Reckless – Episode 49&50

RECKLESS

Reckless – Episode 49&50

→ Out•Of•Control ←

[Book 1 in The Untamed Duet]

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All rights reserved. 

No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a BOLDLY written permission from ME.

Copyright © 2025

Naomi Cindy B.

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★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

 

Zendaya pushed herself up to her feet, not bothering to dust her dress before hurrying down to the road.

Kane had already placed Cove in his car backseat, and Trevor stayed in that backseat with Cove.

Kane roughly zoomed the car down the road, and Trinidad followed behind on her bike, speeding too.

Before Zendaya could arrive, the car and bike are far gone, but she still ran after them on the silent road.

“Covey!!!!!” She screamed desperately, coughing as the impact of her loudness blew her lungs.

She rested her palms on her knees, facing the ground. Heavy breaths filtered out of her nostrils.

Her body hurts.

Especially the shoulder. She hit it on the railings earlier when Trinidad punched her down, and now it’s hurting badder than before.

She groaned, holding it as if it’d fall.

“Trinidad is a bîtch who deserves death,” she muttered.

But she raised her back when another car sped into the area.

She stepped out of the road to avoid getting hit.

The two front doors flipped open, Dorian and Stacy rushed out.

Stacy rushed to the building fast, climbing the staircase energetically, but when she arrived, she only saw blood drips on the ground and the scattered properties.

Then the dead five men.

No Cove.

No Trevor.

Her air seized.

Did the sixth man eventually kidnap both of them?

She had told Dorian about it and made him drive her here, but is that in vain right now?

She has no idea what to do again.

Dorian climbed up to meet her, and he frowned deep, his eyes dilating a bit when he saw the bloody ground.

“Where’s he?” He asked.

“I dunno,” Stacy sniffled.

“Crying?” Dorian pulled her arm, making her face him.

There are beads of tears in her eyes, they’re just not falling.

“I was right here,” she sniffled again. “Watching everything like a fool…I hid like a coward and watched, and the only time I gathered enough courage to go up to help, I ended up running away. Trevor was crying so bad and…and Cove was bleeding. He had a knife in his stomach and—”

“Shh,” Dorian rubbed her shoulders delicately. “You tried your best by coming back here with me, so don’t guilt-trap yourself.”

“But where’s he?” Stacy muttered, wiping her tears.

Dorian looked down, remembering he saw someone by the road.

And only now did he realize it’s actually Zendaya.

She’s already walking back to her car.

Dorian went down the staircase, rushing after her.

When Zendaya heard footsteps behind herself, she hurried, but not fast enough cos Dorian caught up and stepped in front of her, blocking her.

“What do you want!” She glared, her disgust for him so obvious.

Stacy joined them, and when she saw Zendaya, she looks shocked.

But Zendaya refused to make even one eye contact with her.

She made to walk away, but Dorian blocked her again.

In blind anger, she raised her hand to his face for a slap.

Like avengers, Dorian’s guards appeared from nowhere.

A mad run brought them fast, and they blocked him away from her.

Zendaya’s arms dropped.

“I wasn’t gonna let her slap me. Y’all are overprotective.” Dorian sighed.

“We’re just doing our job,” they told him resolutely.

“Did you see Cove?” Dorian asked, but Zendaya just scoffed with no plans to ever reply.

“If you saw anything, please tell us,” Stacy talked.

Zendaya faced her, looking even angrier. “Are you talking to me? With that irritating baby voice of yours?”

She laughed before continuing.

“You don’t deserve to even be in a uni! You short thing! Not like you even have anything in your head anyways. It’s empty! Last semester exams, you submitted blank sheet twice cos you couldn’t write anything from your head. You’re suffering from dyslexia? No it’s just pure stupidity! You’re stupid! Your dad’s money is the only reason you’re in the campus! You deserve to still be learning ABC!” She yelled.

“What the hell!” Dorian stepped in, eyes wide with anger as he grabbed Zendaya’s arm tight.

“She only asked one question, and you poured down these rotten words? Why? Cos you’re in love with Cove? And Cove kissed her to spite me? You’re the stupid one!”

Zendaya grinned, trying to pull herself from his grip, but he made it impossible.

“Now don’t let me start with you who can’t stand without your toxic fans and your rich mother, dumbo! And you’re asking of Covey? Did you keep him with me or put me in charge of him? Get away!!!” She yelled.

For the second time, she tried releasing herself from his grip.

Dorian is holding even tighter now, so she couldn’t even more, and it hurts. It hurts so much.

His hold hurts to her bones.

She cringed in pains, groaning.

“You’re hurting me! Let go!”

But when her eyes caught Dorian’s eyes, she gasped.

The oceanic shade is dark now, and his lips are pressed, lifted in the left corner. His expression is too solid to be named. It’s scary.

“Let…go…” She stuttered.

He held tighter, again.

“Agghh!!!!” Zendaya cried, pained.

Stacy is looking at Dorian’s eyes too, and it looks different from his cheerful, golden self.

Who’s this?

“Dorian?” She called.

“Sir Rian!” His guards collectively called, and Dorian snapped back.

He blinked, and when he realized what he’s doing, he quickly let go of Zendaya’s arm.

She stepped back, not daring to say anything to Dorian again.

Instead, she faced Stacy.

“Dead brain! Attention seeker!” She spat and rushed to her car.

Dorian still wanted to follow her again, but Stacy pulled him back quickly, and he stopped.

He faced her, expecting her to give him a reason, but she just kept staring at Zendaya’s car that’s already driving away.

And one word is ringing in her head from everything Zendaya said.

ATTENTION SEEKER.

She heard that somewhere earlier today… where?

“Stacy?” Dorian called.

“Huh?” She blinked up.

“Why did you tell me to not follow her? She probably knows about Cove since we met her here.” He said.

“She’s mad at me, so she’s only reacting according to her mo—”

“No don’t give me that crap!” Dorian cut her off furiously. “Mad at you? Then she proceeded to say all that at you? And here you are, still defending her? She’s fat, but have you ever called her fat? Yeah I only just got here this semester, but I heard gists. You’re the reason she’s still in school right now cos she initially wanted to only finish elementary and quit cos of bullies, but you came through for her and built her confidence, now she’s what? Moving mad? Yeah, she’s insane!”

“Calm down, Dorian.” She smiled a little bit.

“No I can’t!” He snapped, still on edge. “I don’t care about what she said to me cos that won’t be the first time I heard from people that I’m nothing without my mum and DIAMONDS, but you? I won’t take it if anyone says trash about you.”

“Let’s take a deep breath, Metal God Riri.” Stacy grinned.

She held his arms, and he closed his eyes, listening to her.

He drew three long breaths before opening his eyes.

“How do you feel now?” She asked.

“I still feel like beating her up,” he hissed, and she laughed.

“Your anger is cute, and I mean that in a friendly way.”

“Thank you, but dyslexia or not, you’re still Stacy. Pretty. The most sought-after and the richest. You can take it slow and start studying, then your grades will shoot up, reason why I offered you tutorials, but you left me that night and went to—”

“Dorian,” she cut him off.

He sighed, nodding. “Sorry, I’m not supposed to mention him.”

“I really really need to find him and be certain that he’s fine before I can be at peace. I think there’s only one hospital at the mouth of the highway outside this street, I’ll check for him maybe some kind-hearted neighbors took him.” She said.

“I’ll drive you,” he followed her, and they proceeded to his car.

“But seriously, you have to stay away from Zendaya. That bîtch is desperate, and desperate girls will go any length. I don’t want you getting hurt.” He said as they got in the car.

“Yeah yeah, yeah….” She drawled, and he smiled as the driver moved the car, out of that area.

Two minutes later, they arrived at the highway hospital, and luckily for her, they saw Kane in front of the hospital, taking a call.

His clothes is stained with blood, and that hinted Stacy.

She rushed to him, and he blinked, lowering his phone from his ear.

“Stacy Montana?”

He actually came out of the hospital to take Scott’s call.

“Kane? Scott’s girlfriend?” Stacy recognized him.

Kane smiled, and when Dorian joined them, he gasped.

“Riri?”

“You have blood all-over your shirt,” Dorian noticed.

“Oh…” Kane looked at himself. “Some bastards attacked The Py—”

He quickly stopped himself before he’d finish that.

“Py?” Dorian frowned.

“I mean…Cove. Some bastards attacked him, so I and Trinidad brought him here.” Kane nodded.

“Cove is really here?” Stacy said hopefully.

“Yup! He’s currently getting stitched cos the stab is somehow deep. He’s—”

Stacy was already rushing inside before he could finish talking.

“Oh….great!” He blinked, facing Dorian who doesn’t seem like he’s gonna go inside.

“You’re not gonna go see your frie—”

“We’re not friends,” Dorian cut him off, and Kane nodded.

“Oh…why?”

“You seriously want me to go into details?” Dorian said sternly.

Kane smiled…

“No, and cutting off your friendship with him is probably the best thing you’d ever do cos…”

“Cos?” Dorian muttered.

“You’ll only get hurt along the way. That guy has pains to offer to anyone who likes him as a friend, or romantically.” Kane smiled.

Then he went back inside.

Dorian stood still right there, wondering what Kane meant.

—

[Inside]

It was so easy for Stacy to find the theater through the nurses direction, but when she arrived two doors before the theater, she was stopped.

She can’t go any further.

Trinidad and Trevor are standing around too, and though Trevor isn’t crying anymore, he looks bad.

Bloody hands with his own blood and Cove’s blood.

Bloody clothes and running nose which he kept blowing with his handkerchief.

Trinidad stood immediately she saw Stacy, her eyes showing she has no single likeness left.

“What are you doing here?” She questioned hatefully.

“Is he…gonna be ok after the…. Stitching?” Stacy asked.

“Do you even have any right to ask that?” Trinidad glared.

“What the fûck are you—”

“Trevor said he begged you! You were there when he got stabbed! But you ran away!!” Trinidad yelled.

“That was because I was—”

Stacy stopped mid sentence and swallowed emptiness.

“Yes?” Trinidad smirked. “You were what? Huh? Too big to help? As usual, the Montana pride got into your head you can’t save a life? And Trevor told me how Cove brought you to the garage on a rainy night! You even puked on him! Same guy who hates stains and dirts? He can barely do anything without leather gloves! He brought you to the garage, saved you, and the next morning, your dad got him arrested, and now you had a chance to repay him but you ran off?”

“You’re getting it all wrong!!” Stacy shouted. “I didn’t run off cos I wanted to, I did it cos my life was at risk and I couldn’t bet it! But I didn’t run off totally! I still came back with Dorian to get him but he was already gone and that’s why I’m here to—”

“Leave!” Trevor cut her off from his seat. He’s not even looking up.

Stacy’s mouth tightened.

“Leave!!” Trevor yelled.

Stacy rushed out, and Trinidad sighed, settling back beside Trevor.

She stroked his hair, and he wiped his fresh tears.

“He’ll be fine, the doctors assured us…” She said.

“I know, but I’m just still in shock. He never gets sick, and even when wounded, he never feels it. He’s almost….unhurtable is there’s any word like that… He’s like a rock, but me seeing him unconscious like that broke me. I hate it.” Trevor muttered.

“I get you, but just breath, kiddo. Breathe…” She nodded at him.

“I’m 15, not a kid…” He muttered.

She smiled despite her seriousness, and Kane entered.

“Wait…you sent the goth barbie away?” He asked.

Trinidad stood, matching his height. She’s insanely tall than most girls.

“Why were you at the studio apartment?” She asked.

“Pyro is like my senior…you can’t deny me the right to see him,” Kane muttered.

“We both know you sent men to watch him. Ice prince just decided to let your men be and pretend he didn’t see them. Newsflash; he’s sensitive to eyes on him,” Trinidad glared.

“Oh….” Kane blinked. “I expected it, I wanted his attention with anything at all cos I wanted to make him goalkeep for Scott’s team on Friday, so…yeah, i knew he knew. My men told me he was unconscious at his apartment, so I ran over to help. No funny feelings,I swear.”

Trinidad sighed.

“Now that he got stabbed, who’s gonna goalkeep for your fake boyfriend’s team?” Trinidad folded her arms across her chest.

“Fake?” Kane scoffed.

“I’ve seen it a lotta times in shows. You both don’t want your parents together, so you fake-date,”

“You’d be shocked,” Kane shrugged.

“Make it happen, the shock.” Trinidad shrugged too.

Kane smiled. “For Friday, Scott will just have to find another goalkeeper.”

“Good,” Trinidad nodded. “Now stay here with Trevor. I need to go face Roxy and also take care of Cove’s properties in front of the apartment.”

“Sure,” Kane nodded.

Trinidad left, and he sighed, folding his arms slowly.

“She’s strict, just the kinda personality I imagined with her.” He muttered, turning around.

Matteo rushed inside, and Trevor spranged up quickly.

“Matteo!”

“Hey, Trev!” Matteo hurried to him, and Trevor began sniffling again.

“Did you leave your things outside your apartment?”

“There’s nowhere to go, Trevor,” Matteo muttered. “I tried locating an immediate replacement, but it’s like someone told all house owners to not accommodate me.” Matteo replied.

“It’s Roxy, it’s that mean bitch!” Trevor said.

“How’s it going with Covey’s stitch?” Matteo asked.

As if to answer his question, the double doors of the theater opened, and Cove’s stretcher was pushed out.

He’s on top, still deeply unconscious.

His stitches just got done.

“When will he wake!” Trevor asked quickly.

“Not now,” the doctor said clearly.

“So when?” Kane asked.

“Tommorow. He’s mentally tired, so he needs enough rest. He’s gonna stay under sedation till his mind is ready to work.” The doctor explained.

“Mentally tired?” Matteo wondered loudly.

“Tell me he has a paid therapist,” the doctor said.

“Therapist?” Matteo and Trevor chorused.

Kane understood what the doctor meant, so he stepped in.

“Why not wait till he wakes up and discuss it with him?”

“Sure,” the doctor nodded slightly, directing the wheels of the stretcher to the ward.

Trevor and Matteo followed, but Kane stood there, sighing.

His phone buzzed to life, and he took it out fast.

It’s ‘Freckled Sin’ calling on video.

He stared at the ringing phone for a second, remembering Cove is now hospitalized.

The same guy he’s supposed to bring to Scott’s match on Friday.

He has to keep his promise, but now it’s not looking like it anymore.

He entered a bathroom and swiped green. He lifted his brows when he saw Scott in the gym, lifting weights.

“You just left without a say about where you were going,” he said, accusation obvious in his voice.

Kane smiled. “Are you mad at me?”

“Oh you want me to say yes so you can come back here and submerge me to wash that madness away?” Scott replied, and Kane chuckled.

Scott made faces, then continued lifting his murderous kg weights as if he’s not on a video call currently.

Sweat slicked his fresh skin, crawling in rivulets over the abs. His leg muscles, the wide defined shoulders, the perfect back that’s free of tattoos.

He’s so darn hot Kane wishes he’s not wearing his gym wear right now.

His nakedness would probably look more appetizing.

He didn’t realize he was gulping. His Adam’s apple bobbed.

“Are you gonna keep up the silence?” Scott talked suddenly, waking him from his stare.

Kane blinked slowly.

“You promised to get Cove, remember? Tommorow is Thursday. Friday is a day away.” Scott said.

“I know,” Kane responded firmly. “And the promise is still valid.”

—

[Montana Mansion]

Stacy didn’t even wait for Dorian’s car engines to go down before she jumped down from the car.

She’s crying, for real. She has been sobbing since they left the hospital.

Dorian quickly got down and pulled her back.

“Jesus, stop crying…” He wiped her tears with his fingers, but she kept crying anyways.

“I swear I didn’t run cos I wanted to. I ran cos I was scared I might get shot. And even if I didn’t meet you on the way, I was gonna run out of that area and secure help from the highway. I wouldn’t leave a bleeding human like me just like that, but Trevor thinks I ran away intentionally, and Trinidad hates me more.” She cried.

“Can you stop crying at least?” Dorian continued wiping the tears.

“You won’t understand, it hurts when no one understands you…” Stacy continued too.

Dorian sighed, then pulled her into a hug when he ran out of ideas on how to handle her tears.

She didn’t hug back, but at least her tears lessened to hiccups.

He didn’t want to let go.

Three minutes, he’s still holding her securely in his arms as if letting her go would kill him.

He breathed her in, inhaling pink rose so hard.

She had to break the hug herself, and when their eyes met again, her tears are gone.

He smiled.

“See? You’re prettier when you don’t cry,” he said.

She wants to smile, but she couldn’t even fake one.

“I’ll see you in school tomorrow,” she said, stepping back.

“Sleep tight,,,” He muttered, waving.

He hasn’t finished talking when she entered the gate.

“Snowdrop.” He finished his statement slowly.

He was thinking of talking to her about the MV vixen stuff, but he couldn’t possibly talk on it when she was crying her guts out.

That’d have to wait for another day.

He called one of his guards, and that one ran over.

“Run checks on Zendaya Brown,” He ordered. “Get her movement details today. I have suspicions.”

“Rest assured, sir.”

Dorian got back in the car, but he still stared at the mansion for minutes before he ordered the driver to drive.

—

Stacy met her dad and her friends (except Zendaya) inside the house when she entered.

Even Anita is somewhere lurking.

“Where were you?” Albert stood immediately.

“Why is my abductor not caught yet? What’s the use of the cops!” Stacy shouted at his face, showing her phone screen.

The death threats texts she received.

“She threatened me with death! She threatened me!” She shouted.

Albert called a security to cram the number and track it down immediately, but it’s untraceable.

“Whoever it is is smart! You think they’d text me with a random number? And whoever it is is probably someone close to me! Make more searches! Get serious!” Stacy yelled, Trinidad’s words still haunting her head and messing with it.

“Babe!” Tania snapped.

“Calm down, barbie.” Kehlani said.

“Stacy, just breathe.” Tania asked.

Stacy breathed out, but she still can’t feel the calmness.

Remembering how her nerves were shaking when she was getting threats with the texts earlier shook her.

Remembering how she cowardly ran away without saving him rattled her.

“We have a lead, though.” Albert talked when he sensed she has calmed a little bit. “We found a gun at the crime scene, and though there are no fingerprints, we checked the serial number and investigated the source.”

“Really?” She gasped. “Tell me about it! Who abducted me?”

“Not yet. I won’t give you false hope so just wait till I confirm it tommorow.” Albert said.

Stacy wanted to talk again, but Anita stepped in.

“You need rest, you look exhausted. Now, you’ll go shower and come back for dinner. I made your favorite.” She said cheerfully.

“I’m full, I ate already.” Stacy muttered.

“Ate where?” Albert questioned. “You know your stomach is sensitive, you can’t just eat anywhere and get sick.”

Stacy went silent.

Is she gonna tell them she was fed by a sick nutjob who got stabbed eventually?

No, thanks.

“I just ate fresh snacks, nothing bad.” She lied smoothly.

Albert eventually left for his room. He’s gonna sleep home tonight.

Stacy went to her room with her friends too, and Anita did the same…

To her room.

She opened the door and walked in tiredly, turning on the lights.

The walls are decorated with stage pictures of Dorian since she’s a very big fan of his music.

His merch, DIAMONDS bulb, stickers around her lamps, even on her door.

He’s everywhere.

Then Elmira’s pictures as a baby occupied a single wall.

Anita’s hand went to the pictures, rubbing her face.

Her once innocent daughter is now a slut, and she can’t do anything but become a villain to subdue her.

It’s making her cry.

Cos after posting that video of her stealing from Stacy’s closet, if she still doesn’t change, she’s gonna upload herself on their campus gist as her real mother.

She sighed, checking her phone.

Unread message in her bank alert.

She clicked the bank details.

It’s Elmira’s father. He sent her money again last week.

She didn’t see it last week cos she muted his account messages.
He abandoned her when she got pregnant back then, and now he’s just recognizing her as his wife?

Pathetic.

But she’s never gonna return the money he has been sending back to him though.

She deserves it.

She’s gonna gather it and someday, she’ll start a good business.

And she still won’t let him claim his child cos she nurtured her alone.

“Anita?” Albert’s voice hit the door.

“Sir!” Anita spranged up, rushing to the door to meet him.

It’s obvious Albert has showered. He has changed into a casual fit now.

Casual, but still designers.

He’s just like his daughter.

“Serve me a little dinner,” he said.

“Sure sir,” she smiled, leading him downstairs.

“I got a memo from the campus that the students Weekend Escape is coming up this Saturday, and they’re using Las Vegas this year.” He said.

“I knew it,” Anita beamed. “The trip is always around the first football match season. The campus first football for this semester is on Friday, so I’ve been expecting it. Beauty is going to Las Vegas too?”

“She didn’t go last semester cos she had period cramps, did you forget? So she’s definitely going this semester,” Albert said.

“I remember her cramps, and I’m glad she’ll be joining this year.” Anita smiled.

“I’m gonna have to make arrangements for her to stay at a different hotel. Staying with other students feel risky with this abductor lurking.” He said.

Now they’re at the dinning, and Anita pulled a chair out for him.

He sat slowly.

“I think you’re wrong, sir. Staying with other students is better. The crowd will help. Also, Las Vegas is Kehlani’s place, so I’m sure her dad will make arrangements for more protection too.” Anita said.

“I don’t trust the dads’ of Stacy’s friends, and you know what I’m talking about.” Albert gave her a intentional glance.

“I get,” Anita nodded. “But still, let her stay with other students. Just send SWAT officers with her.”

“You win,” Albert smiled, picking his cutleries.

—

[Stacy’s Bathroom]

The shower water calmed Stacy, but still not completely, so she continued staying under it.

It’s been five minutes now, and her likeness for staying too long under the shower is rapidly becoming an habit she doesn’t fancy.

But what can she do?

She needs this to set her nerves.

She could hear the gists and laughter of her friends from her room, and somehow, she feels better that at least they’ll be spending the night.

What’s she gonna do without them?

She swept her hair back, angling her face up so the water hit her directly. Her hands went down her body, cupping her little breàsts before sliding down her waist.

Trinidad’s words hit her again, and the hate she saw in Trevor’s eyes.

She badly wants to explain to them and make them understand, but what’s the use?

They won’t understand.

She just hopes the stitching goes well and Cove gets better.

“Attention Seeker!” Zendaya’s earlier words stuck her head hard, and she gasped.

Now she remembers!

She had heard those words this morning when she was kidnapped!

Her kidnapper said it with the voice modulator!

She rushed out of the bathroom, naked.

“F+k!” Tania stood.

“It’s been long since we all bathed together so it’s been long since I saw this body! How come you’re becoming s+xier!” Tasha winked.

“Everything about you is just small. The br+sts, the hips, the snatched waist that I love!” Kehlani grinned.

“She looks like a particular South African singer if you ask me.” Tania spanked Stays arse.

“Can you guys stop talking about my body already? Please, how far is the workshop from Zendaya mansion?” Stacy asked.

“You killed the mood! Why mention that girl?” Tania rolled eyes.

“Pleaseeee!” Stacy pouted.

“You mean the workshop the abductor took you to?” Kehlani asked.

“Yeah, fast!” Stacy replied.

“The workshop from Zendaya’s place is like six minutes drive.” Tasha said.

Stacy froze.

Now that she thinks about it, the burning suit what was thrown at her was very big… like it belonged to a big fat person.

And Zendaya’s father is…big.

No. It can’t be, right?

Zendaya wouldn’t…do that with her father…

Right?

“Babe, what’s going on?” Kehlani asked.

“Nothing,” Stacy said with fake smile, taking a new body towel to dry her skin.

Zendaya?

Just thinking about it is making her throat dry.

Why Zendaya?

Well, she’s gonna wait for the results of the gun investigation tommorow before concluding.

“From tommorow, campus is gonna get fun again!” Tania shouted. “It’s the final practice tomorrow, Friday it’s the football game, and Saturday we’re going to Elysium Cascade in Las Vegas for the Weekend Escape Trip till Monday! I can’t just wait I swear!”

“It’s not even sure if you’re gonna be in the football match,” Stacy said, wearing a panty.

“Trinidad says she’s gonna talk to the Chancellor with Scott, so I’m definitely playing. The team can’t function without me.” Tania scoffed.

“Is it just me? Or Tania is cool? Heard she stopped being friends with Roxy and Elmira,” Tasha said.

“Trinidad has always been cool, but she’s Tania’s co-team rival, so that cancels all points.” Kehlani said.

“I love you Lani! Oh we’re going to your City for the Weekend Escape, you better prepare to make it fun!” Tania winked.

“Trust me,” Kehlani laughed. “500 flipping students are going, you can imagine the chaos! I swear I’ll hookup with a boy for sex!”

“Oh… there’s a new update,” Tasha said, scrolling through her phone.

“That same Friday, there’s gonna be a ice skating game. The school is saying they wanna see the most efficient game between ice skating and football.” She said.

“The school management is the main villain at this point!” Stacy said. “Those people love violence too but just pretending. I mean…why fix ice skating game same day as football game when they’re aware that those two are the most popular sports in the campus?”

“Stacy is an ice skater so she won’t come watch me play?” Tania gasped.

“You haven’t even heard the juiciest part,” Tasha laughed.

They all went to her and shoved their faces in her phone, reading the news with her.

The top ice skaters have partners instead of teams. And it’s always a male and female.

They’ve been paired according to how they’ll skate on the ice on Friday.

It’s Remo and Tasha.

Frank and Kehlani.

Kane and Roxy.

Then last one…

Stacy and Dorian.

The girls bursted into laughter except Stacy herself.

“What’s funny?” She rolled eyes.

“I can’t f+kin wait! I’ll split myself into two that Friday. I must watch Tania in the stadium and also you and Dorian in the rink! You and Dorian have insane chemistry, anyone would feel it during the Mixer tango dance!” Kehlani said.

“I’m telling you, and he’s cool, hot, cheerful, greenest flag!” Tasha said.

“Y’all are suddenly on his side? Hypocrites. Same guy we went to ruin his first LA concert?” Stacy smirked at them.

“That’s in the past, babe!” Tania laughed.

“Is anyone not sympathizing with me? I’m gonna be skating with Remo?” Tasha muttered funnily.

“Last time he was paired with me during tango, you made fun of me. This is karma!” Tania grinned.

“That same Friday, Dorian’s music is coming out. Seems the world is coming to an end on Friday.” Kehlani giggled.

Stacy’s phone buzzed, and the girls peered at her phone as she read the new text…

From Dorian.

Rian: Did you see the pairings for Friday skating yet? You’re stuck with me, Snowdrop.

“Snowdrop!!!” The girls screamed.

“Nickname has entered the chat! I didn’t know it’s this serious!” Tania laughed derisively.

“Stop…” Stacy hit her.

“Snow f+kin drop! Aw! Bi+ch you got a nickname!” Kehlani shouted.

“I hate you…” Stacy muttered.

“Love of Rian’s life! Snow…” Tasha said.

“Drop!!!” Tania and Kehlani chorused.

Stacy picked her pillows, hauling the two at them.

They all ran out of the room, and she shut the door, resting her back on it.

As much as she wants to stop thinking, her mind is in the hospital.

If only she could get assurance that his stitching went well, she’d be at rest.

—

[Max’s Mansion]

Elmira is by the door.

She has been standing there since 5pm, and time is currently 11.

She has been waiting for when Max is gonna stop being mad and open the door for her.

She could hear the loud voices of Max and Remo and Frank inside.

Seems they’re celebrating something special.

She was about to start hollering Max’s name again when Roxy’s car drifted into the mansion.

She rushed out, and Elmira gasped.

“You’re back!”

“Yeah, back after I chased him out of the apartment and even made his boss Matteo lose his own apartment, and I made sure no other apartment will accommodate them unless they have billions for a mansion which is impossible. They’re poor!” Roxy laughed out.

Elmira stuck hands with her.

“You did well, my love. You did soo well!”

“Now Kehlani is next to have her nudes on the campus gist group tommorow, but we should celebrate Cove’s downfall first. Why is Max still not opening the door?” Roxy blinked.

As if Max could hear, he opened the door, shirtless.

He held a bottle of champagne by the neck, and he looks less mad.

He didn’t have to talk.

Elmira rushed into his arms, pouring wet kisses on his face.

“I know I annoyed you with my action, but it’ll never happen again. If I need anything, I’ll just ask you no matter the price,” she pouted.

“No matter the price, you hear me?” He repeated for her.

She nodded, hugging him.

“I love you Maxwell! So damn much my pvxxy missed you too!”

Max grinned, going inside with her.

Roxy followed, grabbing Frank’s bottle of alcohol from him.

She downed it.

“Seems like a celebration, what’s going on? Did Remo later f+k Dorian’s Mama?” She asked.

The guys went silent.

Elmira gasped.

“Seriously? It happened?”

“Not yet. I only gave her appetizer, I ate her punani.” Remo laughed.

“Bad Boy!” Roxy chuckled.

“Kaylee is actually this dense? The richest woman is this brainless? Oh my gawd!” Elmira gasped.

“She’s h0rny, don’t blame her body.” Frank shrugged.

“Also, my mouth works wonders,” Remo popped the gum in his mouth.

“Hmmm….” Elmira nodded.

The door bursted open, and Trinidad waltzed inside, furious.

“I’ve been looking for you both everywhere, whores.”

“What the f+k are you doing here?” Roxy
obstructed her.

“You took the apartment from Covey and even took Matteo’s? You payed the house owners to not take any of them in? How senseless of you.” Trinidad muttered, dryly.

“So…you came here to beat me cos of that?” Roxy smirked, nose flaring.

“I hate you Trinidad!” Elmira shouted behind.

The guys just watched in silence, expecting the main explosion.

“I won’t touch you, I’ll leave him to do to you what he pleases later.” Trinidad said, muscles relaxing.

“Touch me?” Roxy laughed. “As if I’ll sit and let you punch me around. You know I’m not sane! You know it! Raise a fist and I’ll raise ten, you cringe tomboy!” Roxy clapped back.

Then, she leaned into Trinidad’s ear, whispering…

“Get out of here right now, or I’ll remind you the shameful reason why you cut your long hair and decided to become a damn tomboy,” she whispered.

Trinidad stiffened, and when her eyes met Roxy’s, she stepped back.

And like that, she left the mansion.

“That ended too quick,” Remo hissed.

“Is Scott not part of this crew anymore or what?” Elmira asked.

“Scott is currently going astray,” Max replied.

“Astray?” Elmira looked at him.

Max looked at Remo.

Remo looked at Frank.

They grinned.

—

[Zendaya’s Mansion]

Zendaya has no plans to sleep.

She wore her sleepwear—Cove’s shirt, and sat in her living room, currently on FaceTime with her father.

“How’s your burns healing?” She asked.

“Very well, my doctor is good.” He showed her jos healing arms. “You?” He asked.

“Healing too, so when are you gonna start going after Stacy’s dad?” She asked curiously.

“Tommorow, unfailingly. I’ll visit Outright Medias tommorow.” Mr. Brown nodded.

“Good,” Zendaya nodded back.

The call ended there, and Zendaya sat back, swallowing five pills.

She was still drinking water on the pills when she picked her phone with her left hand and clicked on the tango expressway video of Stacy and Cove.

She only has to edit it and make it look like it was Stacy who stopped Cove for a dance that night.

Then post it.

Also, she’s gonna expose the fact that Stacy is the kissed girl…

DIAMONDS would eat her raw.

Zendaya smiled.

“I have so many cards to destroy you with, Stacy. You have no idea.”

—

[Dorian’s Mansion]

At 3am, Dorian is still busy.

All the checks was supposed to do during the day, he’s only just occupying himself with them right now.

Also, he’s expecting a response from the guard he told to do a follow-up on Zendaya’s movements yesterday.

He’s smiling though.

As he read through the magazine he’s holding, he’s smiling.

He has been beaming since he saw the pairing for the Friday ice skating.

And for the fact that Friday is also his album release. Friday must be his lucky day.

The house is silent.

His crew members are in the studio, vocalizing and drumming. But the studio is soundproof so their noises don’t go beyond the studio.

Kaylee and Angela are probably asleep too.

Earlier, he heard Kaylee talking about going to see Stacy tommorow about his feelings, and he’s not against it.

Stacy isn’t someone that can bought with words, but she’s free to try.

He received an alert from the guard, and he quickly clicked on it.

The report says Zendaya left her mansion with her dad yesterday morning, but the street cameras didn’t capture their movement.

They must have wiped it.

Now his suspicions are getting clearer.

He got up and left the lounge, only to meet Angela in front of it.

He walked past her, ignoring her existence but the woman hugged her from behind.

He peeled her off fast like she’s a plaque, and a tear fell off her eyes.

“I miss your touch! It’s been too long and I can’t take it anymore!” She sobbed shamelessly.

Dorian pointed at himself in the face. “This isn’t the face you’re obsessed with, so don’t get it mixed up and get your feelings encamped! I thought you had it in control!” He growled.

“It’s not as easy as you think, Riri. It’s not ea—”

Dorian was already walking off before she could finish.

She wiped her tears, looking hurt.

—

[Montana Mansion, 6AM]

On her bed, Stacy is between the girls, and they’re all fast asleep.

They’ve all been sleeping since 12, but she hasn’t gotten any wink.

She couldn’t sleep.

She’s worried.

Deeply worried.

Did the stitching go well?

That’s the question she has been asking herself.

If it were her family hospital, she’d be calm cos the doctors are good, but the hospital he was taken to is a small one which she doesn’t trust.

At 6:20 when the day is already breaking, she got up from bed, making sure not to wake any of the girls.

She’s wearing only her p+nty and tube bra@,so she threw on a big tee shirt and bum shorts.

And she didn’t forget to take her mace bottle.

She used a warm woolen winter cap to fight the cold and left the room in her flops.

Thankfully, no one is in the living room, so she successfully slipped out.

But it’s impossible to go past the SWAT officers outside the house though, and she honestly has no problem with them.

When she got into her favorite car, eight of the officers got into two other cars behind her.

She even allowed her driver to drive.

At this point, carefulness is a prescription she gave herself.

Dawn cracked completely before she arrived at that hospital, giving way to fresh morning.

The morning breeze still carried her hair that’s resting on her breàsts in the front, and she had to brush it off with her fingers, adjusting her cap.

She entered the hospital and asked for his ward straight.

Immediately she mentioned the name, she was given.

She marched to the ward, heart slamming.

What if Trevor chases her again?

What if Trinidad yells again?

She held her breaths before pushing the door open, slowly.

Surprisingly, no one’s in.

Just Cove who’s still unconscious in that bed with his bloodbag drip stand beside him.

The blood transfusion is over cos there’s no blood in the bag anymore.

She stepped inside fully, and a nurse entered immediately.

The same nurse who directed her to this ward.

“Miss Trinidad is her Major class president, so she went to sort things. Kane is his Major president too, he went to handle things too. Trevor is also his own class president, so he had to leave. They went to take permissions, they’ll be back by 8.” The nurse explained.

She unplugged the drip needle from Cove’s arm and folded the bag on a tray for disposal.

“And Matteo?” Stacy asked.

“Oh he’s here, but he’s in the bathroom.” The nurse replied. “Trinidad told me to not let anyone in, but Kane mentioned I could let you in if you came, so I obeyed him.”

The nurse left, and Stacy walked to the bed where the nutjob lay. Even in his unconscious state, he still looks ruthless and arrogant.

It’s like a stamp.

But she’s glad that at least he’s recuperating. But when he wakes, will he also get mad that she left him even when he held her ankle?

She wasn’t even aware that she puked on him that night he carried her, if not for Trinidad who said it yesterday.

Now she’s embarrassed.

The hospital gown left out his collarbone, and she had a peek at the dark tattoo sitting there.

“Quod…”

That’s the only one she could see.

“Latin? He knows latin?” She muttered.

Well, it’s not shocking.

What does he not know?

A slight smile touched her lips, then a doctor entered, masked.

“Why is he not awake yet?” She asked the doctor.

Instead of replying, the doctor walked straight to Cove’s side and pulled an injection out of his pocket.

He went for Cove’s arm, but before he could inject him, Stacy held his wrist.

He looked up, their eyes met under his white nose mask.

“Why are you injecting him?” She questioned, tightening her grip on his wrist.

The doctor’s eyes narrowed slightly above the mask.

“Relax,” he said calmly. “It’s just Propofol. It’ll help wake him faster.”

Stacy’s gaze dropped to the syringe, the liquid inside is clear.

Her brows furrowed.

“That’s strange,” she murmured slowly. “Because Propofol is supposed to be white… like milk.”

Silence fell between them.

His eyes hardened as Stacy’s grip tightened around his arm.

“So why,” she said, voice sharpening, “are you holding a syringe full of something clear?”

Her eyes flicked from the needle to his masked face.

“Unless that’s not Propofol at all…”

The doctor didn’t answer.

Her heart began to hammer cos the only drug she could think of that looked like the one in his injection is the one used to quietly stop a heart.

It’s Potassium Chloride!

“You’re not a doctor!” She gasped, realization kicking in. “You’re a killer!” She swiftly tore his nose mask away.

It’s the sixth man that escaped last night—the one who stabbed Cove.

“You…” Stacy gasped again.

“You should have stayed quiet,” the man jumped over to her.

“Hel—”

She couldn’t finish shouting for help when he pushed her down and raised the injection on her neck.

She sprayed her mace on his face, and he groaned, slapping his palm over his face as the sting dealt with him wickedly.

Stacy opened her mouth to scream again, but despite the spray stinging his eyes, he still pulled her up mercilessly by the hair.

Her scalp nearly peeled away.

He dragged her to the close wall, pushing her head forward to slam, but he was suddenly hauled away.

Someone pulled him back with the energy of a mule, and he came face-to-face with Cove who’s now up.

Red, damned eyes. Protruding hot veins in his arms. Heavy, angry breaths. He looks devilish.

“Cove…” Stacy muttered.

He took the injection from the man and shoved it into his face, but he didn’t release it inside.

He pulled it out and stabbed his face with it again… again…

Again.

The man’s hellish cries didn’t even come cos as he stabbed, he covered his mouth with his second hand.

Cove continued stabbing.

Fifth stab. Sixth. Seventh.

Now the man’s face is a map of stabs, blood and gore.

He looks like a excessively beaten pinata. He looks powerless.

As if the world is against him.

When the eighth stab entered his face, Cove’s smirk was dark.

“Go wait for her in hell before I send her to you!” He spat, finally injecting the potassium chloride into the man’s face.

He injected half, then injected the remaining half in his chest—right into this heart.

The body fell limply on the floor, dead and breathless and lifeless.

Stacy stood where she stood, her mace has fallen on the floor now.

She gulped when Cove faced her, and when he started coming for her, she gulped again.

The third gulp followed.

Those eyes look way too soulless that she wants to race out of this ward and go crawl under a rock.

He took two steps closer, and she took two steps back.

“I…I didn’t leave intentionally! I was under a threat! She was going to shoot me if I didn’t leave! She was texting me and I was—”

He caught up with her, and her guts closed tightly when he curled her by the waist with his right hand.

He shoved her close.

Her gasp heated his skin.

Their eyes clocked.

“I know. Even the ones you haven’t said. I know.” He muttered.

“Are you….ok?” She asked after she found her voice.

His eyes moved to the center inside their sockets, and his long fingers on her waist pressed down the skin.

“Ask me again after this,” he whispered hoarsely.

And then, his full lips came crashing down uncontrollably on hers like a raging storm.

TBC.