XIII. A PRICE TO PAY

It was already two in the morning, and I still could not sleep. My mind was drowning in the weight of everything I had learned today. The overwhelming information about my grandfather's supposed accident replayed over and over in my head, weaving itself into the confusion surrounding Canim and his sudden desperation.

It was too much. I could barely process any of it.

I rolled over in bed, staring at the ceiling. No matter how much I tried to clear my thoughts, they kept looping back to the same things, refusing to let me rest.

What am I supposed to do?

Before I knew it, my eyelids grew heavy, and the exhaustion finally pulled me under.

"KAESU, DO YOU WANT TO BE LATE?"

I jolted awake, my heart hammering against my ribcage. I shot up from bed, disoriented.

The sunlight streamed through my window, too bright, too sudden.

Oh no.

I had overslept.

Scrambling out of bed, I rushed through a shower, threw on my clothes, and bolted out the door, where Alex and Lara were already waiting.

"Can you imagine how loud your voice is, Alex?" Lara scoffed, shaking her head. "You practically woke up the entire neighborhood."

Alex grinned. "Hey, at least I did my job."

I rolled my eyes at their bickering but smiled slightly as I adjusted my bag.

We stood at the sidewalk, waiting for a cab when a deep, unmistakable rumble of an engine filled the air.

A large black motorcycle came to a smooth stop in front of us.

I sighed. Not again.

Alex and Lara turned toward the motorcycle, their eyes going wide as the rider pulled off his helmet.

Antonio.

His dark hair was slightly tousled from the helmet, his sharp features illuminated by the sunlight. He smirked at us, clearly amused by our stunned reactions.

Alex practically vibrated with excitement. "Wait—is that Antonio?"

Lara looked equally shocked. "Why is he here?"

I clenched my jaw, my mind racing for a plausible excuse.

"I know, right?" I blurted out. "I invited him to surprise you guys!"

What am I even saying?

Antonio's smirk widened as if he was enjoying my struggle. I swear, if I could punch him right now, I would.

Alex and Lara looked at me suspiciously.

"You invited him?" Lara asked.

"Yeah! I, uh, met him at the café last week," I lied, forcing a smile. "We hit it off, and I remembered how you both really wanted to meet him before, so… surprise!"

"Well, surprise accepted!" Alex gushed. "He is even more handsome in person."

Antonio chuckled. "Hey, everyone. Sorry for the sudden entrance. Hope you do not mind me giving someone a ride today?"

His gaze locked onto mine with a playful glint.

Lara and Alex exchanged knowing looks while I internally screamed.

"Not at all," Alex said with stars in his eyes. "You can take me anywhere you want."

Lara scoffed. "Do you really think he came for you?"

I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling cornered.

Alex crossed his arms. "Well, he is here for someone, right Antonio?"

Antonio casually leaned on his motorcycle. "Actually, I am here for—"

Before he could finish, I snatched the extra helmet from his hands and shoved it toward them.

"Here, have fun with him!" I said hastily. "My cab is coming. See you at school!"

Without waiting for a response, I turned and ran.

I did not stop running until I was far away. My legs burned, my breath came out in short gasps, but I did not dare look back. I needed a moment to breathe.

Spotting a bench nearby, I sat down, trying to collect myself.

But before I could calm down, a sleek black car pulled up in front of me.

The window rolled down.

And there he was.

Canim.

"Have you decided yet?"

His words alone drained whatever energy I had left.

I stood up and walked away, choosing to ignore him.

But his car rolled alongside me, following my every step.

"Stop following me," I snapped.

The car suddenly stopped, and for a moment, I thought he had given up.

But then, he got out and caught my wrist, forcing me to turn toward him.

"You can ask for anything," he said. His voice was low, urgent. "Money. Property. A favor—"

I yanked my hand away. "Why are you so desperate? And why me?"

I did not even mean to say it, but the words spilled out before I could stop them.

Because deep down, I knew.

I felt it.

Even in the short time we had spent together, I had come to feel something whenever Canim was near. My heart raced. My breath hitched. My stomach twisted into nervous knots.

But now, all of that was overshadowed by pain.

Because to him, I was not Kaesu.

I was just someone he needed. Someone he could use.

And that realization hurt more than anything.

"Kaesu!"

A voice called my name.

I turned and saw Antonio approaching on his motorcycle. He got off and immediately walked toward us.

"Come with me," he said, grabbing my arm.

Canim stepped forward, gripping my other wrist.

"Bro, what do you think you are doing?" Canim's eyes darkened.

Antonio's jaw tightened. "And what is it to you?"

"Let her go."

"You let go."

Neither of them moved. Their grips only tightened.

"Both of you, let go! My hands hurt!"

They immediately released me.

I rubbed my wrists, wincing. Antonio stepped closer, concern evident on his face. "Are you okay?"

I gave him a small nod.

Canim sighed. "Do not go with him, Kaesu. Come with me."

Antonio then did something unexpected.

He gently cupped my chin, lifting my face so our eyes met. His gaze was intense, unwavering.

"I need you more," he murmured.

I turned to Canim, who stood there, expressionless.

And somehow, that hurt even more.

I inhaled deeply. "Sorry, Canim."

Then, I walked away with Antonio.

The moment we got on his motorcycle, I heard the loud slam of Canim's car door.

Antonio wasted no time. "Hold on tight," he said.

I hesitated before wrapping my arms around his waist. The motorcycle roared to life, and we sped off.

We arrived at my house.

The moment Antonio opened the door, I saw Alex inside.

Tears streamed down his face. His whole body trembled.

My chest tightened. I had never seen Alex cry like this before.

I rushed to him, letting him collapse into my arms.

We did not speak.

I just let him cry.

When he finally calmed down, I took his hands in mine.

"My dad…" His voice cracked. "He was rushed to the hospital earlier."

My stomach dropped.

"They need to operate on him immediately. But we cannot afford it, Kaesu." He choked on his words. "If I could sell my body and soul, I would."

"How much do you need?" Lara asked.

"Ten million."

Lara hesitated.

So I spoke.

"I will take care of it."

Alex's eyes widened. "But how—"

"Do not worry about it," I said firmly.

Truth was, I did not have that kind of money.

But I knew how to get it.

And I knew exactly what price I had to pay.