I sat down in front of him, my eyes locking with his. Bright. Steady. He was staring right back at me, and for a moment it felt like the world disappeared.
"Hyy…" I whispered, my voice barely there.
"Good to see you, pretty," he said with that smile—the one that had always stolen my breath. I could only smile back. Again, silence. Again, staring. I loved it—this eye-to-eye connection that felt like it spoke more than words ever could.
"Ma'am, sir."
The spell broke. A waiter stood by our table, handing us the menu before leaving us alone again. I dropped my gaze onto the menu, though my mind wasn't really reading. Instead, I had this strange feeling… that he was still looking at me.
Curious, I stole a tiny glance.
Oh no. He caught me.
Flustered, I quickly looked back down at the menu, trying to hide my embarrassment. I could feel his chuckle even without looking.
"So… are you going to stare at that menu the whole day?" he teased.
I raised my head slowly, cheeks burning, and gave him what was probably the most awkward, ugliest smile ever. He laughed. And somehow, I laughed too.
"You're interesting, Aria," he said suddenly.
"Ahhh?" I blinked at him, confused.
"Nothing." He smiled, but his words kept echoing in my head. Me? Interesting? What did he mean by that?
"So, how's your KHSS?" he asked casually.
"Hmmm… it's good. Interesting. You're kind of famous there, actually," I replied, pretending to study the menu again.
"Famous?" He laughed, raising an eyebrow. "So you know about all that?"
"About what, exactly?" I asked, leaning forward a little.
He looked away for a moment, then met my eyes again. "If the name Sinas comes up in KHSS, I'm sure they've painted me as some big monster with red eyes and… blah blah blah."
I burst into laughter. "More than that! But… they're hiding something too." My tone grew serious. "I'm actually here to know."
He tilted his head. "Know what?"
I tucked my hair back behind my ears and looked at him straight on. "The truth. Why do they hate you? Why do you hate them? What's the real story behind KHSS and GHSS? How did these two schools become rivals?" My voice was calm but firm, and for once, I wasn't afraid. I was searching his eyes for an answer.
But instead, he laughed. Louder and louder, like I had just told the funniest joke. My shoulders slumped. "What? I'm serious!"
"You're so cute," he said between chuckles.
"That's not what I asked," I muttered, rolling my eyes.
He finally sighed. "The truth? I don't know what stories they spin about me. Why do they hate me? No idea. Why do I hate them? Because they hated me first." He leaned back slightly. "As for KHSS and GHSS… it's an old inheritance of hate. Many years ago, two brothers built these schools. Later, they fought, and that fight planted the seed of rivalry. A lot has happened since then, but the curse—or maybe the cure—was that beginning."
I studied him in silence, letting his words sink in. Before I could ask more, the waiter returned. We placed our order.
"Now I've answered your questions… answer me," Sinas said.
"Okay, tell me." I straightened up in my seat.
He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine. "What do you really think about KHSS? Do you love it there? Or do you want to leave?"
His words struck me hard. Did I love KHSS? Kind of. But I also wanted to leave. And sometimes… I didn't know what I wanted at all. My thoughts tangled in knots, and I couldn't find the right words. My gaze dropped to the table.
He sighed. "Anyway… if you wish to leave, I can help you. That's why I'm here, Aria."
My head shot up. "Help me?"
"You know, after two months, students get the chance to transfer. All schools accept new students who meet their requirements." His voice softened. "I can get you into GHSS."
I froze. I already knew about the transfer process—most students bought their way in with money. That had been my plan too, even if it was the worst way. But hearing it from him, so casually, felt different.
"I know," I whispered.
"Then adjust in KHSS for now. After two months, I'll get you the admission in GHSS."
"What? You can?" My eyes widened. "But how?"
He chuckled, reaching across the table to hold my hands. "Trust me, baby. I can."
My heart jolted. The way he said it, the way his fingers wrapped around mine—it felt like we were a couple. But we weren't. Were we? Or was this some strange situationship I was falling into without realizing?
Confused, I gently pulled my hands back. My phone screen lit up just then, buzzing with notification after notification. I glanced at it—50+ missed calls.
My stomach dropped.
I quickly scrolled. Almost all were from… Zorvath.
Oh no. I had completely forgotten—he asked me to meet him. If he found out I'd been with Sinas instead… I was dead. Worse than dead. Two months in KHSS would become unbearable. And it wouldn't be safe for Sinas either.
My panic must've shown on my face, because at that moment the waiter arrived with our food. Plates clinked softly as he served, but my mind was already in chaos.
I shot up from my chair.
Sinas blinked, confused. "Didn't like the food?"
I swallowed hard. What could I say? "Hmm… Sinas, I'm really sorry. I've got something else—urgent."
His cheerful expression dimmed. "Oh… okay. But—" He stopped himself.
Guilt pressed on me, but I forced a smile, grabbed my things, and stood. "Byee."
And I left.
As I hurried out, my heart twisted. Did I do the wrong thing leaving him like that? Maybe. But if Zorvath ever found out about this meeting, it would only bring trouble—for both me and Sinas.
So… I had to believe I did the right thing.
I almost ran back toward KHSS, breathless, my thoughts a storm.
Author's POV___
Aria was almost at KHSS. The street ahead was empty, stretching straight toward her school and beyond it, GHSS. She hurried along, half-running, her eyes flicking anxiously to her phone.
Then she froze.
Zorvath stood right in front of her.
But he wasn't his usual calm self. His eyes burned red, his hair a tangled mess. Sweat trickled down his temples, and his hands—slightly bloodied—hung stiff at his sides. The sight made Aria flinch. Without realizing it, she took a step backward.
"Where were you?" His voice was low, deep, almost inhuman as it echoed across the deserted street.
"I… I… went to buy some snacks," Aria stammered, forcing the words out.
Zorvath stepped closer, his stare unrelenting. "Snacks? There are all sorts of snacks in Room Zero…"
Aria turned her gaze away, unable to hold against his frightening eyes. "What's—what's your problem?" she asked, trying to sound normal, though her voice betrayed her fear.
"I told you… to stay away from him." His words were measured, but each one shook her.
"From whom? What's your matter?" she asked, her steps shifting backward as he advanced.
Then he stopped. Slowly, Zorvath pulled out his phone. With a flick, he turned the screen toward her.
Aria's stomach dropped.
It was a photo—her and Sinas, sitting at the café. His hand over hers. Her smile, frozen midair.
Her throat went dry. She gulped, looking down, knowing it was over.
"Dating?" Zorvath asked, his tone sharp as a blade.
Aria couldn't speak. She stayed silent.
That silence snapped the last thread of his control.
"Answer me!!" Zorvath roared, his voice tearing through the emptiness.
Aria's voice rose back, not as loud but trembling with defiance. "That's none of your business!"
Her chest heaved. She turned her face to him, her tone bitter, sharp. "You are no one to control me. Know your limits."
She turned, ready to walk away—
But in an instant, Zorvath's hand seized her waist, dragging her back.
"Yes, I am," he growled, his breath hot against her ear. "And I have no limits with you."
Aria's eyes widened in confusion, panic flashing across her face.
And then—before she could react—his lips crashed onto hers.
For a fleeting second, her body betrayed her, melting into the kiss. But reality snapped back, and she shoved him away with all her strength. A faint smile curved on Zorvath's lips, dark and satisfied.
"You like him?" His voice was low, dangerous. "From today onwards—you will not."
He pulled her close again, one hand gripping her waist, the other pressing against her neck. She pushed, fought, her palms hitting his chest, but this time he didn't let go. Her fists struck his shoulder, her nails raked across his skin.
Zorvath hissed in pain but held on, his eyes wild, locked only on her.
At last, he let go.
Aria stumbled back, her chest heaving. In the next heartbeat, she turned and ran—ran as fast as her legs would carry her, the fear and confusion burning in her chest.
Zorvath stood frozen, watching her fading figure disappear into the distance.
And then it hit him.
His knees buckled. He dropped to the ground, fingers digging into his messy hair, his face twisting with frustration and regret. He had lost control—and he knew it.