STELLA
"What are you doing here?!" I shouted at the man standing before me.
"Eh?" It was Ponce. "Who is that, Stella? Do you know him?"
I broke into a cold sweat. I could feel the sweat dripping down the side of my forehead. I pushed Ponce back and we both moved away from Nullus' car.
"Hey, put that down! We’re screwed if you shoot!"
"He’s not human, what the hell!" I snapped angrily. My blood boiled even more as Nullus smirked at me. Wearing sunglasses at night? I don’t even know what’s wrong with his brain. Honestly.
"Come on, Stella, I know you're really angry. Why not join forces with me and let’s destroy this country?" he said, still grinning. He looked charming, but I wanted to strangle him.
"Really?" I questioned sarcastically. "If I were to destroy this country, I don’t need your help."
"Who is he, Stella!" Ponce hissed, giving me a sharp nudge on the ear. "Put down that gun!"
"Stella, Stella, Stella," he chanted, his voice calm. "Do you realize how useless these people you’re trying to protect are? They’re printing your face everywhere, spreading lies that you’re a traitor, and people are eating it up. Honestly, it breaks my heart for you." He removed his sunglasses, revealing those hauntingly beautiful eyes. "It makes me want to destroy this country even more."
My eyes widened in shock. "No! Shut up, Nullus. You’re not going to do anything!" I felt sweat trickling down my back. "I’m going to shoot. I’m going to fucking shoot."
"You know it’s useless," he said calmly.
I screamed. "I know!"
"You still care for these vermins? I can destroy them for you."
"There are still innocent people here, do you understand?!" I shouted at him. "So you need to get back to your place and leave us alone!"
"Come with me."
I froze.
"Choose, Stella."
"Wait a minute, what’s going on?!" Ponce demanded.
"Just come with me," he said, his hand slightly rising. I saw a faint glow on his ring.
He’s serious. He’s going to destroy this place—
Quickly, I lowered my gun and ran straight to the passenger seat of his lavish car. Once inside, I hit him. "Stop blackmailing me!"
But he ignored me. Nullus faced Ponce and handed him something. "That’s a diamond. Leave the military and buy yourself a nice house," he said, then revved the engine.
"That scar on your forehead," he said. "Who threw a rock at you?"
"None of your business," I snapped. "PLEASE, take me home!"
"Yeah, I can do that. Then I can summon my pet and we both can destroy everything again."
My eyes widened as I glared at him. "You know what?"
"What?"
"Fuck you, that’s what."
He just laughed. "You’d make a really good wife."
"What do you want from me?!"
"God, stop screaming, you’re making my beautiful ears bleed."
I’m losing my patience!
"What. do. you. want. from. me?" I asked firmly. "I swear to God, Nullus, if there’s anything, I’m going to shoot you!"
"Why do you still want to live in this place?" he asked suddenly. "Your government is planning to kill you. Everyone here is turning their backs on you. What do you want in this place? My world is so much better."
"I don’t even know what’s in your world, Nullus!"
"Call me Isaac—and yes, I just remembered you can’t leave." He looked at me through the rearview mirror. "But actually, no. Your world and mine are equally terrifying. However, mine is... barbaric. More intense and brutal. You could call my place a safe haven, almost."
"Fuck your place," I snapped. "There’s no way in hell your place is a safe haven!"
"I know right?!" he said with a grin. "That mansion is the worst."
He pulled over on the side of the highway. He turned to face me, his intense aura filling the car. It was almost suffocating. You could see it—it wasn’t just a normal person sitting there. And if not, you could feel it. Especially his eyes. There was something deeply unsettling about them, pulling your very soul. And if you ask me, he’s genuinely terrifying.
"My father believes we’re married, and he wants to get rid of me," he said softly, then chuckled lightly. "He doesn’t trust you, does he?"
He hit the nail on the head.
"He’s too protective for his own good," I answered. "He’d do anything to get me out of service. I’m just stubborn."
"That’s interesting..." he murmured. "I’ve been angry with your father for a long time... and come to think of it... I kidnapped his daughter without knowing you were his daughter..."
I clenched my jaw tightly. But I almost screamed when he leaned forward. He seemed to have a dangerous idea brewing in his mind. His excitement was palpable.
"Hey! Calm down!" I snapped at him. "Take me home! Don’t drag me into whatever twisted plan you have!"
"I’m going to marry you!" he said, grinning. "I swear, it’ll make your father lose his little mind."
WHAT?! Are you serious?!
"Isaac!" I yelled. "No! You’re not doing that! And besides, I won’t allow it!"
He wasn’t listening.
He just smiled, his grin widening as he accelerated the car.
****