Chapter 26

The tension hung between us. I stood still, waiting for his reaction while feeling my heart pounding in my throat. Matias blinked and shook his head in denial.

"No..." I began once more.

"Leave," he ordered, starting to move away, making my heart sink.

"Matias, wait," I tried, grabbing his arm, but he quickly pulled away, forcing me to meet his gaze. "I know, you can hit me, I deserve it," I pleaded, reading his anger.

"Oh! I really want to, Ryuuiji, but do you know why I won't do that?" he asked, taking a step toward me. "Because I know you can handle physical pain very well, so to hurt you and make you bleed, I need to do it another way," he said with a dark smile. "Now leave!" he repeated, turning his back to me.

His words felt like blades tearing at my skin, but I forced my body to move and left the apartment, listening to the destructive silence. A thousand thoughts collided in my mind, each one leaving me restless and anxious.

Matias always knew exactly where to strike.

***

The music, along with the conversations and laughter, took over the gaming area. Sitting at the bar, I observed the rich making their bets and drowning in alcohol and drugs. It had been an entire day since my fight with Matias, and I hadn't seen him at the Academy or after classes. It was starting to drive me crazy.

"Want a drink?" Artemis appeared at the bar holding a glass of whiskey.

"Since when does the perfect little princess drink during work?" I criticized, accepting the drink. I took a few sips, feeling the alcohol burn down my throat.

"Wow!" she murmured, watching me with a raised eyebrow. "All of this because of the cops? Now you're going to tell me that daddy's boy has never been groped by uniformed pigs?" she mocked, taking the almost empty glass.

I smiled, even though I didn't feel like it. Great, the alcohol was kicking in fast.

"I heard you two are together," I commented, changing the subject.

"I'm not talking to you about this," she declared, taking the last sip of her drink before ordering another round from the bartender.

"A piece of advice, Shin is very dedicated when he's dating. He's the type to give up what he likes just to please you," I said, making her furrow her brow. "Don't fight with him over it, it'll make him feel bad," I advised.

"With all your boyfriends or just with you?" she snapped with irritation.

"It's cute that you think you know everything."

"My friends told me about your relationship, whether you're dating or not. And I know how you treated him, used him, controlled him, just because you believe Shin will always be by your side. You were a shitty, pathetic boyfriend, Ryuuji. We may share the same blood, but I'm nothing like you. Shin doesn't need to do anything for me," she declared, full of confidence and anger.

"See, you're sweet," I mocked, stealing her new drink. "Now I'm going upstairs to relax a bit. You're exhausting as hell," I grumbled, heading for the elevator.

The first floor was crowded with teenagers, and the music was so loud it made my heart vibrate with the rhythm. I passed by the crowd dancing and groping each other, heading toward the bar to find the twins.

"Did you not see my messages?" Kenji asked when I approached.

"I was working, you know I avoid my phone," I reminded him, taking my drink, but both of them were looking at me intensely. "Did something interesting happen? It was boring downstairs, except for when some old man choked and then spit his food in his companion's face. I had to hold myself back from laughing," I mocked, smiling as I remembered the scene.

"Across the bar," Shin said, still serious.

I looked in the indicated direction and was surprised to see Anton drinking while talking to a girl younger than him.

"The bastard has some nerve," Kenji pointed out, watching Anton with irritation. "Hataki said we can't touch him," he warned, his eyes gleaming with excitement, waiting for me to contradict him.

"Hey, don't look at me like that," I smiled, lightly pushing his shoulder. "We're not going to touch Anton. He's been coming here since he was 13, and he's never broken the rules here," I reminded him, moistening my dry throat.

"But we're at war," Shin criticized.

"I'm going to say hi," I announced, heading toward the tall guy with beautiful green eyes.

He looked at me when I stopped next to him, wearing my best smile.

"Hi," I greeted, catching the attention of the girl. "I need to talk to my friend, can you go?" I asked, making her tense. She hurriedly left, allowing me to face Lily.

"Is my time up?" he asked, not breaking eye contact.

"You can stay as long as you want, I don't mind," I assured him, shrugging.

Anton shook his head and studied me carefully. I smiled, casting a quick glance at his Lily jacket and the gray shirt underneath. We spent a few minutes staring at each other while the loud music filled our silence.

"I need to know how he's doing," the question came out with difficulty.

Anton ran his tongue over his teeth, his gaze shifted to my friends across the bar, still watching us intensely.

"I don't understand," he said with disgust.

"Of course, you understand," I muttered, breathing deeply. "You're Anton, you know exactly what's going on," I declared impatiently.

Anton tensed his jaw and forced a smile.

"I'd rather not know," he retorted emotionlessly.

"What is he doing?" I asked again, unable to hold back.

"Just because I decided to keep this secret out of respect for Matias, doesn't mean I'm going to play along in this sick game of yours."

"Sick?" I mocked, smiling.

"I knew he was your type, but I didn't think you'd be so stupid as to jump on him like a bitch in heat," he said with disdain, taking a sip of his drink. "I don't know how you managed to convince him to get into this mess, but it's only going to end one way," he declared, holding my gaze.