It didn't take long.
A few moments after I watched Isaaq drive off with that mystery bastard still lingering in my thoughts, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, expecting some dumb group message, but instead…
A text.
From anonymous.
No words. Just a pin. An address.
I blinked. Heart sinking.
It was an apartment building.
My stomach twisted. I already knew what that meant. Another cab ride. Another wave of nausea and self-loathing. Another reminder that I was becoming that kind of guy. The kind who stalked his ex… or whatever Isaaq was to me now.
The thought made my skin crawl.
Still, I hailed a cab. Told the driver the address without thinking, then stared blankly out the window, chewing the inside of my cheek. My reflection in the glass looked pale. Sweaty. Crazy.
When we got close, I spotted Isaaq's car a few blocks ahead and told the driver to stop right there. I didn't want to risk being seen—not by Isaaq, and definitely not by that smug long-haired prick again.
I didn't ask how much the ride cost.
Didn't care.
I dipped my hand into my coat pocket, pulled out a wad of bills I'd grabbed before leaving, and tossed them onto the passenger seat.
It was definitely more than enough, but whatever.
The drivers never complained.
I slipped out and ducked low, creeping toward the apartment's parking lot. There were a few parked cars scattered around, and I chose the biggest SUV I could find to crouch behind, just close enough to see but out of view. I peeked through the window.
And there they were.
Isaaq and the guy. Talking. Smiling.
That fucking smile again.
I clenched my teeth so hard my jaw ached.
I couldn't hear a word they were saying, but that didn't matter. I could feel the familiarity between them. The comfort. The intimacy.
I grumbled something under my breath—something crude and bitter and only half-coherent.
Eventually, the guy opened the door and got out.
He turned back, gave Isaaq a little wave.
And Isaaq… he drove off.
With a smile.
That smile didn't belong to anyone else.
It was mine.
My blood boiled. I wanted to scream. Break something.
No, fuck that—I was going to follow this guy. He had no idea who he was messing with. I'd give him a piece of my damn mind, and maybe a punch in the face while I was at it.
I moved quickly, quiet as I could, watching the guy head toward the building entrance.
But then…
He stopped.
Froze.
And said—loudly, calmly—
"How long do you plan on following me?"
I blinked.
Who the hell was he talking to?
My heart dropped into my stomach.
He didn't even turn his head. Just stood there, still facing the building. But then… slowly… he turned around. Not fast, not surprised—like he already knew exactly where I was hiding.
His eyes landed straight on me.
"You gonna come out?"
His voice dipped lower, rougher.
"Or do I have to come over there and drag you out myself?"
That tone. It wasn't just threatening—it was terrifying.
And I—God—I don't know when my legs betrayed me, but suddenly I was standing. Exposed.
I'd never felt so small in my life.
He walked toward me. Steady. Calm. Every step made the air heavier. He stopped inches from my face and just stared, long and hard, like he was trying to decide whether to punch me or bury me.
He grabbed me by the collar.
"Who the fuck are you?"
His voice was tight. Controlled. Like a villain in a thriller film.
I swallowed hard, trying to sound brave. "Wh-who I am isn't important. I just—I want you to stay the fuck away from Isaaq."
His brow quirked. That cold look softened just a little.
"Seriously?"
I clenched my fists. "Yes. Isaaq Almasi is mine. I had him first. Back off."
He paused. His eyes scanned me up and down like I was some annoying bug on his windshield. Then he leaned back, arms still tense.
"Or else what?"
I had nothing. No threat. No plan. Nothing but pure, stupid emotion.
He towered over me—at least a full head taller. I was maybe 5'7 on a good day, and this guy? He looked like he ate guys like me for breakfast.
His mouth curled into this dark, mocking smirk.
This guy was scary as fuck.
Who the hell was he? And what kind of spell had he cast on Isaaq?
I couldn't even answer. The courage I'd forced myself to gather had already died and shriveled somewhere between his glare and his grip on my collar.
Then he spoke again.
"You know," he said, voice lower now, "looking at you again… you're really cute."
I blinked.
What?
Was he—was he hitting on me?!
Before I could react, he kept going.
"I don't like people spying on me," he said coolly. "If it were anyone else, they'd be crippled by now. But since you're someone to Isaaq… I'll let it slide."
And I knew he wasn't bluffing.
The weight in the air, the way my chest tightened, the way my fingers tingled—this guy was dangerous. If he wanted to break every bone in my body, I wouldn't even be able to scream fast enough.
Still, I managed to breathe, "But you're still gonna have to leave Isaaq alone."
He smiled.
Leaned in.
Pulled my collar tighter.
"No."
Then, just like that, he let go. Like flipping a switch, his whole vibe shifted.
He scratched his head, muttered something like "Get lost, kid," and turned to walk away.
And the second he did, the whole scary villain energy disappeared like it had never existed.
I collapsed to the ground.
Literally collapsed.
Panting. Shaking.
My knees hit the concrete, and I just sat there, staring blankly ahead.
Who the hell is this guy?
_ _ _
I managed to get on my feet, though I staggered like a newborn deer. My knees still felt like jelly, and the chill that had clung to my spine ever since that guy grabbed me hadn't worn off. What the hell had just happened? Who was that? My heart was still pounding like I'd just sprinted through a horror movie, and I hadn't even gotten his name.
As I made my way out of the apartment complex's driveway—parking lot, whatever—I paused, staring down the road.
Another taxi?
Absolutely not. I'd had enough of the commoner lifestyle for one day. I pulled out my phone with trembling fingers and hit Julie's number. It rang once.
"Hello?" she picked up, voice light as always.
"Um… J-Julie," I stammered. My voice was shaking so badly it didn't even sound like mine.
"Teddy bear? What happened?" she asked, immediately worried.
"Oh, um… nothing. I-I need a ride, please."
There was a pause. "Oh Teddy, don't scare me like that. Send me your location."
I texted her the address with a shaky thumb.
About twenty minutes later, her sleek black car pulled up. When she saw me, she blinked like she barely recognized me. Fair, considering I was dressed like a background extra in a 90s sitcom—definitely not my usual vibe.
"Teddy? Baby, what happened? What are you doing out here?" Julie asked, stepping out of the car in a flowy silk coat and shades that screamed editor-in-chief energy.
I cleared my throat. "Oh, I was um… Can we talk about this later?"
She tilted her head but didn't push. "Whatever you want, boo. Wanna go shopping? Let's get you out of those ridiculous clothes."
That was Julie. Smart, sweet, always knowing exactly what to say. I love her so much.
Without thinking, I hugged her tight. She hugged me right back, wrapping me in a squeeze that somehow made the panic ease up.
Then she ruffled my hair. "Ugh, Theo, when was the last time you conditioned? Your hair is so... fibrous. Like tangled anxiety."
"Oh shut up, Julie," I groaned, finally managing a laugh. "I don't need hair lectures from someone who wears Valandra boots with a Kremolo trench. You look like a fashion disaster at a jazz funeral."
Julie burst out laughing, gave me another tight hug, and kissed the top of my head.
"Still my teddy bear," she said.
And just like that, I started to feel human again.