shadow of love

chapter 5 (⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)

After a quiet breakfast filled with soft laughter and stolen glances, Noeul and his boss,  drove to the office together.

The morning sun streamed through the car windows, but Noeul felt a tightness in his chest as they approached the building. Today was significant; they had a board meeting with shareholders, and he wanted everything to go perfectly.

Once inside the office, Noeul busied himself preparing materials for boss’s presentation. As he sorted through the files, he caught sight of a familiar figure leaning casually against the wall—Mark. His heart sank, and a wave of fear washed over him. Mark’s smirk was predatory, his eyes glinting with an unsettling familiarity that made Noeul’s stomach churn.

Memories flooded back from their university days, memories he had tried so hard to bury. Mark had been charming at first, but that charm had quickly morphed into something darker. The stalking, the incessant messages demanding private pictures—Noeul shuddered at the thought. He had thought Mark could change, that he could be trusted again, but he had been wrong.

As Boss approached Mark with an easy smile, Noeul felt a sense of dread. “Noeul, this is my brother, Mark,” Boss introduced him, oblivious to the tension in the air. “Mark, this is my secretary.”

Noeul forced a smile as he extended his hand for a handshake. But when Mark took his hand, he gripped it tightly, his fingers digging into Noeul’s skin. The predatory glint in Mark’s eyes sent chills down Noeul’s spine. Disgust washed over him as he pulled his hand away, trying to maintain his composure.

Flashback

In the past, Noeul had been naïve enough to believe in Mark's potential for change. They had dated briefly during university, and after some time apart, Noeul had given him another chance. But Mark's true nature quickly resurfaced.

“Just one picture, Noeul,” he had insisted one night over the phone. “You know I love you. Just send me something... special.”

Noeul had stood firm against Mark’s demands, sending only innocuous photos instead. He knew that giving in would only encourage Mark's possessive behavior.

When Mark invited him to celebrate his birthday at a hotel, Peat had raised an eyebrow, concern etched across his face. “Are you sure about this? You know how he can be.”

“I think he’s changed,” Noeul replied, though doubt gnawed at him.

But when he arrived at the hotel, he quickly realized how wrong he was. Mark had cornered him in the room, insisting on more than just a celebration. Panic surged through Noeul until Peat burst through the door, saving him from what could have been another traumatic experience.

Present Day

Back in the present, Noeul shook off the memories that threatened to engulf him. He couldn’t let Mark ruin what he had built with Boss. After the successful board meeting, as Noeul walked toward the storage room to retrieve a file, he felt Mark’s presence behind him.

“Noeul,” Mark called out smoothly, his voice dripping with false sweetness. “We need to talk.”

Noeul turned sharply, heart racing. “Stop right there,” he said firmly, summoning every ounce of courage within him. “I’m in a relationship with your brother now. He’s my alpha mate. I suggest you back off or I will inform him about your behavior.”

Mark’s smirk faltered for a moment before returning with renewed intensity. “You think Boss can protect you? You don’t know me like he does.”

Noeul’s resolve hardened. “I know enough.” He turned on his heel and walked away, determined not to let Mark’s presence overshadow his happiness.

But suddenly mark grabbed his waist and spoke near noeul's ear "you can be boss's mate but you know I have many things to use against you he smirked and left noeul and walked away

Time passed quickly as the day wore on. That evening was special—it was Noeul and Boss's anniversary. Excitement bubbled within him as he prepared for their celebration, trying to push thoughts of Mark out of his mind.

Unbeknownst to Noeul, Boss was planning something extraordinary—something that would change their lives forever.

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Sorry for late update guys I had exams for awhile

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