Isaaq's POV:
I was sprawled across the bed, one arm casually slung around Theo — the guy I'd just hooked up with — while my other hand swiped through emails. I had business to handle, stuff I couldn't ignore. It wasn't like I didn't care about him, but come on… this? It didn't feel like anything serious.
Theo shifted beside me, clearly frustrated that I wasn't giving him the attention he thought he deserved. He squirmed again, more agitated this time, before sliding on top of me, his body blocking my screen.
"What are you doing?" he asked, irritation creeping into his voice.
I didn't answer right away. My eyes were still glued to the screen, scanning through the pile-up in my inbox. Theo? He was just… there.
Then, suddenly, he shoved the phone out of my hands.
"Listen to me when I'm talking to you!" he snapped.
I blinked, startled — not enough to show it, of course. I sat up against the headboard, sighing as I scratched the back of my head. My arm slid off him.
"What?" I muttered, more bored than angry. "You need me to listen to you? That's cute."
Theo's pout was almost laughable — his face all pink and scrunched like a kid who'd just had his ice cream snatched. He looked like he might explode. But honestly? He was kind of adorable like that. Way too easy to read.
Truth was, Theo and I had hooked up a few times now. It was fun, nothing deep. I was more than certain I didn't feel anything for him. But Theo… he'd been hooked from day one, and I could see it all over him.
I tilted his chin up and kissed him. "You can be so cute when you're mad," I murmured, smirking as his face flushed deep red. He hated it — being teased — but he secretly ate it up.
I got out of bed, slipping on my clothes one by one with zero rush.
"You're leaving already?" Theo asked, his voice wobbly like he was trying not to sound too upset.
"Yep," I said casually, fixing my jacket. "As much as I'd love to stay longer, I've got school tomorrow. Final year, remember?" I paused, then added, "Just transferred… for personal reasons."
His lips quivered, disappointment all over his face like a sad little storm cloud.
"Can't you stay a little longer?" he asked, soft, hopeful.
I laughed under my breath, shaking my head. "Someone's a little needy." I shot him a look. "Sorry, babe. I can't." I bent down, gave him one last kiss, and just as I started pulling away, he tried to grab me, playfully attempting to pull me back into bed.
"Nice try," I said, chuckling as I slipped out of his grip. "I'll see you when I see you."
I didn't wait for a reply. I headed out, ignoring the muffled sound of Theo flopping dramatically back into bed.
The house was big — too big, honestly. But that's what you get when you're the son of some loaded businessman. I'd been here enough times to know my way around. I moved through the grand hallway without looking back, made my way to the parking lot, slid into my car, and started the engine. The night swallowed me as I drove off, leaving Theo's mansion — and his feelings — in the rearview mirror.
_ _ _
The car hummed quietly beneath me as I drove, streetlights streaking past like blurred stars. My phone wouldn't stop vibrating — Theo. Again.
The screen lit up every few seconds with message after message. God. He was relentless.
I didn't need to look to know what they said. Probably something dramatic. "I miss you already," or "Can't stop thinking about you," or maybe even a picture to go along with the guilt trip. He was such a child sometimes. Sweet, but… exhausting.
I exhaled sharply, fingers tapping restlessly on the steering wheel. How the hell did I even get tangled up with him? If I weren't such an emotional wreck, maybe I wouldn't be drawn to the first soft thing that made me feel… wanted.
And Theo was soft. Slim and delicate like porcelain. He had that messy brown curly hair that always looked like he just rolled out of bed, and skin so smooth it almost felt fake. Even the way he talked was gentle, breathy, like he was always on the edge of a whisper.
He was beautiful.
But no matter how beautiful Theo was, I couldn't fall for him. Not really. Not when my heart still belonged somewhere else — to someone else.
I didn't even know their name. I only remembered pieces — the feeling of a voice, a smile, a touch I've never been able to forget. They were here one day and gone the next, like they'd been swallowed by the universe. I've been searching for them for what feels like forever. Maybe it was foolish. Maybe I was delusional. But no one else had ever come close.
Not even Theo.
I was lost in my thoughts, but somehow my hands still knew how to steer. Muscle memory. My foot hit the brake as my driveway came into view. The moment I parked and killed the engine, I glanced at my phone. Twelve new messages. All Theo.
I sighed, resting my head briefly against the steering wheel.
Then, because I didn't want to be cruel — or maybe because I hated the silence — I typed a quick reply.
Just got home. Had a great time with you today.
Big. Mistake.
He replied immediately.
"I miss you."
"Why don't you just sleep over next time?"
"You always leave so fast."
"Can I come see you tomorrow?"
I didn't even finish reading the rest. I let out a long, depressive sigh and shoved my phone deep into my pocket. My fingers were already aching for a smoke, or something to take the edge off.
I stepped out into the quiet night, walked up to the door of my house, and reached for the handle — unsure whether I was stepping into peace or just another kind of noise.