Kate POV:
The stage shimmered under the golden lights, every beam dancing across the runway like scattered stars. The crowd's hum filled the air laughter, whispers, the soft tune of background music that matched the rhythm of every confident step on the stage.
It was finally time. The Model Walk.
I stood among the line of participants, the air thick with excitement and nerves. My hands trembled slightly, so I smoothed down my gown an off-white silk that draped like water and caught every light. Kevin stood beside me, matching in an ivory suit that fit him perfectly. His hair was brushed back but rebelliously fell over his forehead, making him look effortlessly perfect.
When the announcer called our names, I felt my heart stop.
We walked forward together in rhythm. The crowd gasped, then erupted into cheers. Flashlights flickered like a thousand tiny stars. His hand brushed mine accidentally or maybe not and the touch sent a spark through me.
I stole a glance at him. Kevin's lips curled into that confident, teasing smile that always made my heartbeat stutter. He was calm, composed, like he'd been born for moments like this. I, on the other hand, felt my pulse racing.
But when his gaze met mine again, something changed. My nerves disappeared. Suddenly, it wasn't about walking on a runway it was about walking with him.
Every step felt deliberate. Every look carried meaning. When we reached the end of the runway, Kevin turned to me and extended his hand. I hesitated for a breath — then placed mine in his. The warmth of his palm steadied me. Together, we turned and walked back as if we'd choreographed this moment for years.
Applause echoed. Cameras clicked.
When we stepped off stage, people swarmed around us friends, strangers handing flowers, cards, and boxes tied with ribbons. My cheeks hurt from smiling, but deep down, I didn't mind.
After a while, I slipped away to my room, exhausted but glowing.
The mirror reflected someone who looked happy. I changed into a black pearl-lined dress elegant yet simple and let my hair down. As I bent to fix my heels, I heard footsteps behind me.
"Kevin?" I asked.
He leaned on the door frame, hands behind his back, that soft smile playing on his lips. "You look beautiful," he said simply.
"Thank you," I replied, glancing at his reflection. "You look" I smiled faintly "like trouble."
He laughed softly. "Good trouble, I hope."
Then he brought out a small golden box. "For you."
My brows furrowed. "What is it?"
"Open it and see."
Inside was a delicate silver necklace with a small bow pendant.
"It's beautiful," I whispered.
"Turn around," he said.
I obeyed. His fingers brushed my skin as he clasped the chain around my neck. My breath hitched at the contact. Our eyes met in the mirror his warm, steady; mine uncertain but drawn.
"You don't have to thank me," he murmured. "You deserve it."
Before I could respond, a knock came at the door. Michael stood there with a grin and another gift box.
"For you," he said.
Another necklace. The same design.
"Oh," I said softly, smiling awkwardly. "Thank you, Michael."
His gaze flicked to the one Kevin had given me. His smile faded. "They're identical."
"Yes," I said gently, "but I like both."
I excused myself quickly, escaping into the hallway. My thoughts were a storm. Why did things always get complicated?
I found David near the buffet, laughing with friends. "Hey, superstar!" he said. "You and Kevin just made the whole event look like a movie scene."
I chuckled. "You're exaggerating."
He leaned closer. "Be honest do you like him?"
The question froze me. For a second, I forgot how to breathe. My fingers brushed the necklace. "Maybe," I admitted softly.
He gasped dramatically. "Finally! Kevin's going to lose his mind!"
I swatted his arm. "Shut up, David!"
Before he could tease more, Kevin appeared with two drinks. "There you are," he said, handing me one.
"Sorry," I said. "Crowds overwhelm me."
He nodded. "You handled the runway better than anyone tonight."
His compliment made me blush. "You think so?"
"I know so."
For a second, our eyes locked again. That same quiet electricity returned.
Later that night, as I walked back to my room, my phone buzzed — Kalix.
"Hey, brother," I answered softly.
"Just checking in," he said. "There'll be some papers to sign soon. Don't stress. You'll understand later."
"Papers?" I asked, confused.
"You'll see. Love you, sis."
The call ended. I sighed and entered my room — and froze.
A note lay on the bed: "You will be killed."
My heart stopped. I tried to laugh it off, but when I stepped into the kitchen, everything was chaos — dishes smashed, bottles broken.
"Hello?" I called shakily.
A noise behind me — and then, darkness.
Kevin POV:
Ten minutes had passed since Kate left. Then twenty.
She hadn't come back.
A strange worry clawed at my chest. I searched through the crowd, asking everyone David, Mike , and Alex. No one had seen her.
Then Sasha appeared. "Looking for me?" she said, smiling in that fake-sweet way.
"No," I snapped. "I'm looking for Kate."
Her smirk faded. "Still obsessed with her?"
"Still done with you," I shot back.
My phone rang before she could reply. Unknown number.
"If you want your girlfriend," a distorted voice said, "come to the back of the beach."
My blood froze. I loosen my tie,took off my coat and ran as fast as I could
The night wind sliced through me as I sprinted across the sand until I reached the small storeroom near the pier. I heard faint sounds muffled cries. My heart pounded as I broke the lock and rushed inside.
Kate was tied to a chair, her eyes wide with terror.
"Kevin!" she cried. "Go! Please"
"Not without you."
I untied her wrists, but she screamed suddenly, "Behind you!"
I turned and pain exploded in my skull.
Through the haze, I heard laughter. "Welcome back, my love," a voice said.
Michael.
"You?" I gasped, staggering to my knees.
He grinned. "You took her from me. Now I'll take everything from you."
He swung a bat, hitting me again and again until stars danced in my vision.
Kate screamed his name and fought her ropes until one snapped. She grabbed a metal rod and struck him across the head. He fell, unconscious.
She rushed to me, shaking. "Kevin! Please, wake up!"
I groaned, forcing myself up. "I'm fine. Let's get out of here."
We stumbled into the night, both breathless and bleeding.
"Are you hurt?" I asked.
"Just a scratch," she said, even as blood trickled down her knee.
Without thinking, I lifted her into my arms.
"Kevin, put me down!"
"No."
"Kevin!"
"If you don't stop," I murmured, my voice low, "I'll kiss you."
She froze, wide-eyed.
When we finally stopped walking, she whispered, "Finally, you stopped."
I smiled faintly. "Did I?"
Then I kissed her soft, slow, everything I'd never said.
When I pulled away, she just stared at me lips parted, cheeks flushed.
I gave her a teasing smile and walked away when I turned back she grabbed my ears
"you asshole" she said with all her anger
"okay I am sorry",I answered back
Kate POV:
The room was silent too silent. The soft hum of the air conditioner was the only sound keeping me from drowning in my thoughts.
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the half-open drawer. Something inside it gleamed under the dim light. I hesitated, then slowly reached in and pulled it out.
The necklace.
The same one Michael had given me. The same one that almost ruined everything.
My chest tightened. I ran my fingers over the bow-shaped pendant its silver edges catching the light. It used to feel beautiful, but now it only carried a weight I couldn't name. Memories I didn't want to keep.
I glanced at Kevin's jacket hanging by the chair. Just looking at it made guilt rise in my throat.
"I can't keep this anymore," I whispered.
I stood up, grabbed my coat, and headed outside.
The night was cool and smelled faintly of salt and wet sand. The moon hung low, scattering light across the waves.
I walked down the small wooden path leading to the shore, the necklace clenched tight in my palm. The ocean whispered against the rocks, as if listening.
For a moment, I froze my reflection trembling in the water.
Then I took a deep breath. "Goodbye," I said quietly and threw the necklace into the sea.
It hit the surface, flashed once, and vanished beneath the rippling waves.
I watched until the circles faded, until all I saw was my own reflection again \ alone, but lighter somehow.
When I came back to the house, the lights in the living room were dim.
And there he was.
Kevin.
Lying on the sofa, one arm hanging over the side, hair messy, shirt slightly un tucked. His breathing was slow, calm but his face still looked tired. Even in his sleep, he looked handsome.
I walked closer, my eyes catching the faint bruises on his hands. The dried blood had crusted along his knuckles. My heart twisted painfully.
"You idiot," I murmured softly. "You can't even take care of yourself."
I fetched the first-aid kit quietly from the shelf and sat down beside him. The soft glow from the table lamp brushed over his face.
I opened the kit, took a cotton pad, and dabbed a bit of antiseptic on it. But as soon as it touched his skin, Kevin flinched, his brows furrowing.
"Sorry," I whispered immediately, biting my lip. His expression softened again, like he was slipping back into a dream.
I frowned at the sting in my own chest. Instead of the spirit, I filled a bowl with warm water, gently soaking a clean cloth in it.
I wrung it out and carefully began wiping his hand slow, careful strokes. The dried blood faded, revealing faint red scars underneath. I blew softly on the bruised skin, hoping it'd ease the sting.
"Always saving me," I whispered. "And I'm always hurting you."
I didn't even realize I was smiling a little.
After finishing, I placed the kit aside and adjusted the pillow under his head. He stirred slightly but didn't wake.
"Kevin," I said softly, shaking him a bit. "Hey, you should sleep on the bed. You'll catch a cold here."
No response.
I sighed, leaned closer. "Kevin," I whispered again.
He didn't move.
Just as I turned away, I caught a flicker his lips twitching, his eyes squeezing shut like a kid pretending to sleep.
I narrowed my eyes. "Really?" I said, crossing my arms.
Still nothing. Not a sound.
But the corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.
A fake sleeper.
I bent down closer to his ear. "Fine," I said quietly. "Stay there and freeze. Maybe I should go check on Michael"
His eyes snapped open instantly.
"Aha!" I said, stepping back and pointing at him triumphantly. "Knew it!"
He sat up quickly, trying to play it cool. "I... I wasn't asleep," he said, running a hand through his messy hair.
"Oh, really?" I teased. "Because I just saw your dream version pretending to snore."
He looked at me with that half-smirk, half-flustered look that made my stomach flutter. "Maybe I was dreaming about you scolding me," he said.
I rolled my eyes, trying not to laugh. "You need sleep, not sarcasm."
He leaned back, resting his head on the sofa again. "Then stay here till I sleep."
My heart skipped. "What?"
"You're already here," he murmured, eyes closing again. "It's peaceful when you're around."
For a moment, I just stood there, watching him the slow rise and fall of his chest, the soft calm on his face.
"Fine," I said quietly, sitting beside him. "But just for a while."
The house was silent again, except for the soft rhythm of the waves outside. I sat there, watching Kevin's hand the one I'd cleaned now resting against the couch, faintly trembling as if even in sleep, he couldn't fully let go.
I wanted to reach out, to hold it, to tell him everything about the necklace, about Michael, about the fear that still haunted me.
But instead, I whispered, "Thank you… for always finding me, even when I'm lost."
He didn't answer at least not with words. But a faint smile curved on his lips.
Maybe he heard me. Maybe he didn't.
But for the first time in a long while, I felt safe.
after awhile my eyes were almost closed when Kevin tapped on the sofa where
there was plenty of space I knew what he was saying so without hesitation I ran to
room brought my blanket and slept next to him.