The Unwanted Dance and the Unknown Threat

Music blared through the speakers as Darwin's classmates danced, drank, and indulged in the wild energy of the party. The room pulsed with lights and laughter, but in the farthest corner, Darwin stood with his arms crossed, watching everything unfold with an unreadable expression.

"Why the hell did I come here? I just want to go home." He sighed, glancing at his phone at regular intervals—not because he was expecting a message, but to look busy.

"Darwin! Come here, man! Let's dance!" Dean called out, his voice loud over the music.

Darwin shook his head immediately. "Nah, you guys go ahead. I'm good right here." He took a step back, distancing himself from the dance floor.

Dean threw his hands up. "Come on, live a little!"

"The hell I will! I can't dance. No way I'm embarrassing myself in front of everyone." Darwin swallowed hard as he watched people moving effortlessly to the beat, boys and girls dancing close, some even laughing as they stumbled. His palms started to sweat.

"Oh, right! I have a call," Darwin muttered to himself, quickly pulling his blank phone to his ear and turning toward the door.

Just as he was about to make his escape, a hand grabbed his arm.

"Hey, Mr. Fake Call, where do you think you're going?" Sofia stood in front of him, slightly swaying. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes half-lidded.

Darwin stiffened. "Uh..... I have to take this. Important call." He gestured toward his phone and tried to sidestep her.

Sofia narrowed her eyes. "Oh really? Let's see who's calling."

Before he could react, she snatched his phone, squinted at the blank screen, and smirked. "You liar! You're not getting away that easily. Now come on, let's dance!"

"Sofia, no! I really don't...."

Too late. She dragged him toward the dance floor, ignoring his protests.

"What the hell? I can't dance!" His heartbeat raced as he found himself surrounded by his classmates.

Sofia held his hands and started moving, but Darwin stood stiff as a statue. His eyes darted everywhere, trying to find an escape route.

"Oh, come on! Just move a little!" Sofia laughed, shaking his hands playfully.

Then, before he could resist further, his friends surrounded him, pushing him lightly, making him move to the rhythm against his will.

He clenched his teeth. This is torture.

The song finally slowed down, and one by one, people started leaving the dance floor. Darwin exhaled in relief, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"Alright, take care of her," Dean suddenly said, shoving Sofia toward him.

"Wait, what? Why me?" Darwin protested, holding up his hands as if Sofia were a fragile package he didn't want to drop.

"Because you're the only one sober, and she trusts you." Dean yawned, waving him off as he stumbled toward the door.

Darwin looked at the half-asleep girl resting her head on his shoulder. What the hell am I supposed to do now?

He sighed. I can't just leave her here. If something happens to her, I'll never forgive myself.

"Alright, fine," he muttered to himself, waving down a taxi and helping Sofia inside.

The Ride Home

Darwin groaned as he climbed the stairs, Sofia piggybacked on his back.

"She's heavier than I thought," he muttered under his breath, adjusting his grip.

When they reached her apartment door, he turned to her. "Alright, give me your key."

Sofia, still leaning against the wall, tapped her purse lazily.

"Great," Darwin sighed. He hesitated before reaching into her purse.

"Damn it, searching for something in a woman's purse is like diving into Doraemon's pocket.....endless." He looked around quickly to make sure no one was watching, then resumed digging through the contents.

Unbeknownst to him, Sofia had one eye slightly open, watching him with pursed lips.

Flashback

"Hey, Sofia, stop pretending to be drunk. You don't even drink," Elena whispered, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Shhh, don't say it so loud," Sofia hushed her, glancing toward Darwin, who stood alone in the corner.

Present

"Finally!" Darwin let out a relieved sigh as he pulled out the key and unlocked the door.

He carried her inside, carefully placing her on the bed.

"Okay, I did my job. Time to get out of here," he mumbled, grabbing his things and heading for the door.

Before he could leave, a sudden tug stopped him.

His eyes widened. "What the—?"

Sofia had latched onto his hand, using it as a pillow.

"Dad.... don't leave me..... please…...." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Darwin froze. "What the hell? This girl is insane!" He tried to pull his hand free, but she had a surprisingly strong grip.

"This is humiliating. I swear, I'm going to make her life hell for this," he grumbled as he finally wrenched his hand away and practically ran out of the apartment.

Back in her room, Sofia hugged her pillow, giggling to herself.

"Haaa..... he was cute." She rolled over, grinning like an idiot.

The Next Day

Lunchtime rolled around, and Sofia sat at a table, waiting for Darwin to be alone. She smirked to herself, ready to tease him.

But just as she was about to get up, her phone vibrated with a message from an unknown number.

Frowning, she opened it.

Her heart skipped a beat. The phone slipped from her hands.

"How? This is impossible. I never let anyone into my room…... So how…....?"

Her hands trembled as she read the message again.

"You are really beautiful. I want to make you mine."

Her breathing became ragged. She looked around in panic.

Another message popped up.

"I am your husband. Don't talk to other boys. I am watching your every move. Make one wrong choice, and forget about your privacy. Don't ever look at another man. If you care about him, then I will—"

Before she could read further, the account disappeared, the number blocked automatically.

Sofia clutched her head. Her chest tightened with fear.

Outside the classroom, Charles leaned against the wall, watching her with a smirk.