Chapter 5 0005

It was 7:15, and I was still nervous. Who called me? What did they want? Was it Sultan... or just another headache?

I stood staring at my wardrobe, remembering when Sultan took me shopping so I could "fit in" immediately. My hand reached for the blue dress-and before I knew it, I was already heading to the cafeteria.

It was 7:50 p.m., but I couldn't see anyone. Then, suddenly, a hand grabbed me. Without hesitation, the person leaned in for a kiss-then another. It was the kind of kiss that brought back memories. I wanted to fight, but my body betrayed me.

I had missed the taste of those lips.

Matteo.

I was shocked.

But he didn't stop. He kept kissing me with passion, holding me tightly by the waist.

"I dare you to say you didn't miss me," he whispered.

I didn't fight back-I kissed him. But then I remembered my parents' death and my mission. I pulled away.

This was just a game. He was playing along with his mother, and I couldn't fall for it. Yet... in his eyes, I saw sincerity. And that confused me.

"I'm sorry," he said, adjusting his hair.

But he'd woken something in me I had buried long ago-the feeling of love. Still, I wasn't stupid enough to let it consume me.

"Why did you call me?" I asked, trying to forget what just happened.

"Zara, please-for your safety, please leave," he said, his voice urgent.

But I wasn't safe anywhere.

"No," I said firmly, locking eyes with him. His were filled with fear.

"Are you afraid of your little girlfriend?" I teased.

He hesitated.

"Don't worry. Tell her I'm not a threat. I won't bother her," I added, preparing to walk away.

"N-No... it's not her. And she's not my girlfriend-it's my mom," he finally admitted.

His mom.

And Matteo was never the type to show fear.

But I saw it.

"What about your mom?" I asked, teasing, though I knew exactly what she was planning.

"Zara, my hands are tied when it comes to my parents. You have to go. I can't protect you," he said.

And that pissed me off.

"You never protected me," I snapped. "I struggled in school, out of school. What did you choose to do? Ghost me! You were somewhere sipping cocktails while my family turned into a bloodbath!"

"You think I never did anything?" he shouted back. "For your information, I warned your parents about the attack, but they didn't listen! I defied my parents when I warned your uncle. And here I am again-defying them for you!"

He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing injuries.

"Touch them, Zara!" he ordered.

"What happened?" I asked softly.

"These-these were from the night I tried to protect you against my father... the night you crawled away. I refused to give up your location," he said, his voice cracking.

Tears filled his eyes-and mine.

I had hated him for so long, thinking he abandoned me. Never once imagining the boy who once stood up for me had been forced to hide... because of a command.

"What do you have to say, Zara?" he asked, buttoning his shirt again, scanning the area.

"I... I didn't know. But why couldn't you write or call me?" I asked, desperate for answers.

"My parents banned me from contacting you. They blocked my phone and killed every guard I sent to you. For everyone's safety, I chose to go numb," he said.

A tear fell down my cheek.

I wanted to hug him. I really did. But his words didn't change the fact that his parents were the reason I was homeless... and orphaned.

So I ran.

I burst into the dorm, ignoring Agatha's knocks on the bathroom door.

"Are you okay?" she kept asking, but I wasn't in the mood. I wanted to drown in my sorrow and pray for the day things would finally get better.

Then my phone buzzed.

Not a smart move. Don't show weakness. Your eyes should always stay on the mission. You're here for information, not love. I'll send your pocket money tomorrow. Go change your hair-and I didn't like that blue dress.

Sultan.

He bought me the phone. He had my number. But how did he know about the dress? Or the encounter?

Who was watching me?

Who was his mystery informant?

I had no one to ask. But his message snapped me back to reality.

I wasn't here for love. I was here for revenge. And every Castelio would pay.

But I was conflicted about Matteo.

That night was the Disqualification Dance again-held every week, where those who didn't make the cut would be expelled, leaving behind only regular and competition students.

I had to pass. I had to stay-for revenge.

The crowd this time was bigger. Not just the judges, but students and even those eliminated in the first round.

I danced with everything I had allowing my body to be controlled my the music.

'The heart does go on ' was the music that kept me alive, kept me going and comforted my hear, I had replayed it severally and today I chosed to dance it off and show it's rhythm with my body

And when I finished, the applause was deafening. It reminded me of my golden days... before the Castelios ruined everything.

As I walked out, I saw him.

Castelio himself followed by his usual men. He never came to school, which meant something was about to happen.

And as Sultan's little spy, I had to follow him.

Even if getting caught meant death.