Chapter 14 THE LIST
Anya finally reached the classroom where her first lecture was taking place. Students turned their heads as she entered, some whispering, others laughing or pitying her. She ignored them all, her focus locked on finding a seat. She slid into one near the middle of the room, keeping her gaze low, waiting silently for the lecturer.
The atmosphere shifted suddenly as Shadow walked in, a small note dangled from his mouth. He dropped it at Anya’s feet and left as quietly as he had come.
Anya bent down, picking up the note with trembling fingers.
Clock’s ticking.
Her lips parted slightly, a chill running down her spine.
A red-haired girl slid into the seat beside her, grinning.
"Now Nikolai is sending notes to you through his cat, niceee" she said teasingly.
Anya looked at her, wary. "How do you know it’s from Nikolai?"
"Isn’t that his cat? Who else if not him," the girl replied. "Just… be careful, okay?"
Anya nodded slowly, her mind already racing.
The red-haired girl nudged Anya.
"I'm Marisa, by the way" she said, flashing a grin.
Before Anya could respond, a sudden commotion erupted outside the lecture hall. Chairs scraped against the floor, and students scrambled toward the windows and doors, murmuring anxiously. Curiosity pushed Anya to her feet as she followed the crowd into the corridor.
And then she saw her.
Katya.
Running frantically, her legs wide apart as if she were sprinting in panic. Her hands flailed in the air, her face twisted in agony.
"Fire! I’m on fire!" Katya screamed.
Marisa immediately grabbed a girl nearby, holding her steady as the crowd continued to gather.
"What happened?" Marisa asked.
"I heard… that chili pepper was added to her dildo. The… um… problem started in the restroom when she used it" the girl explained.
The crowd erupted in laughter. Some students doubled over, others were snickering, while a few simply shook their heads in disbelief at the spectacle.
Katya’s face was bright red, tears streaming down her cheeks as she stomped and fanned herself frantically.
Marisa leaned closer to Anya, whispering with amusement:
"Welcome to Volkov University"
Her phone buzzed sharply in her pocket, breaking her attention from the spectacle. She pulled it out and froze.
It was a message from her uncle obviously using a different number.
You can't escape from me, Anya. Come back or I come there to get you myself.
Panic clawed at her chest. Her hands trembled as tears pricked at her eyes. Without thinking, she bolted from the crowd, pushing past students, ignoring the commotion, ignored Marisa who was calling her name. Her heart pounded in her ears as she sprinted down the corridor in tears.
Tears blurred her vision, and she didn’t stop until she reached the main school gate and stepped outside.
A black car screeched to a halt right in front of her.
Her eyes widened.
It was Nikolai.
"Stay away from me!" she screamed, backing up.
Nikolai’s expression didn’t waver. He opened the car door, stepped out, and in one swift motion, lifted her on his shoulder.
"Let me go!" Anya struggled violently, kicking and flailing. She hit his back, scratched at his arms, even bit his shoulder.
But Nikolai’s grip was unyielding.
Finally, he set her carefully into the passenger seat, his hands firm but controlled. He returned to the driver’s seat.
Anya sat there, shaking, a crying mess, her chest heaving.
"Give me the list of the people who bullied you last night. And tell me… exactly how you want me to deal with them. I can kill them all if you want me to, just say the fucking word" he said, looking her dead in the eyes.
Anya froze and her sobs slowed. Her eyes, red and swollen, lifted slowly to meet his.