He leaned in, his breath warm against her skin, his nose grazing just inches from hers. Tessa's pulse roared in her ears. Instinctively, her eyes fluttered shut, lips parting ever so slightly—waiting for the kiss that never came.
Instead, Hardin's lips ghosted near her ear, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
"Do you like me, Tessa?" he murmured. "Because I think I do."
Her eyes snapped open—caught between shock, anger, and something dangerously close to desire.
Continuation...
"Huh? What the heck?" Tessa shot up from his lap, brushing her skirt down.
Hardin only smirked. "I think you're secretly crushing on me. But anyways…" he leaned back lazily, "…I'm all yours, baby."
"You're really crazy," Tessa muttered, glaring. "You were like the living dead a second ago, and now you're flirting?"
"No, I'm being serious," Hardin said, voice softer for once. "But I'll give you time. I won't push you."
Tessa rolled her eyes so hard it hurt. "Geez! This is cringe." She marched to the other side of the cabin and plopped down on a chair, creating distance between them.
"You don't have to sit that far," Hardin teased, his smirk widening. "I'm not gonna rape you."
"Shut up, dîck head," she snapped, folding her arms.
He chuckled, clearly entertained.
"Since you're fine now, there's no need to rush to the hospital," Tessa muttered, narrowing her eyes. "But why did you pass out in the first place?"
Hardin's grin turned mischievous. "Awwn… she cares about me."
"Just shut up."
"But you asked a question—"
"Arghh!" Tessa groaned, throwing her hands up. "I regret letting you tag along to find my mum."
"It's for your safety," Hardin shot back smoothly. "I'm just being a protective boyfriend." He winked.
Her glare could've cut glass. "Don't. Ever. Do. That."
"Yes, sweetheart," he drawled, pretending to zip his lips. "No more winking."
"Being stuck with you is the worst. Just—just go back to being unconscious!" Tessa huffed.
Hardin raised his hands in surrender. "Fine. Mouth shut. Promise." He sealed his lips dramatically with his fingers.
Tessa ignored him, pulling out her phone. She dialed her mother's number again.
"Try again later," the robotic voice replied.
Her grip tightened. With an angry sigh, she shoved the phone back into her pocket.
Hardin didn't say a word. He just sat there, eyes fixed on her, studying every flicker of frustration that crossed her face. His silence was heavier than his teasing had ever been.
HAMPTON STYLE VILLA ★
Cathryn barged into the villa, her chest heaving, rain dripping from her coat. She tossed her car keys onto the glass table with a sharp clatter before collapsing onto the couch.
"Cathryn, what's wrong?" Sabrina asked, emerging from the kitchen with a glass of water in her hand.
"Give me that," Cathryn snapped, snatching it from her grip and downing the contents in one go.
Sabrina frowned. "Are you okay?"
Cathryn's eyes darted wildly. "Tessa is two."
Sabrina blinked. "What do you mean Tessa is two?"
"You know I planned the whole kidnapping," Cathryn hissed, lowering her voice. "I held her at the hideout—but then, when I was leaving, I saw her again. With Hardin. On the road. Like nothing had happened."
"Wait—what the hell are you saying?" Sabrina's face twisted in confusion.
Before Cathryn could answer, her phone rang. She grabbed it.
"Ma'am," a man's voice crackled on the other end, "she's escaped. The girl."
The line went dead.
Cathryn's hand trembled as the phone slid from her fingers and clattered to the floor.
"Ma'am? Ma'am?" the man's faint voice still echoed from the device, but she didn't pick it up.
Her breathing grew uneven. "So she's really two… or she's playing a prank on me…"
"Don't you think you kidnapped the wrong person?" Sabrina suggested carefully.
"Wrong person? No—she looks exactly like Tessa!" Cathryn snapped, clutching her head. "But wait… when I confronted her, she said she wasn't Tessa. And—her hair. It was blonde. Tessa's hair is black."
Sabrina exchanged a look with her. "Then maybe… maybe they're just lookalikes."
Cathryn sank into the couch, whispering, "And now the lookalike has escaped… I'm in a mess, Sabrina. I've fûcked up bad."
Suddenly, laughter rang out. Caroline descended the stairs with a mocking grin, her tone dripping with scorn as she mimicked Cathryn's panic. She disappeared into the kitchen, leaving the two women glaring after her in disgust.
"Cathryn, calm down," Sabrina said firmly. "Go freshen up. You're soaked. Tomorrow we'll look deeper into this."
"Yeah… yeah…" Cathryn muttered absentmindedly. Her body moved toward the stairs, but her mind was elsewhere, lost in a spiral of fear and doubt.
"Cathryn," Sabrina called, "wrong way. The stairs are there."
Cathryn blinked as if waking from a trance. "Right… stairs…" she murmured, before slowly climbing, her thoughts tangled with confusion and dread.
CRESTVIEW COLLEGE ★
Jordan was actually at Hardin's suite. He had called Hardin but Tessa picked up instead. He rushed out immediately since she said they were stuck on the road.
On his way out, he bumped into someone.
"Geez!" Jordan said frustrated.
"So sorry," Mulan said.
"Oh, it's you again," Jordan said.
"Jordan?" Mulan said.
Just then his phone began to ring again. He picked it up.
"Where the heck are you?" Tessa's voice came from the phone.
"Is Hardin still unconscious? Just hold up, I'm coming," Jordan said and hung up.
"Wait… was that Tessa's voice?" Mulan muttered, turning to him.
Jordan froze.
"I think I just heard my friend's voice," she said firmly. "Is everything alright?"
"She's with Hardin. They're stuck in the middle of the road. Car stopped, and Hardin's not in good shape," Jordan explained quickly.
"For real? Can I come along? She's my friend," Mulan said, worried.
"Uhm… sure," Jordan said, and they both headed to the car park.
RICCO MANSION ★
After freshening up, Tricia lay on her bed, scrolling through the second phone she had just brought out. since the first had fallen during her escape, this one would have to do.
Her eyes widened as she stopped on a particular picture.
"I knew I'd seen her before… Cathryn Fowler. Leader of Rock Girls. Nice." Tricia smirked.
She hopped off the bed and hurried out, eager to show Don Ricco. But as she passed a room, faint noises caught her attention. She paused, pressing her ear to the door. Muffled sounds.
"Tricia," Ricco's deep voice startled her. "What are you doing out here? You're supposed to be asleep."
"Dad, I heard noises in this room. Is someone inside?"
"No." His tone was flat. "And I'll ask again—why are you out here?"
Tricia straightened, clutching her phone. "I wanted to show you something. I found her. The girl who sent those men to kidnap me." She thrust the screen at him. "Her name's Cathryn Fowler. Leader of Rock Girls. She attends Crestview College."
Ricco narrowed his eyes at the photo. "Cathryn Fowler…" He muttered. "It won't be hard finding her. She's a celebrity—and in your college."
"I want her punished, Dad. She can't mess with Tricia Ricco and go scot-free."
"No one touches the Don's child and walks free. You know that."
"That's why I love you." She hugged him tightly. Then pulled back, frowning. "But Dad… are you sure no one's in that room? I swear I heard muffling."
"There's no one. Go back to bed," Ricco ordered.
Suspicious but obedient, Tricia walked away.
Only after her door shut did Ricco slip into the room.
Inside, Mrs. Cristin sat bound to a chair, eyes blazing, tape over her mouth.
"Why are you making noises again?" Ricco growled. "I'm keeping you here because it's late and the weather is bad. Be grateful."
"Mmmph!" she muffled angrily.
"Oh, you want that off?" Ricco ripped the tape from her mouth.
"Shît!" Mrs. Cristin gasped for air. "You should be apologizing to me! I heard Tricia's voice—I know it's her. She's back, isn't she? You can see I didn't take her. Please… untie me, I want to see my daughter!"
Ricco stiffened.
From the doorway came a sharp gasp.
"Daughter??"
Tricia stood frozen in the entrance, eyes wide, staring at Mrs. Cristin.