one in our FOREVERMORE

Chapter Nine Leya

The next morning, I get ready for work and mentally rehearse the words I need to say to Torren.

Eventually, I shake my head, feeling frustrated. "Ugh, I'm talking bullshit," I murmur to myself. I don't know how to do this kind of stuff. Seeking a bit of comfort, I pour myself an iced caramel macchiato, taking a moment to collect my thoughts.

Max is already waiting at the door when I join him. We step into my car, and I start driving down the familiar streets. As I wait at a red light, my phone vibrates, signaling a message from Jae-suk.

-He knows.-

Oh, no.

As we reach the fourth floor, Marcel is noticeably absent. It's not surprising, given my habitual early arrival at work. With some time to spare before Torren comes, I should practice what I'm going to say, so I can explain everything in a way without talking shit in between. But, walking into my office, I find him standing by the glass wall, his back turned toward me. Max approaches him, but Torren doesn't acknowledge his presence. No greeting, no stroking. He's angry.

When he eventually turns to face me, his hands tucked in his pockets, I can sense the storm brewing beneath his composed exterior. His hair is messier than usual, cascading over his forehead and almost blocking his eyes. Clad in a casually elegant dress shirt with sleeves rolled up to reveal more of his tattoos – I see them for the first time. One arm is fully covered, while the other remains untouched. Closing the door behind me, I take purposeful steps towards him.

"Listen, I was planning to tell you tonight-" I begin, but he cuts me off.

His voice barely above a whisper, laced with a quiet anger. "I saw you. Both of you. Going into your apartment." I need a moment to understand what he's talking about.

"You saw us?" I stop in my tracks, but he starts to approach me steadily.

"I saw the two of you," he repeats.

"Were you following me?" Disbelief colors my voice.

"That's not important right now." He comes so close that I instinctively step backwards until my back hits the wall, his hands resting at neck level on either side of me. "Was it fun... fucking my brother?"

"What?" I furrow my brows. "I didn't. That's absurd," I retort, my own anger starting to bubble to the surface.

"Stop lying to me, Leya."

"I am not lying to you." My eyes lock with his. "We've only been friends. Always. Nothing more."

He moves even closer, lowering his head, so our noses brush briefly. I draw in a deep breath at the proximity. "He's been at your place at night. You've met up multiple times recently. I can tell, he always mentioned when he was seeing a German friend from college."

"So? I have male friends who visit me, and there's never been anything beyond friendship."

"How was it?" His voice is cool, but his eyes burn with intensity.

My confusion deepens. "What?"

"Was it good? Did he please you? Satisfy you? Did he make you cum?"

I push him away and slap him across his face.

My voice slightly rises. "I swear, if you fucking accuse me one more time that I am lying and fucked your brother-" My emotions well up, unexpectedly bringing tears to my eyes, but I never cry because of a man. "You're being ridiculous," I choke out.

His tone rises slightly as well. "Cazzo, just tell me the truth."

"I am!" I shout. "I am telling you the fucking truth." Fuck, it's very unusual for me to raise my voice. I hate it.