Dante didn't move from his seat.
Even after Adrien walked out.
Even after Zane ran after him like the world was ending.
He simply leaned back in his chair, one arm resting lazily against the table as he watched through the glass window.
A slow smirk stretched across his lips.
"Interesting…"
He picked up his wine glass and took a slow sip.
Outside, he could still see them.
Zane grabbing Adrien.
Stopping him.
Desperate.
Pathetic.
Dante chuckled softly under his breath.
"So that's how it is."
The chair across from him scraped lightly.
Dante didn't even look up immediately.
But when he did—
A woman sat there.
Quiet.
Still.
Her face completely hidden behind a dark mask.
Oversized clothes swallowed her frame, making her impossible to read.
Dante tilted his head slightly.
"You're late."
Her voice came out calm.
Cold.
"You did well."
Dante smiled faintly.
"I always do."
She picked up Adrien's untouched fork and began eating like nothing unusual had happened.
Dante watched her for a second.
Then leaned forward slightly.
"You think this will be enough?"
She didn't look at him.
"It's just the beginning."
Dante's smile deepened.
"I like the way you think."
He leaned back again, tapping his fingers lightly against the table.
"Come over tonight."
Finally—
She paused.
"Your penthouse?"
"Of course."
A small silence stretched between them.
Then she nodded once.
"Fine."
Dante's smirk returned immediately.
They continued eating like two people discussing nothing more than an ordinary evening.
But the air between them felt anything but ordinary.
The world outside the car felt distant.
Muted.
Inside, everything felt too close.
Too warm.
Zane's hands were still slightly shaking.
But that didn't stop him.
He leaned in, pressing his lips softly against Adrien's neck.
Slow.
Careful.
Like he was testing how far he could go.
Adrien inhaled sharply.
"Zane…"
But his voice didn't carry any real warning.
Zane moved higher, brushing his lips along Adrien's jaw before capturing his mouth again.
This time deeper.
More certain.
His hand slid to Adrien's jacket, slowly pushing it off his shoulders.
All while keeping eye contact.
That same intense, almost overwhelming gaze.
Adrien felt his heartbeat pick up again.
He didn't push him away.
Didn't stop him.
Instead, his fingers curled into Zane's shirt, holding onto him like he didn't want to lose balance.
They stayed like that for a while.
Kissing.
Breathing.
Existing too close to each other.
Eventually, the intensity softened.
Zane leaned back slightly, pulling Adrien with him until they settled into something quieter.
Closer.
Adrien rested against him, arms loosely crossed as he looked away with a faint pout.
"You're annoying."
Zane blinked.
"What did I do?"
Adrien huffed softly.
"I got mad for nothing."
Zane smiled faintly.
"You were jealous."
"I was not."
"You literally yelled at me."
Adrien rolled his eyes.
"Shut up."
Zane laughed quietly.
But his body still hadn't calmed down.
His hands were still unsteady.
His breathing slightly uneven.
He kept leaning closer, almost unconsciously, breathing in Adrien's scent like it grounded him.
Like it kept him from spiraling.
Adrien noticed.
But didn't say anything.
The moment stretched until—
The car door opened.
The bodyguard returned.
Zane straightened immediately.
Reality rushed back in.
Adrien shifted away, adjusting his clothes.
Silence filled the space again.
Zane glanced at him once more.
Then smiled.
"I'll go."
Adrien nodded.
Zane stepped out of the car and walked to his own.
Before getting in, he looked back.
Adrien was already watching him.
Zane waved.
Adrien didn't wave back.
But he didn't look away either.
Zane got into his car and exhaled deeply.
His head fell back against the seat.
"What the hell was that…"
He ran a hand through his hair.
Trying to calm down.
To think straight.
But when he glanced out the window—
He saw them.
Dante.
And the masked girl.
Walking out together.
Getting into a car.
Zane's eyes narrowed slightly.
Something about that felt… off.
But before he could think too much about it, their car pulled away.
Zane sat there for a moment longer.
Then started his own engine.
The familiar warmth of his apartment greeted him.
His mom's voice followed shortly after.
"You're late."
Zane smiled tiredly.
"Sorry."
She placed a plate in front of him.
"Eat."
Zane sat down obediently.
The simple meal grounded him more than anything else that day.
After eating, he leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Zane lay in bed, staring at his phone.
The screen lit up his face in the dark room.
He opened their chat.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
What was he even supposed to say?
Sorry?
That was crazy?
Don't go out with Dante again?
He groaned and buried his face in the pillow.
"Why is this so complicated…"
His thoughts spiraled quickly.
Until—
His phone buzzed.
Adrien.
Zane sat up instantly.
You're lucky 😒
Zane blinked.
Then laughed softly.
His fingers moved quickly.
Lucky how?
The reply came almost immediately.
I didn't leave you there
Zane smiled.
And just like that—
Everything felt easier again.
They kept texting.
Back and forth.
Light.
Teasing.
Comfortable.
At some point, Zane fell asleep with his phone still in his hand.
Zane arrived at the gym early.
The familiar routine helped him settle his thoughts.
Training.
Focus.
Control.
Midway through his session, his phone buzzed again.
An email.
He opened it quickly.
Camille Group — Smartwatch Campaign (Collab with Samsung)
Zane's eyes lit up.
"A week from now?"
He grinned.
"Let's go."
He replied immediately, accepting the project.
The rest of his training went smoothly.
Afterward, he decided to grab lunch nearby.
The Korean restaurant was quiet.
Warm.
Comfortable.
Zane sat alone at his table, casually eating while scrolling through his phone.
Until the door opened.
He didn't even need to look.
He felt it.
Adrien.
His head lifted immediately.
And there he was.
With Ji-Won.
Zane's grip on his chopsticks tightened slightly.
Adrien noticed him instantly too.
Their eyes locked.
Neither looked away.
Ji-Won continued talking, unaware.
Zane leaned back slightly, still staring.
Adrien tried to focus on the conversation.
But his attention kept drifting.
Back.
To Zane.
The tension built slowly.
Silently.
Dangerously.
After a few minutes, Adrien stood up.
"I'll be back."
Ji-Won nodded.
"Okay."
Adrien walked toward the bathroom.
Zane didn't hesitate.
He stood up immediately and followed.
The door clicked shut behind them.
The space was quiet.
Empty.
Adrien barely had time to turn—
Before Zane grabbed his wrist and pulled him into one of the stalls.
The door shut behind them.
Their breathing felt louder in the small space.
Zane didn't wait.
He leaned in.
Kissing him again.
Hungry.
Desperate.
Like he couldn't hold it in anymore.
Adrien stiffened for half a second—
Then gave in.
His hands gripping Zane's shirt again.
Pulling him closer.
The world outside disappeared.
All that remained was the heat between them.
And the feeling that this—
Whatever this was—
Was getting harder and harder to stop.