Episode 6
682 Words
The bell rang, signaling the end of class.
Students began packing their things slowly, the usual noise returning to the room.
But Adrian didn't move immediately.
Carlos was already beside him, waiting.
When most of the students had left, Carlos spoke.
" We need to go."
Adrian glanced at him.
"... Go where?"
Carlos picked up his bag casually.
" Shopping."
Adrian frowned slightly.
" Shopping?'
"Yes." Carlos replied simply.
Adrian stared at him for a moment.
Then ask flatly,
"Why?"
Carlos stopped walking."
For the first time he looked directly at him.
" Did you forget?"
Adrian didn't respond.
Carlos continued.
" Two hours ago. Edgar invited us to a party."
A pause.
Adrian's expression shifted slightly.
"....He invited you," he corrected.
Not me.
Carlos didn't deny it.
" That's why we're going together."
Adrian frowned deeper.
" I wasn't invited,"
Carlos stepped closer, lowering his voice slightly.
" You are with me."
" That doesn't make me your responsibility."
Carlos's gaze stayed steady.
" It does tonight."
Adrian clicked his tongue softly.
"...I'm not your partner."
That sentence hung in the air for a second.
Carlos didn't react immediately.
Then_
"You are for now."
Adrian looked at him like he was ridiculous.
But Carlos was already turning away.
" If you don't go," he said calmly, " I won't go either."
That made Adrian pause.
"...What?"
Carlos looked back at him.
" Your choice."
Silence.
Adrian stared at him for a long moment.
The exhaled slightly through his nose.
"...You're impossible."
Carlos didn't deny it.
Just waited.
After a few seconds_
"...Fine," Adrian said.
Carlos nodded once.
"Good."
The shopping place was expensive.
Too expensive.
Adrian looked around with mild disinterest as Carlos picked out suits without hesitation.
" You didn't need to bring me here," Adrian said.
Carlos didn't look up.
" You need something appropriate."
" I already have clothes."
" Not for that place."
Adrian crossed his arms.
" And what kind of place is it exactly?"
Carlos finally turned to him.
His expression was unreadable.
" Where people watch everything you do."
That answer made Adrian quiet for a moment.
Then he looked away.
"....Troublesome."
Carlos almost smiled.
" You'll survive."
By night fall, the venue was already alive with energy.
The party was held at The Aurelius Hotel, a massive building glowing under city lights.
Music, laughter, and luxury filled the air.
Adrian stepped inside beside Carlos.
Immediately_
attention shifted.
Whispers followed.
Eyes tracked them.
"...That's him."
" Carlos actually bought someone?"
" An omega...?'
Adrian ignored it all.
But he felt it.
Pressure.
Observation.
Judgment.
Then_
the atmosphere changed.
A presence enter their space.
Edgar Laurent.
Standing near the center like he belonged there.
His gaze locked instantly on Adrian.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unmoving.
He walked toward them.
Slow.
Controlled.
Until he stopped
"... You came," Edgar, voice calm.
Carlos replied evenly.
" I said i would."
Edgar's shifted to Adrian and back to Carlos.
"... Why did you bring him here?" Edgar asked calmly.
The question sound polite.
But it wasn't.
Carlos didn't react immediately.
Then he answer evenly.
" He's with me."
A faint pause.
Edgar tilted his head slightly.
" With you?" He repeated.
Carlos met his gaze.
" Yes. So i can't go anywhere without him."
For a second_
silence.
Then Edgar smiled.
A slow, controlled smile.
Like he understood something amusing.
"...I see."
He stepped slightly to the side, as if letting the tension drop.
Then added casually,
" well, everyone is here already."
His gaze moved past them toward the hall.
" You should go and greet them. Some of the younger masters are waiting.
His tone change slightly_
polite, but authoritative.
A reminder of status.
Carlos didn't respond immediately.
He simply looked at Edgar.
Then, after a pause_
"...later."
Edgar smile again.
This time little sharper.
' Don't keep them waiting too long."
He turned away slowly.
But before his eyes briefly flicked back to Adrian.
A warning.
Subtle.
Controlled.
The music in the hall continued like nothing had happened.
But the air between them had already changed.
- Writer
