You belong in the dark

I watched as the color drained from his face. Aiden didn’t touch his food afterwards. I watched as he placed his elbows on the table, his fingers twitching restlessly.

This can’t be happening,” he muttered to himself. His voice was low, and filled with fear."

I leaned back in my chair, keeping my expression calm. “It’s just noise Aiden.”

He flinched, and looked at me. “Noise? Jamie, they think they know. They think they saw us—”

“They don’t know,” I cut in. My tone was firm. “All they saw was a shadow. A silhouette. There is nothing that proves that was me.”

He shook his head, his fingers now running through his hair, which is already a mess from the stress.

“It doesn’t matter Jamie. Because they already concluded in their minds, that I'm with someone I can't ever admit to loving.”

His words were soft, but they hit me like a blade. I kept my face calm, and controlled as I kept staring at him.

“Then let them think what they want,” I said evenly, as I crossed my arms. “I know the truth, and so do you. That's what matters.”

When he looked at me, his eyes were filled with fear. Soon we left the restaurant, and the car ride back to the hotel was suffocating.

The city lights shined as we drove past, the silence between us was deafening so I tried to distract him, to bring him back into the world that belonged only to us, but it was pointless. Almost as if I was talking to a ghost. He tapped his thigh in an anxious way, while his eyes were fixated on nothing.

Why are you letting them crawl under your skin? I asked, slightly turning to face him. “Are you afraid they’ll think you were with a man,” I asked my voice rising now, “or are you afraid they’ll think you were with me?”

He turned then, his eyes locking mine.

His jaw clenched. “You don’t get it, Jamie. This is a big deal. And I’m afraid they’ll take everything from me,” he said finally. “And in the process… they’ll destroy you too.” One wrong move and everything I have, everything I’ve built will be gone.

I let the silence stretch for a bit, then I leaned in, letting my voice drop into that tone I knew he couldn’t ignore. “What you’ve built doesn’t own you. I do. That’s what’s important. Maybe you're forgetting that.”

He inhaled sharply, his shoulders stiffening, and for a moment I saw the truth in his eyes. He knew I was right.

When we reached the hotel, Aiden bolted as soon as the car stopped.

He didn’t bother waiting for me, like he usually did. Neither did he wait for me to gather the bags, he just walked in like a man being chased.

I didn't complain, rather I just followed behind slowly, like the professional assistant the world believed me to be.

By the time I entered the suite, he was pacing around like a caged animal.

“This is bad, Jamie. Really bad,” he said, his voice tight as he ran a hand through his hair again. “What do you think will happen when they connect the dots? When they finally know the truth? It will all be over.”

I leaned against the wall, setting the bag down on the ground. “It’s not over yet. And it's just a blurry silhouette. That could be anyone, you know that.”

His laugh was sharp, almost bitter. “Silhouette or not, this is a scandal literally waiting to happen. You don’t even understand how big this is. This could destroy me—

“You mean us,” I corrected, my voice soft but firm.

He faltered for a second, guilt flickering in his eyes. “Jamie… you know that’s what I meant.”

I pushed myself off the wall and moved across the room. My hand caught his wrist, firmly but not rough. He froze, like the world had just stopped moving.

“Look at me,” I said, my voice low and steady.

His eyes met mine, and the storm inside him faltered for just a second.

“You’re freaking out,” I said quietly. “And if you let this eat you alive, we’ll both lose. I told you before, I'm not gonna be a ghost forever. But I’m not afraid of the shadows, and you shouldn’t be either.”

His chest rose and fell too fast. His lips parted, then closed again, like the words he wanted to say might harm us both.

Finally, he spoke up. “We can’t go to the event tonight together. Not after this. I think it's best we ride separately.”

The words hit harder than I wanted to admit. I’d always known I was a secret, but hearing it spelled out loud still burned.

You want to pretend I don't even exist?”

“It’s safer this way,” he said, his voice firm now. “I can’t risk us being photographed again.”

I took a breath, then I smiled. “Okay that's fine. If that's what you need to be able breathe tonight,” I said calmly, “It's alright. I’ll meet you there.”

The event that night was filled with lights and voices. I went into the pre-event dinner like a ghost, taking the side entrance while the world cheered for him outside.

From a distance I watched as he laughed easily, charming influencers with a casual brush of his hand, his hand lightly resting on the arm of another actor as they posed for photos.

He was truly dazzling, and I couldn't help but smile that he was also mine—and I felt every second of longing like a tight pull.

At one point, his gaze caught mine among the crowd. My lips curved into the faintest smirk, and his throat bobbed like he’d swallowed something heavy. Then someone touched his arm, and he looked away.

I turned, gently sipping my drink while trying to keep my face cool, while my jaw tightened. I am not weak, but I wouldn’t be the man chasing crumbs in the dark while the world got the feast.

I excused myself and went out to the terrace for air.

The night was cooler, quieter, the city buzzing softly below. I let my fingers brush the stone railing, while listening to the rhythm of the distant traffic.

That’s when I heard her.

“Comfortable, aren’t we?”

Victoria's voice was sharp like steel. I turned slowly, to find her in a sleek black dress, her expression cold like ice.

“Evening, Victoria.”

She stepped closer, her heels clicking against the floor.

You really think you’re untouchable because he keeps you close? Or do you think this little arrangement between you both, gives you security?” She said softly.

Let me remind you”, She came closer and whispered, perhaps hoping it would scare me.

“Always have it in mind that, men like you are replaceable. You’ll always remain in the shadows, so don't forget where you stand, and remain that way if you know what’s good for you.”

I let her words hang in the air, then I smiled faintly. “You know the funny thing about shadows, Victoria,” I said softly. “They only exist when there’s light. And your precious son…” I leaned closer, letting my words cut. “…he only shines for me.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for the first time, I saw her flinch. Then she turned, her heels echoing down the hall as she headed back inside.

I exhaled slowly, but the victory was short lived.

Because with Victoria on my neck, it was only a matter of time before she tried to get rid of me.

Permanently.

But I can't let that happen.