CHAPTER 5: SHADOWS OF THE PAST.

The night air was crisp and clean, a welcome respite from the stifling atmosphere inside. Calanthe breathed deeply, feeling the cool breeze fill her lungs as she gazed out at the glittering cityscape.

Kairos stood beside her, his eyes fixed on some point in the distance. His jaw was clenched, his shoulders tense, and Calanthe could sense the turmoil brewing beneath his polished exterior.

"What's going on between you and Ryder?" Calanthe asked.

Kairos looked at her, his gaze snapped back to hers. His eyes narrowing slightly. "Hmm... Ryder is just a business associate," he said, his tone dismissive.

Calanthe raised an eyebrow and nodded. "A business associate who seems to hate you?"

Kairos's smile was wry. "Let's just say we have...a complicated history."

Calanthe's curiosity was piqued. She sensed that there was more to the story, but Kairos's expression warned her not to push the issue further.

Kairos said Calanthe stood in silence. His eyes never leaving Calanthe's face as she never noticed. The city lights twinkled below, cadting long shadows across the balcony floor. It was as if darkness itself was closing in around her, threatening to consume her.

Suddenly, Kairos's phone buzzed, shrill in the night air. He glanced at the screen, his expression darkening.

"I need to take this," he said, his voice curt. "Wait here."

Calanthe nodded, watching as Kairos strode back into the party. She was left alone on the balcony, the city spread out before her like a vast, glittering canvas.

Calanthe stood there, the wind whipping her hair into a frenzy, Calanthe felt a presence behind her. She spun around, her heart racing, and found Ryder standing in the shadows, his eyes fixed intently on hers.

Ryder's eyes gleamed in the dim light, his gaze piercing as he stepped closer to Calanthe. The air seemed to vibrate with tension, the silence between them thick and heavy.

"What are you doing out here?" Ryder asked. His tone tinged with curiosity.

Calanthe shrugged, her shoulders barely rising off the railing. "I needed a break from the crowd," she replied, her voice measured.

Ryder's gaze swept over her face, his eyes searching for something. "You're not buying any of this, are you?" he asked, his tone laced with skepticism.

Calanthe's expression remained neutral, but her mind was in deep. What did Ryder mean? What game was Kairos playing, and what was her role in it?

Ryder's smile was a thin, mirthless line. "Kairos's world is built on deception and manipulation," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're just a pawn in his game, Calanthe. A beautiful, talented pawn, but a pawn nonetheless."

Calanthe looked at Ryder and her expression turned into thoughts swirling with unease. Ryder's words struck a chord deep within her, resonating with her own growning doubts about Kairos's intentions. She felt a growing of uncomfortable, a creeping realization that she was trapped in a web of intrigue, with no clear escape route in sight.

Ryder's words hung in the air, a challenge to Calanthe's perceptions. She felt a surge of indignation, a desire to defend herself and her relationship with Kairos. But Ryder's gaze was unyielding, his eyes boring into hers with an unnerving intensity.

"Why are you telling me this?" Calanthe asked, her voice firm but controlled.

Ryder smiled his lips curling up in a cold, calculated smile. "Because I want you to see the truth," he said, his voice sincere. "Kairos is using you, Calanthe. He's using your beauty, your kindness and your innocence to further his own interests."

Calanthe felt a sting of anger, a desire to lash out at Ryder for his cruel words. But something about his tone, something about the conviction in his eyes gave her a pause. She remembered the way Kairos had manipulated her, the way he had used his charm and his wealth to get what he wanted. And she wondered, with a growing of being uncomfortable, if Ryder was telling the truth.

Just then, Kairos appeared at her side, his eyes flashing with anger as he took in the scene before him. "Ryder, what are you doing?" he demanded, his voice cold and menacing.

Ryder's smile never wavered. "Just having a conversation with Calanthe," he said with a smooth voice. "About the nature of your relationship, Kairos."

Kairos's anger was palpable as he stepped forward. With a menacing expression he said. "You have no right to interfere in our relationship, Ryder."

Ryder's smile never faltered. "I'm just looking out for Calanthe's best interests," he said confidently.

Calanthe felt a shiver as she watched the two men face off. The tension between them was almost tangible and she didn't know what to make of Ryder's sudden interest in her well being.

Just then, a loud noise came from inside the party, followed by the sound of shattering glass. The room fell silent and all heads turned to the source of the commotion.

Calanthe's brother, Alex, stood in the door. way, his face pale and shaken. "Calanthe," he said, his voice trembling. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

Calanthe was surprised and she was shocked about the coming of his brother. She realized that her secrets were about to be exposed.

Alex's gaze swept the room, taking in the lavish decorations and the crowd of wealthy and influential people. His eyes lingere on Kairos, a mixture of confusion and suspicion on his face.

"Lanthe, what's going on?" Alex asked, while acting firm but laced with concern. "Why are you here with...with him?"

Calanthe felt a surge of panic as she tried to think of a response. She knew she couldn't reveal the truth about her arrangement with Kairos, not without putting herself and Alex in danger.

But before she could come up with a convincing lie, Kairos stepped forward, a charming smile on his face. "Ah, Alex, I'm so glad you could join us," he said. "Calanthe and I were just about to announce our...partnership."

Calanthe's heart deepend when she realized what Kairos was doing. He was using her, using Alex, to further his own interests. And she was trapped, caught in a web of deceit and manipulation.

Alex's eyes widened in shock, and he took a step back, as if recoiling from a blow. "Partnership?" he repeated with an incredulity voice. Calanthe felt guilty and ashamed, knowing she had dragged her brother into this mess. Kairos smiled. "Yes, we're going to be working together on new project," he said. But Calanthe knew the truth, she was trapped, and Kairos held the key.

("This is all my fault. If I didn't accept this ruthless Man's proposal, this would have never happened and my brother...What is going to happen to me and my brother? Calanthe's thoughts.")