8: Unexpected Turns

Arda, Karina, and Jacob made their way to the event center for the birthmark show.

It was late in the evening. The event center, a single-story building, had a spacious but mostly empty parking lot.

A stone fence surrounded the building, and the main gate was secured with a large padlock.

A signpost outside read Marvelous Event Center in bold letters.

Arda and her friends joined a small crowd gathered outside the gate.

A woman dressed flamboyantly, holding a megaphone, stood beside a man inside the gate. The man was bald, his head gleaming under the lights, contrasting with his grim expression and all-black suit.

“We regret to inform you that the event has been canceled,” the woman announced, leaving the crowd stunned.

“Why?” some people in the crowd shouted back.

“We realized too late that people might try to deceive us with fake tattoos, and we can't handle that,” she explained.

There were groans from the crowd. Some people started leaving, visibly upset, while others left in silence.

“Should we leave too?” Karina asked Arda, who shook her head.

“I knew you’d say that,” Jacob remarked.

“We’re already here. I want to hear what else they have to say,” Arda replied.

“Alright,” Karina agreed.

“Whatever you want,” Jacob said, sounding reluctant, but Arda ignored him. Surprisingly, so did Karina.

“Anyway,” the woman continued, “we’ve set up a website for this contest. Go online, fill out the form, and upload a picture of your mark. This is now an online competition. Include your bank details, and our team will verify your submission. Winners will be announced on the site, and prizes will be sent directly.”

She looked at the man beside her, who cleared his throat and spoke up.

“The website is www.birthmark.com. I repeat, www.birthmark.com. Did everyone get that?”

The crowd stayed silent, so he awkwardly cleared his throat again.

“That’s enough. We heard you!” a girl dressed in gothic style yelled, causing laughter among the crowd.

“Glad to know,” the man responded, unfazed. “Submissions will be open for seven days starting tomorrow. We look forward to your entries.” He turned to the woman, asking, “What should we say to them?”

“May the best marks win,” she declared with a smile, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

Arda squeezed Karina and Jacob’s hands. As the organizers left, the crowd started dispersing.

“Well, Mom and Dad,” Arda joked to her friends, “looks like I won’t be showing my mark in person. It’s all online now.”

Jacob and Karina exchanged knowing glances.

“What do you think?” Jacob asked Karina telepathically.

“Less risk,” she replied aloud.

Arda noticed their exchange. “Why do I feel like you two are keeping secrets from me?” she teased, and they both smiled.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Jacob said. “Let’s go.”

They began walking away when Arda spotted Tracy.

Dressed casually in jeans and a jacket, Tracy headed towards a scooter parked by the curb.

Arda recalled seeing Tracy’s real birthmark. It made sense why she was here—she might be competing, too.

Arda quickly left her friends and called out, “Hey, Tracy!”

Tracy was already mounting her bike, seemingly unaware of Arda.

“Tracy!” Arda called again, louder this time.

Tracy turned her head, spotting Arda as she approached.

“Hey, Arda,” Tracy said. “It’s starting to feel like we’re stalking each other.”

Arda forced a smile. “You could say that. Did you come for the show?”

“Yeah, just to watch. You?”

“Same here.”

“Too bad it’s online now,” Arda commented.

“Yeah, it’s disappointing,” Tracy agreed, glancing at Karina and Jacob, who had joined them. They waved, and Tracy waved back.

“I almost thought you were one of the participants,” Arda joked.

“Well, maybe I am—trying to fool the judges with a fake mark,” Tracy laughed, but it was brief, not giving others a chance to join in. “See you around.”

“Wait, how did it go with the professor?” Arda asked.

“He was fine,” Tracy said, adjusting her glasses, though they seemed perfectly in place.

“Alright, see you later,” Arda replied.

“Bye,” Tracy said, revving her scooter and speeding off.

Arda turned back to her friends.

“Is she competing?” Karina asked. “What kind of mark does she have?”

Arda hesitated. Tracy had done a good job keeping her mark a secret. It didn’t feel right to reveal it.

“Arda?” Jacob prompted.

“I’m not sure,” she finally said.

Arda silently decided not to trust Tracy’s casual attitude. Tracy wasn’t there just to watch—she likely intended to compete.

Later that evening, Arda lay in bed, reading a history book when her phone rang. It was Luke.

“Hey, Luke,” she answered.

“Hi.”

She smiled and set the book aside. “Are you back?”

“Yeah, I’m sorry we haven’t seen each other since our date.”

“It’s okay. Your sister’s wedding is a big deal.”

“Thanks for understanding.”

“So, what’s up?”

“I’m actually outside your house.”

Arda was taken aback. He hadn’t mentioned coming over. She glanced at the clock—8:45 p.m.

“That’s a surprise,” she said.

“I know. I just wanted to see your face for a bit. Can you come out?”

“Alright,” Arda said, getting up.

She was excited. It felt good that he came just to see her. Love truly was a beautiful thing.

Arda paused at her dresser, fixing her hair quickly. Her smile faded briefly as she noticed the gift and note from the anonymous stranger who called himself the Alpha. She  ignored the items and left her room.

In the living room, Jacob and Karina were watching a movie.

“Where are you off to?” Jacob asked.

“Luke’s outside. He wants to see me.”

“Love is calling,” Karina teased, making Arda blush.

“Behave yourself,” Jacob warned playfully.

“Yes, sir,” Arda replied with a grin, heading out the door.

The night was calm, and the solar lights brightened the driveway.

Luke was parked in front of her car, leaning against it. They smiled as they approached each other.

“Hello, Arda,” he said, taking her hands.

“Hi,” she replied.

“How are you?”

“I’m great. It’s good to see you.”

“Good to see you, too,” he said, pulling her into a hug.

After a moment, he gently pushed her back. “How about that kiss?” he asked, his fingers tracing her lips.

Arda smiled and closed her eyes as he leaned in. But just as their lips almost touched, he groaned in pain, clutching the back of his head.

“I’m so sorry you’re still in pain. You’ll see the doctor, right?” she asked.

When he looked at her, the warmth in his eyes was gone, replaced by a cold, wary stare.

“I don’t need a doctor,” he said sharply, stepping back.

“What?” Arda asked, stunned.

“I don’t need a doctor,” he repeated. “What I need is to stay away from you.”

“Luke…” she began, reaching out, but he backed away.

“Don’t touch me,” he said icily.