Allison's POV
The music was loud.
Like... really loud.
I could feel the beat in my chest, and the lights kept flashing in so many colors, it felt like the stars themselves came down just to party. Everyone was either dancing or laughing or spinning in circles while throwing confetti in the air. The entire hall was decorated in gold and deep blue, and there were balloons tied to everything, chairs, the huge fountain, even the freaking buffet table.
And everyone... I mean everyone, was wearing a mask.
Some masks were elegant with feathers, some had sparkles and shiny gems, and others were a little weird or funny. But that was the point. The event theme was Midnight Mystery, and you’re not allowed inside without a mask on. Even Zeyon and Leo had to wear one.
Leo's was silver, with tiny chains on the sides. He said he picked it because it made him look like a "masked rich bachelor from some drama series." Meanwhile, Zeyon wore a simple matte black one, sharp and clean like it was made for him. But me?
I didn’t wear one.
Call it gut feeling or pure rebellion, I just didn’t want to. The moment I was handed one at the entrance, something inside me just said, no.
And they let me through anyway.
Leo had already vanished into the dance floor, talking to people he didn’t even know. I watched him shout something about tequila shots and then disappear with a bunch of guys in gold coats. He was definitely drunk. Or close to it.
Zeyon, though...
He stood beside me the entire time, arms crossed, his body like a wall between me and the rest of the world. His eyes didn’t move off me.
I gave him a little nudge. "Hey, you're allowed to have fun too, y'know?"
He didn’t budge. "I’m fine."
I rolled my eyes. "You’re literally standing like a security guard. C’mon, Zeyon. You’re not gonna turn into a tree if you dance for five minutes."
"I'm not leaving you here alone," he replied.
"I’m literally surrounded by people," I laughed. "Masked, glittery, suspicious-looking people, yes—but people."
He didn’t crack a smile.
That’s when Leo suddenly reappeared like a storm.
"ZEEEEEYONNNN! Broooo! C’mon! Let’s go!" he yelled, trying to pull him toward the floor.
Zeyon pulled back. "Leo, I—"
Leo didn’t let go. In fact, he motioned to his new pals, and before Zeyon could say another word, two guys grabbed him from either side and started dragging him.
"What the hell, Leo—!"
"JUST ONE SONG!" Leo laughed like a crazy person. "Bro, you need to loosen up! One song! If you don't like it, I'll buy you twenty burgers tomorrow!"
Zeyon looked at me with that do something look.
But I just chuckled and gave him a small nod. "Go. Have fun. I’m fine."
He stared at me like he didn’t believe me, but after a second, he sighed and let himself be pulled away. I watched him slowly disappear into the dance crowd with Leo hanging onto his shoulders like a koala.
And then I was alone.
Well... until I wasn’t.
Someone sat down beside me. I didn’t even hear him coming.
He had this calm presence. Tall, broad shoulders, wearing a black, shiny suit with silver threads that caught the light every time he moved. His mask was simple, but there was something eerie about it.
Black. Glossy. And it covered most of his face except for his mouth.
He leaned slightly toward me.
"You're the only one here without a mask," he said. His voice was deep. Smooth. Kinda... elegant?
I shrugged. "Yeah. Guess I like being different."
He chuckled lightly. "I expected that."
I blinked. "Wait—what?"
He turned his head slightly toward me. "I know who you are, Allison."
I froze.
He continued. "I was wondering if you'd actually come. This alumni program... it’s not just about dancing and champagne, you know."
My mouth went dry.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice a little lower now.
He didn’t answer. He just looked at the crowd.
"Not everyone here welcomes you. Some are here just to watch. Some... are here to stop you."
My heart started beating a little faster.
"Stop me from what?"
He turned back toward me again. "From knowing the truth. About your past. Your father. The school. Why they want you. Why you’re being followed."
I stared at him. My chest tightened.
He leaned closer. "If you want to understand everything... I can take you there. Right now. But we need to leave. There’s no time. Someone’s watching us already."
I looked around, trying to see who he meant but everyone was dancing. Laughing. No one seemed out of place. But maybe that was the point.
"I can’t just leave. Zeyon and Leo are here," I said.
He looked down for a moment, then calmly replied, "They’ll be safe. I have people watching over them. No harm will come to them. I promise."
I shook my head slowly. "I don’t even know your name."
He finally stood up and offered me his hand.
"You don’t need my name yet. What you need is the truth."
I stared at his hand. It looked steady. Confident. But my mind was going crazy. I thought of all the things that happened since the start of this whole mess. The letters. The people watching me. My dad’s name showing up again and again. The files. The photos.
What if this man really had answers?
What if this was the moment everything started to make sense?
I took a deep breath.
And then I placed my hand in his.
"Okay," I whispered. "Let’s go."
His grip was warm.
And everything around me changed the moment I stood up.