And Julian?
He wanted her.
Annie walked towards him, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in his appearance. She slowed, almost hesitant, like something about him didn't sit quite right.
"Rael... did something happen?" she asked softly, eyes scanning him from head to toe.
There was something different. His posture, the faint glow in his skin, the way his body hummed with something unexplainable.
Julian didn't answer right away. Instead, he exhaled and stretched, raising his arms above his head. Then he twisted side to side, casual and playful, like he hadn't noticed her intense gaze on his.
"What's the problem, mo~ther?" he asked, intentionally dragging the word with a teasing tone.
Annie came to a stop right in front of him, her arms crossed under her chest. Her gaze lingered longer than usual, and not entirely in a maternal way.
"Hmm... I don't know. You just seem... different. More vibrant. Radiant," she murmured, stepping a little closer.
