𝑬𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 :: &𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝟎𝐓𝟗 [REVISED]

• Chapter 16 ( revised )

⎯⎯ ୨ THIRD PERSON'S POV ୧⎯⎯

The living room still hummed with a quiet undercurrent of contentment, the lingering warmth of shared vulnerability and burgeoning affection from their recent heart-to-heart still subtly coloring the air. The easy laughter that had punctuated their earlier conversation had gradually subsided, replaced by the soft, comfortable sounds of shifting bodies as the boys stretched out in their relaxed postures, some leaning against the plush cushions of the couch while others lounged casually on the carpeted floor. The weight of their unspoken confessions and tentative first steps towards something deeper still hung delicately between them, raw and new, but it wasn't an uncomfortable tension. It simply... was. A shared secret held in the quiet space.

And then-

The sharp, abrupt, and undeniably intrusive ringing of a cell phone sliced through the peaceful stillness, shattering the delicate tranquility of the moment.

All nine pairs of eyes instinctively turned towards the sudden source of the unwelcome sound-Clementine's personal phone, which was currently nestled in Taki's hands as he idly tapped away at a game, his brow furrowed in concentration. His fingers stilled as the insistent ringing continued, and his gaze flickered down to the illuminated screen. Tilting it slightly to decipher the unfamiliar number, he turned to Clementine with a mixture of mild confusion and innocent curiosity.

"Babe, whose number is this?"

The casual endearment, still so new and thrilling, barely registered in the forefront of Clementine's mind before a sudden, icy chill snaked its way through her. It started as a prickle at the base of her spine, slowly crawling upwards, each icy tendril seeping into her bones like the unwelcome whisper of a long-dormant, painful memory. Her stomach twisted with an unsettling lurch, a wave of inexplicable nausea washing over her, and she could already feel the telltale clamminess forming on her palms.

"Det kan ikke være ham" (It can't be him,) she thought frantically, her breath catching in her throat.

Could it possibly be? After all this time?

Clementine swallowed hard, forcing down the sudden lump that had formed in her throat as she instinctively reached out for her phone. The screen glowed ominously in the dim light of the living room, the unnamed number flashing insistently, demanding her immediate attention.

Her heartbeat quickened, each pulse a heavy thud against her ribs, mirroring the growing unease that was rapidly escalating into full-blown anxiety.

For a fleeting moment, she simply stared at the insistent caller ID, her fingers gripping the cool metal of the device tighter as if she could somehow physically still the growing turmoil within her.

"Ahh, uhh... could you possibly hand me my phone back for a little bit, Taki?" she asked, her voice carefully controlled, attempting to mask the sudden tremor that threatened to betray her rising panic.