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Chapter 35 - Confessions in the Living Room

After talking a little longer—Mom poking fun at my innocence until she was satisfied—she finally got tired and suggested I go to sleep too. We parted ways, and when I entered my room, I saw Serco waiting on my bed, arms folded, staring at the floor. Before, I might've been shocked—but part of me expected him to be here. That part was relieved to be right.

"Hey," I greeted awkwardly. I wanted to say more, spark up a conversation to keep him longer, but just seeing his face made my mind go blank—aside from a few very inappropriate thoughts. Thanks to my gosh darn Mom! Darn it, Mom!

"I heard everything," he said. I blushed and turned away, hoping the wall would help me form a coherent sentence.

"I'm... I'm happy she agreed to it."I noticed how his way of speaking has shifted slightly since I first met him. He sounds... normal now. Human.

"I am too," I said, then sat beside him on the bed. After a deep breath, I added, "I'm a little embarrassed that you heard everything… but it's not like I have anything to hide from you anyway."

Serco kissed my cheek and laughed softly."Even if you tried to hide things from me, I'd see right through you," he whispered in my ear. I shivered—and then he moved his lips onto mine.

"Get everything sorted with school. I'll pick you up after class tomorrow." Then, just like that, he vanished. I flopped face-first into my pillow until my heart stopped racing.

I had trouble sleeping, but weirdly I didn't feel tired. The next morning, I was full of energy. Mom called the school and said I needed to visit a relative for a few days. They didn't ask for proof, so once the call ended, I was free to pack.

I picked out my best clothes—including the dress Nacina picked for the party. I even packed only my best underwear… not that I expected him to see it, but I didn't want to disappoint him if he did. While checking over my list, a knock came at the door. I practically leapt down the stairs thinking it was Serco—so when I opened the door and saw Tiren, I couldn't hide my disappointment.

"Hey. I'm here to pick you up," he said casually.

I didn't trust him. Serco said he was bad news.

"No, you're not. Serco would never send you to get me alone."He kept smiling for a moment longer—but then the smile vanished, replaced by a deep frown.

"I'm being serious."He reached for my wrist. I jerked away, but he used his blinding speed to grab me anyway and yank me toward him.

"Just come with me. Now."

"No! Let me go!" I screamed, struggling. But even with all my strength, I couldn't budge him. It felt like being pinned by a steel beam.

"Listen... I just want to talk. But if you don't calm down, I will hurt you too," he whispered. And I believed him.

"Serco will kill you if you hurt me! There's no way he'd let it go!" I said with confidence.Tiren sighed.

"Just talk to me for five freaking minutes, you stupid b****."His fake politeness vanished. He didn't wait for a response—he shoved me inside and teleported us to some unknown location.

My wrist was dislocated from the struggle. I crawled away, wincing."Now that we're alone… I want you to tell my brother that you love this godforsaken rock. That you can never leave. That you'll only be with him here. He cherishes you more than anything I've seen. So say you don't want to go. He'll either leave you or stay on Earth. Either way, I win."

"I won't lie to him." I spat in his direction.

He laughed, raising a hand to strike me—but stopped himself.

"Serco really found a girl like you on Earth? That's unexpected. How are you so fearless? Even a regular human male would have an advantage over you—yet here you are, so defiant..."He squatted beside me, stroking my cheek. I flinched, then winced at the pain in my wrist. Tiren smiled—an unsettling, genuine smile—and then, using his speed, he grabbed my wrist again and snapped it back into place.

POP.

I screamed.

My panting seemed to please him. He bit his lip and looked at me like I was prey."You're very, very interesting."

Then everything went black.

I woke up to my alarm.Was it a dream?I don't remember much, but I think I had a nightmare. I shot up and hurried to finish packing. Thank goodness I wrote a checklist—I hope I didn't forget anything. I can't believe I fell asleep while packing. I must've been exhausted.

When I heard the doorbell, I slid down the stair rail and rushed to open it. But when I touched the knob, my heart started racing—paralyzed for a few seconds. Still, I twisted it open… and relief washed over me when I saw Serco.

"Hey! I'm ready," I said brightly.

He threw his arms around me and spun me onto the porch."It's a good thing you set two alarms," Mom called out. "I was surprised you still fell back asleep." She laughed a little.

"I stayed up all night… couldn't sleep. I guess I passed out and didn't notice," I explained.Serco didn't seem to mind. He carried me inside and closed the door behind us.

"I plan to have her back in three days," he informed my mom.

"If anything happens, call me."

Serco nodded and grabbed my bag. Then he held me close—and suddenly, we were in space. Just blackness… and stars.

My heart panicked. I was afraid to even breathe.

"You're safe. You can breathe as long as you stay close to me," he said gently. "I've created a barrier around you. There's plenty of oxygen here—don't worry."

His calming tone helped. I wrapped my arms and legs around him for stability—and at some point during the trip, I fell asleep.

I woke up in a king-sized bed, draped in gold satin sheets beneath a white lace canopy. I turned and saw Serco beside me, reading. As soon as I looked at him, he closed the book and smiled.

"I hope you slept well."

Just hearing his voice melted all my anxiety. He leaned down and kissed me, and I felt even better.

"I did… thank you."

I felt so warm and fuzzy, I just wanted to cuddle up against him. But a knock at the door ruined the moment. Serco groaned.

"Come in!" he called.

Tiren and Smoke entered. Tiren glanced at me just once—and I shivered.

"Now that she's awake, Dad wants to see you. Both of you," Smoke said.

Serco groaned again."Fine. I'll let her get ready, then we'll be on our way."

They nodded and left.

Serco turned to me."There are clothes on the ottoman. I can help you change, if you'd like."

"I'm sure I can figure it out!" I said quickly, blushing.

He laughed, but his tone turned serious.

"By the way… Did Tiren do anything to you?"

My heart jumped.

"No... I don't think so."He stared at me, and I knew he could tell I was being honest.

"I think I saw him in a nightmare. I can't remember it clearly… but it's left me a little shaken."I didn't want to keep anything from him, so I shared what was on my mind.

"I see..." he murmured. Then he stood."I'll be back in ten minutes. Get dressed while I'm gone."

And with that, he left.

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