/Jake/
The idea of taking care of Leo last night had been ruined because of that jerk, Alex. If he hadn't shown up out of nowhere and pulled those creepy stunts, I could have actually enjoyed my evening with Leo.
Still… there was a part of me that couldn't stop thinking about the side of Leo that Alex brought out. The way he threatened him—"I'll cut through your heart and watch you bleed until not a single drop remains in your body." Just recalling it sent chills down my spine. Honestly, it was the sexiest thing I'd ever seen him do. If I had been in Alex's place, I would have bolted without looking back.
After everything that happened, seeing Leo asleep, his breathing steady and his expression at peace, was enough to keep me watching for hours. He had taken care of me last night—cooking dinner, dressing my wound, even standing up against Alex. For the first time, I felt truly safe. Saying yes to his suggestion of living together was, without a doubt, one of the best decisions I'd ever made.
Lying there, an idea struck me. If I couldn't make dinner for us last night, then maybe I could surprise him with breakfast instead. Excitement buzzed in me at the thought, and I carefully got up, collecting my things before quietly slipping out of the condo.
In my eagerness, I didn't even realize I'd forgotten to take the house keys with me. The door had its habit of locking itself shut—and without the keys, I'd have no choice but to knock when I returned. If only we'd had that chocolate milk already, my little surprise might have actually worked the way I planned. Instead, I had no choice but to ruin my own secret just to buy a single bottle.
But in the end, it all worked out. He enjoyed the breakfast, and I enjoyed the warmth of his company—that was more than enough for me.
"Zara has invited me for drinks tonight," I said after Leo told me about his own plans with his friend. It seemed like fate had lined things up—we'd both spend the evening with our best friends. Him with his, me with mine.
Zara had practically ordered me to join her for drinks tonight. She rarely asked me to hang out like this, so of course I said yes. The only problem? Once she's drunk, she becomes… well, let's just say she transforms into an entirely different creature. Handling her requires a strength only a chosen few possess. Unfortunately, I was one of them.
Since we had hours to spare before our commitments, Leo and I got to spend the day together. We watched movies, talked, and just learned more about each other. Every moment with him felt like it was etching itself into me.
"Hey, want me to drop you off?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
"No, just enjoy your evening with your friend. Zara's picking me up anyway." I reassured him with a small smile.
"Sure… but what if he returns again?" His eyes narrowed, protective as always.
"Don't worry. Zara's the kind of person who'd kick his ass without even bothering to warn him first." I couldn't help the pride in my voice as I said it.
"Okay then, I'll take my leave now." He gathered his things, gave me one last glance, and walked out.
As the tick of the clock echoed through the now-quiet apartment, my phone rang, Zara's name flashing across the screen. She was downstairs, waiting.
"I'm coming," I said quickly, cutting the call before she could even get a word in.
I slid into the passenger seat beside Zara, giving her a silent thank-you look.
"You came dressed up?" I asked, scanning her from head to toe, trying to figure out the reason behind her outfit.
"We're going to meet someone," she said simply.
"Meet someone?" Amusement colored my voice. "I thought we were just going for a drink?"
"We are," she confirmed, eyes fixed on the road. "But I want you to meet someone first."
"You should have told me."
"I didn't?" she glanced at me, then quickly back at the road.
"No. You didn't."
"Sorry."
As she weaved through traffic, crossing car after car and leaving the streetlights behind us, I noticed something different. She was driving with a kind of nervous energy—like she couldn't contain herself. I'd never seen Zara this way before. Whoever this mystery person was, they clearly meant a lot to her.
Our ride came to an end in front of a club. My chest tightened the moment I recognized it—it was the same place where I'd shared that unexpected kiss with Leo. I shot Zara a puzzled look, still wondering who this "someone" was that she was so eager for me to meet.
The doors swung open, spilling dim light and soft music onto the street as the club's atmosphere pulled us inside.
"How many people?" a waiter asked as we stepped through the entrance.
"We're the guests of someone named Raven," Zara answered without hesitation.
Raven. The name alone made my stomach drop. My mind instantly went to Leo's best friend, and unease began to spread through me. But when I glanced at Zara's radiant smile, I stopped myself from asking. Her happiness was too genuine to spoil with my doubts.
The waiter led us through the shadows of the club, the pulsing bass beneath the soft music echoing in my chest. Zara's fingers curled tightly around mine, her excitement burning through her grip as if she couldn't wait another second to introduce me.
Finally, we reached a table in the corner. Two familiar silhouettes sat there, the dim light cutting across their faces. Zara slid into the seat across from them and motioned for me to sit beside her.
I was just about to pull out my chair when one of the figures turned toward me.
"Leo…" The word escaped me, trembling, half-whisper, half-gasp.
"Jake?" His voice cracked with the same shock.
Before I could even process, Zara's cheerful voice cut through the thick silence. "Jake, let me introduce you to my boyfriend." She gestured to the man sitting beside Leo. "Raven."
"Boyfriend?" The word tore out of both me and Leo at once, hitting the table like a storm.
Somehow, I managed to lower myself into the chair beside Zara, though my thoughts were a chaotic blur. Boyfriend. The revelation played on a loop in my mind, impossible to process.
Leo's stunned voice broke through. "How… When did this happen?"
"The night I brought her home," Raven said calmly, glancing at Leo. "After you kissed Jake."
The memory flashed before me—Raven guiding Zara away, steady and protective. I had thought nothing of it at the time. But now… it explained everything.