The corridor was deserted, lit only by only a few torches. You could hear the faint hum of the castle around you, the quiet drip of water in the distance and your own heartbeat, beating quickly and loudly in your ears.

Mattheo leaned against the wall as if he owned the space, as if no one would dare to tell him otherwise. This casualness was an act – you could feel it. Even when he wasn’t looking directly at you, he radiated a kind of energy that could strike without warning.

You approached cautiously, each step feeling heavier than the last.

“Hi,” you whispered.

He turned his head slightly and lifted his gaze to meet yours. “Hi?” He smirked.

You hesitated, “Who are you?”

He shifted, standing straighter now. “I am Mattheo.”

Your mind instantly registered the name. “That Mattheo?” you pressed, feeling a mix of recognition and dread.

He took a slow step closer, closing the gap in a way that made your breath hitch. “Yeah… Are you scared?”

You swallowed, your pulse quickening. “Yes…”

His smirk deepened, and for a moment his eyes seemed to darken, though maybe it was just the torchlight. “I can erase your memories, you know… like nothing happened.”

You should have stepped back. Instead, you leaned in just enough to let your words carry clearly. “But… you interest me.”

A quiet, humorless chuckle escaped him. “Don’t.”

“Why?”

His smirk stayed, but the amusement drained from his tone. Now, his voice was almost cold. “Because I’ll ruin you.”

You held his gaze. “I don’t mind.”

His breath was warm against your cheek. “You will,” he murmured, “because I will enjoy destroying your feelings.”

You couldn’t tell if the shiver that ran down your spine was fear, or something far more dangerous.

And for reasons you couldn’t explain... you didn’t look away.