A CRIMINAL STALKER IS OBSESSED WITH ME

Chapter 1 - Mine, isn't he? Ashteru was the kind of person you couldn’t help but look at. A pretty boy femboy with a soft smile and eyes that seemed too innocent for this place. He worked at Velvet Moon, a bar that never slept, serving drinks with a politeness that silenced even the rudest customers. “Here’s your change, sir. Thanks for coming,” he said, handing over the receipt with both hands. The guy at the counter smirked. “You’re too cute to work here, kid.” Ashteru just laughed. He was used to it. Kind. Calm. Everyone liked him. So it was easy for him to make friends. Like Xio. Xio was the opposite of him. A bad boy with a sharp jaw, tattoos climbing up his neck, always leaning against the wall like he owned the place. He was security at the bar, but “security” was just an excuse. He liked to watch. He liked to control. And he liked to tease Ashteru. “Stop smiling at every guy, Ash,” Xio whispered one night, leaning against the bar where Ashteru was polishing a glass. “Why? Are you jealous?” Ashteru shot back playfully, his eyes sparkling. Xio snorted. “Tch. Don’t be full of yourself.” But he was lying. Xio had noticed Ashteru since day one. The way he talked to everyone like they mattered. The way he blushed when teased. The way he was too kind for this place. Quiet but steady. And somehow, while covering his shifts and walking him home at 3 AM, Xio realized he was falling. Hard. Ashteru didn’t feel the same though. “He’s just a friend,” he told himself. “I don’t like guys like him. Too rough. Always fighting. Always angry.” He liked calm. He liked gentle. Not someone who looked like they’d punch a wall for no reason. But Xio didn’t stop. He kept teasing, kept being there. Waiting for the day Ashteru would see him differently. Days passed. Tonight, Xio walked fast to the bar, excited for the first time. He wanted to see Ashteru. He wanted to hear him call his name in that soft voice. Then he saw them. Under the flickering streetlight in the alley, Ashteru was talking to someone. Laughing. Comfortable. Taijo. Xio’s jaw tightened. Taijo was Ashteru’s childhood friend. Angel-faced, soft-spoken, everyone’s favorite. But Xio knew the truth. He’d seen Taijo’s real side. Smiling while ruining people’s lives. Looking at Ashteru like he owned him. And now, he was looking at Ashteru like that. Ashteru, still calm and polite as ever, was seriously replying, oblivious to Taijo’s intense stare. Xio stopped walking. Watched them silently from the shadows. Jealousy hit him like a punch to the gut. Mine, his mind whispered. He doesn’t know it yet, but he’s mine. Ashteru spotted him and waved. “Xio! You’re early today.” Taijo turned too, smiling sweetly. “Xio. Long time.” Xio didn’t smile. He didn’t look away from Ashteru. “Since when are you two talking again?” he asked low. Ashteru blinked. “We’re friends, Xio. Why?” “Nothing,” Xio answered quick and hard. He stepped closer, partially blocking Ashteru from Taijo’s view. “Your shift’s starting. You’re gonna be late.” Taijo’s smile didn’t fade, but his eyes narrowed slightly. “See you later, Ash.” Ashteru nodded and followed Xio inside. Once they were away, Xio whispered, “Stay away from him.” Ashteru frowned. “What? Taijo’s my friend.” “Friends don’t look at you like that,” Xio said quietly. Ashteru paused. “Like what?” Like they want to own you. Like I want to own you. Xio didn’t say it out loud. Instead, he gripped Ashteru’s wrist lightly and pulled him toward the bar. “Forget him. You’ve got work.” Ashteru looked at Xio’s hand on his wrist, then his face. For the first time, he felt something shift. Something he couldn’t name. Behind them, Taijo watched from the alley, smiling. The game had begun. End of Chapter 1 --- *Chapter 2: “The Enemy’s Invitation”* The air in the bar felt heavy that night. It was just past nine, but the place where Ashteru worked was already full of laughter, music, and the scent of alcohol. Xio wiped down a table quietly on the side, but his eyes couldn’t settle. It was like he was waiting for something. Or more accurately—dreading it. Then the door opened. A familiar figure walked in—tall, leather jacket, smirk already in place. *Taijo.* Xio froze. His grip tightened on the rag. _What is he doing here? In our workplace?_ Anger, jealousy, and unease surged through him all at once. But he couldn’t show it. Taijo was a customer now. He couldn’t cause a scene in front of Ashteru. From across the room, Xio noticed how Taijo’s eyes lingered on Ashteru. Not a casual glance. _He likes Ashteru. I know it. Just like before… you always take what I want._ “*Always, Taijo,*” Xio thought bitterly. “*You always try to take what’s mine, ever since we were kids. And I know you’re planning something. I know exactly what kind of person you are, Taijo. And I won’t let you do whatever you’re planning. I won’t let you take what’s mine.*” Their eyes met. Taijo smirked like he did it on purpose. Xio just stared back coldly before looking away and forcing himself back to work. Taijo walked straight to Ashteru, who had just set down a tray. “Yo Taijo!” Ashteru said, surprised. “What are you doing here? Don’t tell me you got dumped and you’re here to get drunk?” he laughed. Taijo just smirked and handed Ashteru a glass. “I was going to invite you to my birthday tomorrow. Are you free?” There was something pleading in Taijo’s eyes, like it mattered to him that Ashteru came. Ashteru grinned. “Your birthday’s tomorrow already? Advance happy birthday, Taijo! Of course I’ll go. I didn’t expect you to come here just to invite me, hahaha!” Taijo’s smirk widened. Success. But Xio caught every word. He couldn’t hold back anymore. He stepped between them. “What if I come to your birthday too, Taijo?” he asked calmly, but his voice was sharp. Taijo looked surprised for a second, then smiled—that smile that always hid something. “No problem, Xio. I thought you wouldn’t come. I was going to invite you, but you seemed mad at me, hahaha. How have you been? It’s been a while since we last saw each other.” “You two know each other?” Ashteru asked, confused, looking between them. “Yeah,” Xio answered slowly. “We’ve known each other since we were kids. Taijo was my neighbor. But we moved away because—” “Yeah, Xio and I grew up together,” Taijo cut in, grinning as he glanced at Xio. “Sorry Ashteru, I didn’t mention it. Looks like I surprised you.” Xio felt it instantly. A bad premonition. _He did that on purpose. He wants me to look like I’m hiding something from Ashteru._ “Well then, that’s all,” Taijo said with a grin and a wink at Ashteru. “See you tomorrow. I’ll be waiting. Be careful going home, Ashteru. Bye!” Taijo left, leaving behind that infuriating smirk. Ashteru just laughed. “You be careful too!” he called after him. But Xio just stood there, staring at the door Taijo had closed. Anger. Anxiety. Jealousy. All at once. “Hey Xio, are you okay? Is something wrong?” Ashteru asked, concern clear in his voice. Xio snapped out of it and forced a smile. “Ah, I’m fine, Ash. I’m heading back to work. By the way, let’s go to Taijo’s birthday together tomorrow.” “Of course, no problem!” Ashteru replied cheerfully. Xio smiled back. A small, real one—there was a hint of warmth at Ashteru’s concern for him. But underneath it, his resolve hardened. _I won’t let you take Ashteru, Taijo. Not now. Not ever._ ---