Chapter 2

For almost a week, I have been thinking about what happened in the washroom and the conversation Hunter and I had. Since then, I've frequently seen him glancing my way or keeping an eye on me. He doesn't avert his gaze even if I catch him. He frequently gives me blank looks, making it difficult for me to tell what he is thinking, but every so often I catch him grinning as though he is plotting something nasty. I find him creepy.

"Are you okay?" I looked at the person who spoke, and Meast immediately caught my attention when he sat next to me. I turned around to look for Damon or his special someone, but I didn't see anything. That is also why I heard his chuckle.

"Damon isn't with me; he has something to finish."

"Why aren't you rude to me? Do you have a crush on me?" I joked that he just laughed again and messed with my hair like his younger sister.

"I have a sister. You haven't met her yet, so since you're Damon's sister. . . I treat you like a sister too." oh so it's not a friend zone this time, it's a sister zone.

"I don't want to be your sister; it's not appropriate. I'd rather be your

girlfrie—" I stopped and covered my own mouth. I felt myself suddenly blush from what I said. Shocks! Dimaria's morning confession!

I shyly turned to Meast, but I just caught him looking at me. Amusement crossed his eyes as he shook his head and let out a chuckle.

"I don't want to hurt you, Dimaria. I am sincere when I told you, you're like a sister to me," Well. No! No! I haven't accepted it yet!

"It's okay, I'm lucky that there are so many women who almost break their necks watching every step you make, and do everything to get your attention. Here I am and I can talk to you and be with you without any difficulty." I said, smiling. Even if inside, I'm still not giving up.

We were at the student park. I was busy making a PowerPoint presentation for my report tomorrow while he was doing their plates. Sometimes I look at his designs and I can't help but be amazed because he's really good.

I thought I would be with him for a long time, but he immediately said goodbye because they had class. I was left there finishing the report, but when I stretched my hand and neck, I accidentally turned in a direction, and there I met the same stirring gray eyes of Hunter Martinez. As often, it shamelessly stared at me. I swallowed a couple of times and chose to look down. I can't maintain eye contact with him. It's making my heart go damn crazy. And I don't like that.

After making a report, I decided to just leave the school to go to the coffee shop opposite. I'd rather wait for my brother there than be bored in the student park. Also, I don't have classes anymore, so I'm free to go off campus. One of the things I liked about college was that I didn't have to wait in line for a long time at the gate before it opened and before I could get out.

I was on the outside already when someone grabbed my arm and pulled me. I took a breath and immediately looked to see who it was, and I was almost speechless because it must be Hunter.

"W-What are you doing? Where are you taking m-me?" No one sees us much because the classes are still ongoing. We are also far from the guard.

"Come with me quietly and don't make a scandal," he said firmly and tightened his grip on my arm.

"Let me go, Hunter..." I ordered firmly and was about to escape from his grip when something touched my waist.

I got cold because the moment I looked down there I saw that it was a gun. He has a f-fucking gun! No one noticed us because he was standing behind me and now his hand was around my waist. His body was just right to be able to aim the gun at me freely while being guided into his car.

I was in tears and kept silent. Some images flash in my mind that makes me close my eyes. I was trying to forget that. But this man just reminds me.

When he got in, he quickly locked the door. He leaned closer to me and buckled my seat belt. While I remained stiff as my breathing became rigid. My tears were left in my eyes. They don't leak, but I know they're just there.

"I h-hate you..." I mumbled. I'm scared of his real motive.

"I am allowing you to hate me, despise me, Divecca. Just don't try to make a move that will cut the small string of my patience." as if I have a choice. What do I have against his gun?!

Damon.

I want to cry. I want to call him, but I'm afraid. Also, he doesn't want to worry about me anymore. I don't want to harm him. Meast. I took out my phone from my bag, secretly, while Hunter was driving, but he noticed me and got it quickly. He even threw my bag in the back without difficulty.

"Trying to call for help? You're really trying to test my patience, Divecca Marianne."

"What do you want? Where are you taking me? Why are you doing this? I don't even know you. I don't owe you anything. Why are you doing this?!" He tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He didn't say a word.

"What?! You can't say anything?! Why? Are you tripping? Or because... because you and my brother are rivals? right? !" Gosh, where do I get the courage? I just want to know why... why is he doing this?

He still didn't speak. His grip on the steering wheel remained tight.

"Oh so I am right, you're just bitter and jealous of someone's achievement, and of course, maybe you're too shallow for—"

"Shut the fuck up woman if you don't want me to kill you and your fucking brother! Behave yourself before I do something you'll never like! Bullshit!" I almost flinched when he violently hit the steering wheel, and his angry shouting seemed to be heard in my speech. The only tears I had by my side were slowly falling. Based on his voice and how he yelled at me. His voice was full of hate and anger.

So this is his true color? Is this his motive so he often looks at me? He was just observing and looking for the perfect opportunity to abduct me?!

What the fucking fuck is his fucking reason?!

Although my hand was shaking, I was able to wipe away the tears that fell from my cheeks. I was even trying to stifle my sobs from escaping my lips. I saw out of the corner of my eyes his violent sigh and how he brush his hair using his fingers. His jaw moved harshly. I almost didn't realize that we stopped in front of a house. The area was too far from the neighborhood. Secluded and dark.

I always find darkness comfortable. But this place isn't the same. It makes me feel the terrifying feeling that people often use to describe being in the dark. It screams danger.

"Get out." I immediately obeyed his authoritative command when he opened the door. I didn't even get down completely, but he pulled me by the arm. He took my bag, leaving my phone inside his car. Carrying the bag in one hand, he grabbed my arm and pulled me inside the house. We didn't even get in when my knees were shaking and I almost fell from following him.

"W-Why did you really d-bring me here? W-What was my fault?" I can not remember anything. It's just new to the school. I've only been a college student for two weeks, I don't owe him anything for him to do this to me.

He threw me on his couch as he put his gun back on his back. He took off his uniform in front of me, leaving his white undershirt. He looked at me with emotionless eyes before walking over to the nightstand and taking something.

He came back in front of me and threw the black folder on the table.

"W-What is that?"

"The one that will decide your fate. Obey, you will live. Be stubborn and I will kill you." I suddenly turned pale at what he said. My hand was shaking as I took it and read it, only to know that it was a contract saying that I was giving myself to him as a fungible asset in exchange for him not doing something that would ruin my brother.

"A-Are you crazy?"

"No."

"What do you think of me?! Easy to buy? Easy to own? Easy to pay?" He smirked at me.

"With the amount of your brother's arrears to me, your life will not suffice, Divecca. I have a lot of ammunition against your brother. If you persist. You're going to be your brother's downfall. Now choose. Give yourself to me and marry me? Or choose yourself and let your brother fall?"

"Damn you, Hunter! Why are you doing this?! What arrears my brother has to you, huh?!" I stood up and bravely faced him, but he just violently grabbed my jaw and with that pushed me back to the couch. He took out his gun and pointed it at me. My heart almost stopped beating at what he did.

"You have a pen. Sign in," he ordered, which I didn't immediately do.

"Fuck, just sign it!" I flinched. I almost screamed in fear and shock as he pressed the gun harder on me. I chewed my lower lip and, with my tears falling, I took out my pen and signed the contract, despite my trembling hand. My tears are falling on the paper, but I don't care anymore.

I feel so empty. I don't know if I signed correctly. He took the contract and hid it somewhere. He also hid the gun and then returned it to me.

"From now on, you will not see Damon and Meast. We will leave the country tomorrow afternoon without you telling them goodbye. When we get to Vegas, we'll perform the wedding. Expect that it's not the typical wedding ceremony that you know." I was just listening to him, but I felt like I didn't understand anything.

"Now go inside the room with the white door. Don't ever think of escaping me, Divecca. You don't know what I can do yet." He threatened that I wouldn't even pay attention. I followed him quietly, and as soon as I entered the room, I immediately felt weak.

Me? Am I going to pay for Damon? Then I will do it. Damon protected me before. It's my time to do the same. To recover. I will do everything, just don't add to the hardship my brother is going through. Whatever he had done to Hunter to make him so angry. I do not care anymore. He took me as payment for my brother's arrears with him.

I'm not stubborn anymore.

The next afternoon, it was true that he said that we were leaving the country. I felt it was too hard to leave without informing my brother and Meast. I know Damon is looking for me now. I know he's worried, but I can't do anything. Hunter is holding me by the neck. No matter what escape I do, my life and Damon's are at stake.

With the amount of Hunter's staff that followed us at the airport, I knew he was not a casual person. I thought there was nothing more dangerous than Damon or Meast, but this man... I knew he had so many skeletons in his closet.

Hunter isn't just a mere engineering student who has the looks, brains, and money. There was something dark in him... or maybe... he was the darkness himself, luring me.