The moment Harrison stepped into the
room, everything shifted. Conversation
died mid-sentence and laughter faded into a heavy silence. It felt as if the air itself had become thicker. Every person in the ballroom was looking at him, and Julius felt his grip tighten around his glass.
Harrison walked further inside with the quiet authority of a man who owned the entire world. Julius forced himself to stay calm. Not me, he thought. He will never own me.
"Do you know him?" his fiancée, Helen, asked softly beside him. Her voice sounded distant, like it was coming from far away. Julius couldn't answer. He was locked in a staring contest with the intruder. Harrison didn't hesitate; he walked straight toward them, and the crowd parted like water.
"Stay here," Julius told Helen. He stepped forward to meet Harrison halfway. He didn't want to wait like a prize waiting to be claimed. But up close, Harrison felt even more dangerous.
"You followed me," Julius accused him in a low voice.
Harrison offered a faint, sharp smile. "You noticed."
"You don't belong here," Julius snapped.
Harrison's eyes flickered toward the wealthy guests and then back to Julius. "Neither do you," he replied calmly. Before Julius could respond, Harrison stepped into his personal space. The heat between them was overwhelming. "You're engaged," Harrison whispered.
Julius's heart skipped. "How do you—"
"I know everything I need to know," Harrison interrupted. He looked down at the ring on Julius's hand. His expression wasn't jealous; it was something darker. "And yet, you're standing here thinking about me."
"I'm not," Julius lied.
Harrison's smile deepened. "You're a terrible liar."
Suddenly, Harrison reached out and wrapped his hand around Julius's wrist. His grip was firm and possessive. Julius told him to let go, but Harrison didn't. Instead, his thumb brushed slowly against Julius's skin, testing him.
"You shouldn't touch me," Julius warned.
"And yet, you're not pulling away," Harrison murmured, leaning closer.
A guest nearby began to look at them with suspicion. Julius knew he had to end this. He pulled his wrist free—though it felt like Harrison only let go because he chose to.
"Don't come near me again," Julius said coldly.
Harrison looked amused. He leaned in close to Julius's ear so no one else could hear. "Walk back to her," he commanded. "Go back to your fiancée, Helen."
Julius clenched his jaw. "Why should I listen to you?"
"You're going to marry someone else," Harrison whispered, his lips almost brushing Julius's skin. "And yet… your body already knows who you belong to. Prove me wrong. Go back to her."
It was a challenge. Julius didn't hesitate; he turned and walked back to Helen. His steps were measured and forced, but his heart was racing.
"Is everything okay?" Helen asked as he reached her side.
"Yes," Julius lied. But he could still feel Harrison's gaze on his back—watching, waiting, and owning. Deep down, Julius realized something terrifying. He wasn't sure if he was walking away from the Enigma, or walking exactly where Harrison wanted him to go.