CHAPTER 7

~It's stasis that kills you off  in the end, not ambition~

~Bono.

UNKNOWN POV

I watched closely with utter distaste as she lunged herself on him. God, I've never hated someone so much before. I don't even understand how people envy someone faker than augmented boobs. My phone suddenly rang, ending my train of thoughts. I rolled the window up and received the call, all the time focusing on the couple a few metres away.

"Done?"

"Yeah."

"Perfetto. The package is at the warehouse."

I gave them one final glance and cautiously drove out of the street.

You'll have your fair share Seraphina. This isn't over.

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SERAPHINA'S POV

"Ugh".

"This endless pacing and whining won't solve shit," Tiffany said, stuffing her mouth with food.

"I just feel like choking somebody. " I growled, or at least what I thought sounded like one.

"Enrique could volunteer but I'm afraid the tables might turn on you." She shrugged and my eyes visibly widened.

"You're fifteen Tiff. " my horrified expression was nothing compared to the shock in my voice.

"All credits go to Netflix." She winked.

"I knew opening an account for you was a terrible idea."

"The done can't be undone, deal with it."

"I wonder how you secured a B- in English."

"Honestly even I don't know myself."

She yawned. Figured as much.

"Only you Tiffany, only you."

"So what are you gonna do now." She asked through a mouthful of food. Where was mom when she's needed?

"Don't talk with food in your mouth, Tiffany." I don't know where she and Asher adopted such an unhealthy habit from.

"Forget me, worry about how you'll get to school." She stuffed more food into her mouth, clearly provoking me.

So my lovely siblings decided to leave me stranded at home. Imagine my perplexion when I woke up and found only Tiffany in the house.

I ran to the garage after a quick preparation, only to realise that my keys were with Severina. Story of my life.

"I don't know. Maybe I'll just dodge."

"And get suspended the following day?"

"Don't remind me." 

"Why n...

My phone rang, interrupting Tiffany. I received it without bothering to check the caller ID.

"What." I groaned into the speaker.

"Rude." Tiffany mouthed.

"Well, morning to you too Miss grumpy." Maya's voice came through the speaker.

"Thank God. Where are you bitch?"

"School, why?" Today's just not my day.

"My life. The thing is my siblings kinda ditched me. I could always skip but cons are Mr Harts will have my head."

"Oh, but how could Severina do something so mean?"

"Yeah, well I don't know. They just did."

"Some siblings you have. So no plan B?"

"Nope."

She sighed and shortly after, I heard the sound of a door shutting.

"I'll pick you up in ten."

She wasn't seriously skipping school for my tardy ass.

"Maya no way. Don't worry. I'll just skip today. Mr Harts is the least of my problems." On the contrary, Mr Harts is a major issue but I'd to come up with something convincing enough so Maya won't skip.

However, what I didn't realise was that the bitch had already hung up on me two minutes ago.

"Hallelujah, praise the Lord. Can't wait until you leave as well. Anticipation for peace was almost getting unbearable."

"Since when are you holy?"

Last I checked Tiffany didn't memorize a verse in the bible.

"Forever, now shoo." She shoved me as anyone would to a dog and it was honestly annoying. I don't like being touched a lot. My phone beeped and a message popped up on the screen.

Maya.

I rushed to go out but something clicked on my mind and I turned to Tiffany with a poker face. She fidgeted in her seat and this gesture washed a sense of satisfaction over me.

"Now, you listen to me and listen good. Don't think that we're not aware of you constantly missing school."

She went on to argue but I stopped her with a raised finger.

"Unless you want us to hand the issue over to mom, I suggest you spill your guts. You've got twenty-four hours." I tapped my wrist for emphasis.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She flat out lied in my face, restlessly rubbing her eyes. Something she often does when nervous.

"We're not your schoolmates to blindfold Tiffany. There's nothing you will do that we won't know because no matter how much you deny it, we did it first."  What Tiffany doesn't understand is that we mastered high school culture to memory.

"But...

"Twenty- four hours Tiffany." I dismissed before meeting Maya on the driveway.

"Hey."

"Hey? Really? I've been waiting for over five minutes and you have the guts to Hey me." She scolded and pulled out of the driveway.

"Sorry was talking to Tiffany, dramatic."

"Tiffany? Isn't she supposed to be in school?"

"Exactly my point. She'd skipped for a week now, in the name of sickness but I know better."

"Did she tell you why?"

I gave Maya a pointed look. Did she even hear a word I said?

"Did I speak Hebrew"?

"I can't with you and your sarcastic ass."

"Neither can I with you and your dumbass."

"Anyway, didn't you tell uncle Gray?"

"He bought into her lies," I replied.

"Why? without even consulting a doctor? what kind of people do you have in your family?".

"Walking nutshells. Drive. I won't allow a fifteen-year-old to give me an early morning migraine. " Tiffany's an issue for another day. I was in no rush for her.

"It'll be alright." This was the last thing I heard from Maya before peaceful silence took over.

On arriving at school, we made the run of our lives to the second period, gym, how unfortunate. We stopped short at the entrance to even our breathing and contain our composure. I was already a heaving mess, and Maya wasn't any better for she was bent with hands on her knees.

"So....what...do..do...we...tell...mis..Miss...Harrison? " I gasped out in short breaths.

Maya, not being able to utter a single word, only shook her head in response.

We waited until our breathing evened out to go inside.

"We're sorry Miss Harri...

My heart momentarily stopped at the sight before me.

"What the hell!" Maya exclaimed.

Standing few feet from us, in all his glory was Mr Black, wearing grey sweatpants and a tight, black, mens' tank top.

"Oh, there you're. Just the person I've been looking for." He advanced towards us and I instinctively Stepped back.

I felt warm hands on my waist and I almost screamed but for a hand clasping over my mouth. I struggled to break free from the intruder but they were very strong.

"Relax babe." A familiar voice whispered in my ear. Enrique fucking Romano.

"You scared me, you prick." I whisper-yelled.

"Oh yeah." He bit my earlobe, leaving me choiceless but to elbow him on the ribs. He grimaced and loosened his vice grip, giving me enough time to break out.

"You've got a strong punch for a girl."

I grinned and skipped over to my friends.

"You'll pay for that babe." He yelled and I flipped him the bird without looking back. I jumped on Miskha's lap and she let out a surprised yelp.

"Get your fat ass off me Phina. " she groaned, shoving me.

"Why'd you skip first-period Phina?" Sophia asked.

"I was um, kind of caught...

"Long inauthentic story short, Severina ditched her." I glared at Maya. Goat-mouthed.

"No, she didn't." Malu placed a finger against her gaping mouth.

"My reaction exactly," Maya added and I took that as my cue to pipe in.

"Perhaps she'd something important to do." I shrugged, trying to act nonchalant but all in vain. Only God could fathom my feelings.

"Something more important than family." Lalia raised a questioning brow?

"What is Mr Fine guy doing in the gym?" Maya prompted. I'm glad she changed the subject because I was this close to losing it.

"Miss Harrison's been admitted to the hospital so Mr Black would be taking over for the next one month," Malu explained. I groaned and flopped on the bench. Like today can get any worse.

"Why couldn't Mr Harts just cancel gym then until Miss Harrison recovers?"

"Why not you ask him yourself?" Maya mused. I might as well arrange a funeral service then.

"Everyone's screaming their lungs out in excitement except you." Lalia pointed out. I'm not everyone. I'm Seraphina Del Varia.

"Correction, every girl."

"Thank you." I blew Leila a kiss.

The whistle blew mid-gossip, shifting our attention to a furious-looking Mr Black. His intense gaze solely focused on me. My heart pounded heavily against my chest as I cowered back in fear. Everyone noticed the heated exchange between us and this made me sulk further in embarrassment...

"Why is he looking at you like some bloodthirsty cannibal?"

I wish I knew too Maya. I wanted to respond but chose to remain quiet, afraid of my breathing.

"Some of you are so disrespectful. " He started, boring holes into my eyes. Just as I thought I couldn't take any more embarrassment, his expression switched to that of amusement, and he barked out in laughter.

"Your faces." He chuckled. After realising the stunt he pulled on us, everyone joined in, making it a laughing spree. This was in no way funny to me. I was downright annoyed. I hate pranks.

"I thought he was gonna go ballistic on you," Maya said.

"That wasn't funny at all," I murmured under my breath.

We didn't do much in the gym and I lacked complete interest in all activities, thanks to Mr Black. I was aware of the stink eye and creepy stares he gave me the whole time but I couldn't give a flying shit.

I didn't bother changing back into my normal clothes. I could always do that later but for now, food matters. As I was pulling my hair into a ponytail, I felt movement behind me, making me take a sharp turn, only to come face to face with Mr Black. How much of a freak was he?

"Scared huh?" He mused.

I folded my arms across my chest and gave him a challenging look which turned into a scrutinizing one when his eyes dropped down to my chest.

"You need something?" I dropped my arms and pulled on my sweatshirt. There was total silence for a while and out of curiosity and confusion, I turned around again, and this time met him staring at my rear. Great, I now have a pervert for a lecturer.

"With all due respect sir, it's rude to stare."

"It's not my fault that you wear seductive outfits most of the time and please, call me Torres." He rasped out, leaning in.

"My clothing choice shouldn't be of any concern to you. You're being paid to lecture, not review outfits."

"Smart mouth. Just my taste."

He smirked and kept on drawing closer, making me take discreet steps back until my back collided with the entrance.

"I can't help it. Can't hold it in anymore." His tone was dangerously low.  I was starting to feel suffocated from the proximity and it looked like he had no intention of pulling away anytime soon. The fact that my fear was multiplying per millisecond wasn't helping. Mr Black has fifty times more strength than I have, so one wrong move and I'm doomed. Therefore I did what I thought was safest and remained silent.

"You make me feel some typa way Seraphina."

Say what now.

"This is very wrong Sir. I'm your student and you're my lecturer, such an inappropriate conversation shouldn't transpire between us ." My voice shook from fear.

"Would you stop with the whole student thing? This is a university, not high school. Grow the fuck up." He barked, the vein in his neck throbbing in anger. I gulped and suddenly regretted opening my fat mouth. I knew being quiet would be my safety but I had to stop him, had to stop this.

"Do you know how many girls will kill to be in your place huh? Do you?" He glowered.

"That's where you're mistaken, Sir. I'm a young woman with ambitions, not some shameless bimbo trying to get laid by a horny lecturer."

Never have I felt so proud of myself before. The fact that my comeback hit pretty hard as evident on his face maximized my satisfaction.

"You're not matured." He snorted, pulling away. Thank goodness.

"Says the grown-ass lecturer hitting on his student."

He intently stared at me before leaning in again, this time caging me in between the wall and his arms. He moved his lips dangerously close to my ear, making me involuntarily shiver.

"All it'll take is time cupcake but I'll eventually have you in my den, completely submitted to me. I'm a very patient man sweetheart. Part of the reasons I always get what I want. I want you Seraphina and I'll have you."

He blew on my ear. I moved my head and accidentally looked into his eyes, wrong move. His pupils were dilated and lust dominated those orbs.

That was the alarm I needed to act up, do something or say something. Just anything to save me from this mess.

"Um, I gotta go." I was already out of his grasp before he could react and headed for the door but damn quick men reflexes. He tightly gripped my wrist and swung me around so fast I heard my neck crack. That was painful as fuck.

"Nothing can stop me Seraphina, mark my words. I'll take every step necessary to have you, even if...

"Even if what? what? let me go." I wriggled my wrist, struggling to break free from his iron grip. The man was a walking steel.

"Even if it means killing. I'll kill to have you. Regardless of who the individual is." My eyes widened and I momentarily froze, especially after catching the emphasis he made on "who".

"You won't do shit. I hate you. Let me go now or I'll scream."

He only laughed at my threat and tightened his grip, pulling me even closer.

"I wouldn't doubt me if I were you sweetheart. I'm pretty daring."

Anger surged into me and out of instinct, I spat on his face.

He cursed and applied pressure on my wrist, making me whimper.

"Surrender to me and everything will be over. Stop making this hard on yourself. Leave yourself to me and I'll make you feel in a way no guy has ev...

And that did it. That was all it took for me to act up, stomp his foot and kick him hard on the groin.

However, there was a complete turn of events contrary to my expectations. Mr Black barely twitched a muscle. If anything, he looked rather bored.

"Seriously, is that the best you've got?" He grinned.

I didn't stand to witness his next move.

Without thinking twice, I bolted to the exit.

"This isn't over Seraphina. Shit has just begun!" I heard his fading voice in the background but I was already halfway down the hallway. All traces of hunger gone and instead replaced with fear, anxiety, anger, and just about every other emotion.

I wasn't paying attention to where I was going during my mini-sprint and hence couldn't control my balance when I collided with a strong force, making me butt-plant on the hard floor.

"Woah, careful there. You're gonna hurt yourself pretty bad." The object, or person, cautioned and for the millionth time in the last few hours, I paled again.

That voice, the voice. The very voice I could identify even in my most unconscious state. The voice which used to get me to sleep, the voice which used to comfort me in my weakest moments. The voice which once gave me the entire world and snatched it back in a breathe. That one voice I would never forget even at my dead point.

"Tyler." I breathed out and evil hazel eyes bored into my soul.

"So we meet again, Barbie."

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Mr ex finally in the game,

More juice ahead so don't forget to vote, comment and share.

Xoxo,

~Mina