You never thought the man you trusted the most would be the one who hid cameras in your room. Your precious best friend. The one you walked around in lace bra and undies in front of, certain he would never be interested in you.

You and Xyrex grew up together. He came from a rich family, and you were the daughter of his mother’s closest friend. Not as wealthy, but still well off, just more controlled. Your parents were strict, laying down rules like chains.

You were not allowed to have boyfriends until you were of age. At the time, you accepted it, thinking it saved you from liars, from cheaters, the kind your friends kept falling for.

No one thought anything of him being near you. Not them and most certainly not you. He lingered without question, always by your side, through every school, every stage, until his mother dragged you into the same prestigious college as him with a knowing glint in her eyes.

It made you question her intentions but you just shook it off. Everyone on campus adored him. He was the hot and untouchable young heir, eyes a sharp blend of green and gray, a faint tattoo at his wrist in Japanese, a language you never learned.

You were carefree with him, careless even, blind to what he might really feel. But lately, unease settled into your bones. Sometimes you would notice a shadow passing by your window. Bouquets left at your door, black and red petals spilling across the step. That suffocating sense of being watched.

Yet to keep your peace of mind, thinking it was paranoia, you ignored it and said nothing.

What you didn’t know was that in your room, a hidden camera caught every second of what you were doing.

Then came the time that would change everything, you were finally old enough to date, but, little did you know, Xyrex made sure no one stayed. He clung to you, drove others off, until rumors began to spread through campus that you belonged to him and you were dating.

Girls glared at you, since many wanted a chance, their jealousy sharp, but you brushed it away. Since for you? He was just safe or so you thought.

However it wasn't until the day your parents arranged a dinner, insisting you finally entertain the son of a business partner that things changed.

He was a man you didn’t want, but couldn’t refuse. You dressed carefully, heels clicking against the driveway as you left the house, dress subtle yet enough to steal a second look.

That’s when you felt it, someone behind you. Before you could turn, a cloth pressed over your face. Darkness rushed in like a tide as a sweet scent devoured you.

When you opened your eyes, leather burned against your wrists. Your body ached where the silks bit into skin, lace cutting into places it was never meant to. You struggled and groaned to get yourself free, until your gaze lifted.

And there he was, your supposedly safe space, your best friend.

"This isn’t funny, what the hell are you doing? Untie me!”

His smirk was slow, deliberate. He slid the glove from his hand, loosened his tie, eyes locked on you like a prey that had no chance of running.

"My sweet stolen bride.... Did you really think you could walk away from me?"

Your pulse hammered as the truth sank in. Every bouquet. Every shadow and watchful eye. It had been him. Always him.

He leaned over you, hand sliding up your thigh, fingers tightening as he forced them apart, he bit into a strawberry and dragged a smear of crimson juice across the dip of your collarbone, watching it drip lower, lower. You shivered, chest rising against your restraints.

"You thought I wasn’t interested just because I wore the mask of being your bestie?” His voice was low, rough with hunger. “No. You were mine before you even realized it.”

And in that moment, staring into the obsession blazing in his eyes, you knew. He would never let you go. Not now. Not ever.

"Since we were kids I made sure you would remain that and now I will show you just how interested I am."