Ellen's Point of View
Even though the mystery woman makes me overthink everything, the message I got earlier in
my phone still burns on the back of my mind.
You play dangerous games for someone who doesn't know the rules.
At this point, I am desperate for answers and more information.
Why did you text me?
What do you want?
How did you get my number?
I texted these back as a reply as I'm confused as to why Professor Martinelli wants anything
from me.
I toss my phone aside and bury my face in my pillow, but it doesn't help. I can still hear the
words echoing in my head like a taunt.
Too many things happening at the same time and I fear I can't keep up. I'm tired of being afraid.
Of being talked about. Of feeling like the weak one in my own story.
Today, I'm going to end that.
I throw on a pair of jeans and a cream top, tugging a blazer over it. It feels bolder than I
intended. Maybe it's the color, or maybe it's because I am meant to stay at home for a while but
I am currently defying orders again.
My father's car is gone from the compound, which means I have time.
Perfect.
The gate creaks open as I slip out. The air smells faintly of exhaust. A fresh morning, and yet
the whole city feels like it's watching me.
The moment I step onto campus, the whispers begin.
They don't even try to hide it anymore.
Groups of students lean into each other, voices dropping, eyes darting in my direction. My name
floats through the air like a bad headline.
That's her.
The lecturer's girl.
She got her grades sleeping around.
The words sting sharper than I expect.
I force myself to keep walking.
Head up. Eyes forward. Don't give them the satisfaction.
I'm used to students not liking me because they feel I have a special treatment as my father is a
professor here but this level of rumors feels different now that it has a new direction.
Sophia's voice cuts through the noise like thunder.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, will you all shut up already!"
Everyone freezes.
She's standing a few seats away in the lecture hall, bright hair catching the light, fury written
across her face. Marlon is seated beside her, arms crossed, pretending to be bored but
watching everyone like a hawk.
When she spots me, Sophia's expression softens. She runs over and pulls me into a crushing
hug.
"You idiot,
" she says, voice muffled against my shoulder.
"You scared us half to death.
"
"My love,
" I whisper, though my throat feels tight.
Marlon leans back in his chair, lips morphing into a smirk that doesn't hide his worry.
"You know, you're trending again,
" he says.
"Not the best comeback, though.
"
"Shut up, Marlon.
" Sophia snaps and eyes him.
He shrugs.
"I didn't lie though.
"
Their banter should be soothing me, but it doesn't drown out the weight pressing against my
chest. I can still feel the eyes on me.
The air in the hall feels suffocating, and every shadow reminds me of how chaotic things have
been.
When the lecturer for this course walks in, I am fully flustered.
No Ardito.
It was supposed to be him taking this course right now.
Something in me deflates. I didn't realize I was waiting to see him until the disappointment
settles in.
As the lecture drones in and out, my pen trembles between my fingers. I can't concentrate at all
and it's killing me.
When the class ends, I rush out before anyone can stop me.
The faculty corridor is quiet, the smell of ink and paper heavy in the air.
I stop at the secretary's desk.
"Is Professor Martinelli in?"
She looks up, expression polite but empty.
"He's in a meeting.
"
"Again?"
She nods.
"He's a busy man, Miss Dumas.
"
I bite back my frustration and walk away.
Two hours later, I come back. The door is still closed. The same excuse.
The third time, I pause. The door is slightly open. Someone is speaking in low tones. Italian,
smooth and measured.
His voice.
My stomach flips.
I strain to listen, but before I can make out the words, the door clicks shut.
The secretary glances up again, eyes sharper now.
"I'd suggest you stop trying. He doesn't
appreciate persistence.
"
Her words are like a cold slap. I walk away, cheeks burning, heart pounding too hard.
I can't give up just yet. I have to still stick around and try again.
By the time I reach my usual café spot, my head feels like it's splitting. I order an espresso and
sit by the window. The place hums with low chatter and the whir of the coffee machine.
A familiar sound that calms me anytime I come here.
I scroll aimlessly through my phone until something new appears.
A notification.
From: Unknown
Subject: The Rules
Message: Next time you want to find me, don't knock. Listen.
At this point, I think I am immune to getting mystery messages. But surprisingly, it vanishes
seconds later. Deleted automatically.
My palms turn clammy. I glance around, but the café looks normal.
Too normal.
Students laugh. Someone argues about an assignment. A girl behind the counter wipes a spill,
humming under her breath.
But I can't shake the feeling that someone is watching me.
Marlon drops into the seat across from me. His cologne hits first, so warm and familiar.
"You look like you've seen a ghost,
" he says, teasing.
"Maybe I have,
" I murmur.
He grins.
"Then you should ask for holy water instead of coffee.
"
I roll my eyes, forcing a small smile.
"You're annoying.
"
"That's my charm,
" he says.
"But seriously, you okay?"
Before I can answer, Sophia appears at the entrance, waving frantically.
"Ellen!" She rushes
over, breathless.
"You left without saying anything. What's wrong?"
"I just needed air.
"
Marlon exchanges a look with her.
"You sure it's just air?"
I ignore them both. My gaze drifts to the café door for some subconscious weird reason. I guess
I have been on edge all day.
And then, it happens.
The bell above the door rings softly.
He walks in.
Ardito Martinelli.
The room shifts. And before my very eyes, conversations falter. It's not because he's loud or
commanding, it's simply the opposite. He carries a silence that demands attention.
He's dressed in a black coat, white shirt, sleeves rolled slightly. His presence is sharp yet
effortless. The kind of stillness that makes everything else blur.
He doesn't glance at anyone. Doesn't look my way. He orders a coffee, says a few low words to
the barista, and waits for his order.
My heart pounds so hard it hurts. I try not to stare, but my eyes betray me.
He takes his cup, turns toward the exit, and in that moment his gaze meets mine.
Everything stops.
The air between us feels charged, heavy with something unspoken. His eyes are unreadable,
but they hold me still, as if searching for something beneath my skin.
I am half expecting him to come up to me and confront me or something, and I am also half
expecting him to ignore me like he has been doing all day.
Rather, he gives a curt smirk and walks out the door.
Before I can react, he's gone.
The nerve of that bastard!
He leaves the café the same way he entered which is silent, deliberate, and completely in
control.
The chatter resumes seconds later, but my world hasn't caught up.
Sophia blinks.
"Was that—?"
Marlon whistles low.
"So intense, man.
"
I can't speak at all.
I look down at my phone to distract myself, but something makes me freeze.
All the messages including the ones I sent him earlier are all gone.
Every. Single. One.
Deleted.
My throat dries.
Was that a warning? A threat? A test?
And for the first time, I realize something frightening.
I don't know if I'm scared of him because I'm yet to know what he is capable of, or if I'm scared
of the way he makes me feel.