Chapter 4 Relationship

The moment they stepped out of the VVIP lounge, the chaos hit like a wall. Cameras flashed wildly. Reporters shouted over each other, their voices layered with static urgency.

"Soren! Maddox! Are the rumors true?"

"Is this why Alina didn't get to date Maddox?"

"Are you two in a secret relationship?"

Soren stiffened as the wave of noise crashed around them. He blinked against the lights, lips parting in confusion. His heel barely hit the carpet before Maddox's hand slid smoothly around his waist.

Firm. Steady. Possessive.

Maddox didn't look at him. He looked at the press-calm, unreadable, completely in control.

"It wasn't supposed to be public yet," Maddox said, his voice clear and even, "but yes, we're together."

Silence. Then an explosion.

Screams of excitement. Cameras clicking. Reporters barking questions all at once.

Soren froze.

He turned toward Maddox slowly, heart thudding in his chest.

But Maddox wasn't done.

He leaned in, his lips brushing Soren's cheek-soft, deliberate. It lasted less than a second, but it was enough. Enough to send the crowd into a frenzy. Enough to light a fire under every headline.

Soren's eyes widened. The heat bloomed across his face immediately, impossible to hide.

Maddox finally turned his head, giving the cameras a slow, satisfied smirk.

"Baby," he said smoothly, voice low but meant to be heard, "let's not hide it anymore, okay?"

The crowd went wild.

The screams grew louder.

A wave of gasps, applause, phones in the air-all of it crashing around Soren like thunder.

He stared at Maddox, stunned, lips parted. "What the hell was that?" he whispered under his breath, barely audible above the chaos.

Maddox didn't respond. He raised a hand in a lazy half-wave to the crowd, his other arm still resting behind Soren's back.

They were guided quickly down the carpet, PR managers shielding them from more questions as they made their way toward the exit.

Inside the black car waiting out front, Soren was the first to speak the moment the doors shut.

"You kissed me."

Maddox adjusted his cuff, unbothered. "It was strategic."

"You called me baby."

"It was convincing."

"You told the entire industry we're together."

Maddox turned his head slowly. "Do you want to correct them?"

Soren blinked. His jaw worked for a second before he scoffed, tossing his head to the side. "Unbelievable."

"You're welcome."

Soren leaned back against the seat, arms folded. "You really think you're slick, don't you?"

Maddox smirked again. "I don't think. I know."

Soren narrowed his eyes. "You could've at least warned me before declaring I'm your boyfriend."

"You handled it fine."

"I froze."

"You looked expensive while doing it."

Soren huffed. "I hate you."

"No, you don't."

Soren gave him a sharp glare, eyes glittering. "You owe me. I want front-row seats to every fashion week for the rest of the year."

"Done."

"And my own driver."

"Take mine."

"And I'm picking your next PR suit."

Maddox didn't argue. He turned his gaze to the window, the corner of his mouth still tilted up. "If that's what it takes to keep the story clean."

Soren crossed his legs dramatically. "I hope Alina's watching."

"She is."

Soren tilted his head toward him, voice soft but smug. "Good. Let her choke on it."

Maddox didn't respond. But he smiled, just a little.

---

The drive was quiet. Well, almost.

Soren sat stiffly in the backseat, legs crossed, arms folded like he was holding himself together. Maddox, relaxed as ever, scrolled through his phone.

"You're enjoying this," Soren muttered.

"Very much," Maddox replied without looking up.

Soren exhaled slowly, muttering something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "jerk."

The car rolled through the front gates of the Sinclair estate, passing the long hedged driveway until it pulled up beside the fountain. The mansion loomed above them, tall, sleek, modern and moderate, annoyingly beautiful.

The moment they stepped inside, laughter spilled from the living room.

Their mothers.

Sitting on the couch like they'd been waiting for this moment their whole lives, both sipping champagne, both with phones in hand as if they'd just finished watching the entire media scandal unfold in real time.

Soren barely got a word out before Maddox's mother stood and clapped her hands. "I knew it! I told you, didn't I?" she squealed, grabbing Soren in a hug before pulling Maddox in too. "You two are so obvious!"

Soren's face burned. "Wait, this is not-"

Maddox's mom turned to Soren, holding his cheeks like she'd just won a prize. "Son, thank you for picking my boy. You've calmed him down so much."

"I didn't...pick anyone" Soren cried.

Soren's mother joined in next, casually taking off her glasses and smiling. "You've always liked him. I knew it when you kept calling him 'insufferable' at twelve."

"Mom...,what are you talking about ?, this isn't....."

Before he could protest further, footsteps echoed from the stairs.

Maddox's father appeared, sharp suit on, hands in his pockets like the world hadn't just exploded online. He walked down, expression unreadable.

Soren straightened instinctively.

"Dad," Maddox said, arms open, smug. "Not even a congrats?"

His father stopped in front of them, gave Maddox a glance-then pulled Soren into a brief hug.

"Wait-what?" Soren blinked.

"Daddddd," Maddox groaned dramatically. "Don't I get a hug?"

"No," his father replied dryly. "Only my son-in-law gets one."

Soren choked. "HUHH?!"

Maddox tried and failed to hide his grin.

"When's the wedding?" his father continued calmly. "I should call Soren's dad and talk arrangements."

"Dad, no-" Maddox started.

"Not yet!" Soren added quickly, hands up.

Both mothers were already nodding excitedly, voices overlapping, planning color schemes, venues, guest lists. Champagne glasses were lifted like toasts had already begun.

Soren turned to Maddox, hissing under his breath, "Fix this before we end up engaged in the tabloids tomorrow."

"I don't see the problem," Maddox said coolly.

Soren narrowed his eyes. "You're evil."

Before Maddox could reply, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out casually, glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted.

Subtle. Controlled. But darker.

Soren noticed instantly. "What?"

Maddox didn't answer.

He just handed the phone over.

Soren's face dropped as he read the screen.

Incoming Call: Alina

Soren pick up the call and Alina start shouting and screaming right away.

"Just give up babe, I and my boyfriend won't settle for you."

"Just you wait and see" she threatened before ending the call.