Bound by Fate [ DewNani ]

Shadows of the Past

A few weeks later, Nani was home alone, having finished his usual morning routine of avoiding Dew. He was straightening up the living room when he noticed a large, leather-bound photo album lying slightly open on the coffee table. Curiosity piqued, he picked it up, gently flipping through the pages. The photos were mostly of Dew, often with his family or at lavish events, all smiles and picture-perfect poses. But what caught Nani’s eye was a candid snapshot near the end: Dew was laughing, arms thrown around a young woman’s shoulders. The two looked carefree, the intimacy between them unmistakable.

Nani felt an unfamiliar sting, a peculiar mix of curiosity and something he couldn’t quite place—jealousy, perhaps. Before he could dwell on it, the sound of Dew’s footsteps echoed from the hallway, and he snapped the album shut, holding it up with a teasing smirk.

"Is this your secret lover or something?" he asked casually, though his heart raced as he awaited Dew’s reaction.

Dew's expression shifted instantly, his easygoing demeanor replaced with an icy glare. He snatched the album from Nani's hand, his jaw tense. "That’s none of your business," he bit out, shoving the album into a drawer with force.

Caught off guard by Dew's intensity, Nani stammered, "Hey, relax. I was just joking." But Dew’s face remained stony, his eyes stormy with emotions Nani couldn’t decipher.

“Well, don’t,” Dew replied, his tone low and sharp. "Not everything is a joke, Nani. Learn to respect boundaries."

The words hung heavy between them. Nani swallowed, feeling a pang of something uncomfortably close to regret. He hadn’t meant to hurt Dew. But it was clear he’d inadvertently struck a nerve.

Dew left the room without another word, and Nani was left standing in silence, a strange mixture of guilt and frustration bubbling within him. Despite their rivalry and the constant friction, he realized that there was a part of him that wanted to understand Dew, even if he would never admit it.

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