❥⁠˙⁠๑ Chapter 46

Ethan placed a firm hand on Seth's shoulder, voice low but steady. "Oi. Calm down."

Seth didn't move. His eyes were still locked onto the desk, his breathing sharp and uneven. His fingers curled into fists, knuckles white with tension.

Ethan's grip tightened slightly. "Seth."

Seth finally spoke, voice barely above a mutter. "I already made the first step last night." His jaw clenched as his hands twitched at his sides. "And now something else happens?"

Seira and Ethan exchanged glances.

"…What?" Seira asked, confused.

Ethan frowned. "First step of what?"

Seth didn't answer. His teeth ground together as his thoughts spiraled.

Something wasn't right.

First, last night. Now this?

Coincidence didn't stack up like this.

His frustration bubbled higher, his shoulders tensing. He could feel himself getting angrier, his emotions pushing past the point of control. He needed to do something. He needed to—

"Seth!"

Ethan's voice suddenly snapped, sharper and louder than before.

Seth stiffened. The sudden shift in Ethan's usually relaxed tone cut through his haze like cold water.

Reality settled back in.

He blinked. His shoulders dropped slightly as he exhaled through his nose, finally noticing how both Ethan and Seira were staring at him.

Seira's brows furrowed, lips pressed together like she was really trying to figure out what was going on in his head. Ethan, on the other hand, looked both confused and mildly annoyed.

Seira crossed her arms. "Whoever did this, I'll find them myself. You don't need to be this angry."

Ethan nodded, arms still folded. "Yeah, seriously. Why are you acting like it's the end of the world? It's not like one of your mutuals did this, right?"

Seira, tilting her head slightly, added, "And I'm not that mad about it, am I?"

There was a brief pause.

Seth, lips pressed into a tight line, didn't respond.

Ethan exhaled and shook his head, shifting back to his usual relaxed demeanor. "Anyway," he said, stretching his arms before slapping a neatly folded piece of paper onto the desk, "forget this depressing stuff. I planned something for today."

Seira blinked at the paper before picking it up. As she unfolded it, her brows slowly raised.

It was a schedule.

A whole schedule.

"Wait, what?" Seira stared at the list, reading it aloud. "10:00 AM – Meet up. 10:30 AM – Breakfast at some random overpriced café. 12:00 PM – Walk around. 12:30 PM – Ice cream break?? 1:00 PM – Secret location????"

Ethan grinned. "Yeah."

Seira looked up. "Did you gave this to Ferris and Aaliyah?"

"Of course. I'm a professional."

Seira tilted her head. "Why not just send it to the group chat?"

Seth scoffed before Ethan could answer. "Because he wants to look cool."

Ethan, completely unfazed, tossed his hair back dramatically. "I am cool."

Seth rolled his eyes. "No, you're just desperate for attention."

Ethan smirked, pointing at himself. "That's why I have so many fan girls, my guy."

Seth rolled his eyes harder.

Seira, completely oblivious to any tension, clapped her hands together. "I can't wait to have fun!"

Seth glanced at her, the slightest hint of amusement flickering in his gaze—but something else crossed his mind.

The uneasy feeling from earlier crept back.

While Ethan and Seira were talking, he slowly turned towards the window.

His eyes scanned the outside.

Then—BOMP!

His breath hitched slightly.

That car. Same exact one.

Same color. Same spot. Same presence.

Seth narrowed his eyes.

He knew it wasn't just some random coincidence.

Seira's stalker was here.

Maybe he was the serial killer.

Seth clenched his jaw.

He needed to be more careful.

More than that—he needed to stay close to Seira.