CHAPTER 23: YOU’RE MY TYPE.

Alistair’s POV

I was a little curious, to be honest. The trip felt long, maybe because of the silence. Even if Charles had been someone else, I don’t think it would’ve changed how awkward it was. He didn’t seem to want to be near me — like he’d rather be anywhere else.

He kept staring out the window, not saying a word. Every time I tried talking, he just gave short answers. It made me feel uncomfortable. I didn’t know if I had done something wrong, or if he just didn’t feel like talking.

I was relieved when we finally arrived at the office — I think.

Stepping out of the car, I took a deep breath, feeling oddly happy. Finally, I could hand Charles over to someone else — make him someone else’s responsibility. Maybe one of my subordinates, or even my assistant. Let them deal with him for a while.

He followed me silently, his face as blank as ever — worse than a poker face. I gestured for him to keep up, and we headed inside.

The factory workers lit up when they saw me. Even the marketing and sales departments greeted me with smiles and waves. But Charles... he was like dead weight. Every time someone spoke to him, he’d just grunt, sigh, or roll his eyes. It was irritating.

But then one of my employees — a woman from production — commented on how handsome he was, saying she wouldn’t mind dating him.

And... I liked it.

---

The person walked past us and into my office. While waiting for my assistant to arrive, I decided to try again — one more attempt at a conversation with Charles, even though he probably wouldn’t respond.

"Well," I began, forcing a light tone, "she’s pretty. She seems like your type. Would you— I don’t know— go for her? She’s everything, honestly. I mean, she likes you. I could introduce you two."

He said nothing at first, just stared ahead like I hadn’t spoken at all.

"She’s really pretty," I pressed, trying to keep the conversation alive. "You could match her vibe. I think you two would get along."

He sighed — long and deep — then walked closer. Too close.

"You think so?" he murmured.

"Yeah," I said quickly. "She’s more than qualified to be here with me, you know. I think it’d be fun if you gave her a chance—"

Before I could finish, he stepped in and hugged me — tight. So tight that my ears buzzed and a shiver ran straight down my spine.

His voice was low, right next to my ear.

"You’re my type."

The way he said my name afterward... I can’t even describe it.

Then he pulled away, looking almost casual again. "Me and Louis share the same type, I guess," he said, almost like a joke.

Just then, my assistant walked in. "Sir, you told me to watch your brother-in-law?"

"Yes," I said quickly, trying to steady my voice. "Stacy, please help me watch Charles for a bit."

I was left standing there, confused — utterly confused — with a pounding heart and a mind that refused to make sense of what just happened.

---

Charles’ POV

It had been two weeks.

Anna and Daniel — my friends, my companions — weren’t around today. Daniel was always busy. Work, family... he had a wife now, for God’s sake. Twenty-two and already married. An achievement, I guess.

He always said he wanted to live life.

Well, he was living it. Meanwhile, I was trying to survive mine.

Anna and I were the reckless ones, at least according to her parents. They always compared us to Daniel, like he was the perfect version of what we could’ve been. Anna said she was taking a trip to find a spirit medium — to help her break my bond with Louis.

My bond was more like a chain tied to my chest, always made me feel broken when he wasn’t there and worse when he treated another better.

That connection — the one I never asked for but still clung to — it hurt less now, but only because I was getting used to the ache. The emptiness was starting to feel... normal.

I thought I’d spend the day alone, but of course, my family had other plans. Mother and Father — they insisted I go with Alistair.

Not a trip. Just something small, some business thing.

But being near him was never small.

Alistair — Louis’s fiancé.

The man he chose over me.

Every time I saw his face, it was like a reminder carved into my chest: I wasn’t the one. The bond didn’t matter. Fate didn’t matter. Louis had made his choice — and it wasn’t me.

And Alistair?

He was everything I wasn’t. Stable. Kind. Reliable. The kind of man Louis could actually build a future with.

Maybe that’s why I resented him so much.

Not because he was cruel — but because he was perfect.

And because I couldn’t stop wanting what was his.

Sometimes, even breathing next to him hurt. The scent of him carried Louis’s name — faint but constant — and it burned through me.

But I followed him anyway. To his office, his world, his people.

Because apparently, I couldn’t be trusted alone anymore.

---

So when we got to the company, he started asking if I was bored — trying to sound polite, maybe a little awkward.

Then, like some weird twist of fate, he started recommending his assistant to me. His assistant.

Talking about how she liked me, how she thought I was cute, and how maybe he could set us up.

I wanted to laugh. I wanted to shut him up.

He didn’t get it.

I didn’t want his assistant. I wanted him.

The man who stole Louis.

The man Louis chose.

I remembered telling myself I’d win him over — not because I loved him, but because I wanted Louis to know what it felt like to be replaced.

To have someone touch what was once his.

A terrible idea, a stupid way of flirting. But maybe I wanted to see if I could break Alistair, even just a little.

So I went closer. Close enough to feel the warmth of his skin, close enough for him to hear how steady my breath wasn’t.

Then I hugged him — tight — and whispered near his ear,

" You’re my type."

He froze. Completely.

I felt his heartbeat hammering against my chest, and that’s when I knew — I’d hit something.

I whispered his name, softly full with yearning, he shivered a little ears blushing .

I smiled a little, my lips brushing his ear.

"You said she was my type," I murmured. "But you’re wrong, Alistair. You are."

The silence that followed was almost intoxicating.

When I finally pulled back, his eyes were wide — confused, scared maybe, but there was something else there too.

Something I couldn’t name.

I grinned faintly, covering the storm in my chest.

"Relax," I said softly. "I’m just joking but I and Louis share the same type" I added but he was so stiff, he might have not heard what I said.

But one thing was certain we both knew I wasn’t joking.

Then his assistant walked in, calling his name. I stepped back acting like nothing happened, like it was a fragment of his imagination .

But as I left the office, I could still feel his heartbeat against me — fast, uneven, like a rhythm I didn’t want to forget.

If Louis wanted to play with hearts, then fine.

I’d play too.

And I’d make sure someone got burned.