cleaner, organized.
"Breakfast is ready!"
Daniel jumps from the couch—and slips. His foot slides forward into a split, then back.
THUD.
"AHHH!"
Lucas rushes over. "Did you slip on suppositories?!"
"No!" Daniel groans.
Lucas picks up a banana peel. "Oh."
Ding dong.
"Just a minute!" Lucas yells, tossing the peel—which lands directly on Daniel's crotch.
Daniel lets out another yelp.
Lucas helps him to the couch. Daniel lies flat, groaning.
"Get the door," he says.
Lucas opens it to a cheerful older man.
"You must be the new sit—"
"Assistant," Lucas cuts in.
"I'm Jang! Daniel's father!"
He shakes Lucas' hand with way too much strength.
"Daniel?" he calls out.
"Over here," comes the voice from the couch.
Jang peers around. "Where?"
Lucas karate-kicks a stack of boxes out of the way.
Daniel lies stiff on the couch, unable to lift his head.
"Can't move my neck," he mutters.
Jang rushes over. Lucas kneels beside Daniel, worry in his eyes. He places his hand gently on Daniel's chest.
Daniel doesn't move. He just stares at the ceiling.