Chapter: Confession & Chaos
Dee was up earlier than usual. Her body still ached, but she didn't need anyone's help—not her style. She moved around her kitchen, wincing slightly as she reached for the eggs. The silence in the house felt heavier than normal. Strange. Ayat hadn't called, and she hadn't replied to Dee's texts either.
That wasn't like her.
Dee sat by the kitchen table, waiting… staring at her phone like it owed her an explanation.
And then—
Tatto Song ringtone blaring.
Her heart jumped. She rushed to the table, hoping it was Ayat. But no. It was Duke.
She sighed. "Yes?" she answered flatly.
"Hey, Daphne! How are you feeling now?" Duke asked, sounding genuinely concerned.
"Much better," she replied quickly.
"You coming to the university?"
"Not today."
"Are your injuries worse? We could go to the doctor again if you want."
"No, no. I just need some more rest."
"Oh, alright. Don't worry about the lecture. I'll send you the notes."
"Thanks."
"Okay then, I've got to run. Take care."
"Bye."
Call ended. Dee stared blankly at the table.
Why hasn't Ayat called?
Is she mad at me too? But… it was their fault. Rayyan embarrassed me, and Ayat? She took his side. Of course she did. Why would she defend me? I'm the new one here. And Rayyan… he obviously likes her.
Her thoughts spiraled.
"Then why the hell does he make me feel like this?" she whispered to herself.
Tears welled up.
She stayed like that, still, lost in the emotional storm, until—
Sniff… "Oh crap!"
The smell of burnt egg snapped her back. She ran to the stove, turned off the fire, and dumped the blackened mess into the sink.
"Ugh. Why am I even thinking about him?"
She leaned on the counter.
"Why did he act like he cared? That night… the way he looked at me. Like I mattered. Like I was his. But then I saw him hugging Ayat like she was the only person who existed. Of course, he likes her. He always listens to her. He'll always choose her."
A sob escaped her lips.
"I thought leaving that place would change my life… but bad luck seems to follow me like a curse."
She dragged herself to her room. Standing in front of the mirror, she wiped her tears.
"Why are you so heartbroken when you didn't even love him?"
She froze.
Wait… what?
Her reflection had spoken. Not in the literal sense, but it felt real. It hit harder than anything else today.
She sat on her bed. Dee had always been like this—too sensitive, too observant. Always giving too much, expecting nothing, and still getting hurt.
She didn't even know what love was. Every time she tried to feel it, fear would grip her. What if it ends the same way?
Just like now.
A sharp knock on her heart, a whisper of rejection. All self-inflicted. That's the worst part—she was the one who hurt herself the most.
The phone rang again. She slowly walked to pick it up.
Rayyan.
She stared at it.
Her thumb hovered over the answer button… then hit decline.
Nope. She couldn't do it.
Not when she had too many questions and no strength to pretend.
A few minutes later, Ayat called.
"Oh wow. What's next? A game of 'who does Dee love more'?" she muttered, wiping her face.
But she answered.
"You're awake!" Ayat's voice chirped.
"Yeah, just now," Dee lied.
"Perfect. Then come open the door. Your breakfast's here!"
Dee wanted to say she wasn't in the mood, but instead said, "Okay. Wait a sec."
She dragged herself to the door and opened it. Ayat instantly hugged her.
"Ohh, Dee! I was so worried. I'm sorry I'm late."
"It's okay," Dee replied, pushing her away gently.
"Wait… are you mad at me?"
"No. Why would I be?"
"Dee, listen—"
"I'm hungry. Let's eat first," Dee cut her off and walked away.
Ayat served her in silence.
After a while, Ayat tried again.
"About university… if you don't want to go anymore, that's okay. We'll figure something out."
Dee paused. "What do you mean?"
"Like… if you don't want to study, that's okay too."
Dee's eyes narrowed. "Is this about Duke?"
Ayat hesitated. "No—"
"Please. The truth, Ayat."
"…Yes. I just… I don't trust him. I think he has some kind of motive."
Dee's tone turned cold. "Even if he does, I can handle it. It's me, not you, who should care."
Those words weren't just sharp—they were blades.
Ayat looked like she'd been slapped. "Fine. I won't talk about him. But… I care about you. I love you like my own sister, Dee."
Ayat started crying. Instantly, Dee's heart cracked.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it," Dee whispered, pulling her into a hug.
"I'm not who you think I am… I really do love you," Ayat sobbed.
"I know. I was just angry at Rayyan… and I took it out on you."
"If you're mad at him, I'll be mad at him too," Ayat said firmly. "You saved me. Gave me hope. If it wasn't for you… I might be dead. Or worse."
Dee wiped her tears. "Don't say that. That's all in the past."
They hugged again. And cried. For a full half hour.
After cleaning up her room, Ayat asked, "So… about the Bureau. Since you're here, will you go?"
Dee shook her head. "Not now. It's better in your hands."
"And… King? Any news?"
"Nothing. I don't even know if he's alive."
"I'm scared, Dee. What if we quit? Leave it all behind?"
"I can't. He gave me everything. This house, the bikes, the bureau… this life. It's his last wish."
"But… what if he wasn't the person you think he was?"
"Stop. He's family to me."
They dropped the topic.
---
1:00 PM — Bluster Café
"Hey Daphne," Duke called, "Got your notes. Wanna pick them up?"
"Sure."
"I'm at Bluster Café. Come meet me?"
"Yeah, okay."
"Ayat, can you drop me?" Dee asked.
"Of course."
They drove in silence.
As soon as Dee stepped out, Ayat tried to restart her car… but the key wouldn't turn. She looked up. Dee stood frozen by the café door.
And then Ayat saw it—a woman, mid-sip, unmoving.
Time… had stopped.
Ayat's eyes widened.
What the hell?!
She spotted Duke walking out. He placed his hand on Dee's head… then walked back inside.
Ayat ducked. Her mind raced.
She couldn't let Dee know. If Dee found out Duke had powers, she'd start asking questions—about everything. About Ayat. About Rayyan.
She quickly called Rayyan.
"Rayyan—you were right. Duke… he has powers. He froze time. I saw it with my own eyes!"
"WHAT?! I'll kill him if he touches her. I'm coming now."
"Wait—Rayyan—!"
Too late.
Rayyan stormed into the café, Ayat trailing behind.
Inside, they found Duke kneeling with a bouquet in his hand.
"Wait. Is he—?" Ayat asked.
Dee stood there in stunned silence.
Rayyan's fists clenched.
"I'm going to kill that bastard," he growled.
Duke smiled up at Dee, completely oblivious to the storm brewing behind him.
"Daphne," he said. "Will you be my girlfriend? I've loved you since the first day of class. And when I saw you fight for that girl… when I saw you in pain… I couldn't take it anymore."
Dee still said nothing.
And Rayyan?
He was a ticking bomb.
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