Chapter 10 The Calm Before The Collision

Morning came too fast.

Elara woke up to a pounding headache and an ache in her chest she couldn't quite name. She hadn't slept much.Maybe not at all Not really. Her body had laid still for hours.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw headlines. Heard Jade's voice. Felt Adrian's words linger at the back of her mind.

Her phone sat untouched on the nightstand. Silent.

Then she felt it.

The weight.

The lingering tension from the night before curled up somewhere between her collarbone and her ribs, tight and quiet. She sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and reached for her phone.

No new messages.

No calls.

Sighing,she dropped it back.

Maybe I should just stay home.she thought and let the day pass quietly. Let the scandal fade without me.

But still,doing nothing felt worse.

She took a breath, and tried motivating herself

"Elara,you can do this,this is nothing compared to what you've had to face, remember...and besides they don't even know it's you anyways.

And with that, she stood up to go take her bath.

As soon as she got up her phone buzzed, and her heart jumped.

It was a message.

Mum:

Be careful. Don't make any mistake by letting them see your face. Don't ruin everything I've worked for.

The words stung. Like a slap through the screen.

Not how are you?

Not are you okay?

Just another reminder that she was nothing but a pawn.

Her chest tightened. She pressed her lips together, forcing the tears back. But the tears came anyway.

Just one.

Maybe two.

She wiped them fast, before they could dry.

They don't deserve my tears.

Elara dropped the phone on the mattress and rubbed her eyes, her fingers catching on the tear-stained lashes.

There was a knock. Genevieve entered with a silver breakfast tray, eyes soft and unreadable.

Genevieve's voice, gentle as always. "Breakfast is ready, ma'am."

Elara hesitated. Then: "I'm not hungry

"You didn't eat yesterday," she said gently.

Elara sighed."It's fine Genevieve , I'm not hungry."

Okay.

But if you change your mind, It'll be here.With that she dropped the tray on the table in the room and added,

"Cain is downstairs. He says he'll be ready when you are."

Elara could only smile.Thank you.

She nodded, then turned to leave.

The door shut quietly behind her.

She in turn turned towards the bathroom.

After a shower and a fresh change of clothes, she pulled her hair back tightly, and left the room to the car and before anyone could stop her.

Outside, Cain was already by the car.Expression unreadable -as always.

He opened the door without a word, and Elara nodded her thanks as she slid in. The ride into the city was quiet, something she was grateful for.The only sound was the hum of the engine and the occasional turn signal. But Cain didn't press her.

Then her mind went back to the article.She wondered if it's still up.She opened her browser. Out of curiosity-or dread-she searched again for the leaked article about her marriage.

Nothing.

She tried again. Still nothing.

Gone. Every trace. She even tries incognito mode, but... nothing.

She frowned, biting her lip, and shot Adrian a message:

Elara: Did you remove the article?

The reply came in after a minute.

Adrian:I said I'd protect you.

That makes her stop breathing for a second.

She didn't know why.

But...

Her thumb hovered over the reply button, then slowly pulled back. She didn't respond.

Not because she didn't want to.

But because she didn't know what to say.

She slid the phone into the seat beside her.

---

An Hour Later – In the Car

A message popped up and it's from Adrian.

A message.

Adrian:

Genevieve said you skipped breakfast again.Eat something, Elara or don't. I'm not your doctor.Just... don't pass out on Cain's watch. He gets dramatic.

She stared at it.Her mind blank.

That was... oddly specific.

Her thumb hovered over the screen.

Was that... concern?

She couldn't tell.

It didn't sound like him - or maybe it did. She didn't know which version of Adrian Wolfe was the real one yet. The one who said " he'll protect her."or the one who doesn't give two fucks about her .

Still, her lips twitched slightly. Not quite a smile. Just a flicker of something small.

Just as she was about replying ,the screech of brakes jerked her forward in her seat.

And the cause of it was,

A motorcycle.

Too fast.

Cain cursed, hitting the brakes.He cursed under his breath and hit the horn.

Beep,beep

The motorcycle had cut across their lane, nearly colliding with the SUV.

Elara's heart leapt to her throat. The bike narrowly avoided the car, spinning slightly before stopping just ahead.

Cain jumped out. "Are you insane?!"

You almost hit us.

The rider, a tall man in a black helmet and ripped jeans, slid off the bike and removed his helmet slowly. He had tousled Messy black hair, sharp cheekbones, and an annoyingly calm expression.

"Sorry," he said, not sounding sorry at all. "Didn't see you there."

He was young.Maybe her age but his eyes held an older kind of mischief. He dusted off his jacket and shrugged.

"You've got to watch where you move this big tank to."

Cain took a threatening step forward. "What did you say?"

Elara stepped out, heart still racing. "Cain. Let it go."

The boy glanced at her, his eyes locking with hers. Something unreadable flickered there.

"I'm fine," he added, smirking. "Your driver's just got an anger issue."

"And you have a death wish," she muttered.

He grinned. "At least no one got injured."

She rolled her eyes and got back in the car.

Cain, it's fine. Let's go."

Cain hesitated, then backed away with a glare.

The guy tossed Elara a wink as they drove past. She rolled her eyes.

"What a jerk," she muttered.

-

The car pulled into the curb outside the acting academy.,Cain adjusted the mirror.

"You sure about this, ma'am?"

She nodded. "It's just school."

"Right," he muttered

He came down from the car to open the door for her but Elara beat him to it.

She muttered a thank you then walked towards the academy entrance.

She walked through the hallways then into her classroom.

The classroom was so lively and noisy but when Jade saw her,her voice rang above them all.

"Wow. Brave of you to show your face," Jade said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I guess some people don't know when they're done."

Elara ignored her and took her seat beside Cat.

Cat replied to her instead."Oh, still bitter she was better at acting than you?"

Woaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah .The whole class went wild instantly

Student 2: Sick.

Student 3:Cat ,I didn't know you could deliver such a blow like this.

They all looked at Jade hoping for her to react.

But Jade didn't say a word.She could only hiss.

"You okay?" Cat turned to Elara.You look tired.

Elara gave a small nod. "Just peachy."

Thanks for having my back and never would I have thought I'd see Jade quiet down without a fight.

Cat smiled, It's nothing.I know her type.I'm used to dealing with her type back in Chicago .

Suddenly the room quieted as the teacher walked in.

The teacher enters. "Class, we've got a new transfer student."

Someone mutters at the front seat, "Two new students back to back? What's going on this week ?."

A question directed to nobody in particular.

Come in.The teacher said gestures towards the door.

And then "It was like someone had opened a magazine and he'd walked straight out of it. The girls looked breathless. Jade adjusted her hair. Even Cat leaned forward a little.

Elara felt her stomach drop.

No. Freaking. Way.

The same motorcycle guy. Black leather jacket.Same tousled black hair. Same Confidence.

He looked even taller now, framed by the doorway like a scene from a movie.

This is Andrey Smith.Introduce yourself Andrey.

HI,I'm Andrey and it's nice to meet y'all.Hope we get along.

The whole class applauded.

Every girl in the room was practically ogling him.

Even Jade straightened in her seat.

Except Elara. She just rolled her eyes.

He scans the room. His gaze lands on her.

Recognition.

A flash of amusement in his eyes. And a little surprise.

A smirk tugged at his lips.

Go take a seat ,The teacher told him.

He walked in and took the only empty seat. Right behind her.

She mutters under her breath, face showing nothing but disgust "Of course it's this jerk again."

He leans forward slightly, voice low, "Small world, huh?"

Cat leaned in, stunned. "Do you know him?"

and with the look on your face I'd take it as you know him.She said chuckling.

Your boyfriend perhaps?She asked, nudging and wagging her eyebrows at Elara.

"Eww ,No."

it's not like that ".We almost crashed into him on the way here, Elara gritted out. "He's Soo annoying."

As if on cue, he leaned forward, voice low enough for only her to hear.

"Didn't catch your name, Peaches."

She stiffened. "Good. I wasn't offering it."

He chuckled under his breath. "This is going to be fun."

She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly.

Can this week get any worse?

And just when she thought she'd seen it all,Andrey proved h.