Chapter 768: Lock Back In.

Izan began scraping lightly against Olivia’s palm, knowing full well how much it made her lose control.

Olivia’s laugh broke out immediately, high-pitched and desperate, tears threatening at the corners of her eyes as she kicked at the sheets.

"Stop, stop, I swear I’ll—" Her words broke apart in a fit of laughter.

She tried pulling her hands away, curling up, anything to resist, but he held her easily. "I’m serious, Izan, if you don’t stop, I’ll— I’ll wet the bed!"

That made him pause, a laugh escaping from deep in his chest.

Finally, he let go, and Olivia flopped back into the pillows, panting, strands of hair sticking to her forehead.

"Evil," she muttered, shooting him a half-glare, half-smile.

He only leaned down, sealing her lips in a soft kiss that silenced her complaint.

When she didn’t push him away, he shifted to lie beside her, one arm tucked under his head as his eyes wandered to the ceiling.

The night lights shimmered like faint stars above them as Olivia followed his gaze, her breathing gradually slowing.

For a while, neither spoke.

Then Izan broke the silence.

"Give me your hands."

Her head rolled toward him, brows knitting.

"You’re not gonna do anything weird, right?"

"Not yet," he said with that same teasing smirk.

Olivia snorted, shaking her head, but she extended her hands toward him anyway.

"You’re impossible."

He lifted them gently, shielding their eyes from the ceiling glow.

Then, with his other hand, he reached over to the bedside drawer where he had hidden something earlier.

From the small box, he pulled out the bracelet, the same centrepiece from the store, its silver links catching the dim light like it had trapped a piece of the moon inside.

Slowly, carefully, he slipped it onto her wrist.

Olivia’s breath caught as she tilted her arm, watching it glitter, her voice faltering.

"Izan... how—"

"You didn’t think I’d forget you, right?"

His tone was casual, but his eyes were steady on her face, waiting for her reaction.

Her lips trembled before she pressed them together, and the next second, her eyes were glossy.

She buried her face against his chest, her voice breaking.

"You didn’t have to..."

"I did." His hand smoothed over her back.

"It cost a bit, sure, but it’s worth it. I mean, I’ve made you cry before, but not like this."

He paused, his grin turning sly.

"Well... except, you know, recently when we do that thing. But that’s a different kind of crying."

Her head jerked up, her cheeks burning as she smacked his chest, half-scandalised, half-flustered.

"You—"

Before she could finish, she collapsed on top of him, burying her face in his shirt as her shoulders shook with a small laugh.

"Bad boyfriend", she whispered, her voice muffled.

Then she lifted her head just enough to look him in the eyes.

"Thank you."

Her lips pressed to his, longer this time, slower.

The kiss deepened, lingering, both of them unwilling to pull away.

Izan shifted, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her closer as though he could fuse the moment into permanence.

Their hands began to move without thought, fingers trailing, exploring, mapping out familiar territory as if it were new again.

Olivia’s soft gasp broke against his mouth, but she didn’t resist.

If anything, she leaned further into him, holding onto him like the night outside could vanish at any second.

The room stayed quiet except for their breaths, mingling, uneven.

The bracelet glimmered faintly between them, a silent witness to the moment.

And just as the air grew heavier, as though the night itself were leaning in to watch, the rest was left unsaid, hanging, suspended, waiting.

....

The next morning, the cold Hampstead air still clung to Izan when he jogged back through the front gates, sweat rolling down his temple, shirt plastered to his chest.

He made his way to the kitchen, downing a bottle of water before tossing it into a bin near him, before making his way upstairs.

He pushed the door to their room open quietly, but the sharp whisp of air that fluttered the curtains betrayed him.

Olivia, sprawled on the bed in her night gown, stirred at the sound.

Her lashes fluttered before she groaned and buried her face deeper into the pillow.

Izan didn’t give her the luxury of drifting back off.

Leaning down, he pressed a deliberately sweaty kiss against her cheek.

"Ugh, Izan!" Olivia squirmed, wiping her face with the back of her hand.

"Gross," she said with a smile.

"Good morning to you, too," he chuckled, tossing his shoes off and heading straight for the shower.

The water hissed to life, steam quickly fogging the glass as he let it wash away the oils and sweat, leaving him feeling fresh, clear, and awake.

By the time he stepped out, towel around his shoulders, Olivia had stumbled in with a toothbrush hanging from her mouth.

Her hair was a wild halo around her face, and she gave him a bleary look through half-shut eyes.

"You’re way too loud in the morning," she muttered around the brush.

"And you’re a mess," Izan shot back, grinning as he passed her.

She flicked water at him in reply before stepping under the shower herself.

He dressed quickly, in a white tee, ash joggers, a fresh pair of Adidas socks, and his white-and-black striped slides, before heading downstairs.

Izan poured himself a glass of orange juice, leaning against the counter as he took a long sip, before making his way to one of the glass stools at the island, settling down and scrolling through his phone for a bit.

Soon, a shuffle of feet on the stairs broke the stillness as Hori appeared, hair tangled, eyes barely open.

She didn’t even greet him, just went straight for a glass of water before stumbling back upstairs like a zombie.

It didn’t last.

A few minutes later, muffled shouting echoed through the ceiling.

Izan tilted his head, listening to Komi’s unmistakable voice scolding.

"You are not skipping school this time, Hori!"

Izan shook his head, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

He could imagine the scene.

Soon enough, Komi appeared downstairs, tying her hair back as she walked into the kitchen.

She caught sight of Izan and paused, a softer smile forming.

"You’re up earlier than usual," she remarked.

"Yeah," Izan nodded, finishing his juice. "Arteta wants us in early. Some extra work, publicity things... it’ll be a long day."

Komi’s smile turned wistful as she walked over, her hand brushing his arm.

"My baby’s going too fast for me," she said gently, before tiptoeing.

Izan bent down instinctively, and she flicked him lightly on the forehead.

"Hey," he laughed, rubbing the spot. "What was that for?"

"Just reminding you who raised you," she teased.

Before Izan could reply, Olivia descended the stairs, already dressed, bag slung over her shoulder.

Her green eyes still looked a little sleepy, but she carried herself with her usual quiet elegance.

"You two are early birds today," Komi said, hands on her hips. "If you’d told me, I could’ve made something for you."

"It’s fine, really," Olivia said warmly, brushing it off as she moved to Izan’s side.

She laced her fingers with his, shooting Komi a smile.

"We’ll grab something on the way."

Keys in one hand, bag in the other, Izan led the way out.

Since it was just the two of them, he went for the Jesko Absolut parked in the garage.

The sleek machine gleamed under the morning light as the door to the secret space lifted.

Sliding into the passenger seat, Olivia chuckled, shaking her head.

"My entire campus is about to know I’m a kept, spoiled girlfriend."

Izan smirked, starting the car, the low growl filling the garage.

"At least they’ll know to stay in their place. Can’t have a repeat of Madrid, can we?"

Her laughter softened, though there was a trace of unease in her voice.

"Don’t remind me of that mess."

"I won’t," he promised, eyes forward as the car glided onto the streets of Hampstead.

The drive wasn’t long.

By the time they reached King’s College, the morning crowds were filtering in.

The Jesko drew eyes instantly, phones lifted, heads turned, conversations stopped mid-sentence.

Then Olivia stepped out, and the reaction doubled.

Her blonde hair caught the light, her green eyes bright against the pale morning, and for a second it was as though she didn’t belong to the everyday bustle of campus but to something higher, something untouchable.

Leaning into the car, she kissed Izan softly on the lips.

"Have a nice day, yeah?"

"You too," he murmured.

She pulled back, closing the door behind her.

As she walked away, she gave him a small wave, her figure swallowed by the crowd but still commanding every bit of attention.

Izan lingered a moment, revving the engine once as the sound rolled across the courtyard, and though Olivia didn’t turn back, he caught the way her shoulders shook with a chuckle.

Then he eased the car out of campus traffic, hands steady on the wheel.

The moment of playfulness faded as his focus shifted.

The day before and this morning had been theirs, but now it was time to lock back in.