✦ EIRA POV ✦
What is he going to do? This thought is killing me.
Oh God, please—send an earthquake, a tsunami, a lightning strike—anything to save me from this monster.
I squeezed my eyes shut, praying the world would just disappear. Suddenly, the car lurched to a stop. My heart leapt.
Are we at the hostel?
I opened my eyes slowly and glanced out the window. The hostel was there in the distance, still far away. But why did he stop here?
I turned toward him. He wasn't driving anymore. He was staring at me… with that evil smirk. That same twisted, arrogant smirk that said he knew exactly what I was thinking. Without a word, he grabbed a tablet from the back seat and started typing. His attention was fixed on the screen as if I didn't even exist.
My palms started sweating.
"What are you doing?" I snapped, tugging at the door handle.
Locked. Of course.
"Open the door, Adrain," I demanded.
He didn't even glance at me. My blood boiled. I wanted to smack that smug face.
Finally, after what felt like hours, he looked at me again. That wicked smirk stretched across his lips.
"I'm giving you one last chance," he said slowly. "Tell me what's going on between you and him."
My chest tightened, but I forced the words out. "No. I will not tell you."
"As you wish," he muttered calmly—and returned to his screen.
My stomach twisted. "What are you doing now?"
"Nothing," he said casually. "Just thinking. Tessy's father is a manager, isn't he? He's about to get a promotion. Maybe I'll cancel it."
My jaw dropped. "What? Are you insane?"
He didn't even blink. "Or better yet… maybe I'll throw him out of the company altogether."
I froze, horror clawing at my throat. "No! You can't—don't do that!" My voice cracked as I begged, panic rushing through me.
He leaned closer, his tone ice-cold. "Then tell me what's going on between you and him."
Blackmail.
This arrogant, cruel, heartless jerk was blackmailing me. I wanted to scream, to slap him across his smug face. But Tessy… Tessy's future would be destroyed if I didn't talk. My chest tightened with helpless rage.
Grinding my teeth, I finally told him everything.
When I finished, he was silent for a long moment. His eyes darkened as he muttered, "You shouldn't help Tessy. He's dangerous."
Anger flared in me. "So, what? You want me to just sit and let my best friend marry that monster?"
His jaw clenched. "He is dangerous, Eira. He can harm you."
I glared right back. "It's not like you care."
The moment the words left my mouth, his eyes flickered. He broke our gaze instantly, his knuckles tightening around the steering wheel.
"You won't interfere in this. Stay away from him." His voice was sharp, final.
"I can't," I shot back, fury trembling in my voice. "I won't let him ruin Tessy's life!"
The car screeched to a halt. He turned to me in a blaze of anger, seized my arm, and yanked me closer until our faces were inches apart.
"He is dangerous. He can kill you."
My breath hitched, but I spat back, "Why do you care, Adrain?"
Something inside him snapped. Fury stormed across his face. Without another word, he shoved his door open, stormed around to my side, and pulled me out of the car with a rough grip.
"Adrain, wait—!" But he didn't look at me. He didn't say a word.
He dragged me to the hostel gates, then released me so suddenly I stumbled. Before I could even catch my breath, he was already back in the driver's seat. The car roared, and he sped off without a single glance behind him.
I stood frozen, staring at the hostel gate.
Later, lying in bed, my mind spun in circles. I couldn't understand him. First, he saved me from Peter. Then, he blackmailed me. Then, he threw me out like I was nothing.
What type of person is he?
His name isn't Adrain Blake.
It's Arrogant Blake.That suits him perfectly.
✦ ADRAIN POV ✦
Why doesn't she ever listen?
Why the hell do I care so much?
What is she doing to me?
My foot pressed harder against the accelerator, the car racing down the dark road. Anger burned in my chest like wildfire. Why? Why does she never understand? That bastard is dangerous—he could hurt her, break her, destroy her—and yet she insists on throwing herself into his path.
Why won't she protect herself?
Why does she always walk straight into death's arms?
And why… why does it tear me apart inside every time she does?
What the hell is she doing to me?