A TASTE OF CANDY POISON

CHAP 25🌸

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As Arkie chuckled, his face broke into an almost childish grin, bouncing on his heels like he’d just won a prize. I glared at him, the annoyance creeping up despite the mix of nerves and confusion still swirling inside me.

Then, without warning, Arkie grabbed my hands, holding them with a firm yet oddly gentle grip. He brought my knuckles to his lips, pressing a lingering kiss on each one, his eyes glinting with a disturbing intensity. "You made the right choice, Sebastian," he murmured. "I love you so much. You don’t even know."

Every word sounded like it was laced with an obsession that made my skin crawl, but he didn't give me any chance to respond. He glanced at the sky, noticing the darkening evening, then smiled down at me.

“It’s late. Let me take you home,” he offered, his voice casual, as if everything about this situation was perfectly normal.

I opened my mouth, about to refuse, but then he shot me a look—a smile that was just a little too wide, a little too unsettling. My protest died in my throat. With a hesitant nod, I let him lead me over to his motorcycle, sleek and shining like it cost more than most people’s cars.

Without a word, he handed me a helmet and swung his leg over, pulling me on behind him before I had a chance to fully process what was happening.

The ride was surreal. I barely registered the wind whipping past, my nerves too focused on how Arkie had somehow known exactly where my house was. He hadn’t asked, hadn’t even hesitated; he just drove, pulling up in front of my family’s mansion with a casual familiarity that made my stomach twist.

okay,what a creep.

As I took off my helmet and climbed off the bike, Tristian appeared at the door, grinning as he noticed me. He ran over, hugging me briefly, then turned to Arkie, his brow furrowing in faint confusion.

“Arkie? What are you doing here?” Tristian asked, glancing between us. Despite the question, he smiled politely, as if trying to piece things together.

Wait.They know each other?

Arkie just smiled back, stepping forward smoothly and taking my hand. “Tristian! Long time no see.” His grip tightened, sending a wave of discomfort through me as he continued, “Sebastian and I are…together now.”

I shot him a glare, but his grip didn’t ease. Tristian blinked, stunned for a moment, then broke into a wide grin. “Sebastian! You didn’t tell me!” he said, playfully punching my arm. “Congratulations, bro!”

“Y-yeah,” I managed to say, forcing a weak smile as I suppressed the urge to break free from Arkie’s hold.

Tristian seemed oblivious to my discomfort, already swept up in his excitement. “Come inside, Arkie! It’s been ages since we hung out.” He led us both into the house without a second thought, practically pulling us toward the living room.

I muttered something about needing to change, but neither of them seemed to notice as they started catching up, talking and laughing as if they’d known each other forever.

I forced myself down the hallway, my fists clenched as I heard Arkie’s voice drift through the air. “Yeah, it just…happened, you know?” he was saying, his tone almost proud. “It was meant to be.”

What the hell?

My teeth ground together, and I quickened my pace, moving further from their conversation. The hallway felt longer than usual, and my irritation simmered as I neared my room.