Aveline
I was taking a bath, but I'm still mad at Ruby and feeling a little dizzy and weak. I don't know about my temperature... am I sick?
As soon as I entered the room, Ruby stood up and held my hand. I tried to push her, but I couldn't. She's strong, and I'm not feeling well.
"Aveline, come here. Don't be stubborn."
"No, don't talk to me, Ruby," I weakly hit her chest, but she held me and checked my temperature.
"Damn it, Aveline, you're burning," she muttered and gently forced me to sit on the bed.
She checked with a thermometer—it was 103°. I was burning up. I saw that little crack in her expression... worry, but still in that controlled way of hers.
"Come here, take this." She gave me medicine and dumped a towel on my forehead. She was taking care of me.
"Idiot. Idiot. Absolutely idiot! Aveline Vale."
She's mad, but I know... it's that worried kind of madness. I only huffed and started playing with Leon on purpose while she kept taking care of me.
But I didn't forgive her. I mean, let me enjoy this side of her—it's rare. I was enjoying teasing her; she deserves it. She's the reason I ended up like this.
I kept annoying her by putting myself into her work, dancing when she told me not to, and not eating just because I didn't want to.
After a few days, I was fine and back at home. I hadn't talked to Ruby since that day at her place when she scolded me.
She usually approached me, but I didn't care. I do... but I don't. I was with Kai. She beat him badly—but damn, it was amazing.
I told Alia about all the incidents. All of them. She was shocked and happy—for what, I don't know. She's an idiot.
Kai was being clingy and possessive and kinda angry. He usually scolded me a little. Why? He also had a problem with my dancing. I can do anything, but I can't stop dancing. That's my life. I feel happy, alive, myself. But he had a problem with that.
We were in a relationship for five months. But he's already possessive—not like Ruby. It's something else. I was just praying that it wouldn't end up like those girls... the ones who hurt themselves.
No. I didn't want that. For now, let's not think about this.
I was with Kai. He was talking about his match, but I wasn't really listening until he snapped.
"Are you even listening, Aveline? Or am I talking to a stone?"
"Hey, Kai, calm down. I'm listening."
"Really? Then what was I talking about?" He was mad. His tone—demanding, judgmental.
"Kai, why are you being like this?"
"Like what? You're my girlfriend. You should listen to me. Do what I tell you to."
"Why? Just because I'm a girl? You can't treat me like shit. Am I not even worthy of being treated like a human? Ruby... she treats me like I'm the only thing that matters. And you... right now, I feel like nothing but a toy."
"Don't. Don't you dare to fucking talk to me like that. I don't owe you anything! You don't have the right to talk to me that way. If Ruby knew how you're talking to me, she'd kill you."
"Ruby, Ruby, Ruby! Enough, Aveline! I'm your boyfriend, not her. You should be listening to me, thinking about me, talking to me—not her."
I stood up and walked out. Alia, who saw the whole scene, followed me into the university corridor.
"Hey, Aveline," she held my arm.
"Alia, I... I just need to go home early. I'm leaving."
"But Aveline, your driver hasn't come yet. Let me drop you."
"It's okay, Alia. Don't worry. Go attend the classes. Later, send me the notes, okay?"
"But Aveline, at least call someone to pick you up or let me drive you. Don't be stubborn."
"No, Alia. I'm fine. You go. Take notes. You know how Mr. Khalid gets. Now go. I'll let you know when I'm home."
I left. I know Alia is worried, but I wanted to be alone. I sat near a café, drank coffee, and then decided to walk. I just wanted to be alone.
While I was walking, the road was empty. Basically, I was in a quiet street. Suddenly, a black car stopped in front of me. My heart dropped. I knew what that meant. I was scared.
Three boys with covered faces stepped out. One looked familiar.
"Aveline Vale, come here. Don't you dare scream. No running."
I was at gunpoint. I wanted to run, but I couldn't. One behind me. One on the left. One on the right. A gun pointed right at my head.
"Leave me alone, you motherfuckers! What did I do to you? What do you want?!"
"We want you," one of them said. That voice... it was familiar. I don't know why.
"Leave me alone!" I screamed, but they didn't. One grabbed my wrist. Another pressed a cloth over my mouth with a weird smell.
I don't know what happened next.
All I know is... I fainted.
I should have listened to Alia. I shouldn't have left alone. I should have called someone.