Chapter XI

When the session was over, the rest of the team gathered their things, exchanging a few last words before heading off in different directions. Anne stayed behind, as she always did. And, as always, Sebastian followed her home.

But this time, something was different.

Sebastian was quiet—thoughtful, almost. That alone was suspicious. He wasn't the type to lose himself in deep contemplation, at least not without making it everyone else's problem. Yet, here he was, walking beside her with a strange glint in his eyes.

Anne didn't comment on it. Not yet.

Then, out of nowhere, she felt a slight tug on her hair. She turned her head just enough to catch Sebastian standing behind her, casually twirling a strand between his fingers. His touch was light, almost absentminded, but his smirk was anything but.

"You're awfully quiet," she muttered.

Sebastian hummed. "Just thinking."

Anne raised an eyebrow. "That's dangerous."

He chuckled, stepping a little closer. "My sister is throwing a party," he said suddenly. "Obviously, I have to show up."

Anne glanced at him. "And?"

Sebastian's smirk widened. "And we're going."

Anne blinked. "We?"

He tilted his head. "Of course."

She stared at him. "You're aware you didn't actually ask me that, right?"

Sebastian's expression didn't change. "Should I have?"

Anne scoffed, standing up. "Yes! That's usually how invitations work."

Sebastian didn't move. He just watched her, his gaze sharp, unreadable. And it wasn't until she shifted that she realized—he had backed her against the chair.

Anne stiffened slightly, glancing back. "And it's no."

Sebastian leaned forward just a bit, his presence heavy. "No," he said, voice calm.

Anne folded her arms. "I mean exactly that. I don't do parties."

Sebastian didn't react right away. He just stared at her, assessing, like he was deciding whether or not he would allow her to refuse. Then, with the same relaxed certainty, he spoke again.

"You're going."

Anne scowled. "I—"

"You're going," he repeated, completely unbothered.

She narrowed her eyes. "You can't just—"

"Anne." His voice was smooth. Firm. Unwavering. He wasn't budging. Not even slightly.

Anne clenched her jaw, but Sebastian only smirked.

"I'll pick you up at ten."

And just like that, the matter was settled.

Anne, however, was not having it. "No."

She stood up abruptly, ready to protest, but in doing so, she hadn't realized how close he had been standing behind her. The movement brought her face dangerously close to his chest, and instinctively, she took a small step back, only to find herself leaning against the edge of the chair.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow at her reaction, his gaze sharp yet amused. "No."

Anne crossed her arms, staring up at him. "No."

Sebastian's expression didn't falter, but she could see the way his jaw tensed slightly, the way his fingers twitched as if restraining an immediate response. "What do you mean, 'no'?" His tone was still firm, but there was a hint of genuine confusion beneath it.

Anne exhaled, placing her hands on his cheeks, forcing him to look at her properly. His eyes widened slightly at the gesture.

"Ask nicely," she said, her voice calm but firm. "I'm not your servant, you understand?"

That stopped him. Completely.

Sebastian had always been in control—of his words, of his presence, of the way people reacted to him. But this? This was new. No one had ever made him pause like that, had ever dared to redirect him with such simple, yet effective words.

He wasn't offended. He was... moved.

For a moment, he just looked at her, processing, considering. Then, his expression softened, just enough for her to notice.

Slowly, he adjusted his posture, his grip no longer firm, but gentle. Taking her hand in his, he intertwined their fingers, this time making sure to keep his voice smooth, but not commanding. "Anne," he murmured, "would you go with me....darling?"

He brought her hand up, pressing a soft kiss against her knuckles, his lips lingering just slightly before pulling away.

"Is that better?" he asked, his voice quieter now, more careful.

Anne tilted her head slightly, studying him with an almost amused look. His fingers were still wrapped gently around hers, his lips brushing the back of her hand like some nobleman out of a storybook.

She smirked. "Much better."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, still watching her carefully. She could tell he was thinking, analyzing, trying to piece together what had just happened. The shift in his demeanor had been subtle, but noticeable—he wasn't used to being told what to do, let alone adjusting his approach because of it.

Anne, of course, couldn't let that go without a little fun. She tapped his cheek lightly with her fingertips, her smirk widening. "You see, you can be a good boy."

Sebastian froze.

For once, the ever-smug, ever-controlled Sebastian looked genuinely caught off guard. His eyes flickered with something unreadable, lips parting slightly like he wanted to say something but couldn't quite process it yet.

Then, just as quickly, the moment passed. His expression smoothed out, though that glint in his eyes—the one that warned of trouble—returned in full force. His smirk reappeared, slow and deliberate.

"Careful, Anne," he murmured, tilting his head slightly. "Everything has its consequences."

Anne's smirk didn't waver. "Oh? And what exactly are the consequences of calling you a good boy?"

Sebastian's grip on her hand tightened just a fraction. He leaned in, putting his hands on table behind her, with almost no space between them left. His voice dropping to that smooth, teasing tone he always used when he was about to make things worse for her. "You'll find out soon enough."

Anne swallowed, her heartbeat picking up despite herself. Damn him. He always knew how to turn the tables.