Taming The Perfect Prince

The end of the semester is just around the corner. The cold season is creeping in, and before we even realize it, the holidays will be here. Time really does slip away too fast.

“Friability test, stage three, new formulation, zero point eight percent,” I murmured under my breath, forcing myself to memorize every word and number.

Memorization has never been my strength. But when you’re in a relationship with someone who excels academically, you can’t help but feel inspired to do better. I don’t want people thinking I’m useless, just someone clinging onto Crow’s name. I know I’m not the prettiest, and I’ve heard the endless whispers that I’m only using him, that I don’t deserve him. I want to prove them wrong. I want to prove that I’m worthy of his love… because I love him more than anything.

So here I am, doing my best to study for tomorrow’s Pharmaceutical Analysis exam. I know I’m not particularly gifted. I’m just an average student, sometimes passing, often failing.

It was already past midnight when my phone suddenly buzzed, interrupting my scribbling on green sticky notes.

A message from my man.

Just like that, my exhaustion disappeared. Something is comforting about being overwhelmed with school and responsibilities, yet knowing someone is there for you, checking in, reminding you not to give up. I guess I’m lucky. People say I hit the jackpot being with someone they admire so much.

We’ve been together for quite some time, but the excitement hasn’t faded. Every message, every little update from him still makes my heart flutter. It may sound cliché, but he never fails to make me smile, to make me feel that same giddy happiness. Even thinking about him does that. I fall for him more each day, and I can only hope this feeling lasts.

Smiling to myself, I rested my chin on my hand, still holding a green highlighter, eager to read his message. I tapped the screen.

Message.

Hey, Red! This is Jake, one of Crow’s friends. Remember me? Can you pick him up tonight? He’s pretty drunk.

My smile vanished instantly.

The message felt… off. Too formal. Too precise.

A wave of unease washed over me.

I don’t even know his phone’s passcode, I thought.

I’ve always believed that even in a relationship, privacy matters. It’s up to your partner to share things like that. I never asked for his password, even if curiosity sometimes crept in. I trusted him completely. 

After quickly changing out of my pajamas and oversized Doraemon shirt, I put on a simple chiffon blouse tucked into faded blue jeans, topped with a beige blazer. I slipped into flat sandals and brushed my hair into place. It was late, so I quietly made my way downstairs like a careful intruder. My parents, especially my dad, are strict. They’ve accepted my relationship with Crow, but sneaking out at midnight to pick up a drunk boyfriend? That wouldn’t go over well.

I got into my car and opened my navigation app after receiving the location.

For some reason, my heart wouldn’t settle. My earlier good mood had faded, replaced by a strange, nagging feeling. Crow isn’t the type to drink himself senseless, and that thought bothered me.

Still, I tried to reason it out. Their basketball team had just won back-to-back games. It made sense they’d celebrate. If I were in his place, I might’ve done the same.

After about thirty minutes, I arrived.

I parked under a large tree, taking a deep breath, silently hoping my uneasy feeling was wrong. Even from outside, I could hear music and chatter, muted, but present. The house must’ve been soundproofed.

Parties.

I do enjoy parties, but not tonight. Not with an exam tomorrow.

The moment I stepped inside, the music grew louder, conversations more chaotic, and the air thick with smoke. It was suffocating.

People were everywhere, dancing, laughing, completely wasted. Some were tangled together in corners, lost in their own worlds.

A few eyes turned toward me. Some curious, others judgmental, disgust, envy, even hatred flickering in their gazes. Maybe they saw me as the obstacle to whatever fantasies they had about him. But I didn’t care. I was here for Crow.

Calling him my boyfriend still felt surreal. Out of all the girls who admired him, he chose me.

“Jake!” I called out.

He looked around before spotting me and walking over with open arms, a wide, drunken smile on his face.

“Hey!” he greeted, holding a glass that smelled strongly of tequila.

“Whoa, you’re so pretty! Lucky guy,” he slurred, planting a kiss on my cheek. I flinched slightly at the alcohol on his breath but hid it.

“Thanks, Jake. And congratulations to your team,” I said politely.

“Well, you should thank your boyfriend, the captain,” he laughed. “Come on, have a drink! Didn’t expect you to show up.”

“I thought you were the one who texted me?” I asked, confusion creeping in.

His expression shifted.

“I haven’t touched my phone since the party started, Red. I’ve been busy hosting. Why? Something wrong?”

A chill ran through me.

“Nothing,” I replied quickly. “Where’s Crow? I’m here to take him home.”

“He’s in the guest room. Captain MVP couldn’t handle his alcohol,” he chuckled.

I forced a smile and thanked him before pushing through the crowd, unease tightening in my chest.

“Hi, Red,” someone greeted me on the stairs. I recognized him from campus but didn’t know his name.

“Hi,” I replied briefly, continuing upstairs.

The second floor felt like a maze, far bigger than the house looked from the outside. Door after door lined the hallway.

Nervous, I opened the first door that I passed. A loud moan shockingly escaped through the door.

My heart raced.

"Fuck!" A man cursed in exasperation, and I quickly closed the golden door. I caught my breath at what I had seen. A man was eating the girl's possessions, and I tried my best to wash the image from my head.

This time, I was very hesitant to open the next guest room. Not having much of a choice, I closed my eyes and opened the second door. I caught my breath when two naked people were banging each other wildly right before my eyes. 

"The hell, bitch! Go away!" A girl screamed. I almost squeak when a pillow almost hits me. Thankfully, I immediately closed the door.  I touched my chest with that sudden wave of shock. 

The gross scenes went on like that, not until I passed through a slightly open door in one of the guest rooms. It was intentionally left open. I got very nervous all of a sudden.

Something felt… wrong.

My chest tightened as I slowly reached for the doorknob, my hand trembling.

Why do I feel like this?

I pushed the door open.

And in that instant, everything fell apart.

My vision blurred as tears streamed down my face. My knees weakened, my heart shattering into pieces at the sight before me.

My boyfriend…

and his...