ANMELDENAdrian's POVHis scent takes over me the moment I inhale—warm, familiar, him. The one I was addictive too.It seeps into my senses like something addictive, quieting the chaos in my mind within seconds. I don’t know what it is about him… but his cologne works like a phenomenon I’ve never been able to escape.My grip around him loosens just enough to relax, not enough to let go.It's midnight, and as I lift my gaze to check, he’s already asleep—breathing slow, face softened, almost boyish. Peaceful. Unbothered. Like the world hasn’t touched him at all.A faint smile tugs at my lips. "God, he still sleeps the same," I mumble to myself. As I adorably stare at himAnd just like that… I’m pulled back to the time where for the first time I lost myself in him. Back to college, the time which bring me back to 'him'.---It was his freshman year, and I was in my third—busy finishing my Business Management degree while juggling preparations for the CSEET exam. Life was structured, predictable…
Ethan’s POVFor a moment, I study his face more carefully now. The usual arrogance, the effortless dominance he carries like a second skin… it’s not there. Instead, there’s something unfamiliar.Hesitation.Vulnerability.It throws me off balance.“…Why?” I ask, this time my voice losing its edge, replaced with something more cautious.Adrian finally looks at me. For a split second, our eyes lock—and I swear, there’s something raw in his gaze. Something unguarded. But just as quickly, it’s gone.“Nothing,” he mutters, turning slightly away. “Forget I asked.”He takes a step back, like he’s already regretting it. Like he’s building that wall again—brick by brick, right in front of me. And I don’t know why…but that doesn’t sit right with me.“Wait.”The word leaves my mouth before I can stop it. And he pauses.I run a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly, trying to make sense of my own thoughts. This is stupid. Completely stupid. There are a hundred reasons why I should say no.He’s da
Ethan’s POVAdrian’s sudden question had caught me off guard.For a split second, my heart had actually stopped—because I hadn’t expected him to *know*. But then, when I studied his face more carefully, there was something off. A flicker. A hint.He was testing me.And I proved myself right the moment I flipped the situation and casually tossed my phone toward him. If he really had something solid, he would’ve pushed. Questioned. Pressed harder.But he didn’t.Thank God.And thank God I had called Mrs. Hoover smartly. A missed call first—then she called me back. Even if Adrian checked my phone, there would be no outgoing call to question. Only an incoming one.Clean. Safe.Sometimes, survival really is about thinking two steps ahead.My instincts rarely fail me.Adrian stood there for a moment longer, unusually quiet. To avoid any further suspicion, I walked to the kitchen and poured him a glass of warm milk, adding a pinch of nutmeg—something that helps with sleep.“Here,” I offered.
Adrian's POV I had an early dinner assuming Ethan was enjoying his day. He wasn't in a hurry to show up at home. So, waiting for him would be a waste. With an unease settle in heart, I sat to eat dinner. Brocolli soup, red pumpkins and kohlrabi sauteed with some black pepper as a side dish. The food was as usual bland and barely tasty. With almost no amount of salt and zero spices. I silently swallowed it and walked back to my room by 7:15 pm. Less interested and bothered to wait. White lie!But as I reached into my room his thoughts tried to cloud me. For a few days, he was sleeping in my room. Beside me. His presence was warming my heart and room. Now that he is not there I feel awkward to sleep."Are you crazy Adrian?", I scolded myself. "He has barely been here, but you stayed for years. This is your damn room!" My subconscious lectures me. And I still feel shameless to crave him. Though he was correct.With an embarrassed face I tried to lay down on my bed. Taking the med
Ethan's POVI frown slightly at his text. Though internally I was happy for the money. But his intentions seems fishy. So I asked him, "Why this sudden heart of change?""I shared it with my boss and he is impressed with it", he replies and I smile thinking it's a token of appreciation. But then he drops another text stating the actual reason."He wants to hire you as an freelancer", he reveals the cause. My breath hitched and heart skipped a beat. "Will you be able to work for us?", he asks.Work?As a coder?Really?I don't reply for few minutes when he texts again. "Boss will pay you 500$ a week." His message luring my interest to work. "The extra amount is as an advance for you...", he says. I give a deep thought.Wondering if I should accept it or not?!"Okay... But only 5-6 hours I can work for him max in a week," I respond finally after a hesitated pause. I can't guarantee if Adrian will give me so much chance to work. But I can't leave this opportunity. And this is a side wo
Ethan's POVI was walking down the street calmly. A sense of relief surging through me as my sister was in safe hand. Though I feel a bit guilty to burden aunty Hoover like this. I will repay her once the debt of Adrian gets off from my head. Or maybe its not needed if I survive a year with him.It was still bright day light, just the afternoon slipping in. I had a lot of time in my hand to spend.Brushing my head off, I walk into a old building in the dead end street. "Here, to use computer...", I said to the man sitting on the reception. "Walk straight and take second left..", he guides and I nod.This is a private cyber cafe but for coders and hackers where even dark web using people come. I walk in the private number booked and slid into my chair. My fingers glide through the super computer system.Signing in to my secret ID, I login in my portal for freelancing jobs for the anonymous people via a dark web page. For some extra money, I do sometimes illegal work as well but that e
Ethan's POV:I swallow hard. “I don’t.” The lie sounds thinner now.Fragile.We both hear it.His breath moves down my neck, warm, steady, too close. “Say it again,” he says quietly.“I don’t care.”“Look at me.”“I am,” I start, but my voice catches.“Not like that.”His hand comes back up, finger
Ethan's POV:“You’re lying.”The words don’t just land.They settle.Heavy. Certain. Unavoidable.It feels like they sink straight into my chest and stay there, pressing down on something I’ve been trying too hard not to feel.Something tightens, sharp and immediate, like he reached inside me and p
Ethan’s POV"Stop...S-ttoppp...", Ivan taps my seat.The driver rolls the car to stop pulling the break and Davel ran out of the car first while Ivan followed. I turn to find them throwing up and my body felt creeped out.Ewww.....A shiver ran down my spine as seeing them I felt nauseated.The off
Third Person POV“There should be no mistake… and make sure no one sees you.”The voice was low, controlled yet edged with firmness like a warning.The back gate lobby of the club was a stark contrast to the chaos inside. The music was reduced to a distant, dull thump like a heartbeat muffled behin







