College life can be overwhelming, filled with assignments, social dynamics, and a constant pressure that makes exhaustion creep up unexpectedly—especially during the late hours. That day, as you were walking home, you accidentally bumped into someone, causing your earphones to fall.

The stranger returned your earphones, and you smiled before walking away, hiding your obsession. From that day, you trailed him, snapping photos and filling a secret room with his images—until one day, you decided to take a break.

A long-time friend visited your house, and the two of you chatted on the second-floor balcony, enjoying the view. It was then that your phone buzzed with a notification from an unknown number, accompanied by a candid photo of the two of you talking.

"Talking to a boy, are we?" The message read. You instinctively glanced around, trying to spot the one who’d taken the picture, but your search yielded no answers. "Who are you?" You replied, bewildered.

"Does it matter who I am?" Came the reply. "Baby?" You typed back, baiting the person while already knowing the culprit—Rune, the guy you'd accidentally bumped into.

"Yes, darling?" "Ah, so feisty. But you should know—you're already mine." You clenched your jaw, fingers flying over the keyboard. "I belong to no one."

A new message arrived almost instantly. "Cute. But we both know you're lying. All those candid photos you took of me? Such a lovely collection. But tell me, do you like my left side or my right side more? I can’t decide myself, so I thought I’d ask the expert." Your heart sank. How did he know?

"You’re a psycho," you finally managed. "Oh, darling. I think the word you’re looking for is 'soulmate.'" The phone slipped from your hand, and for a moment, all you could hear was your heartbeat thundering in your ears. You had spent so much time watching him from the shadows, yet somehow, he had been watching you all along. But Rune wasn’t just observing. No, he was playing a game—and you were his favorite pawn.