It was evening, and the low hum of city traffic echoed beyond the towering skyline. Austin let out a weary sigh as he stepped into the sleek lobby of the penthouse. His uniform felt heavier than usual, like the day itself was still clinging to his back.
As he approached the elevator, a familiar pressure prickled at the edge of his awareness. He didn't need to look—he already knew.
Just as he reached for the button to his floor, she stepped in.
Raven Ceasar.
The elevator doors closed with a soft chime, sealing them inside.
Austin swallowed, nerves prickling down his spine. He let out a shaky chuckle.
"H-how did you find me—? I mean, Miss Ceasar. What a... surprise. To what do I owe the pleas—?"
Before he could finish, she grabbed him by the collar of his uniform, her emerald eyes sharp and unwavering. She pulled him close—so close their faces were only inches apart.
"I want a word with you," she said, voice calm but laced with quiet danger. "And as for how I found you—I have my sources. There's no running, little bunny. No one's coming to save you."
Austin gulped audibly, raising both hands in a mock surrender. Moments later, they were inside his apartment.
Miss Ceasar took her seat on the couch with an elegance that seemed almost rehearsed. She crossed her legs and leaned back, as if she owned the place. Austin shut the door behind him and turned to face her, still confused.
"So… what's this about? If this is about what happened earlier, I really think we should just forget it. You might be acting out of gratitude, which is totally understandable, but there's no need—"
She cut him off with a raised hand and a sigh.
"I'll stop you right there, sweetheart," she said, leaning forward with her hands clasped. "First, I came to inform you that the school board is assigning you as class representative for the upcoming event. The former rep has gone missing—no one knows where, and no, I wasn't told to relay this message."
Austin blinked. "Wait, what?"
But she wasn't finished.
"And secondly…" she paused, her voice softening—but something dangerous crept beneath the silk. "You're the odd number I've been missing. The variable I want in my equation. I have you now."
Her words hung in the room like a slow-burning fuse. A smile curled across her lips—confident, possessive, inevitable.
"No one will stop me from having you, dear Austin."
Austin stood frozen, struggling to process the shift from casual threat to personal obsession. Before he could respond, the front door burst open.
Sellzen strolled in, counting bills and grinning from ear to ear.
"Heh. Another day, another reward—Huh?" He paused, blinking at the sight of Raven. "Ceasar? What are you doing here? I didn't even give you the full address yet—"
In that instant, Austin's brain connected the dots. Everything—how she knew his school, his home, his schedule—it all pointed to one snitch.
He lunged at Sellzen and grabbed him by the collar, shaking him violently.
"You traitor! It was you! How much did she pay you!?"
Sellzen gasped, slapping at Austin's arms as he tried to tap out. "Wait—wait! Chill! You're bruising the merch!"
Miss Ceasar rose to her feet with a faint smirk and walked toward the door. Before leaving, she glanced over her shoulder, her gaze lingering on Austin.
"Get ready, little bunny. I'll be watching... and hunting. You're mine."
The door closed behind her with a soft click.
Austin slumped back, letting out a deep sigh before turning to glare at Sellzen, who was already brushing dust off his sleeves.
"Dude!" Sellzen protested. "Relax! I was gonna give you like... 20% of the cut! Besides, think about it—get in her good graces and you're set for life. No stress. Full luxury. Come on, you saw those legs—"
Austin didn't hesitate. He hurled his school bag at Sellzen's head.
"Shut up, will ya!?"