ANA:
As I stepped out of my car and faced the gate of Preston, a surge of emotions threatened to break through the surface. This place—it's where everything began. Where I met Lara. Where I encountered the Falcons. Where the search for truth started. And where I met him.
Enzo.
A few students passing by shot me surprised and shocked glances, but there was something else in their eyes—either gratitude for what I did six months ago, solving an old case, or pity.
It looked more like the second one.
Memories flooded back, stinging my eyes. The first time I walked into this town, I was driven by the need to uncover the truth about my mother. But that quest evolved into something far more—something that demanded justice. We didn't just fight for Olivia or Aurora; we fought for everyone who had been wronged because no one else would stand up.
I did. And I always will.
Before I was labelled as sick.
I blinked back the tears, taking a deep breath before forcing a smile as I spotted Lara. Wait—was that Mark with her?
It was.
She rolled her eyes at him, his expression stoic. What's going on? It looked like an argument, but there was something different—something different. They seemed more comfortable now, almost... like a couple.
"Hi..." I said, standing before them, watching as Lara's eyes widened in shock.
"Oh. My. God. Is that really you, bitch?"
I laughed, nodding slowly, just before she tackled me with a bear hug. Over her shoulder, I noticed Mark frown slightly. What's his problem? Is he actually showing emotions?
"Hi," I said to Mark and he nodded.
"Well, hi, you," Lara said, stepping back to look me over as if she couldn't believe I was real. "Where have you been? I left you dozens of texts and calls, and you didn't respond to any of them."
"I know..." I replied. "I've been... busy."
"Busy with what?" she pressed.
I glanced back at the bodyguards lurking behind me like shadows. It wasn't Dad's order—it was Helia's. I kept quiet.
"You can't be serious?" Lara's voice was almost incredulous. "So it's true that you're..." She didn't finish the sentence.
"Sick?" I scoffed. "That's what the world believes now."
"Poor you. They must've been harsh on you, right?"
Harsh didn't even begin to describe it—the tortures, the drugs meant to break my mind and body. And the worst part? I couldn't do anything about it.
"It's okay," I said, forcing a small smile. "I'm going to be okay."
"What about your dad? Why isn't he doing anything? Ana, you look pathetic!"
Well, endless torment and mind-numbing drugs will do that to a person.
"How can you fight for justice for your mother if you don't take care of yourself?"
"I... uh... I'm gonna be fine. Seriously." I glanced back at my bodyguards, confirming they were still there. Of course, they were.
Lara sighed. "Now that you're here, I'll do my best to make you feel better." I nodded at her, grateful. She then eyed my bodyguards. "And who are these handsome men in black?"
Mark growled lowly at her comment, and Lara shot him a look. "Oh, stop glaring at me like you own me."
"Do I need to remind you how to behave around other men? Stop eyeing them like you want to fuck them."
"Maybe I do. They're hot!"
"You said the same about me. Besides, have you forgotten how obsessed you've been with my abs lately?"
"You're an asshole if you think that taking me to dinner, fucking me senseless, and doing these stupid little things to woo my heart is gonna work anymore. You gotta try harder, Monster."
"So, these little things do woo your heart?" he teased.
They never stopped bickering, and I found myself laughing—really laughing—for the first time in ages. I missed this: the normal, carefree life. With her. My old life. Maybe I even missed Mark, too. He was quieter, but it was always entertaining to watch them squabble, knowing they'd eventually fall in love.
And maybe... I missed him too. Enzo.
"Now leave us alone, caveman. I need to catch up with my girlfriend," Lara said.
Mark glared at her for a moment before finally nodding and walking away. But I couldn't stop myself from calling out to him. "Wait."
He stopped.
"Uhm... Have you heard from Enzo yet?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
He stared at me, his gaze intense, before giving a slow shake of his head. I sighed, the disappointment settling in.
"But he's safe, and he wants you to be happy," Mark added, his voice flat.
I frowned, suspicion creeping in. "Did he tell you to say that?"
This time, he didn't answer—he just turned and walked away, leaving me with more questions than answers.
"So, you and Mark are really together, huh?" I asked, shifting my attention back to Lara.
She pursed her lips, hesitating. "It's, uh... complicated."
I couldn't help but scoff. "When is it not with the Jonas brothers?"
We both laughed, the sound lightening the mood, but then I caught the mischievous glint in her eyes.
"So, do these hot men in black follow you everywhere—even to the bathroom?" she asked, her gaze flicking flirtatiously to one of them.
I chuckled. "Well, they do stand outside the door, just in case I need... assistance."
She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Want to test that theory?"
After class, we slipped into the washroom, leaving my bodyguards behind, effectively fooling them. Once inside, Lara and I made our way out through the window, heading toward our secret hideaway.
Just as we were about to escape fully, my phone buzzed with a notification.
A message.
Unknown: Did you think of me these days, Estrellita? Did you touch yourself thinking about me? Because I sure as hell did, fucking myself with my hand several times. And looking at you right now, I want to recreate those moments again. This time, I want you to beg.