Alex pov It was “him.” The same man I had bumped into days ago. His presence was impossible to ignore, handsome, impeccably dressed, and exuding a quiet confidence that made me feel small in comparison. He smiled at me, his lips curving just enough to make it clear he knew the effect he had on people. My heart thudded hard against my chest. Up close, I noticed things I hadn’t before, a faint scar on his left cheek, the sharp line of his jaw, and the way his dark eyes softened as they settled on me. The contrast was jarring. This man had interrupted rudely, barging into our discussion like he owns the place, the last time he came yet here he was, his smile disarming. I placed his order on his table order, all the while feeling his gaze on me following my movement like it was a show. smiled, a slow, knowing smile that made my stomach flip. “Alex, right?” he asked, his voice smooth and unhurried, like velvet brushing against stone I blinked, caught off guard. “Yes, sir.”
Alex povThe mention of that name was like a slap in the face. Andrian's sneering face flashed through my mind. My stomach twisted, and the air seemed to grow colder around me. "I don’t see how that’s relevant," I said, my voice laced with an edge I hadn’t intended. His smirk returned, softer this time, but no less unnerving. "Not all power is used for good, Alex. Sometimes, those at the top are the most dangerous." That was it, I couldn’t keep up the facade that i was enjoying the lunch. It was more of an interrogative session than a lunch. I pushed back my chair, my appetite thoroughly gone. "Thank you for lunch, but I should get back to work." He leaned back, his smirk melting into a knowing smile. "Take care, Alex," he said, sliding a sleek black card across the table. "If you ever want to talk, you know where to find me." I hesitated for a moment before snatching up the card and walking away. My thoughts churned with unease as I pocketed it without looking. Someth
Alex povThe hallway buzzed with the usual morning energy, students laughing, chatting, and rushing to their next classes. I clutched my books tightly against my chest, my head hunged low as I navigated through the crowd. It has become my routine, ever since my embarrassing moment, on the first day of resumption. keep my head down, avoid eye contact, and try to stay invisible. Last weekend’s events still played in my mind like an endless loop. the stranger, the attack, and his unusual words about my father, then came the men on black trying to kidnap me. It didn’t make sense, and I hadn’t told Mom. She had enough to worry about without adding my strange, late-night run-ins to the list. I convinced myself it was just an unfortunate coincidence, something I could forget and move past. Yet, no matter how hard I tried to shake it off, the unease lingered. The feeling like I was doing something wrong, like I was getting it all wrong, keeps on tugging at the back of my mind.“Alex!” Linda
Alex pov The rest of the day felt like I was walking on a tightrope. The entire morning, I kept glancing over my shoulder, expecting Andrian to show up. But he was nowhere to be found, which only heightened my anxiety. Andrian wasn’t the type to let things slide, especially when it involved embarrassing his closest friends. Classes had been smooth. surprise quizzes, no awkward encounters, no more run-ins with June and her minions, except for the embarrassing moment in history class. I sighed, remembering what had happened. I was in history class, half listening and half thinking about who would be sent to torment me this time. My eyes trailed to the empty seat of Andrian, wondering why he was not in class. I shook my head. Was I just worried about Andrian? It wasn’t just me being paranoid. I had blamed it on my tense body, which had not relaxed throughout the incident in the hallway with June, the girlfriend of Andrian and his lackeys. “Now, the list of all your names will
Alex povJosh’s grin faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. “What’s the matter, Alex? Can’t fight your own battles? Gotta hide behind your girlfriend?” Linda scoffed. “If being a decent human being makes me his girlfriend, then sure. Now leave him alone.” I blinked, caught off guard by what Linda said, but now was not the time to think about it. The tension crackled in the air, and for a moment, I thought Josh might actually back down. But his smirk returned, meaner this time. “The worst thing you did in your life is insult an elite. Let’s see how tough you are, strong boy,” he said, lunging forward. Before he could do anything, the sharp whistle of the sports director sliced through the chaos. “What’s going on here?” the director barked, his eyes narrowing as he looked between us. “Nothing, mr clark” Josh said, stepping back and raising his hands in mock innocence. The director furrowed his eyes, not buying it, but what could he do. Josh was among the elites of the s
Alex pov I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. He wasn’t mine to want, in the first place. And yet, the pain was real. I felt like the walls were closing in on me, the sound of their voices still echoing in my mind. My fingers trembled as I wiped my eyes, brushing away the hot tears that betrayed my resolve. I couldn’t stay there. I couldn’t bear to listen to another moment. The world outside felt colder than it had just moments ago, as if the air itself knew the storm brewing inside me. My steps faltered as I wandered aimlessly through the hallways. Andrian and June. It wasn’t just a crush anymore. It was a brutal reminder of where I stood in his world, a forgotten piece of trash. Always on the outside, looking in. This was real. And it was high time I stopped fooling myself, stopped clinging to the illusion that the Jacob I’d met, the boy with the soft laugh and kind eyes, was the same Andrian who now treated me like I don't exist. I couldn’t imagine the dist
Alex pov The boy that had been staring at me throughout today. The strange elite. “What are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice hoarse from crying. He leaned casually against the doorframe, his arms crossed as he studied me. “I could ask you the same thing. Look around this place. I came to take a shot.” His tone was light, almost teasing, but it only fueled my frustration. But I couldn’t help but look around at the shed. There were rows of packs of cigars and lighters arranged on the desk close to the wall. The walls were filled with posters of rock stars and famous artists. The decor of the room was plain, but it was a hideout. But for who. Fear crept inside me. “Are you stalking me?” I snapped, rising to my feet. “Because if you are, you can forget it. I don’t need your pity or your fake concern.” “Whoa, relax,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I’m not stalking you. I just happened to notice you running out of the school like your life depended on i
Alex pov The morning sun streamed into my room, mocking me with its warmth and brightness. I pulled the blanket over my head, wishing I could disappear. My chest still ached with the weight of humiliation, and the memory of yesterday haunted me. Andrian’s smirk, the crowd’s laughter, the whispers, they all played on a loop in my head. “Alex?” My mom’s voice drifted in softly, followed by a gentle knock. I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I didn’t want to see anybody, especially my mother. “Alex, I’m coming in.” The door creaked open, and her footsteps stopped just inside. “You’ve been in here all morning. You’re going to be late for school.” “I’m not going,” I muttered, my voice muffled by the pillow. “Alex, you can’t just…” “I said I am not going mum, just drop it” “Alexi, what happened? Did anybody hurt you or bully you…” she was saying “Mom, please!” I snapped, my words sharper than I intended. “Just leave me alone! I don't need you breathing down my neck!!” Silence stre
Alex’s POVI woke up to the sound of my phone vibrating against the wooden bedside table. My heart skipped a beat, part of me expecting it to be Amanda, or worse, Andrian. The screen flashed with an unfamiliar number. Frowning, I hesitated before picking up. “Hello?” “Good morning, boyfriend,” a familiar voice chimed, teasing and casual. “Luke?” I blurted out, my brain struggling to catch up. “What did you just call me?” “Boyfriend. You said yes yesterday, remember?” I frowned, sitting up. “What are you talking about? I don’t recall agreeing to anything.” “Oh, come on, Alex. Don’t play dumb.” I could hear the grin in his voice. “After detention yesterday, when I asked if we could give this a shot, you didn’t say no.” “Not saying no doesn’t mean yes!” I shot back, my voice sharper than I intended. “Well, I’m taking it as a yes,” he said with infuriating calm. “And besides, you’re way too cute to say no to me.” I rolled my eyes, already regretting answering the call. “Luke, I…
Alex pov It wasn’t until 5 p.m. that the teacher in charge of our detention released us. I was already beyond frustrated. The day was slipping away, and I was stuck at school, staring into space, when I should have been at Amanda’s house cleaning. Today was payday, and missing it wasn’t an option, no matter how late it was. Not even when an annoying, frustrating boy like Luke was breathing down my neck. “What do you want, Luke?” I asked for what felt like the hundredth time since detention started. His response? The same infuriating smile. “I just want to escort you home. Chillax, man, I don’t bite.” “No! I can find my way home. I don’t need you for that,” I snapped, stepping back instinctively. There was no way I was letting him see where I lived. My thoughts spiraled with all the possible outcomes of him knowing. He was an elite, for Christ’s sake. His sudden goodness was suspicious. “You look cute when you’re angry,” Luke said casually, catching me completely off guard.
Alex pov The morning sun streamed into my room, mocking me with its warmth and brightness. I pulled the blanket over my head, wishing I could disappear. My chest still ached with the weight of humiliation, and the memory of yesterday haunted me. Andrian’s smirk, the crowd’s laughter, the whispers, they all played on a loop in my head. “Alex?” My mom’s voice drifted in softly, followed by a gentle knock. I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I didn’t want to see anybody, especially my mother. “Alex, I’m coming in.” The door creaked open, and her footsteps stopped just inside. “You’ve been in here all morning. You’re going to be late for school.” “I’m not going,” I muttered, my voice muffled by the pillow. “Alex, you can’t just…” “I said I am not going mum, just drop it” “Alexi, what happened? Did anybody hurt you or bully you…” she was saying “Mom, please!” I snapped, my words sharper than I intended. “Just leave me alone! I don't need you breathing down my neck!!” Silence stre
Alex pov The boy that had been staring at me throughout today. The strange elite. “What are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice hoarse from crying. He leaned casually against the doorframe, his arms crossed as he studied me. “I could ask you the same thing. Look around this place. I came to take a shot.” His tone was light, almost teasing, but it only fueled my frustration. But I couldn’t help but look around at the shed. There were rows of packs of cigars and lighters arranged on the desk close to the wall. The walls were filled with posters of rock stars and famous artists. The decor of the room was plain, but it was a hideout. But for who. Fear crept inside me. “Are you stalking me?” I snapped, rising to my feet. “Because if you are, you can forget it. I don’t need your pity or your fake concern.” “Whoa, relax,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I’m not stalking you. I just happened to notice you running out of the school like your life depended on i
Alex pov I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. He wasn’t mine to want, in the first place. And yet, the pain was real. I felt like the walls were closing in on me, the sound of their voices still echoing in my mind. My fingers trembled as I wiped my eyes, brushing away the hot tears that betrayed my resolve. I couldn’t stay there. I couldn’t bear to listen to another moment. The world outside felt colder than it had just moments ago, as if the air itself knew the storm brewing inside me. My steps faltered as I wandered aimlessly through the hallways. Andrian and June. It wasn’t just a crush anymore. It was a brutal reminder of where I stood in his world, a forgotten piece of trash. Always on the outside, looking in. This was real. And it was high time I stopped fooling myself, stopped clinging to the illusion that the Jacob I’d met, the boy with the soft laugh and kind eyes, was the same Andrian who now treated me like I don't exist. I couldn’t imagine the dist
Alex povJosh’s grin faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. “What’s the matter, Alex? Can’t fight your own battles? Gotta hide behind your girlfriend?” Linda scoffed. “If being a decent human being makes me his girlfriend, then sure. Now leave him alone.” I blinked, caught off guard by what Linda said, but now was not the time to think about it. The tension crackled in the air, and for a moment, I thought Josh might actually back down. But his smirk returned, meaner this time. “The worst thing you did in your life is insult an elite. Let’s see how tough you are, strong boy,” he said, lunging forward. Before he could do anything, the sharp whistle of the sports director sliced through the chaos. “What’s going on here?” the director barked, his eyes narrowing as he looked between us. “Nothing, mr clark” Josh said, stepping back and raising his hands in mock innocence. The director furrowed his eyes, not buying it, but what could he do. Josh was among the elites of the s
Alex pov The rest of the day felt like I was walking on a tightrope. The entire morning, I kept glancing over my shoulder, expecting Andrian to show up. But he was nowhere to be found, which only heightened my anxiety. Andrian wasn’t the type to let things slide, especially when it involved embarrassing his closest friends. Classes had been smooth. surprise quizzes, no awkward encounters, no more run-ins with June and her minions, except for the embarrassing moment in history class. I sighed, remembering what had happened. I was in history class, half listening and half thinking about who would be sent to torment me this time. My eyes trailed to the empty seat of Andrian, wondering why he was not in class. I shook my head. Was I just worried about Andrian? It wasn’t just me being paranoid. I had blamed it on my tense body, which had not relaxed throughout the incident in the hallway with June, the girlfriend of Andrian and his lackeys. “Now, the list of all your names will
Alex povThe hallway buzzed with the usual morning energy, students laughing, chatting, and rushing to their next classes. I clutched my books tightly against my chest, my head hunged low as I navigated through the crowd. It has become my routine, ever since my embarrassing moment, on the first day of resumption. keep my head down, avoid eye contact, and try to stay invisible. Last weekend’s events still played in my mind like an endless loop. the stranger, the attack, and his unusual words about my father, then came the men on black trying to kidnap me. It didn’t make sense, and I hadn’t told Mom. She had enough to worry about without adding my strange, late-night run-ins to the list. I convinced myself it was just an unfortunate coincidence, something I could forget and move past. Yet, no matter how hard I tried to shake it off, the unease lingered. The feeling like I was doing something wrong, like I was getting it all wrong, keeps on tugging at the back of my mind.“Alex!” Linda
Alex povThe mention of that name was like a slap in the face. Andrian's sneering face flashed through my mind. My stomach twisted, and the air seemed to grow colder around me. "I don’t see how that’s relevant," I said, my voice laced with an edge I hadn’t intended. His smirk returned, softer this time, but no less unnerving. "Not all power is used for good, Alex. Sometimes, those at the top are the most dangerous." That was it, I couldn’t keep up the facade that i was enjoying the lunch. It was more of an interrogative session than a lunch. I pushed back my chair, my appetite thoroughly gone. "Thank you for lunch, but I should get back to work." He leaned back, his smirk melting into a knowing smile. "Take care, Alex," he said, sliding a sleek black card across the table. "If you ever want to talk, you know where to find me." I hesitated for a moment before snatching up the card and walking away. My thoughts churned with unease as I pocketed it without looking. Someth