Jealousy Jealousy

Kole wasn't sure what was worse-being fake-married to a man who looked like a god or pretending he didn't notice every time said man walked around shirtless.

It had only been three days since they'd moved into the penthouse. Three days of avoiding each other in 200 square meters of tension, silence, and passive-aggressive remarks. Kole had already figured out Jackson's habits: black coffee at 7 a.m., shirt off by 7:05, protein powder rituals that looked religious, and a face that stayed emotionless unless he was being an arrogant prick.

Right now, Jackson was standing by the mirror adjusting the cuffs of a dark button-up shirt that fit like sin. Kole, sitting on the arm of the couch with his phone, was pretending not to look.

"Why do you keep doing that?" Kole asked, voice casual but tight.

Jackson raised an eyebrow. "Doing what?"

"That," Kole said, gesturing lazily. "The whole let me seduce the air around me routine."

Jackson looked amused. "I'm getting dressed. Is that illegal now?"

"It should be," Kole muttered.

Jackson stepped closer. "You're the one staring."

Kole shrugged, but his fingers tightened around his phone. "I look at lots of people. Doesn't mean I like any of them."

Jackson's mouth twitched. "Good. Because liking me would be inconvenient."

Kole smiled coldly. "Don't flatter yourself. I don't fall for men who treat feelings like infections."

They locked eyes. The silence sizzled. Jackson didn't say a word-just turned and walked out the door like nothing had happened.

Kole exhaled once he was gone, chest tight.

---

That evening was a red carpet event. Kole was there as Jackson's spouse, which felt as fake as his forced smile. He wore a sleek black outfit that Rina had personally selected with a warning: "Do not go rogue with the crop tops tonight."

There were cameras everywhere. Flashing lights. Reporters shouting Jackson's name. Then someone called for Kole.

"Hey! Kole from the street shows, right?"

He turned, surprised. A younger actor-tall, with sleepy eyes and a dazzling grin-stepped into view. His name tag read "Min Jae." Kole vaguely remembered him from a Netflix drama.

"Big fan," Min Jae said, holding out a hand. "Love your interviews."

"Oh, you mean the ones where I ask strangers if they'd sleep with K-pop idols?" Kole teased.

Min Jae laughed. "Exactly those. So... would you ever ask me?"

Kole grinned. "Depends. Would you say yes?"

Min Jae leaned in, voice low. "Try me sometime."

Behind them, a storm was brewing. Jackson had just stepped onto the red carpet, and his gaze landed squarely on the scene. Kole didn't see it-but the cameras caught the flare of possessiveness in Jackson's eyes. The tightening jaw. The micro-shift in posture like he was about to start a war.

Later, Kole joined Jackson by the champagne table. Jackson handed him a glass without looking.

"Making friends?" he asked flatly.

Kole blinked. "I talked to someone. That's legal, right?"

"You flirted."

Kole took a slow sip. "That wasn't flirting. That was me being polite. You'd know the difference if you ever tried it."

Jackson stepped closer. His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Don't test me, Kole."

Kole raised an eyebrow. "What happens if I do?"

Jackson didn't answer. He just leaned in, placed a hand possessively at Kole's lower back, and said loud enough for the cameras nearby:

"Smile, baby. The world's watching."

Kole smiled with all his teeth. "I hope they're taking notes."

---

They didn't speak again until they got home. Kole was peeling off his jacket when Jackson's voice stopped him.

"You really don't see it, do you?"

Kole turned. "See what?"

"The effect you have. You walk around like no one can touch you, like you're just being funny. But you light fires and walk away like you didn't mean to burn something."

Kole blinked, heart stumbling.

"You're projecting," he said softly. "I'm not the one playing pretend with a straight face."

Jackson stepped close-too close. "Maybe I'm not pretending."

The air between them tightened. Kole's pulse jumped. But before anything else could happen, Jackson walked past him, disappearing down the hall.

Kole stood there, breathing hard, confused and pissed and... excited?

He hated this. He hated Jackson.

He hated that he didn't.