XVI. Unraveling More Than Just Secrets

"Hey, Kaesu. What is the deal with you hanging around my boyfriend lately?"

Nadia's sharp voice sliced through the air as she approached me, her arms crossed and her scowl deepening.

I turned to her with a calm expression, refusing to be rattled by her hostility.

"Oh, hey, Nadia. We have just been chatting. No big deal," I replied smoothly.

Alex and Lara were nowhere in sight since their class schedules did not align with mine. That meant I had to face Nadia alone. Great.

"Chatting, huh?" She scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "More like flirting! You better back off before I make you regret it."

I tilted my head, raising an eyebrow at her words.

"Regret? That sounds an awful lot like a threat," I said, my voice laced with amusement. "I am not scared of you, Nadia."

"You should be," she shot back, stepping closer. "I will not hesitate to put you in your place."

I let out a small chuckle, shaking my head. "Is that so? Well, I guess I will be watching my back then. But do not expect me to back down just because you are throwing a tantrum."

The girls flanking her raised their eyebrows at me—clearly attempting to intimidate me—but their laminated brows only made them look ridiculous. Seriously, what is with these girls and their overdone eyebrows?

"You think you are tough, huh?" Nadia sneered. "We will see about that. Just remember, I have got my eye on you."

Oof. Did I provoke her?

"Whatever you say, Nadia," I replied nonchalantly. "I am not the type to be intimidated by empty threats."

I knew they were just looking for attention, so why not give them what they wanted?

But before I could walk away, one of her minions suddenly slapped me.

Whoa!

I sucked in a sharp breath as pain flared across my cheek. Her nails had dug into my skin, and I could already feel a sting on my lower lip. When I licked it, I tasted blood.

Great. Just great.

I clenched my fist, my patience snapping. I was about to return the slap with full force when a firm hand suddenly stopped me.

I turned to see Canim standing beside me, his expression unreadable. His grip on my wrist was gentle, yet firm enough to halt my action.

I felt my stomach twist. Why is he stopping me?

My mind raced back to our earlier deal. In exchange for ten million, do you really have to do this to me, Canim? He had asked for my help, yet here he was, defending Nadia?

"Do not waste your effort on Nadia," he said coolly. "It is not worth it."

Everyone fell silent.

Even Nadia looked shocked. Her lips parted in disbelief, her jaw dropping slightly.

"I thought—" I started, but before I could finish my sentence, Canim pulled me closer to him, his arm wrapping around my waist protectively.

Then he turned to Nadia. "Stop it, Nadia. And do not ever lay a finger on her again. You know what will happen if you do."

Nadia blinked, then threw her head back and laughed—like a lunatic.

After a full minute of laughter, she suddenly went quiet, her expression shifting in an instant.

"You think this works?" she whispered, her voice eerily calm. "You cannot make me stop just with this."

I shivered.

The way she changed her expression so fast—it was unnerving.

She stepped closer to me, but Canim lifted his arm slightly, drawing an invisible line between us.

"Try to drag me down in any possible way you know," I challenged. "I will wait and see."

Before walking away, Nadia took one last look at Canim, her eyes gleaming with something dark.

As soon as she was gone, I muttered, "She is psychotic." Then, without another word, I turned and walked off.

Canim followed me, his presence a silent shadow beside me.

"Come with me," he said, leading me toward his car.

I must have fallen asleep during the ride because when I woke up, the surroundings were dark. Tiny string lights twinkled outside, casting a soft glow.

I stepped out of the car, greeted by a strange yet comforting breeze.

The sea.

The salty air filled my lungs as the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore reached my ears. A grin spread across my lips as I eagerly followed the path of lights leading to the beach.

Without thinking, I waded my feet into the cool water, giggling softly as the gentle waves tickled my skin.

Once satisfied, I walked back to the dry sand, plopping down as I tried to tie my unruly hair. But just as I was about to secure it, Canim suddenly snatched my scrunchie and threw it into the sea.

I jumped to my feet, staring at him in disbelief.

"What is your problem?!" I demanded. "Why did you throw my scrunchie into the water? You saw I needed it!"

The dim lighting did not hide the storm brewing in his eyes. Anger. Confusion. Pain.

I frowned. What is with him?

"Do not tie your hair like that ever again," he muttered.

I scoffed. "Excuse me?"

"It does not suit you," he continued. "It will never suit you because you are not her."

My heart skipped a beat.

"What do you mean by 'not her'?" I snapped. "Of course, I am me. I am not someone else! What are you talking about?!"

I huffed in frustration and sat back down, crossing my arms.

Canim remained standing, his expression unreadable, but I could tell—he knew he had messed up.

For a long moment, he was silent, the waves filling the empty space between us.

Then, finally, he sighed.

"I am sorry, Kaesu," he said. His voice was quiet, almost hesitant. "I did not mean to upset you. I was foolish and thoughtless… and now I see the error of my ways."

I turned to him, my eyes filled with hurt and disappointment.

"It is not just about the scrunchie, Canim," I said. "It is about respect. Consideration. My feelings."

He nodded solemnly. "I understand. And I promise to do better."

By the time we arrived back at my house, the tension between us was still thick.

I stepped out of the car without another word, my mind too exhausted to process everything.

But the moment I opened the door, I froze.

Antonio was lying on my couch, looking utterly exhausted.

I hesitated, unsure of what to do.

"I do not want to disturb him," I whispered.

But as I continued to stare at Antonio, unease settled in my chest.

There was something about the way he lay there, the way his expression looked almost pained.

The air in the room grew heavier, as if thick with unspoken thoughts.

Then, without even opening his eyes, Antonio muttered,

"How long are you planning to stare at me?"