***

       The office is unusually quiet. A thick, expectant silence lingers in the air as they sit across from each other on the plush couch. The woman takes a slow sip of her drink before setting the glass down with a sharp clink, her expression darkening. Offended. Across from her, the man chuckles, unbothered.

       "Can’t you be serious? I didn’t come here for you to throw ridiculous memories in my face," she snaps.

       The man, his light blue eyes still glinting with amusement, finally stops laughing—though his hand remains over his mouth, stifling the remnants of mirth. He nods in apology, but his smirk lingers.

       Beside him, another man remains utterly detached from the exchange. One leg crossed over the other, he swirls the coffee in his cup, the rich aroma softening the sharp glint of his piercing turquoise eyes.

       "Let’s begin, shall we?" His deep voice slices through the tension, extinguishing the lingering laughter. But even as he speaks, his own mind drifts—back to the memory of fourteen years ago, playing like a silent film only he can see.

***

       Seranna was chatting with her classmates during break, laughter mingling with the rustle of snack wrappers. The moment was light, effortless—until Savana appeared.

       Her younger sister stood at the edge of the group, disheveled, her breaths uneven. Concern flashed across Seranna’s face as she immediately closed the distance between them.

       "What’s wrong?" she asked, her voice cautious but firm.

       Savana’s reddened eyes flickered downward, her lips trembling. "I-I… s-someone took my bag and…" Her voice barely rose above a whisper.

       Seranna’s fingers curled slightly into fists. A slow exhale, a hand on Savana’s shoulder, a quiet effort to keep her emotions in check. "Who’s that someone?" she asked, her tone sharp with barely restrained anger.

       Savana hesitated, then lifted a shaky hand, pointing toward the Senior High School building. Seranna followed her gaze, jaw tightening. Their school—an elite institution sprawling across a massive complex, housing students from kindergarten to high school—was known for its prestige. But it also had its fair share of troublemakers.

       "Jason…"

      "Jason Millesernan, huh?"

       The name hung in the air, heavy and unshakable. Seranna’s anger simmered just beneath the surface, her mind already piecing together her next move.

       At the mention of Jason, her three friends instinctively drew closer. They knew her well enough to predict what was coming. This wasn’t the first time she’d stepped up when someone crossed a line—especially when it involved Savana.

       "Ser, don’t." Elanere’s voice was careful, measured, hoping to keep her friend from another reckless confrontation. "It’s not worth it. What if we just told the teacher instead?" Maybe, just maybe, this time Seranna would choose a different approach.

       But she scoffed. "Not my style," she replied bluntly, the answer final. "Wait here—ten minutes. I promise."

       She patted Savana’s shoulder once more, a silent reassurance, before turning on her shoes and striding out of the classroom.

       Each step down the stairs was deliberate, controlled, yet fueled by a quiet fury. She moved through the crowded halls, past clusters of students in the park and along the vast ceremony field, her focus locked on the four-story Senior High School building ahead. The noise around her faded, her jaw clenched tight.

       How dare that pathetic excuse of a boy bully her sister—her first-year junior high sister, no less? Damn him. Jerk.

       As she reached the building, students milling about in front turned to stare, eyes flickering with curiosity, confusion, and wariness. A junior high student had no reason to be here—unless she was looking for trouble.

       Seranna didn’t care. She approached the nearest student without hesitation.

       "Jason Millesernan. Where’s his class?"

       "What? Jason?" The student raised an eyebrow, skepticism flickering in her expression. "X-Einstein. Second floor," she answered after a brief pause.

       Murmuring a quick thanks, Seranna picked up her pace, slipping into the building with determined strides. The hall buzzed with chatter and movement—students lingering in groups, laughing, gossiping—but she ignored them all.

       Her sharp eyes scanned the class nameplates as she passed. Newton. Tesla. Curie. And then—Einstein. A wooden board bearing the name hung above the doorway.

       Without hesitation, she pushed the door open.

       "Jason Millesernan." Her voice cut through the air, sharp and unforgiving.

       The lively hum inside the classroom faltered. In the far corner, a group of boys lounging on desks, strumming a guitar, singing and joking, all turned toward her. Their amusement faded as they took in the sight—an unfamiliar junior high girl in her PE uniform, standing at the threshold with a gaze that burned with something dangerous.

       Then, one of them chuckled.

       "You actually came, huh?" Jason’s voice was laced with amusement, his smirk lazy as he set his guitar down. He moved toward her, his steps slow, deliberate—like he was greeting an old friend rather than the girl who had barged into his territory unannounced.

       Seranna didn’t move. Didn’t blink.

       "One to three," she said.

       Jason tilted his head, one hand still in his pocket, confusion flickering in his eyes. "What’s this about, Seranna? One to three?"

       One. Two. Three.

       A solid punch landed squarely on his face. The force sent him stumbling a step back, his expression frozen in shock. Seranna’s glare burned with unfiltered rage and disgust.

       Jason barely had time to steady himself before—BUGH!—another hit crashed into his right cheek. He winced, rubbing the sore spot as he tried to process what had just happened.

       "It’s for Savana," Seranna spat, her voice seething with fury.

       The room fell into a heavy silence. His friends—who had been laughing just moments ago—watched in stunned disbelief. They knew her reputation. Seranna never let anyone mess with her sister. But this? She had just thrown a punch at a Millesernan. Did she even realize who she had hit?

       Jason let out a low, breathless chuckle. "Fuck..." He straightened his posture, his eyes locking onto hers with something dark and amused. He rubbed his bruised cheek, but instead of anger, a devilish grin stretched across his lips.

       Seranna didn’t move an inch. "Once again you mess with my sister, I won’t hold back." Her stance was unwavering—like she didn’t even know what fear was.

       Jason licked his lips, intrigued. "You know who I am, huh?"

       "Jason Millesernan. And what about it?" she scoffed. "Do I need to be scared of that Millesernan name of yours?"

       Jason clicked his tongue, shaking his head. Amusement danced in his gaze, but something else was creeping in—something annoyingly warm. His ears were betraying him, turning red. Damn. This girl was something else. He’d take those punches as love-punches, for sure.

       "It should’ve just been between me and Savana," he mused, his grin never fading. "But since she dragged you into it… can I involve my brother too?"

       "Your brother?" Seranna folded her arms. "Whatever."

       "Interesting, Seranna," Jason mused, his smirk deepening. "What if we settle this at the main basketball court after school? Don’t run away, yeah?" He extended a hand, challenging, taunting.

       Seranna didn’t even spare it a glance. Her expression twisted with pure disdain.

       "Deal. Main basketball court after school." Her voice was sharp, unwavering. Then she scoffed. "And that should be my line. Don’t run away."

       With that, she turned on her shoes and strode out of the classroom without hesitation.

       Jason let out a low chuckle, watching her retreating figure. His fingers flexed in the empty air where his handshake had been ignored.

       "Shit," he muttered under his breath, the grin never leaving his face. "This is getting really interesting."

***

       The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. As the teacher dismissed the class, Seranna packed her things methodically, slipping books and stationery into her bag. Elanere, Keahi, and Alora stood nearby, waiting for her.

       They exchanged glances—silent, uneasy. The tension was thick between them, heavy with concern. Finally, Keahi, her deep brown skin glowing under the afternoon light, sighed and spoke up.

       "You really don’t have to go through with this, you know?" Her voice was gentle, almost pleading. "You said he wants to involve his brother. You don’t know what Lorcan could do to you, Ser. We just… we don’t want you walking into something dangerous."

       Seranna slung her bag over her shoulder, determination etched across her face. "I know," she admitted, her voice steady. "But I’m not stepping back. I’m standing my ground—for myself and for Savana." She exhaled sharply. "Besides, that boy needs to learn he can’t always rely on his Millesernan name to shield him."

       She walked out of the classroom, her friends falling into step beside her. She had already told Savana and Keeran—her younger brother, a third-year elementary student—to go straight home once the chauffeur arrived. She had simply said she had something to do after school with her friends.

       Then, just as they reached the front gate, she halted abruptly.

       "Listen," she said, turning to face them. "If you don’t think this is right, don’t come. Just… don’t tell anyone about it." Her sharp gaze flickered between them. "And…" she hesitated, then exhaled. "I’ll text you by 5 PM. But if I don’t… can you come back here and bring Edmund with you?"

       Alora swallowed hard, glancing at Elanere and Keahi. They exchanged looks before nodding. As they turned to leave, Alora muttered under her breath, "See? She doesn’t even look sure this will be okay…" Neither Keahi nor Elanere argued. They just nodded.

       And there she was. Seranna had arrived.

       The main basketball court stretched wide before her, bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun. Jason stood with his usual arrogance, surrounded by his friends, and beside him—tall, broad-shouldered, and unmistakably older—was a tan-skinned boy. Lorcan. Jason’s older brother.

       Jason’s smirk widened as she approached. “You’re here. But where’s Savana, hm?”

       Seranna dropped her school bag onto a nearby bench with a deliberate thud. “The appointment is with me only. Not Savana.”

       Jason chuckled darkly, tilting his head. “What are you gonna do, Seranna? Punch me in the face again?” He threw a few playful jabs into the air, right in front of her face. “Or maybe switch things up? Jab, jab—” His fists moved in exaggerated mockery as he laughed freely.

       Lorcan finally moved. His presence alone made the air feel heavier. “So, this is the girl you told me about?” His deep voice was calm, firm. It made Jason glance back at him, grinning.

       “Yeah. You wouldn’t believe it, but she gave me this—” Jason gestured to his bruised cheekbone like a badge of honor. Lorcan sighed, shaking his head as a quiet curse slipped past his lips. His expression made Jason frown.

       “You can’t even handle one girl now?”

       Jason shrugged, unbothered. “Can’t your little brother ask for a little help, Mr. Lorcan?” he taunted. “Since her sister dragged her into this, that means I can involve you too, right?”

       Lorcan exhaled slowly and stepped forward, lighting a cigarette with practiced ease. He took a deep drag, then released the smoke in lazy swirls. Seranna instinctively stepped back, scrunching her nose at the acrid scent.

        Lorcan noticed. Jason noticed.

       A scoff ghosted over Lorcan’s lips. “What now?” Seranna asked, her voice steady—though the tension between them crackled like static in the air.

       Lorcan echoed her words, his voice dipping lower. "What now?" His sharp gaze locked onto hers, unrelenting, searching. For fear. For hesitation.

       And there it was. Faint. Just a flicker.

       He leaned in slightly, deliberately invading her space. “The only thing that needs to be done now is…” He let the words hang, letting anticipation coil around them like a vice. Then, he glanced at Jason, who was watching smugly.

       They waited.

       Seranna swallowed hard.

       The fear crept in, slow and insidious, curling around her spine like a predator’s shadow. This boy—this Millesernan—was nothing like Jason. There was no playful arrogance in his stance, no teasing in his smirk. He was serious. Always had been.

       And those eyes.

       Piercing. Calculated. Predatory. They told her everything she needed to know—he was dangerous. He took what he wanted. When he wanted.

       “Come here, Jason,” Lorcan ordered, his voice gruff and unwavering. Jason, still grinning, stepped forward without hesitation, a smug confidence in his stride. But the second he was close enough—

       Lorcan shoved him down.

       A firm hand on the back of his neck, forcing him to bow—if one could call it that. Jason sucked in a sharp breath, caught off guard. The entire court seemed to still.

       Lorcan took another slow drag of his cigarette, exhaling the smoke like a king surveying his dominion. “Apologize,” he said simply. “Now.”

       Seranna blinked.

What? Like—what the fuck?!

***