Appointment with Raynor

"You didn't have to walk me all the way to my room," Liora said. Her voice was soft and timid, like a baby bird testing its first chirp. She let her gaze drop, unable to meet Donovan's eyes.

The entire walk had felt strange—quiet and something she couldn't name. Was it Shyness? Warmth? Her chest had been doing that fluttering thing again, like something small and alive was trying to escape from her heart. Why? She didn't have the answer. When he offered to escort her, she wanted to tell him no—that she was perfectly fine, that she could make it on her own. But instead, she just... nodded. Why? Why did her willpower always melt around him?

What was it about Donovan that made him so hard to refuse?

"I wanted to make sure you reached safely," Donovan replied calmly. "Like I said earlier—we are friends now." His voice was soft but firm, the kind that left no room for argument. "And when I consider someone a friend," he continued, his eyes locking onto hers, "I tend to latch on... like a shadow. You can try to walk away, but I'll still be there, somewhere near you. Quiet. Constant. Unshakable."

Donovan didn't offer himself easily. His loyalty was sacred—reserved for his family and a select few who earned their place in his guarded world. But with Liora... it was different. She hadn't earned her way in. She had simply walked in, and something inside him had vowed—without reason or logic—that he would protect her. Like his soul had recognised hers... and decided it was worth everything.

How would any girl not blush to hear such words? Liora blushed harder, inwardly cursing him. Why did he always say things like that? Couldn't he let her heart beat normally for just one second?

She closed her eyes, pressed her lips into a thin line, and took a deep breath before lifting her chin to meet Donovan's gaze head-on.

"Why do you always make me blush and my heart flutter?" she blurted out. Her eyes widened the moment the sentence escaped her lips. She intended to reprimand Donovan, but the words that came out conveyed a different message.

Donovan's brows arched, clearly caught off guard, and then—just for a second—his mouth twitched, almost forming a smile before he masked it by furrowing his brows, pretending to look confused.

Liora panicked.

Without another word, she fished her keys out of her purse, turned on her heel, unlocked the door, and slipped inside. The door shut a little harder than intended.

On the other side, Liora's back was pressed against the door, her heart thundering like wild horses stampeding on a racetrack. 'Why did I say that out loud?!'

She buried her face in her hands, her cheeks still burning from the encounter.

Donovan gently placed one palm against the door, his fingers splayed as if feeling her presence through the wood. He stood there in silence for a moment, his eyes fixed on the surface, the faintest trace of a smile tugging at his lips.

He leaned in closer to the door, his voice dropping to a warm murmur. "Liora," he said softly, "you don't have to attend the welcoming party tonight if you are not ready. I can inform others you are not well. But… if you do decide to go... just know—Kai will be there. You have nothing to be worried about. He will make sure you are comfortable."

He let those words linger, hanging between them like an invisible thread. Then, without waiting for a response, he pulled away. As he walked through the corridor of the girls' campus residence, his expression hardened with each step. The lightness he carried outside her door was now gone.

He pulled out his phone and dialled a familiar number. The call connected instantly.

"Capo dei Capi," came the voice on the other end—clear, sharp, and obedient female voice.

"I'm coming," Donovan said, his tone cold and unwavering. "Prepare the documents. I want the full transfer of Twilight Zone to the Valtham family."

"Whose name should we register it under—Earl Raynor Valtham or Lady Saskia Valtham?"

"Leave the name blank," he said curtly, then ended the call without another word.

His footsteps echoed down the empty corridor on Saturday, matching the silent storm brewing in his eyes. Today was the day of the fresher's party. Donovan had to attend. The tradition of Quantam's future demanded it. He must attend, or else it would be considered disrespectful towards his seniors. Respecting seniors wasn't optional; it was etched in invisible ink on the rules made by Valtham.

But before the evening began, he had more pressing matters. He needed answers from Raynor.Questions burned in his mind like wildfire: How had Raynor's elite men—ones who could rival the British SAS—ended up vomiting blood? Why were those 10 brats found on their knees? What exactly had happened in the room that Liora couldn't remember after she hit her head on that strange door?

The door-like frame... The words written on it.... Who had it been meant for?

Reaching the parking lot, the car door opened automatically. Donovan slid in and, without a word, ignited the engine. The softness in his eyes had vanished. He was headed to Sky Tower—the resting place of those who had dared to cross him in the Twilight Zone.

Meanwhile, back in her room, Liora was still leaning against the door, replaying everything in her mind, when her phone buzzed—snapping her out of the haze.

It was Sven.

"Hello, Patrice. What do I owe the honour of your call on a Saturday morning?" Liora rolled her eyes, and her tongue felt sour.

She had already read Daran's message. He and Rachel had pranked Sven to the point that he had passed out cold from fear.

There was no greeting in return. "Li, what kind of sick game are you playing?" Sven accused her. His voice came sharper.

Liora raised a brow. "Game, Patrice? What on earth are you talking about?"

"You know what I mean!" Sven practically shouted. "I have never seen a ghost in my life, and suddenly, after talking to you—I am attacked by one! I must say, they are great actors. But how the hell did they enter my locked office?"

She placed a hand over her mouth to keep herself from bursting into laughter. "You said... they?"

"Yes, they," Sven retorted. "I am sure it was not one person."

"I had no role in this, Patrice. Maybe their energies are getting stronger. The energies yesterday were unusually strong. It was a rare alignment day. Sometimes... spirits take advantage of that."

"You are messing with me!" Sven snapped.

Just as he walked into his office's bathroom, his eyes landed on the mirror—and he froze. His mouth parted, and a strangled noise caught in his throat.

His reflection looked back at him with choppy, uneven locks—his once perfectly groomed hair now butchered with ruthless precision.

"NOOOOOOOO!"

Liora winced, pulling the phone away from her ear. "Are you okay? What happened?"

"My hair!" Sven shrieked. "The ghost chopped my hair! My beautiful, expensive hair!"

Liora burst out laughing, the kind of laughing that bubbled up silently, her body shaking as she clutched her stomach to contain it. 'Daran and Rachel, you two are legends,' she muttered before dialling Daran.

"Li!" he called her name. His reflection stared back at him, mocking him. The silky strands he used to pamper with imported oils and treatments were ruined. "This is your fault! You will PAY for this!"

And with that, he hung up.

Liora stared at her phone for a beat before a full-bodied laugh escaped her lips. She leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees, laughing until tears pooled in her eyes. "Daran, Rachel… you two are brilliant," she whispered to herself before quickly dialling Daran.

"Liora?" he picked up instantly.

"Daran!" she gasped, still giggling. "I just got off the call with Sven. You should've heard him! He was screaming about his hair—screaming! He sounded like he was about to faint!"

Daran chuckled on the other end, warmth softening his voice. "Look what I have to do just to hear you laugh like that," he teased. I hope you know you owe me a very expensive treat."

"I'll treat you and Rachel to something expensive. You two deserve it!" she promised. "But today's the fresher's party, or I had have taken you both out."

"You? At a party?" Daran asked, puzzled. "You hate crowds, Liora...Since when do you go to crowded places willingly?"

"I'll be fine. My friends are here, and Kai, my senior, will make sure I am comfortable." Her voice was confident—Donovan's assurance had changed something in her. She actually wanted to attend, for once, willingly. „But we can go for dinner tomorrow."

He forced a smile through his confusion. "Right. Tomorrow then. At 6?"

"Yes! Actually…" she brightened. "Let's go early and pick up Alice from the orphanage, too. I am sure she would love to come."

Daran's smile faded. He smoothed out his expression, but his heart sank. She remembered Alice… He was hoping she wouldn't.

"I spoke to Ms. DeCosta. The kids are out on a trip. Alice won't be there." He lied smoothly, needing more time to tell Liora the truth. Though he was not sure yet if Liora will be ever be ready to hear the truth.

"Oh." Liora's Excited voice suddenly dimmed. She didn't press on the matter, but disappointment lingered in her voice. "Alright, we will plan with her on another—."

"By the way, your mum called me yesterday. Do you know why?" Daran changed the topic immediately. He did not want Liora to dwell on this topic anymore.

"Yeah. I didn't answer her call, so she panicked. I sent her the message."

"You—always call her before bed… Did something happen yesterday?"

"I... hit my head and fell asleep." The lie rolled off her tongue, even though guilt prickled beneath her ribs.

Daran's tone shifted. "You hit your head?! His tone changed instantly. "Liora, I'm coming over."

""No, no!" she said quickly, panic rising. "I'm fine, Daran. Really."

He stayed silent for a moment, contemplating. "Liora... did you just lie to me?"

Her breath caught. She could hear her own heartbeat thudding in her chest.

There was silence. She hated lying to him. "...I'm not," she whispered.

"So, you did Lie to me. What are you hiding from me? I can hear your heartbeat, even through the phone."

Why Daran is not letting this go. Liora looked at the clear sky through her window where sky looked more vibrant with blue than any other day.

"I do not wish to trouble you more than I already have. You are helping me with my revenge, and I don't want to be seen as the girl who is always in trouble," Liora admitted, her voice tinged with sincerity. She felt perpetually surrounded by unfortunate situations, and the thought of being a burden to her friends weighed heavily on her.

"You need a smack on the head," Daran shot back, his tone both playful and serious. "I am doing this because I want to, not because it's a burden—especially when it's for you."

Liora sighed, wrestling with her emotions. "Maybe one day I'll tell you everything. Will you wait for me?"

"Take your time," Daran replied, his voice steady and reassuring. Even through the phone, she could sense his unwavering support.

"Thanks. See you tomorrow, Daran!"

"See ya!" The call disconnected, leaving Liora with a mixture of gratitude and lingering thoughts.

Meanwhile, in the sleek black car, Donovan was focused on the road when his phone buzzed, displaying Raynor Valtham's name on the screen.

"Raynor!" Donovan answered.

"Donovan!" Raynor returned the greeting. "Once you are done with your guests, come see me at the Twilight Zone. I have kept my schedule clear for today.

"I'll be there as soon as I can."