It had been four months since Alena joined the art school. Her life, once clouded by fear and scars, had begun to blossom with colors she never thought she would see again. The nightmares still came, but they were softer now, drowned out by the chatter of her new friends and the rhythm of brushes against canvas. Slowly, carefully, her past was being buried under the fresh strokes of a new beginning.
"Hey, Alena!"
A familiar voice called from the school gates. Jack waved both hands dramatically, grinning widely.
Alena's smile bloomed instantly. "Hey, Jack!"
The boy ran over and slapped her palm in a playful high five. "Tell me you didn't actually finish the assignment Professor Novak gave last week."
Alena's eyes lit up. "I did!" she said proudly.
Jack's jaw dropped. "What?!" He pressed a hand against his chest like he had just taken an arrow to the heart. "Do you even sleep, woman? That assignment nearly killed me."
Alena chuckled, shaking her head. "I didn't find it that difficult."
Jack groaned, stumbling dramatically to the side. "This is unfair. Absolutely unfair. The art gods are biased."
Alena laughed softly. "Stop being dramatic."
"Drama is my coping mechanism. I can't help." He smirked, then glanced around. "Where's Jessi?"
"She must be on the way," Alena replied.
Right on cue, a voice called from behind them. "Hey, guys!"
They turned to see Jessi running towards them, breathless but smiling.
"Finally," Jack said. "Where on earth was your phone? I called you, like, a hundred times."
Jessi winced. "Sorry! It was on silent."
"Of course. Why do you even keep it? throw away." Jack rolled his eyes,
Jessi slapped his arms. Then Jack leaned closer. "Did you finish the assignment?"
Jessi pressed her lips together, guilty. "I tried… it was really hard."
Jack pointed at Alena with a dramatic sigh. "It was right? And this genius right here found it easy. Already finished."
Jessi's eyes widened. "Really, Alena?"
Alena shrugged shyly, heat rushing to her cheeks.
Jack leaned back smugly. "Now I fully understand how you got that full scholarship from Mrs. Novak."
"Stop it," Alena muttered, her face turning redder. "You're making me flustered."
Both Jack and Jessi laughed, and Jessi looped her arms through theirs. "Let's get to class before Professor eats us alive," Jessi said.
The three of them walked in, laughter trailing behind like sunlight.
Evening
Kieran was parked outside the art school, his sleek car catching the attention of more than a few passersby. He had been on his way back from a meeting when he decided to stop by and pick Alena up himself. The guard had been informed, and now he sat behind the wheel, waiting.
He couldn't call her; she doesn't even have a mobile phone. He shook his head at the thought, fingers tapping the steering wheel. And then he saw her.
Three figures emerged from the building, their laughter carrying faintly through the evening air. Alena walked between Jack and Jessi, her smile radiant, her arms full of sketchbooks.
For a moment, Kieran froze. He remembered her from a year ago, the broken girl he had found in that filthy building, eyes hollow and voice barely had any emotion. Their first meeting. The way she looked back then. The horrible incident that broke her completely. That night had carved itself into his memory. But now? This was a different Alena. A girl who laughed freely, who had hope in her eyes, who had started chasing dreams again.
His chest warmed… his lips formed a faint smile to see her happy, living again, until his gaze fell on Jack's arm slung casually across her shoulders.
Kieran's eyes sharpened. His grip on the steering wheel turned white-knuckled, a dark heat rising in his veins. Something sharp and ugly coiled in his chest, something he didn't want to name. For some unknown reason, he didn't like it.
He was out of the car before he even realized it, leaning against the hood with an expression carved from stone.
Alena spotted him first. Her whole face lit up, and she waved enthusiastically. "Hey!" she called, waving both her hands. She came running toward him.
Jack and Jessi exchanged a glance, following her with confused steps.
"You came today?" Alena asked, smiling as she stopped in front of him.
Kieran's eyes flicked to her, softening, then shifted to Jack with a look that could have cut steel.
Jack froze mid-step, recognition dawning, eyes wide. "Kieran Moretti?" His voice cracked in disbelief.
Alena blinked at him. "You know him?"
Jack nearly tripped over his own words. "Know him? He's..., he's one of the most influential men in Montressa! I can't believe this, I'm seeing you in person, sir. This is insane."
Jessi quickly added, "Hello, sir."
She turned to Alena, stunned. "How do you know him?"
Kieran's lips curved faintly. Without warning, he slid his arm around Alena's waist, pulling her flush against his side. His voice was steady, sharp enough to cut glass.
"She's my girl."
Alena's head whipped toward him, eyes wide. "What—?"
Jessi and Jack stood frozen, mouths wide open.
Kieran ignored their shock, extending a hand to Jessi. "And you are?"
"J-Jessi," she stammered.
His grip was firm but polite. Then Jack stepped forward eagerly. "I'm Jack. Pleasure to meet you, sir."
Kieran took his hand but tightened his hold, squeezing just enough to make Jack yelp in pain. "Pleasure to meet you, Jack," he said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Jack tried to hide the wince, but the message was sent clearly.
"You're friends with Alena?" Kieran asked smoothly.
They both nodded quickly.
Kieran's smirk deepened. "Good. But remember, I was her first best friend. And still I'm."
Alena shot him a look, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "What are you saying..?" she hissed under her breath.
"Isn't that true, crybaby?" he added, ruffling her hair before she could dodge.
Her eyes widened, mortified. "Why would you—" She glanced at her friends, who looked half-shocked, half-entertained, half-embarrassed. She gave them a sheepish smile.
Kieran chuckled, utterly unbothered. "Since your class is over, why don't we all hang out somewhere?"
Jack and Jessi exchanged a glance. Saying no to Kieran Moretti wasn't exactly a good option.
A few minutes later, they were seated in one of Montressa's finest restaurants, at big glass tables, in comfortable seats, a jazz music humming in the background, waiters moving around with precision.
Jack and Jessi looked like they'd fallen into another world.
Throughout the meal, Kieran remained effortlessly charming, ordering the best dishes and ensuring Alena's plate was always filled. Jack tried to keep up with the conversation, but his eyes kept darting between Alena and Kieran, confusion clouding his expression. Jessi whispered now and then, clearly overwhelmed by the luxury.
By the end of the evening, both of them were nearly speechless. They thanked Alena politely and excused themselves, still in awe of the man they'd just dined with.
Once they bid their goodbye, Alena turned slowly to Kieran, narrowing her eyes. "What was that?"
He lifted a brow, feigning innocence. "What was what?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." Her voice rose slightly. "You practically declared ownership of me in front of my friends, you called me a crybaby in public, and you nearly broke Jack's hand!"
Kieran's lips twitched. "Did I?"
"Yes!" she huffed.
He said, smirking. "Maybe I did. Maybe I just don't like seeing other people's hands on you."
She looked him her world-famous glare, yet butterflies were bubbling in her chest.
"Mm," he hummed, amused. "And you're still glaring at me. Stop that, crybaby. It won't work on me."
Her glare deepened.
Kieran laughed under his breath, moving towards the car. "Come. Let's go home."
He caught her wrist gently and guided her toward the car.
Alena sulked the entire drive, cheeks puffed in irritation, while Kieran's laughter echoed, teasing her at every turn.
The car hummed softly along the quiet road, city lights slowly fading into the countryside. Alena leaned her head against the window, sulking quietly, while Kieran stole glances at her now and then, amused by her pout.
Halfway through, he suddenly pulled the car over near a small shop. Alena blinked in confusion. "Why are we stopping?"
Without answering, Kieran got out and disappeared inside. A few minutes later, he returned with a neat little box in his hand. He slipped back into the driver's seat, placed the box on her lap, and started the car again.
Alena looked down, puzzled. "What is this?"
"Open it," Kieran said casually, eyes fixed on the road.
Her fingers fumbled with the box until she lifted the lid, and froze. A sleek, brand-new mobile phone kept inside, gleaming under the dim car light. Her eyes widened, lips parting in surprise. "Kieran… this is—"
He finally glanced at her, the corner of his lips raising upward. "Keep it. You need it. When you disappear with your little art gang, how am I supposed to contact you?"
Alena smiled despite herself, her chest warming. "You didn't have to… this is too much." Her voice softened, hesitant. "I already feel like I'm burdening you enough—"
Before she could finish, Kieran's hand left the wheel for a split second and lightly smacked the top of her head.
"Hey!" she gasped, scandalized, rubbing the spot.
"Don't talk nonsense," he teased, ruffling her hair until it was a tangled mess. "You think a tiny thing like you could ever be a burden to me?"
Alena looked at him for a second and smiled, trying to fix her hair but failing as Kieran kept messing it up on purpose. Her pout returned, though her cheeks glowed pink.
Kieran smiled at her, eyes gleaming with mischief. "There, much better hairstyle. Suits you, crybaby style."
"Kieran!" she protested, half-annoyed, half-laughing, while he only chuckled, clearly pleased with himself.
By the time they reached the farmhouse, her sulk had melted into quiet happiness, the new phone clutched protectively in her hands like a treasure.
And though she wouldn't admit it, her heart beat just a little faster every time he looked at her, messed with her, teased her.