Jealousy

Zander’s POV.
The morning started as uneventfully as I’d expected. Paperwork, phone calls, and endless pack matters that couldn’t be ignored. It was routine, predictable-everything my life had been before *her*.
When I looked up from the stack of documents in my hand, I wasn’t expecting to see Aria and her friend Sarah walking toward me down the hallway. Aria’s expression was unreadable, but Sarah’s was something else entirely. Her smile was bright, her eyes sparkling with a kind of energy that was hard to miss.
“Morning, Zander,” Sarah said, her voice sweet and almost… flirtatious.
I nodded in acknowledgment, my tone neutral as I responded. “Morning.”
I glanced briefly at Aria, hoping to gauge her mood. She’d been upset last night, though she’d hidden it behind her usual defiance. I’d heard her door slam, and part of me had wanted to go after her, to try to explain myself. But I hadn’t. Instead, I’d let her retreat into the safety of her room, leaving everything unresolved.
Now, as she stood there beside Sarah, her posture stiff and her expression carefully blank, I could feel the tension radiating off her.
Sarah, on the other hand, had no such restraint. Her gaze lingered on me a little too long, her smile a little too wide. I wasn’t oblivious-I knew exactly what she was doing.
The subtle adjustments to her posture, the way she tilted her head just so, exposing the curve of her neck. The way her voice softened when she spoke to me, her tone dripping with sweetness. It was all deliberate, calculated.
Aria noticed it too.
I saw the flicker of something in her eyes-jealousy. It was quick, barely there, but I caught it. And for reasons I couldn’t quite explain, it stirred something in me.
Before I could say anything, Aria stepped forward, her movements brisk and deliberate. She leaned up on her toes, her lips brushing against my cheek in a quick kiss that caught me completely off guard.
“Good morning,” she said brightly, her voice carrying a hint of smugness as she stepped back.
I blinked, trying to process what had just happened. Aria had never done anything like that before-never been that bold, that… possessive.
“Uh… thanks?” I said, my voice uncertain.
I glanced at Sarah, whose smile faltered for a split second before she quickly recovered, her expression turning curious as she looked between me and Aria.
“Well, that was… unexpected,” Sarah said, crossing her arms as she raised an eyebrow at Aria.
Aria shrugged, hoisting her bag onto her shoulder. “Come on, Sarah. We’re going to be late for class.”
She didn’t wait for a response, turning and walking down the hall with Sarah trailing behind her. I watched them go, my thoughts a tangled mess.
—
Later that day, as I sat alone in my office, I couldn’t get the morning out of my head. Aria’s kiss. Sarah’s obvious attempts to charm me. The way Aria had practically dragged Sarah out of the house afterward.
It was like watching two storms collide, and I was caught in the middle.
I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling as I tried to make sense of it all. Aria had been jealous. That much was clear. And for some reason, the realization made me… smug. I wasn’t sure what it meant or why I cared, but I couldn’t deny the satisfaction it gave me.
Then there was Sarah. Her intentions weren’t subtle. She was attracted to me, and she wasn’t shy about showing it. Normally, I’d shut something like that down immediately, but this was different. Sarah was Aria’s friend. She was important to her, which made the situation… delicate.
And maybe, just maybe, I wanted to see how far Aria’s jealousy would go.
An idea began to form in the back of my mind, one that was equal parts reckless and calculated.
—
The next time I saw Aria and Sarah together was later that evening, just before dinner. They were sitting in the garden, chatting about something I couldn’t quite hear as I approached. Aria spotted me first, her expression guarded as her eyes met mine.
“Zander,” Aria said, her voice carefully neutral, giving away none of the emotions I suspected were simmering beneath her composed exterior. She stood tall, her posture calm, but I didn’t miss the slight tension in her shoulders.
“Ladies,” I greeted, nodding politely as my eyes swept over both of them. My gaze lingered on Sarah for a moment longer than necessary, and she responded instantly with one of her bright, practiced smiles.
“Zander,” Sarah said, her tone dripping with that same syrupy sweetness she’d used earlier. Her voice was light and cheerful, but there was an unmistakable edge of flirtation in it-subtle, but just enough to get under someone’s skin.
I shifted my attention between the two women, noting the subtle but undeniable tension hanging in the air between them. Perfect. Just the kind of atmosphere I could work with.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to both of you,” I said, keeping my tone casual, as though I didn’t notice the silent battle of wills happening before me. “I’ve been planning a trip to Thailand next weekend-a bit of a… honeymoon, you might call it.” I let the word hang in the air, watching for the reaction it would spark.
Aria’s posture stiffened immediately, her eyes narrowing just slightly. “A honeymoon?” she repeated, her voice tinged with skepticism. Her tone was even, but I could hear the sharp undertone beneath it, like a blade hidden beneath silk.
I nodded, maintaining an air of ease. “Yes. I thought it would be a good opportunity for us to spend some time together. You know, relax, get away from pack duties for a bit. Just a chance to breathe.” My words were deliberately vague, their meaning open to interpretation.
Sarah’s face lit up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Thailand? That sounds incredible!” she exclaimed, her enthusiasm spilling out like a gushing waterfall. She clutched her hands together, already imagining the possibilities.
I smiled, leaning into the idea, letting the bait dangle a little longer. “It will be,” I said smoothly, pausing for effect. Then I added, “And I thought it might be nice for you to join us, Sarah.”
The reaction was immediate. Aria’s head snapped toward me, her eyes wide with disbelief as if she couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. “What?” she blurted, her voice sharp, cutting through the moment like a whip.
Sarah, on the other hand, looked absolutely delighted. Her eyes widened in surprise, but her expression quickly shifted to one of pure happiness. “Really? Are you sure?” she asked eagerly, her voice bubbling with excitement.
“Of course,” I said, my tone smooth and nonchalant, as if the idea were the most natural thing in the world. “You’re Aria’s best friend, after all. I know how much she values your company, and I thought it would be fun-for all of us. A chance to relax and enjoy ourselves together.”
Aria’s jaw clenched so tightly I thought she might crack a tooth. Her emerald eyes burned with unmistakable jealousy, even though she was clearly trying to keep her emotions in check. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, she closed it again, her frustration evident as she struggled to find the right thing to say.
“Wow, Zander. That’s so thoughtful of you,” Sarah said, her smile practically glowing now. She placed a hand on her chest as if she were touched by my suggestion, her gratitude pouring out in waves. “I really appreciate it. That sounds amazing.”
I glanced at Aria, whose expression was now a mix of anger, disbelief, and frustration. She didn’t say a word, but I could practically feel the storm brewing inside her. Her silence spoke volumes, the tension radiating off her in waves.
“Great,” I said cheerfully, clapping my hands together as if everything had been settled. “I’ll make all the arrangements. We’ll leave next weekend. It’ll be a trip to remember.”
Without giving anyone a chance to argue or react further, I turned and walked away, my pace calm and deliberate. A faint smirk tugged at the corners of my lips, but I kept it subdued, not wanting to give too much away.
I wasn’t entirely sure what game I was playing by inviting Sarah along on what should have been a private trip for me and Aria. Maybe I wanted to test Aria’s reaction, to see how far she’d go to stake her claim. Or maybe I just wanted to stir the pot and see what would happen. One thing was certain, though-this trip was going to be interesting. Very, very interesting.