Chapter 4: You’re Jealous?!

The hallway smelled like cheap deodorant, floor wax, and raging teenage hormones.

Aiden made his way to his locker with his bag slung over one shoulder, earbuds in, and his school tie loosened just enough to make the teachers side-eye him. His headphones blared classical piano remixes, his fingers air-tapping the keys. Music kept him sane.

Especially now that his engagement stalker fiancé was following him everywhere like a silent, overly muscular ghost.

Speaking of which—

Kairo was exactly two steps behind him. Black uniform jacket crisp. Hands in pockets. Expression unreadable.

And every student in the hallway was staring.

“Okay, this is getting out of hand,” Aiden hissed under his breath, slamming his locker shut. “You’re making people think I hired a bodyguard.”

“I am your fiancé,” Kairo said, tone flat.

“You are my problem.”

“You’re smiling.”

“I’m smirking in rage.”

“You’re still cute.”

Aiden made a noise that was halfway between a scream and a squeak.

⸻

Across the hall, a new student leaned casually against the lockers, watching them.

He was tall, caramel-skinned, with dyed blonde tips and a sly grin. Aiden noticed him immediately — mostly because he didn’t look away when their eyes met.

“Oh no,” Aiden muttered. “He’s hot.”

Kairo immediately turned to follow Aiden’s gaze. His jaw tightened.

“New transfer,” someone whispered nearby. “Apparently he’s from one of those elite academies in France.”

“His name’s Ash,” someone else added.

Ash smiled at Aiden like he already knew him. Then he pushed off the lockers and walked right up to him.

“You’re Aiden, right?”

Aiden blinked. “Um. Yeah?”

“You play piano.”

“I do.”

“You’re good.”

Aiden tilted his head. “How do you know that?”

Ash just smiled. “I have ears.”

Aiden opened his mouth to ask what that meant—when Kairo stepped between them, blocking Ash completely.

“I suggest you find another hallway,” Kairo said coolly.

Ash blinked. “…Excuse me?”

Kairo’s voice didn’t change. “You’re standing too close.”

Aiden shoved Kairo aside with his elbow. “Would you chill?!”

Ash chuckled. “Is this guy your boyfriend?”

Aiden’s face turned crimson. “He’s—No. He’s—It’s complicated.”

“Fiancé,” Kairo corrected smoothly, placing a hand on Aiden’s waist.

Aiden’s eyes rounded instantly.

“D-DON’T TOUCH ME IN PUBLIC—!”

Kairo leaned down and whispered, “You’re flustered.”

“YOU’RE POSSESSIVE!”

Ash smirked. “Well… good luck, fiancé. See you in music club, Aiden.”

He winked — actually winked — and walked off like a cool breeze in slow motion.

Aiden just stood there, stunned. Flustered. Internally combusting.

Kairo’s hand was still on his hip.

“Let go before I file a restraining order.”

Kairo didn’t let go.

“I don’t like the way he looked at you,” he said lowly.

“You mean like a normal person?! Unlike you who stares like you’re planning a ritual?!”

“He wants you.”

“I AM aware of how attractive I am, thank you!”

Kairo turned to face him completely now, eyes sharper than usual.

“You’re mine,” he said flatly.

Aiden felt his throat go dry. “You don’t own me.”

“I will.”

“You’re INSANE.”

“You’re blushing.”

“SHUT UP!”

⸻

Later that day, Aiden collapsed onto the couch at home with a loud, dramatic groan.

His heart was still pounding. His brain was fried. His pride? In shambles.

“You okay?” his cousin asked from across the room.

“No,” Aiden muttered. “I have an emotionally unavailable mafia-trained enigma fiancé with abs and anger issues, and now the new hot boy at school wants to duet with me.”

His cousin blinked. “Sounds like a fanfic.”

“I’M LIVING IN A FANFIC!”

⸻

That night, Aiden lay in bed pretending to be asleep.

He could feel Kairo watching him from the other side of the room. That intense presence. That stupid scent that was somehow relaxing and hot at the same time.

He’d been like this all week. Quiet. Steady. Dangerously patient.

And it was starting to mess with Aiden’s head.

Because part of him didn’t hate it.

He wanted to hate it.

But he didn’t.

Not when Kairo leaned closer in the dark and said in that deep, calm voice—

“I don’t like people looking at what’s mine.”

Aiden rolled over, face hot.

“I’m not an object,” he muttered.

“You’re my bondmate.”

“You’re delusional.”

Kairo chuckled softly. “You’ll see.”