SILVIA'S POV"I want to go to Yale, baby. "I choked on my drink, and his hand quickly went to my back to rub it softly. Once I was able to clear my throat and fill my lungs with enough oxygen, I looked at my boyfriend, Josiah, with a mix of shock and disbelief."Yale? Why Yale? And why so sudden? I thought we agreed to go to the University of California together," I said, pinning him down with my gaze. Most people thought of me as intimidating; that probably had something to do with my fierce eyes and tall stature. And I was told I always had this uninviting look on my face that chased people away. Can't an eighteen year old girl have grey eyes, be six feet tall, and always have a stoic expression without looking terrifying? But I know Josiah didn't look at me as intimidating. He always felt at ease around me. A little too comfortable.He nodded slowly, never taking his striking green orbs away from my grey ones as he spoke, "Yes, we did, but Yale has always been a dream of mine. I
GERALD'S POV The stripper unveiled her body to me like a mother would on her favorite child's birthday. Her body was one of the best I have ever seen—exactly what I ordered. Her breasts were full and perky; those hard and pink nipples were practically begging me to suck them. Her stomach was flat and defined with ab lines, giving her a small waist. But her hips were to die for. They were so wide and smooth, my hands itched to grab them, and those creamy white thighs of hers... Goddamn. "You like what you see, Baby?" she asked, and I didn't bother to hide my cringe. Her voice was not as appealing as her body, so instead of responding, I grabbed her wrist and dragged her down to my lap. A giggle left her lips, and it made the boner I got from her body soften a bit. I pressed my finger to her lips and looked into her dark brown eyes. "Not another sound, okay baby?" I asked, but smiled when she stuck out her tongue and licked my finger. She stuck it into her mouth and took my other hand
GERALD'S POV "Your father is requesting your presence," Paula said as she walked towards the bed and placed her hand on my knee. I caught a glimpse of her smile as I groaned.My father was over seventy years old, yet he followed me around like he was in his twenties. I know exactly what he wants: to nag and yell at me for how much of a failure I am turning out now that I don't take my education seriously. Our conversations have practically been the same over the past five years."You are nothing but a disgrace, Gerald.""How can I hand over my life's work to you if you don't know anything, Gerald?""You're such a failure Gerald.""Your mother would be so disappointed, Gerald.""Gerald, you'll never get into Havard like this.""You need to become more serious with your life, Gerald."God, are all old people like this? Or am I just unfortunate?"Well, his request is denied," I answered, leaning towards the table to grab my phone. I could feel her eyes on me as I scrolled through the de
SILVIA'S POVI checked my make-up through the rearview mirror as I pulled up at Josiah's house. He always likes it when I don't wear makeup, but there are times I keep it simple so other guys don't get attracted to me. He's possessive like that.But today I went a bit extra. I wanted to lure him into making out with me today because honestly, it has been a while. I made sure to go with smokey eyes and a blood red lipstick in order to give me a sexy look. I almost put on some bronzer, but I had to remind myself that we were only going to school. Besides, I have other ways of seducing him. A sly smile stretched my lips at the thought. I was getting too excited, I needed to calm down.On hearing his front door open and shut, I quickly got out of the car to hug him. My smile was bright, but my hands only grazed his jacket before he took a step back from me. His frown was disapproving as he looked at my face. "What's with all that make-up?" he asked, pointing at my face."I wanted to do so
SILVIA'S POV"Do you like him?"My heart jumped out of my chest as Josiah’s voice infiltrated my ears from behind. I turned on my heels to find him glaring at me. My tongue slid over my bottom lip as I desperately tried to search for an excuse for my prolonged staring at another guy.I shot him a disbelieving look before a snort left my lips: "What? Of course not," I answered, but it only appeared to make him angrier.I could have sworn I heard him growl before he said, "You were practically drooling at the sight of him!"My lips parted to defend myself, but Chloe had chosen that moment to step in, "Ugh! Stop being such a drag, Jos. You can’t deny that any woman could be attracted to him; he's so fucking hot!"My eyes fell on Josiah’s clenched fist and chin. It was obvious Chloe’s words had made things worse. A wave of panic rushed through me as he pushed past the both of us and stormed down the hall. I threw Chloe an exasperated look before throwing my hands in the air. "What did you
GERALD'S POV My eyes fell on the familiar car, and a relieved smile graced my lips. Everyone present in the parking lot gaped at the glistening black Audi R8 as Paula brought it to a stop in front of me. So much for keeping things low-key, but I had my doubts based on how I dressed, as I barely managed to keep a low profile myself. But I felt good seeing Paula’s smiling face through the windscreen. I needed a familiar face. I was tired of this hell hole. But sadly, I wanted to come back tomorrow, and that’s a sentiment I have never had towards school.I could feel the eyes of hundreds on me as I got into the passenger side of the luxurious vehicle. I was immediately greeted with a slap on the head: "Ow! What did you do that for?" I whined, earning a chuckle from her. Pain shot through my brain like an arrow during war. Of course she just had to add to my already growing headache.The thing about Paula is that she looked like the weakest person on the planet. Her arms and legs were b
GERALD'S POV I loved the way they marveled at my penthouse. When we left the school, they were all skeptical about picking my place to do our project. The looks on their faces when we pulled up at the club were hilarious. Jessica was the first to speak when Silvia put her car in park."I knew it, you are just plain crazy! Do you think this is funny? We can’t do our project in a strip club!" She yelled, and all I wanted to do was put tape over her mouth. Why was she screaming? We were all in the same damn car, and it didn’t help that she was right behind me.I twisted my torso to get a look at Jessica’s scowling face. I shot her a smile because annoying her was one of the very few things I found joy in doing. "Why not?" I asked, and she looked at me as though I was crazy. I could feel Silvia’s eyes on me, and if the circumstances were different, we probably would be making out right now. If only these three nuisances at the back weren’t there."What do you mean why not? You know what?
GERALD’S POVI shuffled to my feet and was by Paula’s side in a flash. My heart pounded against my chest at the sight of the knife plunged into her side. My hands flew to the wound, and a ringing resonated in my ears when her warm blood soaked my hands and formed a puddle around her and my knees.No, no, no."Relax," Paula croaked, and my eyes snapped to meet hers. They were already focused on me, and I did not like the way her eyelids fluttered slowly."Relax? You have a knife sticking out of you and your blood is everywhere!" I snapped as though it were her fault she was injured in the first place. When, in reality, it was all my fault, Whenever she gets hurt, it’s always my fault.Fuck! Why couldn’t I just defend myself for once?"Let’s take her to the hospital, dude," Mason said, coming to kneel beside Paula’s other side. His eyes fell on the wound, which he inspected. I didn’t like the worry he had written all over his features.But then Paula did something that had all our jaws
SILVIA'S POV The music faded into a distant hum, drowned out by the pounding of my heartbeat in my ears. I stared at Gerald as we danced, his hands firm on my waist, his grip colder than ice. The warmth that once lived in his eyes was gone, replaced by something hollow, something dark.“You’re a good liar,” he murmured against my ear, his voice laced with quiet venom.His words sent a shiver down my spine, but I didn’t break eye contact. I knew this Gerald was different—the man standing in front of me wasn’t the same person who once held me close, whispering sweet promises in the dead of night.“What are you talking about?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Gerald chuckled, the sound bitter and empty. “Look at you, Silvia,” he said, spinning me slowly. “Dressed up like the perfect student, pretending to be just another normal girl at her high school prom. But we both know what you really are.”I swallowed hard. “Gerald, please,” I said, gripping his arm. “I don’t want that li
SILVIA'S POV Weeks had passed.Weeks without Gerald.Since that night—since the moonlight had illuminated his cold, distant eyes as he nearly ran me over—I hadn’t seen or heard from him. No messages. No accidental run-ins. Nothing.It was as if he had vanished again.Only this time, I knew it was intentional.I had killed his father.I had given him what he wanted—what he should have wanted.George had been a monster. A cruel, manipulative excuse for a man. Gerald had hated him more than anything. He should have been relieved.But deep down, I knew the truth.He wasn’t happy.And he never would be.Because despite all the pain George had caused him, despite all the nights Gerald had spent drinking away his rage and dreaming of a life where his father no longer existed—it was still his father.That kind of hatred runs deep, but so does the connection. No matter how much you want to sever it, there’s always a part of you that remembers.I told myself I would leave him alone.For now.B
SILVIA'S POV I wasted no time.My hands moved swiftly, grabbing as many blades from the torture table as I could, slipping them into my pants and boots. Each cool edge pressing against my skin reminded me of what I had to do next. Get out.Then—The door burst open.Two guards stormed in, guns raised.Bang! Bang!The room exploded with the sharp crack of gunfire. Instinct took over. I lunged, grabbing George’s still-warm corpse and hoisting it in front of me as a shield.Bullets tore through his lifeless body, the impact pushing me back, but I held firm. My arms shook under the weight of the dead man, the thick scent of blood filling my nose, but I gritted my teeth and waited for the moment.The second their magazines clicked empty—I moved.Dropping George’s body, I lunged forward, my blade flashing under the dim, flickering light.The first guard barely had time to react before I plunged my knife into his throat. A choked gurgle escaped him as he staggered, crimson pouring from the
SILVIA'S POV It was late by the time I left school.The halls were mostly empty, save for the occasional janitor pushing a mop or a few students finishing up last-minute assignments. I had spent the past few hours with Mason and Abel, catching up on what I had missed. They were patient, explaining everything in a way that almost made me forget how much time I had lost. Almost.As we stepped outside, Mason stretched, yawning. “Alright, that’s enough for today. My brain is fried.”“Yeah,” Abel agreed, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “We’ll go over the rest tomorrow. Try not to disappear again, Silvia.”I rolled my eyes, shouldering my bag. “No promises.”Mason chuckled, but Abel only shook his head. “Seriously,” he muttered, “you’ve been acting weird lately.”I didn’t respond to that.Instead, I gave them a small wave and turned toward the parking lot.The campus was eerily quiet now, the streetlights casting long shadows across the pavement. The air was crisp, carrying the distant
SILVIA'S POV The club beneath Gerald’s apartment was still alive, pulsing with dim neon lights and the rhythmic thump of bass-heavy music. The air was thick with cigarette smoke and the cloying scent of cheap perfume. Laughter, conversation, the clinking of glasses—all of it washed over me in waves, distant and insignificant.I wove through the crowd, barely registering the faces around me. A few people glanced my way, some in recognition, others with wary curiosity. I didn’t slow down. My mind was already fixated on what lay beyond the dark staircase at the back of the club.Gerald’s apartment.I climbed the stairs two at a time, my heart beating a little too fast. The door at the top was closed, just as it always had been. I reached for the handle and turned.Unlocked.I pushed the door open, stepping inside.Then I froze.The apartment was empty.Not just messy. Not just in disarray. Empty.The couch was gone. The framed photographs that once lined the walls had disappeared. The l
SILVIA'S POV A dull, incessant beeping pulled me from the depths of unconsciousness. My eyelids felt like lead, my thoughts sluggish, as though I were wading through thick fog. The air smelled sterile—antiseptic, too clean. The lights above were too bright, their glare stabbing into my eyes like tiny knives.I tried to move, but a sharp pain lanced through my side, tearing a gasp from my lips. The pain was deep, raw, as if someone had buried fire inside me. I instinctively reached down, fingers brushing against stiff, layered bandages wrapped around my abdomen. My breath hitched.Where was I?The rhythmic beeping came from a monitor to my right, its green lines pulsing in time with my heart. IV tubes snaked from my arm, leading to a bag of clear liquid hanging from a metal stand. White sheets covered me up to my waist, tucked too tightly around me. The room was small, sterile, walls a dull shade of blue, ceiling tiles pockmarked with tiny holes. It smelled of sickness, of medicine, o
SILVIA'S POV "Why did you bring me here?"I never thought that I would be back here after what happened last time.After I embedded a bullet in Paula’s skull.Gerald shrugs nonchalantly and says, "They sell good hot dogs and burgers here." He stepped out of the car, and I could do nothing but sit there in silence and confusion. I knew Gerald. He was rich. He was extravagant. He bought the best food or cooked at home. He would never come here."He will never forgive you for this."My heart flew out of my chest when my eyes fell on Gerald, he was staring right at me through the window. I almost missed it, but there was an emotion in his eyes that he was incredibly quick to hide. His eyebrows pulled together, and his lips formed a thin line. He was confused.I needed to get my act together. I was overreacting and becoming paranoid. I might end the day with a breakdown if I continue like this. I had to get a grip!I opened the door and smiled at Gerald warily. He was leaning against the
SILVIA'S POV "I need to stop finding both of you like this."I was used to waking up from nightmares, but I never got used to waking up to one.My eyelids flew apart to make contact with the only man that has ever made my skin crawl with so much disgust and disdain. George stood at the foot of the bed, looking like the devil in his all black suit and tie. Other men in the room, I assume his bodyguards, but what caught my attention were the guns they all held tightly in their hands.My throat felt dry and my wide eyes slid towards Gerald. His eyes were angry and feral as they glared at his father. I looked terrified and I felt my heart skip a beat. I did not know why. His anger wasn’t directed at me, so why did I feel this way?"What are you doing here?" Gerald demanded through clenched teeth. I felt a weight on my abdomen, and it was then I realized his arm was wrapped around it protectively. The weight was on my abdomen, but the one I felt in my heart was heavier. Something did not
GERALD'S POV I have never seen anyone so sad in my entire life.The life and light in her eyes just died when she ended that call. Her body was as still as a board, and I have absolutely no idea how she has been awake without moving for so long. Her silver orbs have been trained on my ceiling ever since. I just sat beside her, feeling so helpless, and scrolling through my phone. I was at least glad she was here when she was going through all this. Her presence was healing me just like mine was with hers.But that’s not the only thing I can be useful for."Hey, wanna get something to eat?" I asked but got no response in return. "Silver eyes?" I tried again but got nothing. I went to grab her foot, but she flinched back the moment our skin made contact. "Jesus, you are hot as lava." I was soon shuffling to my knees on the bed and coming to kneel beside her. I placed the back of my hand on her head, and she released a low hiss. "You’re burning up," I said more to myself than to her.Thi