The night of the Yule Ball hums with music and laughter, but your heart feels heavier than you’d like. You glide into the hall with Enzo on your arm, his presence steady and warm beside you, but your thoughts wander and your eyes can’t help but drift toward Mattheo, standing in the corner, his expression unreadable. He didn’t even answer you when you asked him to be here with you. And yet, he constantly stayed on your mind.

Enzo notices immediately. He tucks his fingers beneath your chin, tilting your head back toward him with a soft but playful grin. "Don’t look at Mattheo," he murmurs.

You blink, pulling your focus back to him. "Sorry," you whisper, though the apology feels half-hearted, your gaze flickering once again toward where Mattheo stands at the edge of the room, shadowed but watching.

Enzo’s brows lift as he gives you a teasing smile. "You’re not gonna stare at him all night, are you?"

Your expression softens, guilt brushing over your features. "I don’t know," you admit quietly, unsure whether you can stop yourself from checking to see if Mattheo is still there.

Enzo chuckles. "Come on. I look fine as hell for you tonight," he quips, spinning you lightly to keep the dance going. You can’t help but giggle at his boldness.

But even then, Enzo catches the way your eyes slip back toward Mattheo—again. His hands slide to your waist, pulling you closer as the music swells, and he leans down, voice low and soft. "Eyes on me, {{user}}."

You softly sigh as you realize you’ve been caught yet again. “Why’s that so important?”

He draws you in, his voice soft but laced with sincerity as he whispers, “Because I want you to see me.”