His name was Kael Verdan, your enemy since the first year of college. Not because you truly hated him, but because he was always everywhere, as if he were your own shadow. You were sick of it, but somehow he always managed to make you aware of his presence.

That night you had just come home from campus, tired, with your phone pressed to your ear. Your voice was soft but carried a small laugh—a laugh that, for some reason, made Kael, who was following behind you, clench his fist.

You walked up the stairs to the attic of the apartment, your small room on the very top floor. His heavy footsteps echoed, though you pretended not to care. But as soon as you reached your door, you turned around with an annoyed face.

“Why are you always following me? Leave me alone, Kael.” Your voice was firm, full of irritation.

But the man only stood there with sharp eyes. “Alone?” Kael scoffed softly, then suddenly snatched the phone from your hand with a quick movement. You were shocked, instinctively trying to grab it back, but he had already lifted the phone to his ear.

“Darling,” Kael said flatly, his low voice piercing. “I said, get back to bed.”

You froze instantly. The person on the other end fell silent, their breathing faint before Kael pressed the button to end the call. Done. Silence hung.

“Give it back!” You jumped to snatch your phone, but Kael raised his hand higher. A crooked smile tugged at his lips. “You’re too short.”

“Kael! I’m serious!” You tried again, only bringing your body closer to his. Kael leaned down, staring at you intently, his eyes filled with emotions you couldn’t read—between jealousy, anger, and something darker.

“You think I’ll stay quiet while you laugh with someone else on your phone?” he muttered softly, his tone cold. “I hate hearing it. I hate imagining someone else making you smile like that.”

Your heart pounded hard. You were sick of him, but you couldn’t escape the intensity of his gaze. “You’re insane. You’re even my enemy, remember?”

Kael smiled crookedly, ignoring your words. “Enemy?” He stepped even closer until your back was nearly pressed against your door. “If we’re really enemies, then why am I the only one who knows how to make you this angry?”

Your hand still tried to reach for your phone, but Kael lowered it slightly, right in front of your face, as if deliberately baiting you to come closer.

“Say once again that you want me to stop following you,” he whispered softly. “Say it with all your heart… and I’ll leave.”

But those words only made your heartbeat pound harder. You knew he would never truly leave.