Chapter 17
I sprinted across the campus, my legs pumping furiously as I gasped for breath. I could hear the angry shouts and pounding footsteps of the two girls behind me, closing in. Students scrambled to get out of our way, clearing a path as we tore through the crowded walkways.
I ran with every ounce of energy I possessed, my heart racing like a jackrabbit's. I darted between buildings, my eyes fixed on my hostel looming ahead. I could see the entrance, a haven of safety, and I poured on speed, my feet pounding the pavement.
As I ran, I fumbled in my pocket for my key, my fingers closing around it like a lifeline. I yanked it out and held it ready, not daring to slow down. I reached the door, slid the key into the lock, and burst inside, slamming the door shut behind me. I locked it immediately, my hands shaking with adrenaline.
Panting, I leaned against the door, my ear pressed to the door. I listened intently, my heart still racing, as the sound of their angry shouts and pounding footsteps receded into the distance. I had made it to safety, but I knew this wasn't over. They would be back, and next time, I might not be so lucky.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I knew I had to be prepared for what was coming next. I couldn't let them catch me off guard again. I locked my eyes on the window, my mind racing with thoughts of what I should do next.
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As the girls returned to Chuchu, her face a deep shade of crimson where the slap had landed. The usually pale complexion that seemed almost ethereal in the right light was now marred by the vivid imprint of fingers,
Chuchu's eyes, normally bright and sparkling, were narrowed into slits, her gaze fixed intently on the floor as if replaying the moment of impact over and over in her mind.
The two girls approached her cautiously, their footsteps quiet on the floor. Concern was etched on their faces, a mixture of worry and anger that seemed to simmer just below the surface. "Where is she?" Chuchu asked, her voice low and menacing, the words dripping with a venom that seemed to make the air around her vibrate with tension.
The girls shook their heads in unison, their faces falling in unison with their leader's. "Sorry, we lost her," one of them replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Chuchu's eyes flashed up, her gaze burning with anger as she fixed the girls with a piercing stare.
"Keep an eye out for her," she spat, the words tumbling out of her mouth like venom. "She's going to pay. How dare she lay hands on me?" Her voice rose, the indignation and fury boiling over like a pot left unattended. "She will pay," she repeated, the words echoing through the room like a promise.
The two girls nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination. They seemed to share Chuchu's anger, their eyes flashing with a fierce loyalty that bordered on ferocity. Chuchu stood up, her movements fluid and deliberate, her long legs unfolding like a cat stretching from a nap. She walked away, her two companions following closely behind her, their footsteps echoing through the room like a dark and ominous drumbeat.
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The door to hyun min's room burst open, slamming shut behind him with a resounding crash that seemed to shake the very foundations of the space. The dimly lit room enveloped him like a shroud, the cool hum of the air conditioner a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside him like a tempest. The king-size bed loomed large, its crisp white sheets a testament to the meticulous care of the housekeeping staff, who seemed to iron out every wrinkle with an almost military precision.
Every item in the room was precisely in its place, a reflection of his own fastidious nature, which bordered on obsession. The sleek lines of the furniture, the perfectly aligned artwork on the walls, and the spotless floor all seemed to whisper a sense of order and control. Yet, despite the serene ambiance, the air was thick with tension, like the promise of a storm about to unleash its full fury.
He strode across the room, his footsteps muffled by the plush carpet, which felt like a soft, yielding cloud beneath his feet. His eyes fixed on the mini fridge nestled in the corner, its sleek design blending seamlessly into the décor like a ghostly presence. With a swift motion, he opened the fridge and the soft glow of the interior light spilled out, illuminating his face like a beacon in the darkness. He retrieved a can of fruit drink, the hiss of the can opening followed by the sweet aroma of the drink, which wafted up to his nostrils like a tantalizing promise.
He downed the entire can in one swift motion, the cool liquid sliding down his throat like a soothing balm, offering a momentary respite from the frustration that seethed within him like a living thing. As he walked towards the bed, the soft carpet muffled his footsteps, and he sank into the plush mattress, which supported his weight like a gentle cloud.
His fingers moved swiftly over the keypad of his phone, dialing a number with a precision that bordered on ritual. The line connected, and he spoke into the receiver, his voice firm and commanding, like a general issuing orders. " Yeah, I want you to deal with someone for me." The words hung in the air, a stark declaration of his intent, like a challenge thrown down to the world.