Julie and Theo were seated at the bar when I walked in, giggling like old friends and clinking glasses of—what the hell—sparkling wine? A fancy bottle too. Probably imported, expensive, and unnecessary.
And wasn't Theo, like, sixteen?
What kind of aunt gets tipsy with a teenager on a Thursday night? And what could possibly be so urgent that they had to pull me away from Aiden—Aiden—right when I finally had him in my arms?
I didn't wait for pleasantries.
"There better be a damn good reason for calling me out of the blue," I snapped, striding up to them.
Julie turned casually like I hadn't just stormed in like a hurricane. "Oh, hey baby," she said with a lopsided smile.
Theo's expression changed instantly. His smile faded as his eyes dropped down to my outfit, scanning every inch like he was analyzing a crime scene.
"Whose clothes are those?" he asked, the suspicion dripping from his voice.
I blinked. "Why do you care?"
Theo leaned forward a little. "You only ever wear Kriegé or Onyx Seven. You've never worn Marcotelli. And that's exactly what you're wearing right now."
I froze.
What the hell? How did he even know that? The label was barely visible. The kid was a bloodhound for designer tags.
"Dude, do I look like I care?" I shot back. "Seriously, I can wear whatever I want."
He didn't let up. "Then why do you smell like lavender? You usually smell faintly like Solar Drift. Always. But right now, it's definitely lavender."
Shit. I was sweating now. Literally.
This kid is on to me.
I scrambled mentally, trying to think of a way out of this weird ambush interrogation. "Now I know you didn't summon me here to dissect my cologne and clothing choices," I said through gritted teeth.
Julie finally stepped in, tapping Theo's shoulder and ruffling his hair. "That's enough, Tee."
She turned to me. "Look, baby, it's about the company. We need to talk."
I gave Theo a side-eye and walked around to sit behind Julie. No way in hell I was sitting next to Sherlock Holmes Jr.
"We're doing fine," I said, folding my arms. "Sales skyrocketed this week—fifteen percent."
Julie nodded. "Yes. And I'm really proud of you."
Here comes the but.
"But the thing is," she continued, "you're getting attention now. Big attention. From competitors. Billionaire sharks who'll see you as a threat—or worse, bait. They'll try to play fast moves to take your—"
She looked at me for a second, then shook her head slowly.
"Your everything at this point."
I stared at her.
"Baby," she said softly, "they'd either want to make you theirs… or take you down. And that's never pretty."
I gave a small "Oh." Then, more firmly: "So what are you saying?"
"You'll need backing. A powerful one."
I paused, trying to process what she was suggesting. "You mean… partnership?"
"Mmhmm," she hummed, sipping her drink.
I leaned back, the dread sinking in. "Oh no. Please don't say what I think you're saying."
Julie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, not meeting my gaze. "I'm aware we need exposure, and yes, stronger partners—for capital, reach, everything. But…"
"No." I cut her off. "No way in hell am I working with Malrione!"
Theo's face dropped. His eyes, which had been quietly watching me, flickered with something more fragile. Hurt. Maybe even betrayal.
"Why not?" Julie asked.
"I just don't."
"Do you have a problem working with my family?", Theo asked his voice quiet but firm
The room went still. My throat tightened.
"You do realize Almasi Group will try to take you down the moment you're seen as a threat, right?" she said, voice steely. "They don't play fair."
"Let them try!" I snapped. "I'm not a kid anymore. I can handle myself."
"That's not what I meant, Isaaq," Julie said. "Stop being stubborn."
Theo's voice came, softer this time. "Isaaq… I've only ever wanted to help."
He didn't try to hide it—his expression was heavy with disappointment, eyes glassy like he was holding back more than just words.
I froze.
"What? No," I said, defensive. "It's not like that, I just…"
But I had nothing. My words crumbled before I could pull one together.
Julie stood up with a quiet sigh. "Maybe you need time to think."
I didn't respond. Just grabbed what was left of the wine bottle and headed up the stairs, pretending I didn't feel Theo's eyes following me the whole way.
_ _ _
I'd been holed up in my room for a while, sprawled across the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. My head was a mess—rage, confusion, guilt, all swirling in some kind of emotional hurricane. I didn't even flinch when I heard the knock at the door. I didn't answer. I already knew it wasn't Julie. She never knocked. She just barged in like she owned every damn room she walked into.
So it had to be Theo.
I didn't need to turn to know it was him stepping in. I could feel the air shift—he always brought this strange mix of calm and chaos with him. He walked in quietly and sat on the edge of my bed, just near my legs. He didn't say a word. The silence stretched between us like a taut string about to snap.
I could feel the awkward tension gathering between us, and it was already suffocating.
"What?" I finally muttered, still facing the wall, avoiding his eyes.
There was a pause.
"Who was he?"
That ticked me off. I sat up slightly, letting my irritation show.
"Why do you care, Theo?"
His voice dipped, softer now. "Isaaq…" he hesitated, clearly trying to piece together whatever storm was brewing inside him.
I sighed and finally sat up, turning toward him. "Look, I don't get what the issue is. It's not like we're dating or anything."
The moment those words left my mouth, I regretted it.
Theo's expression crumbled. The hurt in his eyes—it wasn't subtle. He looked like I had kicked him straight in the chest.
"Why do you keep doing this to me?" he whispered, voice raw. "Isaaq, I like you. A lot. I really do. Why won't you give me… give us a chance?"
"It's not like I don't want to," I replied, trying to stay calm. "Honestly, I tried to. I really did. But I just don't like you that way."
Theo's eyes sharpened, anger flashing through the pain. "Then what about him?"
I didn't say anything.
"I've known you for three years," Theo snapped. "We've been close. I know you only slept with me out of pity, or boredom maybe. I didn't care, I thought maybe… maybe with time it could turn into something real. But now this guy shows up, and suddenly you're ready to fall for him?"
"You don't know that," I shot back.
"Then tell me I'm wrong," he challenged.
Shit. He could read me like a book, even now.
I didn't respond.
"Listen, Theo—"
"Kiss me," he cut in suddenly.
I blinked. "What?"
"Kiss me," he repeated, eyes locked on mine.
I looked away, ashamed, cornered. "I… I can't."
"Why not? You never had a problem with it before," he said, leaning in. "Are you two dating already?"
"No!" I snapped. "Well… not yet. I don't even know if he likes me back."
"So you do like him," Theo said.
And just like that, I'd exposed myself.
"What if I do?" I said defensively. "It has nothing to do with you."
"But it does," Theo's voice cracked. "I'm in love with you, Isaaq. Why can't you just accept that?"
I sighed. "Theo, buddy look I… I don't know."
"Buddy?" he scoffed. "Really?"
Damn it. I knew I was screwing this up, but I wasn't trying to be cruel. I just wanted to be honest—for once.
"If I kiss you, would you let this go?" I asked, tired.
Theo gave a sad smirk. "You think it'd be that easy?"
Still, I pulled him close and kissed him. His lips were soft, familiar… but it wasn't the same. It wasn't Aiden. My chest tightened with guilt as I pulled away. Theo's hands gripped my shirt, and suddenly he pushed me down on the bed, climbing over me.
"Get off me, Theo," I said, voice firm.
He leaned in again, forehead pressed to the side of my face, trying to kiss me. I turned away.
He chuckled darkly. "So that's how you want to play it."
That sent a chill down my spine.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked cautiously.
"If I wanted you," he murmured, "I could have you. I don't care who else you're screwing, Isaaq. You'll always be mine."
Then I saw that grin—twisted, eerie. He turned to the desk, eyeing the nearly empty bottle I'd left there. His gaze lingered on it a second too long.
No. No, he didn't…
"It shouldn't take long," he said, calmly. "The effects should be kicking in anytime now."
My blood ran cold.
"You did what?" I growled, trying to sit up.
But my limbs were going numb. My head spun. My body felt hot, weak. Everything was slipping.
That fucking bastard.
Theo Malrione. The son of a powerful business empire that dealt in everything from finance to illegal drugs. Homeschooled. Genius-level intellect. And a walking pharmacy.
He had an unnatural immunity to drugs—built it into himself from a young age. And now he was using that knowledge against me.
Poison, sedatives, aphrodisiacs—he knew them all. He could drug a man with a smile, and you'd never know until it was too late.
And now it was too late.
I stared up at him, vision blurring. "Theo…" I managed to say, rage and fear mixing in my voice. "What the hell did you do to me?"
He only smiled.