Lex pov
I woke up the next morning to find myself on the bed, clothes on me. I was surprised,I couldn't recall what had happen yesterday after I took the pills so I didn't think much of it.
I go up to get ready for today's test. After bathing I decided to dress differently today cus I was in a good mood,but not totally different from my usual style.
I went to my closet, picked up a new set of a grey wide leg trousers I just bought and a grey short sleeve tank top to match. A white face cap, white uggs and a white back pack.
I was in the mood for clean girl.
I went to the kitchen to make myself some toast,ate,filled up my water bottle and dash out of the house locking it behind me.
I went to the garage, pulled out my bike, hopped on it and left to school not wanting to be late.
Some people always wonder where did I get a lot of money to purchase a power bike. No one knew that my parents were quite rich before they died so all the assets were transferred to my name. So I am capable to afford one or two bikes.
The class room smelt like dust.
I sat at my desk, pen poised,eyes fixed on paper in front of me.
MID - TERM TEST
Normally, test were easy. Not because I didn't care – but because I knew how to shut the world out when it mattered. Focus had always being my strength.
Today, it took effect.
I read the first question. Then the second.
My mind drifted – not to fear,not to danger – but to a calm and steady gaze.
I tightened my grip on my pen and forced myself to focus.
I answered carefully, methodically. Every solution written clean,precise. Still,I felt different – like something inside me had shifted. Not distracted. Just...aware.
When the bell rang,I exhaled quietly, shoulders loosening.
Outside, the hallway buzzed with complaint and nervous laughter.
"That test was brutal," someone groaned.
I said nothing.
I headed to the court during break, bouncing the ball lightly, letting rhythm reset my thoughts.
One shot. Miss. I frowned.
That almost never happened.
I tried again.
Swish.
Better.
Results day
The paper landed on my table with a soft tap.
I flipped it over.
95%
Top two in the class.
A few head turned. Whispers followed.
"She never panics."
"She barely studies."
"She's just built differently."
I ignored them,but something warm settled in my chest. Not pride, not relief.
Recognition.
For the first time I wondered what it would feel like if someone outside this world saw this side of me too – not the girl in danger, not the girl in the court at night.
Just me.
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
I didn't check it immediately
When I did, it was a message from an unknown number
Unknown:
You handled today.
My breath caught – subtle but real.
I didn't ask who he was or how he knew.
I typed back.
It was just a mid term test.
A pause.
Then –
Unknown:
So was everything else
I stared at the screen, lips pressed into a thin line to hide the almost smile threatening to appear.
I didn't expect to see him again so soon.
I was leaving the community court after an evening practice, the court lights already shutting down one by one. The night was calm ,no shadows chasing me,no footsteps too close.
I thought maybe things had finally settled.
Then a familiar black car pulled across the street.
Not rushing.
Not blocking my path.
Waiting.
I stopped walking.
Zamiel stepped out of the car,alone this time. No entourage. No intimidation. Just him – coat neat, posture relaxed but alert,like a man who never really stood off duty.
"You said you didn't ask for protection," he said calmly.
I crossed my arm. "And you said you knew."
A beat of silence passed between us – not awkward,just careful.
"You didn't have to come" I said calmly.
"I wanted to," he replied.
Not had to.
Wanted to.
The distinction landed quietly but firmly in my chest.
We stood few steps apart, the distance intentional like we were trying to prevent something from happening. Respectful – yet charged with something unspoken. I noticed how his gaze never lingered where it shouldn't, yet never looked away entirely. Like he was choosing restraint, moment by moment.
"You're not afraid of me," he said, almost curious.
I shook my head. "No. I just don't understand you."
A corner of his mouth lifted – not quite a smile,but close.
"That's makes two of us."
The silence that followed wasn't heavy. It was gentle. The kind that make me suddenly aware of my breathing, of the way the night seems to stop around us.
I hugged my arm loosely. "You step into danger like it's nothing..
.but you draw lines like they matter."
"They do," Zamiel said immediately.
He's voice lowered – not seductive just sincere.
"Because once a line is crossed,it can't be uncrossed"
I looked at him – really looked.
Not the power. Not the reputation. But the man choosing control over impulse.
For the first time my guard softened.
"You're different from what people would say about you," I murmured.
"And you," he replied "are exactly what they don't expect."
Our eyes held.
Not hunger.
Not need.
Just a quiet pull – like gravity acknowledging gravity.
Zarin's presence approached again, deliberately slower.
I felt a little bit of sadness – the moment ending.
I stepped back first.
I hesitated, then added, "Thank you. For stopping things.... without owning them."
His gaze warmed – only slightly but enough.
"You don't deserve to be owned," he said.
"Except if you want to be owned."
That sentence stayed with me.
"Good night," I said.
"Goodnight Lex."
I walked away without looking back.
Zarin waited till she was gone.
"This isn't the way you usually handle civilians," he said carefully. "That is protection."
Zamiel finally turned to him.
"She isn't a civilian problem," Zamiel replied. "And it was respect and restraint."
Zarin studied him. "You don't usually struggle with either."
"I do when something matters,"
I said quietly.
That realization settle deep.
Because attraction was easy to ignore.
But connection, especially the quiet kind – that was dangerous.
And Lex had become exactly that.
As they got into the car,Zarin glanced one more at the direction Lex had gone.
"She's not afraid of you," he observed.
He didn't respond.
But even as the car pulled away, he knew the truth.
Others had started to notice.
And once something could be seen, it could no longer be ignored.
Lex pov
Later that evening, I went for a quick walk.
The street was dim, quiet in that uneasy way that made every sound feel louder than it should be. My steps were steady,mind elsewhere,until a sharp voice cut through the night.
Help – someone else please help me.
I froze.
I turned toward the sound and saw them. Three guys had a girl cornered near an alley, their movement aggressive, blocking all ways to escape. One shoved her back as she tried to run. The sound of her stumbling hit me like a punch to the chest.
" Let me go," the girl cried.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
I didn't think. I moved.
" Hey!" I yelled, already running towards them. " Get away from her you freaks."
The thugs turned. One laughed,slow and mocking.
"Mind your business."
The girl struggled again, that was it.
I lounged forward and grabbed the guy closest to her , shoving him hard against the ground. He wasn't expecting it. Another moved towards me fast but I ducked and kicked his leg out from under him. He crashed to the ground with a curse.
"Lex!" The girl cried.
I froze for half a second.
I turned my head, really looking at the girl now – tear- streaked face, school jacket half torn, familiar eye wild with fear.
"You" I breathe. Recalling that she was the girl from my class who offered her cloth to me when mine was torn in school during a fight, which I refused.
She nodded desperately. "They followed me after school– I don't know where to go."
"Get behind me," I said without looking back.
One of the thugs grabbed my arm, trying to pull me away. I twisted free and slammed my elbow back against his chest, forcing him to stagger. Another reached for the girl and I snapped.
I shoved him away from her planting myself infront of her.
"You don't touch her" I said, voice sharp and dangerous." Not now. Not ever."
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed from down the street – someone must have heard the shouting.
That changed everything.
"Forget this," one of the thugs muttered.
They backed off quickly, disappearing into the darkness, their confidence gone as far as it had appeared.
Silence fell.
"What's your name," I asked.
She looked at me with shock like she wasn't expecting me not to know her name.
"My name is Tamara Bellini" she answered with a tender voice.
Tamara collapse unto me, shaking. "I thought I was done for," she whispered. "I didn't think anyone would stop.
My adrenaline finally faded, leaving my hands trembling. I held Tamara steady.
" You're okay" I said firmly. "I've got you."