Chapter 78: Vanishing Without a Trace
I walked weakly along the corridor. My thoughts could not let go of Kenn’s figure and the explanation I had heard from Mr. Ahmad. New questions began to surface in my mind once again.
“What exactly is your plan, Kenn?” I muttered restlessly, wrapped in endless confusion.
Where did Kenn get that video recording from? Was there someone else besides him who witnessed the incident when Farah tortured me? Then, why did Kenn go through the trouble of submitting the video as evidence?
“Why did you have to appear as a hero just when I was already ready to hate you forever?” I asked rhetorically in my heart.
If he wanted to, he could have simply thrown away or deleted the video. At the very least, that would have made more sense than what he was doing now. Or perhaps Kenn was only pretending to be kind to me, and once I let my guard down, he would begin to carry out his revenge.
“Yes, that must be his trick. He wants me to feel indebted first before bringing me down,” I thought, trying to convince myself.
It was only natural for me to think that way. For almost a month, I had forced him to obey all my wishes. Who knew if this was just part of his plan?
I must not forget that Kenn was someone with the face of an angel but the heart of a devil.
“Or maybe I am the one being excessive,” I whispered again, barely audible.
Perhaps calling him devil-hearted was not quite right, considering he was willing to help me when Farah tortured me. He was also willing to protect Gita for Hendra’s sake. Maybe the most fitting description for him was devil-tongued. Yes, that was far more accurate.
“His mouth is indeed venomous, but why are his actions this time so kind?” I let out a rough breath.
Wait. If he truly intended to take revenge, then now should be the perfect moment to carry it out. All he had to do was delete all the video evidence, and I would be expelled from school immediately. Everything would be over easily.
“If that is the case, why am I still safe until now?” I asked myself.
Then why did he not do it? Why did he help me instead?
“Ugh! Damn it, this makes no sense at all!”
Too many questions piled up without answers, making my head feel full. I groaned in frustration.
“So annoying,” I complained.
Upon reaching the front of the classroom, I opened the door and immediately stepped inside. The room, which had been very noisy just moments ago, suddenly fell silent. Everyone went quiet, except for Dara, who waved her hand excitedly at me.
“Frel! Over here!” Dara shouted, breaking the awkward silence.
It was not that I failed to notice the change in atmosphere, I simply chose to act indifferent. Whatever their judgment of me was, it did not matter. After the commotion that had happened, I no longer cared about what other people said. I did not want to bother with it. This was my life, and only I had the right to fill it, not them.
“Look all you want, I do not care,” I thought as I shot a sharp glance around the classroom.
I kept walking, and my eyes immediately went to the corner seat at the very back. My brow furrowed when I realized that the person I was looking for was not in his seat.
“Where is he?” I muttered spontaneously.
Only Tomi was there. He sat alone, silent, twirling a pen between the fingers of his right hand while smiling at me.
“Who are you looking for, Frel? Did someone go missing?” Tomi teased casually.
I merely clicked my tongue in annoyance, then returned to my seat.
Throughout the lesson, I repeatedly glanced toward the door. I hoped Kenn would appear so that my curiosity could be answered. However, until the lesson ended, my hope was crushed. I was sure Kenn was not coming to school today.
“He really did not come,” I muttered softly. “Coward, you are deliberately avoiding me, aren’t you?” I whispered irritably while tidying up my books.
My patience ran out. As soon as break time arrived, I immediately went over to Tomi and pulled him out of the classroom. I ignored Dara’s shouts calling after us.
“Frel, where are you going?” Dara yelled in panic.
“Later!” I replied shortly without turning around.
Right now, even if I sat beside her, I was sure she would not care.
Since earlier, instead of paying attention to the lesson, she had been busy playing with her phone, exchanging messages with Ari while smiling to herself. Truly an annoying new couple.
I took Tomi to a quieter place before throwing out the question that had been filling my head all this time.
“Where is Kenn?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, why is Kenn not coming to school today?”
Tomi raised one eyebrow and looked at me with a suspicious gaze.
“Do not look at me like that. I am asking seriously,” I said while glaring.
Tomi crossed his arms over his chest, still watching me intently. “What business do you have with Kenn? This is strange. Suddenly you are asking about him. Do you not hate seeing his face?”
Just as I was about to answer, my mouth suddenly shut tight. The reply that had been on the tip of my tongue vanished instantly.
“You have looked restless since you entered the classroom,” he said quietly. “Is there something you are not telling?” Tomi continued.
“I will tell you later. Just tell me where he is!”
I began pacing back and forth in front of Tomi.
To be honest, I am the type of person who is very impatient. Once I want an answer, I will try my best to find it until I get to the bottom of it. That was exactly the same as the uneasiness I felt because of Kenn’s behavior, which lately had made me both curious and irritated at the same time.
“I just want clarity,” I finally said, more to myself.
I could not understand that guy. After acting like a hero who saved me from a dire situation and resolved my problems without being asked, now he had disappeared without a trace.
“Who does he think he is? Coming and going whenever he wants?” I grumbled inwardly.
Before long, I stopped and faced Tomi fully.
“Answer one question without beating around the bush,” I said firmly. “What is the reason Kenn did not come today?”
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