Jason Williams stood in front of the mirror, tugging irritably at the collar of his dress shirt. "This thing is choking me," he muttered.
From the hallway, his younger sister Lily burst out laughing. "That's because you never dress like a normal human being."
Jason rolled his eyes. "I dress fine."
"You wear hoodies every day."
"They're comfortable."
Lily leaned against the doorframe, smirking. "Well today you're going to suffer, because Emma's weddings starts in thirty minutes."
Jason groaned dramatically.
His older sister Emma had been planning this wedding for a year. The entire house had been chaos for weeks.
Flowers.
Decorations.
Endless relatives.
But despite his complaints, Jason was genuinely happy for her. Emma had always taken care of them like a second mother.
So today mattered a lot to him. He sighed and fixed his tie. "Fine. Let's go before she sends a search party."
The wedding venue was a beautiful garden outside the city. White flowers lined the path.
Soft music floated through the evening air.
Guests chatted under glowing lights while waiters carried trays of champagne.
Jason walked beside Lily and immediately felt out of place among the elegantly dressed crowd. "So many rich people," he muttered.
Lily elbowed him. "Emma married a lawyer. Of course his friends are fancy."
Jason shrugged grabbing a drink from a passing waiter and scanned the crowd lazily.
Then his eyes stopped.
Across the garden stood a man unlike anyone else there. Broad-shouldered.
Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His dark hair was neatly combed, and his posture was straight as a blade. But what stood out most was his expressionless face.
While everyone laughed and talked, the man stood near the edge of the garden, observing the crowd with calm, unreadable eyes.
Jason frowned. "Who's that?"
Lily followed his gaze. "Oh." She lowered her voice.
"I think that's one of Mark's friends." Mark was Emma's fiancé.
"What's his name again…" she murmured.
Jason shrugged.
But something about the man attracted him, like he didn't belong in the warmth of the celebration.
Almost as if he were observing the world rather than participating in it.
Jason suddenly noticed something else.
The man was looking directly at him when their eyes met.
For a moment, neither looked away, jason lifted an eyebrows and smirked. He raised his glass in casual greeting.
Instead of reacting, the man simply watched him for another second before turning his gaze away.
Jason blinked. "Well that guy's weird." The ceremony began soon after.
Emma walked down the aisle in a beautiful white dress, her smile bright and nervous.
Jason felt unexpectedly emotional watching her.
When Mark promised to take care of her, jason promised something too.
If you ever hurt her… I'll break your nose.
The vows ended with cheers and applause.
The reception started immediately afterward.
The guest danced to the music playing. Jason escaped toward the side of the garden. He leaned against a stone railing, enjoying the cool evening breeze.
"Escaping the crowd?" The deep voice behind him startled him.
Jason turned to see the same man from earlier.
Up close, he looked even more imposing.
Tall enough that Jason had to tilt his head slightly.
Sharp features. Dark eyes that seemed to analyze everything.
Jason shrugged. "Too many strangers." The man studied him for a moment.
"You are the bride's brother." It wasn't a question.
Jason chuckled. "That obvious?"
"You resemble her." Jason extended a hand casually. "Jason Williams."
The man looked at his hand for a moment before shaking it. His grip was firm and controlled. "Tobias Menzies."
Jason nodded. "So you're friends with my new brother-in-law?"
"Yes."
They stood in silence for a moment. Jason wasn't usually awkward around people, but Tobias had an unusual presence.
Jason finally spoke again. "You don't seem like the wedding type."
Tobias glanced toward the dancing guests. "I prefer serene environments."
Jason laughed. "Same." Another silence fell.
But this one felt… different.
Jason suddenly realized Tobias was studying him intensely again.
"You talk a lot," Tobias said calmly.
Jason snorted. "You're not a fun person neither"
For the first time, something flickered across Tobias's face.
Jason grinned. "Did I offend the mysterious stranger?"
"No." Tobias paused. "I find you... interesting."
That was unexpected. Before he could respond, someone called his name.
"Jason!"
Emma was waving him over for family photos.
Jason groaned. "Duty calls."
He started walking away, then looked back.
"You should smile more, Agent Serious." Tobias raised an eyebrow.
Jason flashed a teasing grin. "It suits you." And he ran off toward his family.
Tobias remained standing by the railing watching him go.
Later that night, Tobias stood beside the groom. Mark followed his gaze across the reception.
Toward Jason laughing with his sisters. Mark chuckled. "You seem interested in him." Tobias didn't reply.
Mark smirked. "That's Emma's little brother."
Tobias already knew that.
But something about Jason lingered in his thoughts. His fearless attitude and the way he looked directly into Tobias's eyes without hesitation.
Mark crossed his arms. "You will met him more by the way."
Tobias finally spoke. "Why?"
Mark grinned knowingly. "Because that kid just enrolled at the university you work in this year."