Chapter Ten

🌟 ENCHANTRESS IN DISTRESS 🌟

SHE IS SHY, HE IS CRUEL

ROMANCE AND TRAGEDY

_Episode Ten_

Golden Cloves High

Monday morning, the school hallways pulsed with activity. Students rushed to and fro, clutching books and folders, their faces etched with tension. The atmosphere was electric, signalling the start of examination week.

Outside the examination hall, fourth and fifth-year students huddled, poring over their notes. Ryan stood beside Aurelio, his icy expression masking the tension beneath.

Aurelio's voice cut through the din, "You ready for this, Ryan?" His tone was casual, but his eyes betrayed concern.

Ryan nodded curtly, his jaw clenched. "I've got this."

Aurelio's gaze lingered, then shifted to the students streaming into the hall. "Let's do this. It's time to prove your father wrong."

As they entered the examination hall, the air thickened with anxiety. Caterina and Rosanna, seated nearby, exchanged encouraging glances.

Caterina's hands trembled slightly as she unfolded her exam paper. Rosanna's reassuring smile steadied her.

Meanwhile, Aurelio's confident stride belied his own doubts. He had dedicated himself to helping his team win the basketball championship; academic pressures weighed heavily, but as a bright student, it wasn't too much pressure.

Ryan's thoughts mirrored Aurelio's. His recent poor performance in the game still haunted him.

---

_Flashback: Night_

_After the basketball competition_

_Eliot Mansion_

Ryan stood before his stern-looking father, his head bowed as he received the endless scolding and insults.

"What's all this I'm hearing from your basketball coach? Can't you take things seriously? You're stupid; you couldn't even become the basketball captain."

He paused, his voice laced with venom.

"I really wished Aurelio was my son; he's smart and excellent at sports."

Ryan's fists clenched.

Aurelio arrived, standing by the door. He overheard their conversation; the closing door alerted Mr. Eliot, who quickly composed himself.

"Oh, son, good thing you're here. That was a nice match out there; always making your father proud."

He looked at his other son with disappointment.

"Very soon, you'll graduate and go to college, becoming a successful man. Maybe you can teach your friend a thing or two."

He patted Aurelio's shoulder before leaving.

Ryan ignored Aurelio and started going to his room, but Aurelio caught up.

"Bro, wait," he said.

Ryan yanked his hand off his grip.

"Why do you have to show up, goodie two shoes, always here to save the day? How gracious."

Aurelio's expression saddened me.

"I'm not trying to be a goodie two shoes, and I didn't even know you were going through all this."

Maya, standing beside the kitchen door, heard their conversation. She watched them with sad eyes.

"Maybe it's time the young man knows the truth," she mumbled.

"Good then, welcome to my sick life," Ryan said, laughing hysterically.

Aurelio and Maya were taken aback.

Ryan stopped laughing and walked up to his room, but Aurelio followed.

Ryan sat on the edge of his king-size bed, his head buried under his palm, and broke into slow cries. His anxiety grew.

Aurelio sat beside him, patting his shoulder. Ryan's anxiety widened, and he enveloped Aurelio in a tight hug.

Aurelio hugged him back, sensing Ryan's anxiety attack.

Ryan calmed down in Aurelio's arms, breaking the hug to hiccup the rest of his tears.

Aurelio wiped Ryan's tears.

Ryan looked at Aurelio with red eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry."

Before hugging him again, Aurelio wondered, "Is this the same rude and arrogant Ryan apologising to me?"

"Thank you for always being a friend," Ryan said, hugging him tightly.

Aurelio was shocked, unable to form a sentence.

"What happened to you?" Aurelio asked, disengaging the tight hug.

Ryan calmed down before answering.

"My father never treated me like his real son. He hates me; anything I do doesn't impress him. He forced me to take business when all I really want to do is paint and become a successful artist."

He paused.

"Besides basketball, I really love painting. He told me my dream was silly and usually hit me anytime he caught me painting. He drinks, parties, and sleeps around."

Ryan's voice cracked.

"He left me with huge trauma and made me feel like I meant nothing."

Aurelio's eyes softened.

"So that's why you bully people."

"It's my only coping mechanism; I know it's not right, but that makes me feel seen and feared."

Aurelio sighed. "Well, that's not the right thing to do. There are other ways."

He paused. "My mom is a therapist, and I can book an appointment for you two. I really wish to see the old jovial and carefree Ryan, my best friend."

Ryan smiled. "I do too."

"It's time to prove your father wrong, Ryan. You're worth a thousand good things, and I hope you find the courage to finally face your father."

Aurelio and Ryan nodded in unison.

"Shall we read?" Aurelio asked.

Ryan nodded.

---

As the examiner voice echoed through the hall, signalling the start of the examination, the students' nerves reached a boiling point.

Aurelio looked at Ryan, giving him an encouraging smile.

…

The examination ended, and the students started exiting the hall. Some of the students had smiles on their faces, while others had a hint of sadness. Caterina and Rosanna came out of the hall with smiles on their faces.

"Thank God what we read came out," Caterina said.

"Our efforts will be crowned at the end," Rosanna said with a smile, exhaustion lacing her voice.

"Finally done with fourth year, screw fourth year!" Rosanna exclaimed, and Caterina chuckled.

"I can't wait to sleep; I miss my bed," Rosanna added.

"Don't forget we still have our final exam coming up next month, November, so keep the jubilation till then," Caterina cautioned.

Rosanna rolled her eyes. "Why are you such a killjoy?"

Caterina chuckled. "Anyway, let's go get our bags and head home."

Rosanna agreed, and they left for their locker.

Ryan came out a minute after Caterina and Rosanna left the hall, wearing a smile. He quickly finished his paper so that he could talk to Caterina.

"I guess I missed her already," he mumbled to himself, shaking in fear when he felt a hand on his shoulder. His eyes softened upon seeing Aurelio.

"You look like you'd pass out," Aurelio said, laughing.

Ryan stared at him with a frown. "Stop it; it's not funny."

Aurelio asked, "Did you miss her?"

Ryan nodded. "I really need to talk to Caterina."

Aurelio reassured, "There's always tomorrow."

Ryan remembered something. "What's all this I'm hearing about you and Caterina? Is she Coniglio piccolo?"

A nearby student overheard and announced, "Guys, listen up! Poor Caterina is Coniglio piccolo!" Gasps and murmurs filled the hallway.

Aurelio intervened,his voice laced with annoyance "Enough!" Silence fell.

" Thank you man" Aurelio said to Ryan his voice laced with annoyance

" What did I do" Ryan said,

Brielle, who had been behind them, walked up. "Why do you want to see Caterina?"

Ryan replied simply, "To talk to her," before walking away.

Loredana was coming out of the hall with Nicoletta by her side, who had a frown on her face. "What's all this I'm hearing? Is something going on between you and Caterina, and you didn't bother to tell me?" Loredana asked Aurelio.

"Nothing is going on between us; I just want to make friends with her," Aurelio replied.

Nicoletta smiled. "That's good to hear."

Loredana observed, "I can sense Ryan changing." staring at the direction Ryan followed

Nicoletta agreed, her lips forming a cute pout, "I'm already tired of bullying people."

Brielle, who had been silent, spoke up, "Me too."

The others stared at her speechlessly.

"Really, the queen of bullies?" Nicoletta asked in surprise.

Brielle affirmed, "I'm serious."

Aurelio suggested, "Anyway, let's head to class."

Later, Ryan stood outside the school building. School had already closed, and only a few students remained. His friends had left, and Aurelio had offered to drop him home, but Ryan declined.

He has been looking for Caterina but to no avail

He sighed tiredly and mumbled, "I guess she already left school." He sighed again, heading toward the school's parking lot. The once-packed garage was now almost empty, with only a few exquisite cars remaining.

Ryan entered his car, and the driver drove off.

…..

Unknown Residence

The luxurious room was a testament to opulence, with plush carpets, crystal chandeliers, and velvet drapes. However, it was the walls that told the real story. Every inch was covered in pictures and posters of Ryan, showcasing his captivating smile, piercing eyes, and chiselled features. The shrine-like decor hinted at an unsettling obsession.

A girl emerged from the bathroom, her slender figure wrapped in a silky robe, hair bundled in a towel. She gazed at Ryan's images, a dreamy smile playing on her lips. Her eyes sparkled with an unnerving intensity.

She drifted to the dressing table, where a remote control lay hidden among perfumes and jewels. Pressing a button, the shelf slid open, revealing a secret door. The air thickened with anticipation.

Inside the hidden room, a life-like robot of Ryan stood motionless, awaiting activation. The girl's fingers hovered over the power button when her phone shattered the silence.

Irritation flashed across her face as she answered. "Better be good news," she warned, her voice husky.

The caller, a spy from Eliot Mansion, trembled on the other end. "I have bad news, ma'am."

Her frown deepened, eyes narrowing. "Spill it."

"Ryan shared his secret with someone," the spy admitted, fear lacing his words.

Enraged, she hurled her phone against the wall, shattering it. "No, Ryan! I was supposed to be the only one to know your pain!" She scattered objects from the table, flinging them wildly. Glass shattered, and jewels rolled across the floor.

Storming into the hidden room, she confronted the robot. "Ryan, I'm angry at you. Tonight, you must please me." Her voice dripped with menace as she activated the robot.

THOMPSON'S LOPEZ HUT

Thompson cowered, hands raised in defence, as Ricardo's soldati rained blows upon him. His entire face was a bloody mess, eyes swelling shut.

"You've had months to repay the loan, Thompson," one of the men growled, his voice dripping with malice. "Now, you're worthless to us."

Thompson's eyes pleaded for mercy, but the soldati showed none. They relished in his suffering.

Just as another punch was about to land, Caterina entered the house, her bright smile fading instantly. She had just returned from school, eager to share her day with Uncle Tom. But instead, she walked into chaos.

"Uncle Tom, what's—" Her voice trembled.

"Get out, Caterina!" Thompson shouted, desperate.

But she froze, transfixed by the scene. Her eyes locked onto Thompson's battered face, and her mind struggled to comprehend.

"Run, Caterina!" Thompson shouted again.

But she remained rooted, fear paralyzing her. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she witnessed the brutality.

In desperation, Thompson blurted, "Take her! Take Caterina as repayment! She's worth more than the debt!"

The soldati paused, considering Thompson's offer. Caterina's eyes widened in horror.

"What does she have to offer?" a scared-looking soldati asked.

Thompson's voice cracked. "She's hardworking, intelligent... and can help with your business. She's... innocent."

Caterina felt her world crumbling. Her feet failed her, and she fell to the ground.

"No, Uncle Tom! How could you?" Caterina screamed.

The soldati leader smiled, eyes crawling over Caterina's trembling form.

"She'll do," he said.

"I hope the boss likes her," another soldati added.

With a nod, they dragged Caterina away, leaving Thompson broken and whimpering.

She struggled for freedom, but a needle pierced her skin, and darkness claimed her.

As she faded, Caterina thought, Never trust a family member; they ruin you.

Her last memory was Thompson's betrayed face.

When Caterina came to, she found herself in a cold, dark room. A single flickering bulb cast eerie shadows.

Fear gripped her heart. Where was she? What did they want?

Suddenly, footsteps echoed outside. The door creaked open.

A figure loomed in the doorway, silhouetted against the dim light.

"Welcome, Caterina," a low voice said. "You're going to make us very happy."

Caterina's heart sank.

The figure stepped closer, its features illuminated by the faint light.

She gasped.

This was only the beginning of her nightmare.

---