the chase begins.

"You’ve got to be fucking kidding me."

Noel froze mid-step the moment he stepped out of his exam hall.

Ariel grabbed his arm dramatically. "Oh my God."

Nico let out a low whistle. "Damn. He really pulled up like this?"

Across the university courtyard, standing like he had the entire world at his feet, was Vincenzo De Luca.

Dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit, with the top buttons undone, revealing a sliver of his perfectly sculpted chest. Hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed directly on Noel, like a hunter cornering prey.

And the campus? Losing its collective shit.

"Oh my God, is that…?"

"Holy fuck, Vincenzo De Luca?!"

"What’s he doing here?"

"I heard he’s the heir to some crazy mafia family…"

"No way, he’s literally looking over here…"

Noel felt his stomach drop.

Ariel smirked. "I think your sugar daddy is here."

Noel snapped his head around. "SHUT UP."

Nico chuckled. "Babe, he’s walking over."

Noel barely had time to process before Vincenzo was standing right in front of him.

"Noel."

Just his name. Low, smooth, dripping with something dangerous.

Noel’s breath hitched.

His heart slammed against his ribs.

Ariel bit back a grin.

Nico was enjoying the show.

Noel cleared his throat. "Uh. W-What are you…"

"How was your exam?" Vincenzo asked casually.

Noel blinked. "What?"

Vincenzo’s gaze didn’t waver. "I asked how your exam was."

Noel’s brain short-circuited.

This man…the most dangerous, powerful mafia boss in the city…had just walked onto a university campus to ask him how his fucking exam was?!

"I…uh…" Noel stammered. "Fine?"

Vincenzo nodded. "Good."

Before Noel could react, a sharp voice cut through the crowd.

"Wow. Just when I thought you couldn’t get more pathetic, Noel."

Fucking hell.

Noel stiffened.

His hands curled into fists as he recognized the voice immediately.

Sophia Carter.

Not just his high school bully. His lifelong tormentor.

She had made his life hell for as long as he could remember.

And she was still doing it now.

Sophia strode up, sneering. "I mean, we all knew Julian dumped you, but this?" She looked Vincenzo up and down, pretending to be unimpressed. "You’re really just whoring yourself out now, huh?"

Noel felt his stomach drop.

His body went rigid.

It wasn’t the first time she’d said something like this.

But now, with everyone watching…with Vincenzo standing right next to him…

It burned.

Ariel immediately snapped. "Oh, you wanna talk, Sophia? Maybe about how your ex left you for his fucking tutor?"

Nico’s expression darkened. "Didn’t you cry for like two months straight?"

Sophia’s face twisted in rage. "Shut the fuck up…"

And then, suddenly…

Vincenzo laughed.

Low. Dark. Deadly.

Sophia’s face drained of color.

Vincenzo tilted his head slightly, like he was inspecting something insignificant.

"Slutting around, was it?" His voice was dangerously calm. "You say that like anyone else even deserves to touch him."

Noel felt his breath catch.

Sophia took a step back.

Vincenzo’s smirk was slow and sharp. "I don’t like when people run their mouths about what’s mine."

Sophia visibly swallowed.

The crowd had gone silent.

Vincenzo stepped closer, towering over her.

"Tell me something, Sophia," he murmured, voice dropping to something almost sinister. "Do you know what I do to people who disrespect me?"

Sophia’s hands shook. "I…I…"

Vincenzo’s smile was cruel. "Do you want to find out?"

Sophia’s entire body trembled.

Noel swore she was about to piss herself.

"I…" she stammered. "I was just…"

"I don’t care," Vincenzo cut in smoothly. "I don’t forget faces. And I don’t forgive insults."

Sophia nodded frantically before turning and practically sprinting away.

Noel was speechless.

The entire courtyard was staring.

Vincenzo turned back to him, his expression calm, composed.

"You okay, baby?" he asked, brushing a thumb lightly over Noel’s lower lip.

Noel gawked. "B-Baby?!"

Ariel was laughing.

Nico was shaking his head.

Noel smacked Vincenzo’s hand away. "Y-You’re fucking insane!"

Vincenzo’s smirk only deepened. "So I’ve been told."

Noel groaned. "Oh my god, I hate you."

Ariel grinned. "No, you don’t."

Nico chuckled. "He’s so fucked."

Noel whipped around. "I AM NOT…"

Before he could finish, Vincenzo’s phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen. His expression darkened instantly.

Noel noticed. "What?"

Vincenzo exhaled slowly, tucking the phone into his pocket. "Nothing."

But the moment he turned away, his jaw tensed.

Elene was back.

And she wanted to see him.

"Wait…what?!" Noel's voice cracked as Vincenzo’s firm grip pulled him toward the sleek black car.

"Change of plans," Vincenzo said smoothly, his eyes locked onto Noel’s. "You’re coming with me."

Noel dug his heels in. "Like hell I am! Where the fuck are you even taking me?!"

Vincenzo didn't answer. Instead, he turned to his second driver. "Drop off his friends."

Ariel and Nico exchanged wide-eyed glances.

Ariel grinned. "Well, this escalated quickly."

Nico smirked, nudging Noel’s ribs. "Behave, sugar baby."

"I’M NOT A FUCKING SUGAR BABY!"

Before Noel could protest further, Vincenzo opened the car door and practically shoved him inside.

Slam.

Noel glared at him. "I have…"

Click.

The sound of the doors locking made him freeze.

"You have what?" Vincenzo drawled, settling into the seat beside him, legs spread obnoxiously wide as the car pulled away.

Noel crossed his arms. "I have the right to know where you're dragging me."

Vincenzo tilted his head, watching him with a smirk. "To see someone."

Noel squinted. "...Someone?"

Vincenzo’s smile didn't reach his eyes. "An old acquaintance."

Noel frowned. "And why the fuck am I going?"

Vincenzo shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Because I want you there."

Noel’s heart hammered. "That's not an answer."

Vincenzo only smirked.

Noel hated that he liked it.

The restaurant was absurdly extravagant.

Dimly lit, filled with wealthy elites, and probably somewhere Noel could never afford to breathe in, let alone dine.

And then there was her.

Seated at a private table, looking annoyingly perfect. Dark curls spilling over her shoulders, wine glass casually twirling between her fingers. She lifted her gaze as Vincenzo and Noel approached, eyes sharp, calculating.

Then…she laughed.

"Oh, Vincenzo." Her voice was smooth, laced with amusement. "I thought you’d finally stopped picking up stray cats."

Noel’s stomach clenched.

Before he could react, Vincenzo’s hand landed on the small of his back, guiding him forward.

"Sit," Vincenzo said, his voice soft…too soft.

Noel hesitated, but then Vincenzo pulled out a chair for him.

Noel blinked. Vincenzo Takahashi pulling out a chair? For him?

He sat awkwardly, and Vincenzo’s hand lingered against his shoulder for a second longer than necessary.

Elene’s gaze flickered to it, her smile tightening.

"How sweet," she mused. "Your new boy toy is so… delicate."

Vincenzo’s eyes flickered dangerously. "Mind your words, Elene."

Noel’s fingers twitched in his lap. Why was he even here?

A waiter approached, setting menus down.

"Wine for the table?" he asked.

Elene nodded. "Yes, bring…"

"No."

Noel turned, startled.

Vincenzo’s hand was already plucking the menu from Noel’s grip. "He’s not drinking," he said smoothly. "Bring him something else. Something sweet."

Noel flushed. "I can drink if I want to."

Vincenzo tilted his head. "Can you?"

The challenge in his voice sent shivers down Noel’s spine.

Elene chuckled. "God, you’re still the same. Controlling, possessive…"

"Caring," Vincenzo corrected, his tone sharp. "Try again."

Elene’s eyes flashed.

Noel shrank in his seat. The tension was thick, suffocating.

Vincenzo noticed.

And just like that, his entire demeanor softened.

His hand slid over Noel’s under the table, fingers warm, steady. A silent reassurance.

Noel swallowed hard.

Elene’s grip on her wine glass tightened.

"Vincenzo," she sighed dramatically, "you don’t have to pretend. We both know you still have a thing for me."

Vincenzo exhaled slowly, then leaned forward, his voice smooth as silk.

"You know," he mused, "you're right."

Elene’s lips curved.

Noel’s heart plummeted.

Vincenzo’s grip on his hand tightened.

"That’s why," he continued, "I’m going to prove just how much I’ve moved on."

Before Noel could react, Vincenzo pulled him forward.

And then…

His mouth crashed onto Noel’s.

Noel’s breath vanished.

It wasn’t gentle.

It wasn’t sweet.

It was possessive. Claiming.

A public declaration.

His fingers dug into Noel’s waist, pulling him flush against his body as his lips moved with dangerous precision.

Noel whimpered.

Vincenzo swallowed the sound, deepening the kiss until his entire body burned.

Elene made a noise of shock.

Noel’s head was spinning. He shouldn’t be enjoying this, shouldn’t be leaning into it…

But fuck.

Vincenzo tasted like power. Like control. Like something he could drown in.

And when Vincenzo finally pulled back, his lips were smugly curved.

"Still think I’m not over you?" he murmured, his fingers brushing Noel’s flushed cheek.

Elene’s expression darkened.

Noel’s heart pounded.

Vincenzo smirked.

And then his phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen.

His smirk vanished. But his face didn't regain the stoic expression

Noel noticed.

Maybe business calls.

And whatever it was…

It wasn’t what was on his mind,his mind was still reeling from the kiss..