"Hardin! Let me go!" she shouted, shoving at his chest. His body was hot—too hot, like he was burning alive.
"Hardin, what's wrong with you?"
He didn't answer. His pupils were blown wide, his breath ragged, animal-like. With a sudden growl, he yanked at her top, the fabric tearing apart in his fists.
Tessa's breath hitched, terror slamming into her chest. Before she could react, she felt a coldness on her nîpple.
Continuation....
"Hardin!!" Tessa shouted, her voice breaking with rage.
Her hand flew before she even thought—smack!—landing sharply across his face. She shoved him back, chest heaving, eyes blazing.
On the floor, she spotted a shirt, hastily throwing it over her bare torso, her own top in tatters from his reckless hands.
"What the fûck is wrong with you?" she snapped, trembling.
Before Hardin could answer, loud banging rattled the door. Tessa, heart pounding, snatched up a vase for defense. She yanked the door open—
"Ahhhh!" she screamed, nearly dropping the vase.
"Tessa?!" Cathryn gasped, just as startled.
"What the heck are you doing here?" Cathryn demanded, eyeing the broken scene.
"I—I came to deliver something," Tessa stammered.
"Hardin? Where is he?" Cathryn brushed past her and rushed toward the living room.
Tessa followed, only to find Hardin staggering, breath ragged, his body burning hot and sweat trickling down his temples.
"Hardin!" Cathryn dropped beside him.
"I don't know what's wrong with him. He's burning up—acting… strangely," Tessa said, voice uneven.
"Go. I'll take care of him." Cathryn snapped. But her sharp gaze flicked to the shredded fabric on the ground. "Wait—did he do anything to you?"
"He… he almost raped me," Tessa admitted bitterly.
Cathryn's jaw clenched. "Get out. Take your damn clothes with you."
"But don't you think he needs a hospital—"
"I said leave! I'll handle this." Cathryn cut her off.
"Tessa…" Hardin's low murmur made both girls freeze.
"Why the fûck are you calling her name now?" Cathryn spat, teeth gritted.
"...Take me to the bathroom," Hardin rasped, his voice husky, broken.
"I'll do it," Cathryn said quickly, reaching for him.
But Hardin's feverish hands clutched Tessa instead, clinging to her like she was the only anchor he had left. Ignoring Cathryn's fury, Tessa pulled him up and led him to the bathroom.
Cathryn's face twisted in rage, her skin flushed crimson as she hissed, "Tessa…" but they were already gone.
Inside, Hardin sank into the bathtub, turning on the cold water. Relief washed over him instantly, his heavy breathing evening out.
"Hardin, are you sure you're fine?" Tessa asked nervously.
"I don't think so," he muttered, voice low.
"Should I… take you to the hospital?"
"No. Just… stay with me. A little longer."
"But Cathryn is here. She can—"
"Tell her to leave." His voice was final.
"What?"
He only stared at her, unblinking, fever-bright eyes locked on her face.
"Stop staring at me like that," Tessa muttered, quickly leaving.
In the bedroom, Cathryn stood rigid. "You don't have to say anything. I heard him. I'm leaving."
Tessa bit her lip, uneasy, as she watched Cathryn storm out. God, I hope she's not too angry… this Hardin… argh. She sighed and went back inside.
"So… what do you want me to do?" she asked.
"Just sit," Hardin smirked weakly. "Sit and watch me so I don't die."
Tessa rolled her eyes. "Damn. Never thought I'd end up entangled with someone like you. You stress me out so much."
"Get me some clothes. From the wardrobe."
"What? So that's why you wanted me here? To play your slave?" she shot back.
Hardin only smirked again, though his strength was fading.
"You should get out. You'll catch a cold," she said.
"I can't. Not yet. The water's the only thing keeping me steady."
"Gosh, you're crazy." Tessa muttered, but she still went to grab the clothes.
A VILLA ✦
The room was quiet, save for the faint ticking of an antique clock. Nikolai's grandfather leaned heavily on his cane, his wrinkled eyes fixed on his grandson.
"Nikolai… I think you should leave New York City," the old man said gravely. "I warned you before—coming back here was a mistake. You know why you left. Your life is still in danger. If you care about yourself—and that girl, Tessa—you must walk away."
Nikolai's jaw tightened, anger flashing in his stormy eyes. "Grandfather, I'm not running away. Not again. Those people murdered my parents, and you forced me to France when I was nine—made me leave everything behind. But now I'm back, and I swear—I'll wipe them off the map."
His grandfather's hand trembled on the cane. "You think it was easy for me? I had to protect you. Those men would have killed you too. Your parents… they were tangled with them. Human traffickers." His voice cracked under the weight of old secrets.
Nikolai froze. "What?"
"They wanted out," the old man continued, eyes glistening. "Your father—he tried to stop it. He planned to report everything to the police, even if it meant exposing himself and your mother. But when those men found out…" His words trailed into a pained silence. "They silenced them. Forever."
Nikolai's throat went dry. His fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white. "Father and Mother… human traffickers?"
His grandfather's slow nod confirmed the truth.
The air grew heavy. Nikolai's eyes darkened, fury burning behind them. Without a word, he turned and strode toward the door.
"Nikolai!" his grandfather called, desperation lacing his voice.
But the young man didn't reply. The door slammed shut, leaving the old man alone in the silence of the villa.
ROCK GIRLS' PRIVATE CLASS ✦
Clatter!
"Arghhh! Fûck!" Cathryn snarled as she stormed into the classroom, flinging her chair across the floor.
"Cathryn—what's wrong? Calm down," Caroline asked, startled.
Cathryn's chest rose and fell rapidly, her eyes wild with fury. "It's that Tessa girl! I hate her. To think Hardin even knows her name—worse, he sent me out because of her. He chose her over me."
Caroline blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"Stop asking stupid questions! Can't you see I'm furious?" Cathryn snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.
Caroline raised her hands in surrender and sank back into her seat. "My bad."
Cathryn paced like a caged animal, her fists clenching. "Tessa… she's really pushing me to the wall. That bushy little nobody!"
"You need to calm down," Sabrina drawled from her desk, her lips curling into a sly smile. "Remember the plan. Soon enough, she'll be out of the picture for good."
Cathryn stopped pacing. Slowly, her lips twisted into a corky, dangerous smile. "True. She's already falling so easily into our trap…" She tilted her head back, staring into space with a glint of cruel satisfaction.
CAMPUS GROUND ✦
Thud!
"Shît!" Mulan muttered as her books scattered across the pavement. She rubbed her forehead, then looked up—only for her eyes to widen.
"Jordan…? Jordan from Crimson Kiss?!" Her voice shot up an octave, excitement bursting out. "Ahhh, I can't believe it's you! I'm so sorry for bumping into you—I was just… lost in thought."
Jordan gave a small, easy smile as he crouched down, gathering her books. "It's fine." He handed them back to her.
Mulan nearly dropped them again in shock. "Oh my God, thank you. I'm a huge fan—can I get your autograph? You can sign right here—on top of my book." She thrust a pen toward him eagerly.
Jordan took the pen but instead of signing, he scribbled something quickly, then handed the book back. A faint smirk played on his lips before he turned and walked away.
Mulan blinked down at the page. "Wait—what? Is this… his phone number? Or just some weird signature?" She spun around to ask, but Jordan was already too far, lost in the crowd.
Her jaw dropped. "Uhm… I think I'll just have to try it out. If this is his real number, damn—I'm so gonna faint." A giddy grin spread across her face.
She shook herself, remembering. "Now, where's this girl…? Don't tell me she's with the Rock Girls." She pulled out her phone and dialed Tessa's number. The call rang…and rang. No answer.
Mulan frowned. "Is she avoiding my calls now? Ugh. I hope she doesn't go astray. Being around Cathryn is seriously messing with her head." With a sigh, she tucked her phone back and walked off, worry clouding her expression.
HARDIN'S SUITE — EVENING ✦
It was past 9 p.m. The suite was quiet, save for the faint hum of the students outside.
Tessa, still in the bathroom, had dozed off sitting on the toilet seat. She woke to the gentle brush of a duvet being tucked around her. Hardin stood over her, his face unreadable in the dim light.
"Fûck—what's the time? It's already dark." Tessa shot up, blinking. "Where's my phone?"
"Stop asking so many questions," Hardin muttered.
"My phone," she repeated firmly.
With a sigh, she rushed into the living room, spotting her bag on the couch. She dug through it, pulling out her phone. "Shît—missed calls from Mum… and Mulan."
"I'll drive you to the mansion if you want," Hardin said casually, dangling his keys.
"No worries," Tessa answered quickly.
"Okay, good. That's a yes to me." He smirked, already heading for the door.
"I said no worries. I'll find my way," she snapped.
"Let's just go. You love acting stubborn."
"You're the stubborn one, not me!" she shot back.
Right then, her stomach growled loudly.
Hardin's brow arched. "Was that… your tummy?"
"Of course. I've been stuck with you for hours—I didn't even eat lunch."
He grinned. "Awwn. Such a caring girlfriend."
"Fûck you. I'm not your girlfriend. We're not even close to being friends. You're annoying. And a flirt."
"I can be a good guy, you know… if you want me to change." He winked.
"See? That's you flirting again. Disgusting."
Her stomach rumbled again.
Hardin slid the pizza box from the glass table toward her. "Here. Eat. If we drive, we'll stop at a restaurant too. Unless, of course, you'd rather just swallow me at this point."
Tessa rolled her eyes. "You owe me, you know that? For the pizza. And for wasting my entire day with you. Honestly, Hardin—you act like a damn psycho. You need to see a doctor. This isn't normal behavior."
His smirk softened into something almost serious. "I wasn't in control of myself. And… sorry. About earlier."
Tessa crossed her arms. "Say it again."
He frowned. "Huh?"
"Say. It. Again."
He groaned dramatically. "Fineeeeee. I'm sorry. Forgive me."
Her lips curved despite herself. "Good boy." She reached up, ruffling his hair.
"My hair! Don't touch my beautiful hair," he grumbled, trying to fix it.
Her stomach growled again, louder this time.
Hardin chuckled. "That tummy needs attention. Let's go."
This time, she didn't argue. Together, they left the suite, the air still charged with unspoken tension.
NEXT DAY — RICCO'S MANSION ✦
Tricia lounged on the couch, scrolling through her phone with an irritated expression. She and Don Ricco had arrived in New York the night before, but the sour look on her face hadn't lifted since.
"You're not going to sit there glued to that phone all day," Don Ricco said firmly. "Aren't you going to school?"
Tricia huffed. "Dad, you're not treating me fairly. I don't like it here. I want to go back to Italy—to my old school."
Ricco's sharp gaze didn't waver. "Life isn't fair, Tricia. Stop complaining. Go freshen up—the driver will take you to your new college. We're staying here until my mission is accomplished. End of discussion."
"Gawd! So frustrating," Tricia muttered under her breath as she stomped off, phone still in hand.
WHITE'S MANSION — KITCHEN ✦
The warm smell of breakfast filled the air. Mrs. White sliced vegetables at the counter while Tessa leaned against the table.
"Seems you and Hardin are getting along now," Mrs. White said casually. "You don't complain about him anymore."
Tessa almost choked. "Getting along? With someone as annoying as him? Impossible."
Her mother chuckled knowingly. "Hm. We'll see. Now, pass me the knife."
"Okay, Mum." Tessa handed it over, glancing at her phone. Her eyes widened.
"Shît! It's already ten. My class starts at 10:20!"
"Then hurry and get ready," Mrs. White said, waving her hand. "I'll finish up here."
"Thanks, Mum!" Tessa said, already sprinting out of the kitchen, her hair flying behind her.
CRESTVIEW COLLEGE ✦
A sleek black car halted at the front gates of Crestview College. The driver stepped out, opening the door for Tricia.
She slid her sunglasses down and scanned the campus with a critical eye. "Not so bad," she muttered, her lips curling into a half-smile.
As she walked past, students couldn't help but stare. Whispers rippled through the crowd.
Tricia stopped, glaring at them. "What? Stop staring like you've never seen a beautiful girl before," she snapped, her disgust obvious. "This school is a dump—but the people? Argh."
Meanwhile, at the other side of the gate, Tessa had just hopped out of a cab. She hurriedly paid the driver, clutching her books against her chest. "Shît, I'm late…" she muttered, rushing toward the main building.
Turning a corner too fast, she slammed directly into someone. Books scattered across the ground.
"Watch where you're—" Tricia started, then froze, her words dying in her throat.
Tessa looked up, equally stunned. Her breath caught as she stared into the face that mirrored her own—only framed by sleek blonde hair.
The world seemed to stop.
Both girls blinked in shock, their eyes locked.