Not her.....Not Y/N

King's POV

"Who are you talking about, Max?" I demand, gripping my phone tightly.

There's a long sigh on the other end. "Forget it… Look, I want to go there. Are you coming with me?"

I frown. "What?! Are you out of your mind, Max?"

"King… I just… I don't know, man," he mutters, sounding conflicted.

Something about his tone doesn't sit right with me. My grip on the phone tightens.

"Come to my house. We need to talk."

Max hesitates before responding. "Okay."

The call ends, but my mind is far from calm. What the hell is going on with him? And more importantly—who the hell is he talking about?

What did he just say? He likes her?

Who the hell is he talking about? It better be Princess Diana—it has to be her. If not… I swear, I'll kill him.

Frustration builds inside me. I run my hands through my hair, tugging at it as if that will somehow clear my mind. I need to calm down.

My stomach growls, reminding me that I haven't eaten. Maybe food will help.

I get up and head to the kitchen, where I find Mom on the phone, laughing softly.

"Yeah, you're right… Okay, see you tomorrow," she says before hanging up.

"Mom, let's eat something," I say, rubbing my temple.

She nods, and I step forward to help her set the table, trying to push Max's words out of my head.

We eat in silence, but my mind is restless.

Then, out of nowhere, I remember the pudding Y/N made. A small smile tugs at my lips before I even realize it.

Mom, ever observant, doesn't miss a thing.

"Jerry, why are you smiling like that?" she teases, narrowing her eyes. "I'm sure you're hiding something from me."

I quickly shake my head. "No, no, Mom! I—I actually…" I trail off, sighing.

How do I even explain this? Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't know where to start.

Mom watches me closely, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

"Baby Jerry, if you like someone, you have to tell me," she says gently. "I mean, I can help!"

I know she means well, but even if she wanted to help, no one can help me in this situation. I nod anyway, not wanting to argue.

"I was just wondering if I should go somewhere, Mom. I mean—"

Mom's expression shifts. "Oh, Jerry, we barely get to spend time together, and now you're saying you want to go?"

I chuckle at her dramatic reaction. "Mom, I'm not saying I'll leave right now."

She sighs, but I can tell she's relieved. If only she knew what was really on my mind.

Mom waves her hand dismissively. "Okay, okay, go, go. I'm not going to stop you. But you have to stay tomorrow, okay? Then you can go wherever you want," she says while taking another bite of her food.

I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Mom, if you try to force me into anything… it won't end well for either of us," I say firmly. "I want a girlfriend that I love, not someone you pick for me… okay?"

She pauses, looking at me carefully. For a moment, I think she's going to argue, but then she just gives me a small smile.

Mom smiles softly. "Jerry, you're right… I'm not going to force you, so don't worry about that."

I nod, relieved that she understands.

After we finish eating, the sound of the doorbell ringing interrupts the quiet atmosphere.

"Ah, that must be Max," I mutter, pushing my chair back as I stand up. My heart feels heavier again, knowing that I still need answers from him.

I head toward the door, preparing myself for whatever nonsense he's about to say.

I open the door to see Max standing there, looking somewhat uneasy.

"Hey," he greets.

I nod silently and motion for him to come in.

The moment Mom sees him, her face lights up. "Oh, Max, dear! Come in!"

Max grins. "Aunty! You finally came back. For a moment, I thought you were going to settle there for good," he jokes.

Mom chuckles. "Hehehe, well… maybe one day—when Jerry finds his partner."

Max laughs and walks over to hug her. "Ah, then we'll be old by then," he teases.

I clear my throat, glaring at him. "You wanna die?"

Max turns to Mom dramatically. "Aunty, see? He never changes!"

She just shakes her head with a smile, while I roll my eyes. Enough of this—there's something I need to know.

"Max, let's go to my room. We need to talk," I say, my voice firm.

He nods, sensing the seriousness in my tone.

Mom, ever the observer, waves us off with a smile. "Go, go… and please convince him, okay?"

Max chuckles. "Sure, Aunty… if he doesn't kill me first."

I roll my eyes and head to my room, not bothering to respond. I need answers—and I need them now

Max hesitates, his eyes darting away. "I—I…" He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, King, but I can't just forget about her. She's so cute and beautiful, I—I think I li—"

Before he can finish that nonsense, I punch him square in the face.

"I. LIKE. Y/N." I growl, my chest rising and falling with anger.

Max stumbles back, holding his face, blinking in shock. Then, to my irritation, he starts laughing.

"You like her??" he asks, as if it's the funniest thing in the world.

My jaw tightens. I go for another punch.

"Hey! Calm down, calm down!" he yells, raising his hands defensively. "I don't like Y/N!"

I freeze. "What?"

Max sighs, rubbing his jaw. "Actually… I like the princess."

My eyes widen. "WHAT?!"

He likes the princess… not Y/N.

The tension in my chest eases a little. I stand up straight, letting out a breath.

"Ah… okay," I say, my voice calmer now.

Max watches me carefully before smirking. "Actually, Y/N is also very cute."

I immediately glare at him.

Max chuckles, raising his hands in defense. "But I like the princess… I can't just forget about her," he admits, his voice a little more serious this time.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. At least now I know he's not after Y/N. But something about the way he talks about the princess… it's complicated.

I exhale sharply, shaking off the last of my frustration.

"We'll go tomorrow night… be ready," I say firmly.

Max nods, his expression turning serious. "Alright."

Tomorrow night… whatever happens, I need to be prepared.