"It's nice to see you again… Miss Grapes."
The words slipped from Alek's lips like a taunt, smooth and venomous.
It wasn't nice. Not even close.
When Irina had called, panic was sharp in her voice, I'd thought I could at least talk to her first, figure out what the hell was happening. But of course, luck had never been on my side. By the time I reached campus, Alek's men were already there, stationed like shadows. And now here I stood—in front of Alek himself, Professor David at his side, and Ivan hovering near me, as useless and anxious as ever.
Out of the corner of my eye, Ivan leaned closer, whispering, "We should hand over the chip."
I turned my head slightly, my voice a razor-thin whisper. "No way in hell. Are you stupid?"
He exhaled, defeated. "Or what? Are you planning to die here? I just need to survive six months. I don't want any trouble."
I scoffed under my breath. "Then maybe you should've told that to Professor William."
"Are you two planning to run away?"
Alek's voice cut through the air, sharp and deliberate. My stomach tightened. Why was he so obsessed with this damn chip? There was nothing in it—nothing worth this madness.
"Mr. Alek, there must be a misunderst—"
Professor David's attempt at control was cut short by Alek himself.
"I'm not here for that, am I, David?"
My brows furrowed. "Then why the hell are you here—" The words slipped out before I could catch them.
"Congratulations."
It wasn't Alek this time. It was Ivan.
"For what?" I demanded.
Alek's smirk deepened, slow and cruel.
"You got a job."
The words felt like ice water poured down my spine.
"What job?" I turned sharply toward Professor David.
He hesitated, cleared his throat, and said, "You've been assigned… as Mr. Alek's personal bodyguard."
Silence pressed down around me, so heavy it almost cracked.
No. No fucking way.
Alek clapped mockingly, as if savoring my shock. But what nearly drove me over the edge was Ivan clapping too, like some idiot echo.
"I don't want this," I snapped, voice sharp enough to cut glass. "I didn't come here to play bodyguard to a mafia lord. That's not even—"
"It is possible" Alek interrupted, finality in his tone.
And then—he moved.
Step by step, Alek closed the distance between us. My pulse jumped in my throat. He was too close, his presence heavy, suffocating, inescapable.
"You see, Miss Grapes…" His voice dropped lower, intimate in its threat.
"You can do whatever you want…" His breath brushed against my skin, his smirk daring me to move.
"…as long as you have power." I locked my gaze on Alek, my voice low, unshaken.
"I'd rather die than be your bodyguard."
Alek scoffed, tilting his head, that cruel smirk tugging at his lips.
"Well… even if you don't take the job, you'll die eventually."
My stomach twisted. Everything was moving too fucking fast. My thoughts scattered, struggling to keep up, until one thing hit me.
I jerked my chin toward Ivan. "What about this guy, huh? He was there too. Is he your bodyguard as well?"
Alek leaned back, lowering himself onto the chair like a king on his throne.
"No. Because I only need one."
Panic surged in my chest. Without thinking, I grabbed Ivan's arm, shoving him forward.
"Then have him. He's better than me at everything."
That was a lie, of course. Ivan was useless in more ways than I could count. But right now, lying was all I had.
Ivan yanked his arm free, eyes narrowing. "You're such a good liar, you know that?"
I grabbed his collar, pulling him close, whispering through clenched teeth.
"Or what, huh? You want me to die alone here? Hell no."
A sharp clap echoed in the room. Both of us froze, turning.
Alek.
His eyes glinted like steel as he rose to his feet, impatience rolling off him in waves.
"See, I don't have time for your couple fight."
My grip on Ivan's collar remained tight as Alek's footsteps drew closer. His presence devoured the space, suffocating, inescapable. He stopped in front of us, that mocking smile carved into his lips.
"You're going to take Grip's position," he said calmly. "I'll give you twenty-four hours to accept. And if you still say no…" His smirk deepened.
"…then, Miss Little Grapes, I'll just kidnap you."
The words hit me like a blade pressed to my throat. I released Ivan's collar instantly, heart slamming against my ribs.
"I don't want to work as your bodyguard," I spat, forcing my voice not to crack. My eyes snapped to Professor David. "Sir, plea—"
"Enough." David's voice cut through mine, cold and final. "You cannot complete your college if you refuse. Think carefully, Miss Alina."
My jaw clenched. Fuck off. I wanted to scream it in his smug face, but I bit my tongue until it bled.
Alek's last words lingered like smoke as he turned to leave.
"You can give your decision to David… see you tomorrow, Miss Soon-to-be-Bodyguard."
The door closed behind him, and I spun toward David, fury burning through me.
"Sir, it's not possible. I'm not doing this."
He sighed, the bastard, as if my anger was nothing more than an inconvenience.
"Listen, Alina. It's punishment for not completing the task."
Punishment. My ass. He wasn't thinking about rules—only his own damn profit.
"Say yes to the job," David pressed. "Get close to Alek. Gather information. It'll be easier if you're his bodyguard."
I wanted to shut him the fuck up, slam my fist into his smug mouth.
David's gaze flicked to Ivan. "He'll help you, too. He's part of the punishment."
I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Then send him alone. Why only me?"
Ivan's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Well, someone created a big scene back there."
My fists clenched. He wasn't wrong—but still, why the fuck was I being thrown into this pit?
David's final words left no room for choice.
"Both of you, get back to class. And Alina—say yes to that offer."
We left the office together and went straight to Irina to tell her everything.
Her reaction was immediate—and explosive.
"THAT SON OF A BITCH BASTARD!" she shouted. "WHO THE FUCK DOES HE THINK HE IS, HUH? SO WHAT IF HE'S A MAFIA BOSS? I DON'T GIVE A FUCK! AND THAT OTHER BITCH—" she jabbed a finger toward the building, "—DAVID! THAT SELFISH OLD FUCKING MAN IS PUTTING YOU IN TROUBLE AND HE KNOWS IT!"
Ivan cut in sharply, "You'll be in trouble too if you keep shouting."
Irina ignored him completely, as if he didn't exist. She turned back to me, gripping my arms.
"Listen, Alina. You. Are. Not. Going. There. Got it?"
I sighed. It was the only thing I could do.
"It's not like I have a fucking choice."
Irina opened her mouth to argue again, but Ivan interrupted her—because apparently, that was his favorite hobby.
"Then use this chance. You can turn this against David."
Irina slammed her hand on the table.
"No. She is not going there."
"But that's the only thing she can do—"
"Shut the hell up and let her talk!" Irina snapped.
I thought about it. If I was honest with myself, this was a perfect chance to get closer to Alek… and closer to the truth about Yelena.
After a long pause, I said quietly, "I'll do it. I'll go."
Irina's face fell instantly.
"No, you're not. What if they find out? Alek is a fucking psychopath. No, you can't—"
I reached out and held her hand.
"I'll be fine. If I want the truth, I have to do this."
She hesitated, then finally nodded—clearly against her will.
Before I could say anything else, a familiar voice came from behind Irina.
"It's a good thing you said yes."
We all turned.
Diana stood there with her two loyal-but-not-really-loyal friends beside her. She walked up to our table, looking at me with a smug smile.
"You're smarter than you look," she said. "Let's make a deal. Set me up with Alek for one night, and in return I'll tell my father to cancel this little job of yours."
The offer sounded tempting. I glanced at Irina and Ivan—both of them clearly liked the idea.
But there was no way David would back out of a deal with Alek just because his daughter told him to.
I took a deep breath.
"No. Let's change it."
They all looked at me in confusion.
"I'll set you up with Alek for one night," I continued, "and in return, you'll give me a copy of the file."
"What file?" they asked at once.
I met Diana's eyes.
"The file with the records of every spy your father has sent there. I want all the copies."
She hesitated. It was risky—too risky.
After a moment, she held out her hand.
"Deal."
I reached for it, but she pulled her hand back at the last second, smirking.
"Oops. I'm late. Don't forget the deal."
Then she turned and walked away.
Ivan stared after her. "She's your friend, right?"
"No," Irina answered instantly. "She's not."
Ivan sighed and looked at me.
"What are you going to do with those files?"
Irina added, "You could've taken the first deal. That one was better."
I looked at her.
"You really believed her?"
She froze. Ivan barely managed to hold back his laughter.
Before either of them could start, I said,
"If I'm going in alone, I at least need to know who's there and where our people are."
Silence fell over the table.
And for the first time…
They understood exactly what I was planning.
♡〜٩( ˃▿˂ )۶〜♡
I hope you liked this chapter i know I'm uploading it after so long I'm sorry, I'll try to upload early from now on <3