5

CHAPTER FIVE

MALAKAI

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It's over... 

My life...

My secret crush...

Everything is over!

I'm trembling like a leaf on a windy day as I wait for another message that doesn't arrive. Fear dries up my lungs, I don't think I'm breathing for the several minutes that follow. 

Who is the sender?

How did he access my device even though it is password-protected?

Why wait until now to message me?

These thoughts are floating through my mind as my shaky fingers start to type;

' Who are you...?'

It takes a lot of courage to click on the sending option, even breathing becomes difficult as I wait for a response. 

The message tickles twice 

They read it...!

I can't stop trembling; I bit on my thumb hard enough to draw blood. The sharp pain combined with the metallic taste that floods my mouth.

Seconds slowly turn into minutes and then hours. And there is still no response.

' What do you want?...' I type again, I continue to check my phone. 

I'm glued to my spot on the bed, several hours have passed since my second message, they read it, and still no fucking reply. I want to scream, but dread dries up my throat. 

This person is clearly toying with me. The delay is torturing me. 

It is almost midnight when my phone suddenly buzzes with a new message from the sender. My eyes widen as I read, 

A location!

It's already so late in the night, how is it safe to leave the house at this time?

I don't have a choice, even if it's dangerous, this stranger has my life in his palms. 

I can only obey. 

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I arrive at the address, it's surprisingly close to school, now that I'm here, I'm suddenly too afraid to enter, it's not just any building, It's a nightclub.

Apprehension settles in my stomach and I'm sweating. 

Even though it's midnight, the surroundings are bustling with young people. 

' How long are you going to keep me waiting? Come inside; I'm getting impatient! ' I flinch at the new message. 

This person can see me? I look around nervously but don't find anyone suspicious. 

Stepping into the club feels like I'm walking to my death. 

The inside is even more flooded with people and the blaring sound of music makes it difficult to hear anything. 

How do I even locate this person?

A hand suddenly wraps around my shoulders from behind and I jerk around.

Tate?

My heart is pounding so hard, is he the person blackmailing me?

He's grinning at me and I clench my fists tightly. 

"I didn't think you were the type to come to a club!"

Well, you fucking brought me here! 

"Hey, isn't this the preacher's kid?" Jeremiah walks towards us, extending a bottle to Tate.

Isn't this alcohol?

It's illegal, right?

"Who cares, let's ensure that he has a good time!" Tate drags my arm and leads me towards the counter; he starts to pour me a drink, and I ignore his extended hands. 

"Tell me what you want!" I say impatiently, unable to keep the anger from my voice. 

"I'm just..."

My phone buzzes with an incoming message, I open it, and my phone nearly slips from my hand. I stare at Tate in confusion, he isn't the blackmailer!

"What's wrong?"

"Where's the last floor?" I stand up from my seat. 

"Why do you want to go there? The party is happening right here!"

I ignore Tate calling me and start to race up the stairs, I only have 30 seconds!

I'm breathing heavily, everywhere is quiet in this place, unlike the blaring noise from below. 

But this place is empty. Where the hell is the sender?

I hear the sound of the door opening and a familiar voice that has my blood turning to ice. 

"Are you looking for me?"

I turn around instantly to see the shadow standing in the doorway.

He steps into the light and my heart stops to beat.

Pierce.

Why is he here?

No way...

I refuse to believe that he's the person who found out about my secret.

"Am I so unbearable to look at? I don't like the look on your face." He walks towards me and I instinctively take a step back. 

God, please, let it not be him!

I doubt even the Lord will be inclined to answer my prayers, what I'd done is a sin. Is this my punishment?

Pierce takes another step forward, a cruel grin plastered on his face; I flinch when he grasps my chin, tilting my face to meet his dark stare.

"Why are you silent? I thought you really needed your photos"

My blood freezes as I meet his cocky gaze. 

I smack his hand from my face, my entire body vibrating with anger, 

"Bastard! How dare you go through my laptop, it's my privacy!"

Pierce meets my glare with a smile that showcases his perfectly set dimples.

" If I were you, I would change that tone unless you want everyone to know what kind of a perverted creep you are!" His smile suddenly vanishes, replaced by a cold glare. 

"You usually look so innocent, who knew you have such a disgusting little secret... I guess it's really the quiet ones that have a lot to hide"

"What do you want? Since you called me here, you must want something." I say with more courage than I feel. I'm trembling with fear deep within.

Why, of all people, it just has to be him...?

Pierce already hates me, now that he knows my secret. 

He's going to make me suffer.

"I don't like talking here, it's more comfortable inside. Shall we?" 

I scoff at his extended hands, why is he acting like a gentleman when he's threatening to expose me?

He places a hand on the small of my back. His touch is firm, I feels like I'm being imprinted by a burning iron. I follow him obediently like an animal to be slaughtered.

Walking into my doom.

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