I sighed, the weight of wasted time pressing down on me like a stone on my chest.I need to find Miko.
My fingers trembled with nervous energy as I yanked my phone from my pocket.
A notification! Finally!
Mark:You nerd, where are you? >:(Mark:You shortie, answer the phone T_T
Three dots danced.Typing…
Miko:What? -_-Miko:I'm not short. I'm 167cm, you brat. :|
Mark:Still short. I'm 179cm 😏
Miko:Shut up >:(
Mark:I wasn't talking...
Miko:Then what are you doing??
Mark:Typing a message (:
Miko:Anyway…Miko:What do you want? You've called me 13 times, you brat! ¬_¬Miko:Don't you know I have more important things to do than deal with your nonsense? ¬_¬
Mark:More important than me...? 😢
Miko:Yes.
Mark:I need to see you. It's urgent.Mark:Please… where are you? I need to talk to you in person.
Miko:No. I'm sending someone to get you.
Mark:Why? Why can't you just tell me where you are?
Miko:Because you're too dumb, Mark. You're too dumb to know what's really going on, and I can't risk it.
"Damn it, that nerd… she's really getting on my nerves."I shoved the phone into my pocket, frustration burning through me like wildfire.
I sighed again, heavier this time—like the whole day had finally caught up and slammed into me all at once.I just wanted it to be over.But the night had other plans.
A sleek, black Mercedes screeched to a halt in front of me.The back door swung open.
Out stepped a man in a jet-black suit, sharp and pristine but what really caught my eye was the black wolf mask hiding his face.
He looked like something out of a fever dream. No... a nightmare.
He locked eyes with me.His voice was smooth, yet carried a chilling edge:"You're Mr. Mark Loviski, right?"
I blinked, unease crawling under my skin."Yeah... that's me," I replied slowly, suspicion lining my voice.
"Then I'm the one who's going to take you to Ms. Miko," he said. "Please, get inside."
I hesitated for half a second before sliding into the backseat.A heavy dread gnawed at my gut.God, why is it so awkward in here...?
I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur by distant, hazy, like they belonged to a world I no longer fit into.
Then came a voice.
"Well, I'm surprised you didn't recognize me."
Wait.Hold on.
That voice...
Screeeech!
He slammed on the brakes.The car jolted to a stop.Without a word, he reached up and ripped off the wolf mask.
I froze.
My heart skipped a beat.
"You..."
Standing before me.. unmasked and smug.. was a face I hadn't seen in what felt like forever.
Yano.
That bastard.
He hadn't changed much. still had that cocky glint in his deep brown eyes.His dark brown-black hair had grown out a little, framing that sun-kissed face.Muscular, defined, confident to a fault.
Even those stupid perfect lips hadn't lost their smirk.
"You damn.. Yano?!" I gawked. "What the hell are you doing here?! Of all people??"
Yano, an old friend.We used to be tight... until he got himself a girlfriend and vanished off the face of the Earth.
"You bastard!"I lunged forward, fists clenched, but he caught my wrists with ease.
"I'm sorry! Please, just let me explain," he said quickly, his voice thick with guilt.
I sighed through gritted teeth. "Fine. Talk. Why didn't you message me? And how's your little girlfriend doing?"
"We broke up," he said, flat.
"…AGAIN?!" I let out a laugh, shaking my head. "Man, your luck is tragic."
He shot me a glare.
Then tightening his grip he crushed my wrists."OW OW OW! Okay, okay! I'm sorry!" I hissed, trying to pull free.
Why is he always this strong?I work out too, damn it! This isn't fair!
I glared. "So? Why didn't you message me?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You blocked me. How the hell was I supposed to?"
…Oh.Right.
I had, hadn't I?
"Okay, so what then? Are you a driver now or something?" I asked, trying to deflect my embarrassment.
He gave me a deadpan look. "She wanted us both there. Said it was urgent."
"She asked to meet me too," he continued, more softly this time. "And I'm here because I wanted to see you. That's why."
I fell quiet.
What the hell is Miko planning...?
The car started moving again.
"Oh," he added casually, "I've got some good news."
I squinted. "…What?"
"Charlotte's going to be there too."
I blinked. "Wait! that redhead with the rage issues?"
He nodded with a smirk.
"And how is that good news?!" I groaned. "I can't stand her personality."
"She's not that bad," he shrugged.
"I'm not talking about her looks! Yeah, she's got that 'gorgeous model who could punch a hole through a wall' thing going on, but her attitude is garbage."
"I couldn't agree more," Yano muttered.Yeah, he had his own history with her, too.
We slipped into a thick silence.I turned to the window, watching the lights blur into shadows.
Then we entered a tunnel … long, dimly lit, the hum of the tires echoing in the dark.
At the end of it stood an imposing gate, towering and silent.Cold metal. Ancient stone. The air felt heavy.
Yano finally broke the silence."We're here."