đź–¤ Chapter 10: Control Is an illusion
Ethan Carter didn't like unpredictability.
---
He didn't like distractions.
---
And he definitely didn't like the way his mind kept drifting—
back to the same person.
---
Again.
---
And again.
---
He closed the file in front of him, exhaling slowly.
---
"…Temporary," he muttered.
---
The word felt weaker now.
Less convincing.
---
Because nothing about this felt temporary anymore.
---
A knock didn't come.
---
Noah walked in anyway.
---
"You look worse today," he said immediately, dropping into the chair like he owned it.
---
Ethan didn't look up.
"I look the same."
---
"No," Noah replied, studying him carefully, "you look like you're losing an argument in your head."
---
Silence.
---
Ethan continued writing.
---
Noah leaned forward slightly.
---
"So… how's your temporary situation going?"
---
Ethan's pen paused.
---
Then continued.
---
"It's under control."
---
Noah snorted.
---
"That's exactly what people say right before things go completely out of control."
---
Ethan closed the file.
---
"I have work."
---
"And I have curiosity," Noah shot back. "Which one do you think wins?"
---
Ethan stood.
---
Conversation over.
---
"You're becoming a problem."
---
Noah grinned.
---
"Only when I'm right."
---
---
Later—
as Ethan stepped out of his office—
---
he stopped.
---
Because someone was already there.
---
Adrian.
---
Standing like he had nowhere else to be.
---
Or like this was exactly where he was supposed to be.
---
Noah noticed instantly.
---
"Oh," he said under his breath. "My favorite category."
---
Ethan ignored him.
---
"Why are you here?" he asked calmly.
---
"Boss is waiting," Adrian replied.
---
Simple.
Direct.
---
Ethan nodded once.
---
Then walked past him without hesitation.
---
Noah stayed behind.
---
Of course he did.
---
He looked Adrian up and down, openly.
---
"You know," he started casually, "I'm starting to think this isn't coincidence."
---
Adrian didn't react.
---
Noah tilted his head.
---
"Dangerous men. Attractive faces. Same energy."
---
A pause.
---
"Still deciding between gene effect and butterfly effect."
---
Silence.
---
Then Adrian spoke—
voice low.
Controlled.
---
"You talk too much."
---
Noah smiled.
---
"And you don't talk enough. Balance, I guess."
---
Adrian stepped closer.
---
Not threatening.
---
But enough.
---
"Stay out of things that don't concern you."
---
Noah didn't move.
---
"Too late."
---
A pause.
---
Adrian's gaze sharpened slightly.
---
"You don't know what you're stepping into."
---
Noah shrugged.
---
"I know enough to be interested."
---
That—
made Adrian look at him properly.
---
Not dismissive.
---
Not indifferent.
---
But… assessing.
---
"You're careless."
---
Noah smiled again.
---
"And you're interesting."
---
Silence.
---
Then Adrian turned slightly.
---
"Be careful," he said.
---
Noah leaned against the wall.
---
"You too."
---
---
The location was quieter this time.
---
Private.
---
Controlled.
---
Just like before.
---
But the atmosphere—
felt different.
---
Heavier.
---
More aware.
---
Vincenzo stood near the window again.
---
Like he always did.
---
Like he preferred watching—
instead of being watched.
---
Ethan stepped inside.
---
"You're predictable," he said.
---
Vincenzo turned slowly.
---
"And yet you still came."
---
A pause.
---
Ethan didn't deny it.
---
Didn't explain it either.
---
Because there wasn't a reason he could say out loud.
---
"This doesn't change anything," Ethan said.
---
Vincenzo's expression didn't shift.
---
"You've said that before."
---
Another step closer.
---
"And I meant it."
---
Vincenzo watched him carefully.
---
"Then prove it."
---
Silence.
---
Ethan held his gaze.
---
Unmoving.
---
Then—
he stepped forward.
---
Closing the distance himself this time.
---
Not hesitant.
Not uncertain.
---
Intentional.
---
His hand lifted—
fingers brushing against Vincenzo's jaw—
then sliding down to his collar.
---
Firm.
Controlled.
---
"You don't seem affected," Ethan said quietly.
---
Vincenzo didn't move.
---
"I am."
---
A pause.
---
"Just not in the way you expect."
---
Ethan's grip tightened slightly.
---
"Then maybe I should change that."
---
And before anything else could be said—
---
he pulled him closer.
---
And kissed him.
---
This time—
it wasn't brief.
---
It wasn't uncertain.
---
It was deliberate.
---
Slow.
Deep.
---
Like he had already made the decision—
and wasn't questioning it anymore.
---
Vincenzo didn't react immediately.
---
Then—
his hand moved.
---
Resting lightly at Ethan's side.
---
Not taking control.
---
Not stopping him.
---
Just there.
---
Letting him lead.
---
The kiss deepened gradually—
their breathing shifting—
becoming uneven—
closer—
heavier.
---
Ethan's hold tightened slightly—
pulling him closer—
like distance wasn't something he wanted anymore.
---
Time blurred.
---
Nothing else existed.
---
Not rules.
Not logic.
Not the idea that this was supposed to end.
---
Because it didn't feel like something that would end.
---
It felt like something that was just beginning.
---
Ethan pulled back slowly.
---
Reluctantly.
---
Their foreheads nearly touching.
---
Breathing uneven.
---
Silence settled between them.
---
Then—
Vincenzo spoke.
---
"You shouldn't start something you can't control."
---
Ethan didn't step back.
---
"I am in control."
---
A pause.
---
Vincenzo's gaze softened—
just slightly.
---
"Not for long."
---
Silence again.
---
But this time—
it wasn't calm.
---
It felt like a warning.
---
One Ethan wasn't sure he was ready for.
---
Or willing to ignore.
---
Ethan let go of his collar.
Stepping back.
---
Recreating distance.
---
But it didn't feel the same anymore.
---
Nothing did.
---
"This ends when I say it does," Ethan said.
---
Vincenzo watched him.
---
"We'll see."
---
Ethan turned.
---
Walking toward the door.
---
But before he left—
---
he paused.
---
Not looking back.
---
"…This doesn't change the terms."
---
A beat.
---
Then Vincenzo's voice—
calm.
Certain.
---
"It already has."
---
Ethan didn't respond.
---
Because deep down—
---
he knew that was true.
---
And that—
was exactly what made this dangerous.