Diamant's POV
Something felt wrong the moment I stepped inside the house.
It wasn't something I could see.
Not something I could hear.
It was simply there.
A shift in the air.
A subtle tension resting in the quiet corners of the room.
I loosened the knot of my tie as I stepped into the living room. The lights were warm, the place tidy as always, yet the atmosphere felt… fragile. Like glass placed too close to the edge of a table.
Noah sat on the couch, his legs tucked beneath him, scrolling through something on his phone.
He looked up when he heard me.
"You're back."
His voice sounded normal.
His smile looked normal.
But something about it felt forced.
I set my briefcase down slowly and studied him.
"You're quiet tonight," I said.
Noah shrugged lightly.
"I'm always quiet."
"That's a lie."
He blinked once, then rolled his eyes slightly.
"Okay, sometimes quiet."
I walked closer, stopping in front of him. My gaze remained fixed on his face.
"You're hiding something."
His expression immediately changed to mock offense.
"I am not."
"You are."
"Nope."
"You are."
"No."
I crossed my arms.
"Yes."
He stared at me for a moment before sighing dramatically and leaning back against the couch.
"You're impossible."
"And you're avoiding the question."
Noah waved a dismissive hand.
"I just had a long day, that's all."
His tone was casual, but I knew him well enough to hear the thin crack beneath it.
Still, I didn't push further.
Not yet.
Instead, I sat beside him. The space between us shrank immediately, his warmth brushing against my arm.
"What did you do today?" he asked.
"Work."
"That's boring."
"That's reality."
He huffed softly.
"Well reality should learn to entertain people."
I glanced at him.
"Reality isn't responsible for your entertainment."
"It should be."
Silence fell between us again before Noah suddenly stood up.
"Actually," he said, stretching his arms slightly, "I'll cook tonight."
I looked at him slowly.
"You'll what?"
"Cook."
"You can cook?"
He placed a hand on his chest like I had insulted his honor.
"Of course I can cook."
I raised an eyebrow.
"You once burned instant noodles."
"That was one time."
"You also burned toast."
"That toaster was defective."
"And the rice?"
"Okay!" he snapped, pointing at me. "Tonight I prove you wrong."
I leaned back slightly.
"This should be interesting."
He marched into the kitchen like a warrior heading into battle.
For the next thirty minutes, the house filled with strange sounds.
Clanging.
Sizzling.
Something falling.
Noah muttering to himself like a scientist attempting dangerous experiments.
At one point I heard him whisper aggressively, "Why are you sticking to the pan?"
I remained seated, silently observing this unfolding disaster.
Eventually, he emerged from the kitchen carrying two plates.
He placed one in front of me proudly.
"Dinner is served."
I looked down at the plate.
It appeared to be… food.
Technically.
Something that used to resemble pasta now sat under a layer of sauce that looked slightly suspicious.
I lifted my fork slowly.
Noah watched me with bright, expectant eyes.
"Well?"
I took a bite.
Silence filled the room.
Noah leaned forward eagerly.
"How is it?"
I chewed.
Paused.
And then placed the fork down.
Noah's smile slowly faded.
"…Diamant?"
I leaned back slightly and spoke with complete sincerity.
"This is one of the most horrifying culinary experiences of my life."
His mouth fell open.
"What?!"
"The pasta is overcooked."
He gasped.
"The sauce is aggressively salty."
He clutched his chest.
"And I'm fairly certain you violated several international cooking laws in the process of making this."
"Diamant!"
"I'm being honest."
"You didn't have to say it like a villain monologue!"
I tilted my head.
"You asked for the truth."
"You could have lied!"
"I don't lie."
Noah stared at me with betrayed disbelief before dramatically collapsing back onto the couch.
"I cooked with love."
"Yes," I said calmly. "And somehow the love turned toxic."
He threw a pillow at me.
I caught it effortlessly.
Despite everything, a quiet smile tugged at my lips.
But even as we argued over burnt pasta and wounded pride, I still felt it.
That faint tension lingering beneath Noah's laughter.
Something had unsettled him today.
And sooner or later…
I would find out what it was.