KEY'S POINT OF VIEW
"You don’t need to know everything. Sometimes, to keep yourself from hurting others even more, you just let them go crazy wondering what the real problem is."
— rrrrrylleism
“I’ll pick you up at your condo, okay?” Gio’s voice echoed from the other end of the line.
I nodded, even if he couldn’t see me. “I’ll wait for you.”
The call ended. I stepped out of my room and into the living area. I glanced at my reflection in the large new mirror. I was wearing nothing but a pair of faded jeans, a white Fila t-shirt, and matching white sneakers. I left my eyeglasses behind, opting for black contact lenses instead.
It was a party I was heading to—most likely chaotic. My glasses could easily get knocked off or broken. My cheek was still bandaged, the wound not yet fully healed.
Dash wasn’t home—still in headquarters for training with Hayes. I locked up the condo and was just about to leave when the door across from mine opened. Shaun and Ingrid emerged.
Ingrid looked disgustingly sexy—her breasts practically spilling out of her top, and her skirt barely covering anything. Shaun, on the other hand, wore a simple Champion shirt, denim jeans, and black shoes. I noticed Spiro wasn’t with them—he hadn’t been coming to school for two weeks.
I ignored them and left first. Of course, they got into the elevator with me. I stood in front, both of them behind me. And worst of all, we were the only ones inside.
“Why aren’t you wearing something sexy, Summers?” Ingrid asked.
I tilted my head slightly but kept quiet. I wasn’t one for idle talk—especially not with Ingrid. And definitely not with Shaun, or anyone from their group.
As soon as the elevator doors opened, I stepped out. Right on time—Gio had just arrived. I didn’t let him get out. I simply got in. I caught the way he looked at Ingrid.
Okay, that’s creepy.
“Let’s go,” I said.
Within seconds, Gio started the car. Even now, I still held a grudge against him—a little. I couldn’t get over the questions he asked me last weekend. I sat in silence, staring out the window. Something was wrong. I could feel it—but he wouldn’t tell me.
“Hey, are you mad?” he asked, sneaking glances at me.
I sighed and turned my gaze to the front. “No.”
“Van—”
“I said I’m not mad, Gio. I’m not mad.” I struggled to keep the irritation from my voice.
“But you’re calling me by my name,” he whispered.
“I’m not mad, Vaney,” I repeated firmly.
I was surprised when the car stopped. I looked out the window, realizing we were already in the school parking lot. I was about to get out when he stopped me. I rolled my eyes and faced him.
“Look, I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to ask you those questions. I just wanted to clear things up—”
“Why do you even need to clear things up? There’s nothing unclear about our relationship, is there?” I snapped. “What’s the problem, Gio? What is it really?” I could feel my temper rising.
Damn it. It was obvious something was wrong. Why wouldn’t he just say it? Why leave me overthinking?
He didn’t respond, so I stormed out of the car. I hadn’t walked far when he suddenly hugged me from behind, wrapping his arms around my waist. I felt his breath on my neck—his head resting against my shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Vaney. Please forgive me. I’m really sorry,” he murmured, tightening his grip around me.
I pulled away and turned to face him. His head was lowered; he couldn’t meet my eyes.
“I don’t need apologies, Gio. I’m asking what’s wrong so I don’t lose my mind wondering. What’s the problem, Gio? What is it? Did I do something wrong—”
“It’s just... a family matter, Vaney.”
I sighed deeply, at a loss. Damn it. I was furious. A family matter? Then why couldn’t he just say that in the first place? I was his girlfriend. Don’t I have the right to know what he’s going through?
“Let’s just go inside,” I muttered.
He slowly looked up and gave me a brief hug. When he pulled away, I grabbed his wrist, and we walked in together. As we approached the complex, the loud music thumped violently in my ears. I might go deaf if I step in any farther.
Inside, I was greeted by chaos. Students danced wildly, wine glasses in hand. I had no clue where Merville and the others were. Even if I called them, I doubt we’d hear each other over the noise. And if I tried to text, someone might knock the phone from my hands.
I wanted to go back outside, but the crowd was too thick. I felt trapped in the center of the complex, overwhelmed by the stench of alcohol.
My brows furrowed—I couldn’t find Gio. I scanned the area, but he was nowhere in sight. I checked my watch and noticed him exiting the complex. Where was he going?
Panic surged through me as I pushed my way outside. I was stepped on, shoved—everything that could irritate me did. Relief flooded me when I finally broke through the crowd.
TSUP.
I froze at the sound. Slowly, I lifted my gaze.
And there they were.
Leaning against a wall, Ingrid and Gio were locked in a filthy, passionate kiss. He was responding—willingly, eagerly.
“What the hell...” I whispered.
Pain spread like wildfire through my chest. Tears welled in my eyes. I couldn’t move. Gio looked my way—but he didn’t flinch. He didn’t even act surprised. Instead, he grabbed Ingrid and walked away.
I collapsed against the wall, slowly sliding down until I was sitting on the cold cement. I pulled my knees to my chest, burying my face in them as I sobbed uncontrollably.
Was this it? Was this the problem? Was this the family matter? Since when was Ingrid family? Since when were they together? Were he seeing us both at the same time? Why?! Damn it—why does it hurt so much?
There are things in life we never expect. And some things, we should stop expecting at all.
A loud scream tore through my thoughts. Something was happening inside the complex—chaos. I tried to ignore it... until I heard a gunshot. Panic gripped me.
Shit! What the hell is going on?!
I immediately pulled out my phone and dialed the agency.
“Send Team Bravo and Echo—ASAP!” I shouted, sprinting back inside.
Gio and Ingrid weren’t inside when they left me, so I knew they were safe for now. But inside the complex, everything was in shambles. I shouted at the students to get out.
Some didn’t listen, so I pushed them toward the exits. Then I saw them—armed men with heavy weapons. I screamed even louder.
“Fuck! Escape now! Save your own lives! Run! Damn it!” I yelled, eyes darting everywhere. “Damn it! I said run! What the fuck is happening?!”
And of course—I didn’t have my gun.
Where was the Dean? The staff? The security? And they actually approved this party plan of Ingrid’s?! Fuck them all. I hate them.
More screams. I was spiraling—mind racing, unsure what to do. I lunged at one of the attackers, kicked him down, and snatched his rifle, shooting immediately.
I didn’t care that students saw. I had to keep them safe.
I shot another man who was grabbing a student. I remembered him—the guy who came between Ingrid and me in the bathroom. His eyes widened in terror. I pulled him aside, then shot someone approaching from behind.
I patted his face gently. “I need your help. Please—get out of here with the others. You’re a senior. Help them escape.” He nodded.
As he and the remaining students fled, I made sure no threats blocked their way. A bullet grazed past me—I ducked just in time.
“Agent Key!” someone called. Team Bravo had arrived. Yvo, Bolt, and Merville—all armed and wearing bulletproof vests.
“Where are your subjects?” I asked.
“We forced them to go home,” Yvo replied sharply, shooting another assailant.
“Where’s Team Echo?”
“Clearing the campus, Agent Key. The students are being evacuated.”
“Mavis—we can’t find Gio,” said Merville.
My temper flared again. Even after everything—cheating included—I was still obligated to protect him. “Secure everything!” I ordered and dashed out of the complex.
I kept glancing at my watch—he was still on campus. Dammit! Where was he?! Didn’t he know what was happening?
I ran to the parking lot. A few agents from Echo were still stationed there. No students in sight—they’d likely escaped.
I headed to the farthest corner of the lot.
Then I heard the click of a gun.
I turned and fired without hesitation. Blood splattered on my white shirt.
“What the hell?!”
I turned toward the voice—Gio stood there, shocked, disheveled.
He looked at me in horror.
“You’re a demon,” he muttered, shaking his head.
“G-Gio—”
I tried to approach him, but he turned and ran.
I pulled at my own hair in frustration. What now? What the hell should I do?!
“You’re a demon.”


His last words echoed in my mind.
@rrrrrylleism