Faith's POV
I sit alone at the table, pushing the rich food around my plate. The clothes I wear now are a reminder that I'm not in my own world anymore.
Three days have passed since Azil disappeared after her brother showed up. I haven't seen her since, and the silence is starting to feel oppressive.
My mind keeps drifting back to Sindy. Her words cut deep , "I hate you." I replay the conversation in my head, wondering what I did wrong. Was I really so bad that I deserved her hatred?
I replayed the memory, my mind struggling to comprehend the truth. Sindy's eyes, once bright with friendship, had flashed with a deadly intent.
I couldn't shake the image of her hand, trembling with rage, as she'd tried to end my life. A wave of sadness washed over me, followed by a desperate longing.
I wished I could turn back time, apologize for whatever I'd done wrong, but the words stuck in my throat. It wasn't my fault, was it? The question echoed in my mind, a haunting refrain that refused to fade.
I glance around the empty room, feeling the silence like a weight. Even the maid who brings me food seems to avoid me.
She keeps her eyes downcast, her face a mask of indifference. When she does look up, her gaze is like a cold splash of water. I try to talk to her, but she just hurries away, leaving me to my thoughts.
Azil's presence flashes into my mind. We only spent a few hours together, but she made me feel seen, heard. Not like now, when the loneliness feels like a suffocating blanket.
I stood at the window, lost in thought. A knock broke the silence.
Maybe it's the maid, again.
I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of my uncertainty. It was time to leave this place, but where would I go?
The question swirled in my mind, unanswered. School was done for me, I'd accepted that. Finishing had been a dream, but sometimes dreams slipped away.
Azil breezed into the room. "I've been knocking for ages," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Brother wants to see you in his office. Let's go." I stood there, frozen, my mouth hanging open. Azil's energy was infectious, but it only made me feel more subdued by comparison. I managed a soft "Okay" before Azil swept out of the room, expecting me to follow.
I trailed behind Azil, my feet moving swiftly to keep up with her pace.
Her brother , the one from that day.
The memory of his chiseled features flickered in my mind. But where was the man who had saved my life just the other day? I felt a pang of gratitude and curiosity.
I had to thank him.
Azil halted in front of the door, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Come on in," she said, winking at me before turning to leave.
I hesitated, calling out to her, "Hey, aren't you going to wait for me?" But she just smiled and walked away.
I recognized the office , it was the same one Azil had led me out of the other day. I raised my hand, rapping my knuckles against the door. "Come in," a low, smooth voice replied. My heart skipped a beat as I pushed open the door. I swallowed hard, rehearsing the words I wanted to say.
I entered the office, and the familiar space felt eerily familiar. I approached the man behind the desk, his eyes fixed on me with a mask of calmness. His gaze was a puzzle I couldn't quite decipher. Azil's brother.
I stepped into his office, my feet echoing off the polished floor. His gaze settled on me, heavy as a weight. I felt it, but refused to meet his eyes.
My heart tripped over its own rhythm, betraying my nerves. I had to know, was this man, Sindy's brother, the one who'd saved my life?
The question burned on my tongue, but I hesitated, unsure how to ask. My eyes drifted to his, searching for answers, but his expression remained a mask, unreadable.
"Sit," he said, his voice low and even, as I stood before his desk. I lowered myself into the chair, my movements slow and deliberate. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine.
"I saved your life, and yet no gratitude," he said, his tone dripping with subtle accusation. His expression was a masterclass in stoicism .
I couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever cracked a smile. I felt a twinge of guilt and hastily spoke up. "Thank you for saving me," I said, the words tumbling out in a rush.
He pinned me with an unblinking gaze, his eyes seeming to bore into mine as if searching for something hidden deep within.
The air was thick with tension as the silence stretched out. Finally, he rose from his chair, his movements fluid and deliberate.
"A thank you is insufficient," he said, his voice dripping with an unsettling intensity. "You owe me, after all. I saved your life.
It's only fair you repay me in some way."
He paused, his eyes glinting with a hint of menace. "Refuse, and consequences will follow."
My heart racing, I struggled to form words. "W-what do you want?" I stuttered, my voice barely above a whisper.
Felix's gaze remained unyielding, his eyes cold and calculating. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he took a step closer, his presence suffocating.
"I... I can only say thank you," I managed to stammer, feeling a wave of desperation wash over me. I had nothing to offer, no bargaining chips to trade.
Felix's expression remained impassive, his eyes never leaving mine. He seemed to be savoring my fear, his gaze piercing and unrelenting.
Felix's voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "You can sign this and everything about you will be mine." His eyes seemed to gleam with a sinister light as he paused, his gaze boring into mine.
"Or you can die." A cold, mirthless smile twisted his lips, making my skin crawl. I felt a wave of revulsion wash over me. "No," I whispered, my voice firm.
"There has to be another option." Felix's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "There isn't," he said, his voice low and husky. "But I can make one appear." He took a step closer, his breath whispering against my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
Felix's lips curled into a twisted grin. "Or, I could feed you to the crocodiles. Ah, the simple joys in life." His eyes sparkled with a sinister light, making my skin crawl. I felt a jolt of terror, my mind reeling with the thought.
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "So, is it a yes... or a no?" I tried to speak, but my voice caught in my throat. My body began to tremble, my heart racing with fear.
I felt like I was staring into the abyss, with no escape in sight. And then, just as I thought I was going to pass out, Felix's hand closed around my wrist, his grip like a vice.
"Let's take a little walk," he whispered, his eyes glinting with malice