The sheer absurdity of the situation before me made me feel like I was in some sort of surreal dream. You know, the kind where you're walking around naked in public but no one seems to notice—only this time, I was fully clothed and very much aware that something was off, but no one else seemed to be batting an eyelash.

I stood there, rooted to the spot, half expecting Aiden to crack a smile and reveal that this was all some elaborate joke, but he just remained his usual cool, ...