A Sudden Flashback

Haru lay curled on the sofa in the dim guestroom of the Caldwell mansion, a thin blanket wrapped tightly around him. It wasn't for warmth—the air was comfortable. It was for protection. A barrier between him and everything he couldn't face. The events of the wedding, the weight of the ring on his finger, and worst of all, the name of the man now bound to him by law.

Lucien Caldwell.

The thought alone made his stomach twist.

But no matter how much he squeezed his eyes shut, sleep didn't come. Instead, the past did.

------Five Years Ago-----

Willowbrook Community College had a strange kind of sadness in its bones. The cracked tiles, the buzz of cheap fluorescent lights, and the lingering scent of old coffee created an atmosphere that made students feel like dreams were a luxury.

For Haru, it was a hiding place.

He'd arrived early to claim the seat in the farthest corner of the lecture hall. Same spot, every time. Behind the dusty fake plant, near the window. Invisible. Safe. At eighteen, Haru had already perfected the art of being forgettable.

The hum of chatter filled the hall. New semester. New professors. Same exhaustion.

"I heard the new math teacher's a beast."

"A hot beast, though. Kinda makes it worth it."

"I hope he doesn't give homework on the first day."

Haru ignored it all. He focused on his notebook, scribbling tiny stars and quotes in the margins. Anything to avoid looking up.

Then, the voice came.

"Good morning, future geniuses!"

It was playful. Confident. Unmistakably familiar.

Haru looked up, and time stopped.

Lucien Caldwell.

There he was—again. Tall, blond, and devastatingly composed. The man Haru had accidentally insulted on the bus just one week ago. The same man who had smiled at him like he could see right through him.

He wore a crisp black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing toned arms and a sleek watch. His green eyes sparkled as he leaned casually against the desk.

"I'm Lucien Caldwell, your math instructor this semester. But you can call me Lucien. I prefer a classroom without walls—figuratively, of course."

Some students laughed. Others swooned. Haru sank lower in his chair.

He remembered that day on the bus all too well...

------One Week Earlier------

The bus was packed. Haru, drenched from unexpected rain, had clumsily boarded and nearly tripped into a stranger's lap.

"Careful there," the man had said, his voice amused. Strong hands steadied him.

Haru looked up—into green eyes. Intense. Sharp.

"S-Sorry," he stammered, face burning.

"Is this seat taken?" the stranger asked.

"Yes! I mean, no! Sit, if you want!"

Mortified.

The man sat down, far too close.

"Are you a student?"

"Why do you want to know? You trying to scam me or something?"

He hadn't meant to be rude, but panic made him defensive.

Lucien chuckled. "Just making conversation."

Haru had muttered, "You sound like you're hitting on me. Sorry, I don't date old men."

The silence that followed had been deafening. Lucien's eyes widened, and Haru had bolted off the bus at the next stop, humiliation trailing behind him like a storm cloud.

Back in Class

Now, that man was his teacher.

Lucien's eyes scanned the class… and paused on him.

Recognition flickered.

And then the smirk.

"Let's do introductions," Lucien announced. "Name and one weird hobby. If you say 'watching Netflix,' I'll give you double homework."

One by one, the students obeyed. Awkward laughter, groans, quirky facts.

Then: "You in the back. With the mysterious aura."

Haru froze.

His mouth went dry. Slowly, he stood. Every eye turned to him.

"I'm Haru," he mumbled. "I like… crying in libraries."

The room burst into laughter.

Haru sat back down, face red.

Lucien chuckled, eyes never leaving him. "Valid. Honestly, same."

And just like that, Haru was no longer invisible.

-----Present Day-----

The memory dissolved like mist, leaving only the ache.

The door creaked.

Haru sat up quickly, heart racing.

Lucien entered, still dressed in the remnants of his wedding suit, his tie now loosened and hair slightly tousled.

He looked human. Tired. Almost gentle.

"You're awake," Lucien said, voice soft.

Haru didn't answer. He pulled the blanket tighter.

Lucien lingered at the doorway. "I didn't know you were the one I was marrying. If I had..."

"You wouldn't have agreed?" Haru snapped, surprising himself.

Lucien blinked. "No. I mean… I would've tried harder. I would've apologized."

Silence stretched.

"You hurt me," Haru said quietly. "Back then, you made me feel small. I thought it was a game to you."

Lucien took a slow step forward, then stopped. "It wasn't a game. I just... didn't know how to act around you. You were different. Unpredictable. Honest. I liked it."

Haru looked away, his throat tight.

"Then why tease me? Why smile like you knew something I didn't?"

Lucien's voice dropped. "Because I wanted to know everything about you. And I didn't know how to ask."

The air buzzed between them, electric with unsaid things.

Haru shook his head. "It's too late. We're married, but we're strangers."

Lucien looked like he wanted to say more, but stopped himself. "I'll sleep in the other room. For now."

He turned to leave.

"Lucien, wait."

He paused.

Haru looked up. His voice was small. "Just… don't pretend nothing happened."

Lucien nodded slowly. "I won't."

The door clicked shut.

Haru exhaled, his chest tight.

Lucien Caldwell was no longer just a face from the past.

He was now part of a future Haru hadn't asked for.

And somehow, that was even scarier.