✨ EIRA POV: ✨
Oh God. He saw me. My heart still raced, but why was I so scared? I had the video—proof. Tomorrow, I would show it to Tessy, and everything would finally be fine.
"Are you okay?" Adrain's voice broke the silence, low and rough.
"Hmm…" was all I managed.
The ride was suffocatingly silent, every tick of the clock pressing against my chest. After what felt like forever, the hostel finally came into view. I reached for the door handle—only to hear the click of the center lock. My hand froze.
"What?" I asked, confused, turning to him.
His jaw tightened. "You shouldn't have gone there."
"Really?" I snapped, anger bubbling. "And what should I have done? Let that jerk marry my friend?"
His eyes burned as he turned to me. "What if something had happened to you? What if he saw you? What if that guy had—" He cut himself off, his fists tightening on the wheel. "He was about to touch you…" His voice broke into a furious growl.
"Why do you care?" I shot back, my voice trembling. "You said you don't care!"
He didn't answer. He didn't even look at me. Just unlocked the door in silence.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "He saw me because of you—when you ripped off my mask."
Still nothing.
I forced a bitter smile. "Thanks for saving me today." I pushed the door open and stepped out before he could say another word.
Inside, I changed into comfortable clothes, trying to shake off the night. But as I walked back into my room, my heart dropped.
Adrain was lying on my bed.
I froze, blood rushing to my ears. "What are you doing here?" I hissed, trying to keep my voice low but sharp, storming toward him. "How did you even get in? The door was locked!"
He sat up casually, his face calm, as if he belonged here.
"Are you insane? How could you just… relax so easily in someone else's room?"
"Don't you think you should ask one question at a time?" he replied smoothly, glancing around. "Also—you should really clean your room."
I stared at him, furious. Is he serious right now?
"Get. Out." My voice was ice, my teeth clenched.
He rose slowly, his face now unreadable, emotionless. "I'm not going anywhere. You're coming with me."
I blinked, stunned. "Are you crazy? Why would I go with you?"
His voice dropped, sharp as a blade. "Peter will come for you. You're not safe here."
I laughed bitterly. "And why do you care? I'm not going with you. I can protect myself."
His lips twisted in a mocking smirk. "Yeah. I saw how well you protected yourself tonight." His sarcasm cut like glass.
My chest burned. "Get out of my room or… or else—"
"Or else what?" His eyes narrowed dangerously.
"I'll shout!"
"Shout," he challenged darkly, leaning closer. "Shout as loud as you want. What will you say? That I broke in? I'll say you called me. Let's see who they believe." His smirk turned vile, daring me.
I froze. My stomach dropped. He was right. No one would believe me. The warden would call my parents, maybe even send me back. No. I couldn't let that happen.
"You're a jerk," I spat. "Do whatever you want. I'm not going anywhere."
He didn't answer. His eyes studied me, unreadable, before he slowly whispered, "I'm sorry for this."
"What?" My brows furrowed.
Before I could move, he yanked a bedsheet over my face.
"Adrain!" I thrashed, my hands clawing, but his arm locked firmly around my waist, trapping me. I couldn't see, couldn't breathe properly. Panic shot through me as he lifted me effortlessly over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.
"Put me down!" I screamed, pounding his back with my fists, but he didn't budge. What is he made of—iron?!
The air shifted. The wind was harsher, colder. When he finally dropped me back on my feet, my vision swam. I blinked rapidly until the blur cleared.
We were no longer in my room.
My breath caught. We stood on a lonely road in the middle of the jungle.
I shoved him back furiously. "Are you mad? What the hell do you think you're doing? How do you even know Peter will come? How could he get into my hostel with all the security?"
I glared at him, demanding an answer—but his eyes weren't on me. They were on something behind me.
I turned.
Far in the distance, I saw my hostel.
A black car stopped in front. My blood ran cold.
Peter stepped out.
The guards at the gate slumped in their chairs—sleeping. He walked in easily.
My stomach twisted violently. No. This can't be real. How could the guards just… sleep like that? Anyone could walk in.
Slowly, the truth sank in. Adrain was right. He had been right all along. And I… I had screamed at him.
I turned back toward him, guilt tightening my chest. But before I could say anything, he was already walking toward his car.
I ran after him, slipping inside before he could shut the door. Without a word, he started the engine.
The car roared, swallowing the silence between us.