" I don't think we should "
" Your choice, Lea "
She shift away from Hadyan, disappointed in herself. " Look, it's for the best that we don't continue this. I hate getting close to people. And I'm usually nauseous when people touch me. It's been that way since I was young "
" You're touch-phobic? "
" Hence, the no-touching rule "
" But not with me "
" The one exception to my rule "
A second later, her driver knocks on the shield separating the backseat from the front seat.
" Boss. We're almost there "
" Where? "
Hadyan smiles, his eyes suddenly going cold. " To handle Dito. It's payback time "
***
Hadyan tells her that she has about to go handle Dito for drugging her, the night of the Elect party.
" What do you mean, handle? I thought you knew about it. I thought we moved on "
" And I thought I made it clear that I didn't know. About what Dito did. Did you think I am such an ass that I would drug you and set you up to look like the school slut? "
" Well… I thought it was punishment for breaking the rules "
" And I was upset, Lea! But I would never throw you to the wolves that way. You have to believe me "
***
Hadyan shakes his head in frustration. A second later, she arrive outside Elite. But instead of heading to the dorms, she drives across campus. A moment later, a dark, abandoned warehouse appears outside the Escalade windows.
What on earth?
Hadyan leads her into the abandoned warehouse, just as the lights flicker on. Kevin waits at the centre of the room, with Vidi sitting on the chair, tied up and shirtless.
" Hadyan… where is Dito? "
" All in good time, Lea. Patience " Hadyan nods at Kevin
" Vidi. Do you know why we're here? " Vidi nods, eyes flickering to hers and then back to Hadyan's
" Words, Vidi. I need you to use the words "
" Yes "
" Lea, do you have any questions for Vidi before we get started? "
" Who paid you to do this to me? " Vidi swallows, avoiding meeting her eyes
" Dito. He said Hadyan wanted this " Hadyan gazes at Dito with stone-cold fury
" Kevin. I think it's time "
Kevin immediately pull Vidi into a headlock, choking him. " Kevin.. what are you doing? "
" Getting payback, Lea "
" It's my payback "
" She's right " Hadyan approaches next. He grits his teeth and starts pummeling the living daylights out of Vidi.Vidi gasps in pain. Blood starts oozing from his lips and nose.
" Hadyan, it was Dito! One of your own! He said you would be pleased! " Hadyan stops punching Vidi.
" He said I would be pleased? Vidi, do I look pleased? "
" No, sir. Sorry, sir. It won't happen again "
" You're damn right it won't happen again. Now apologize to Lea "
" I'm sorry for any trouble I may have caused you, Lea "
" Apology accepted, Vidi. Just don't do it again. Ever "
" Thank you, Lea. I won't. I promise " Hadyan unties and lifts Vidi from the chair, pushing him to the exit. The rope spools to the ground.
" Go get cleaned up. Try not to cross paths with me for a few months, at least. Now. Just one more thing. Dito, you can come out "
Dito emerges from the shadows, his normally smug face paling as he walks toward Hadyan.
Kevin said, " Gitta say, I'm surprised you listened to Hadyan and stayed quiet while we dealt with Vidi " Dito shrugs, his eyes red-rimmed and glassy
" You were here this whole time? "
" Hadyan told me to be " Hadyan walks right up to Dito. Without waiting, he punches Dito in the nose. Again. And again.
" What should your punishment be, Dito? I leave to take care of business-- a business you have interest in, by the way. And while I'm gone, you betray me by ordering your hit on the new girl? "
" She was disrespecting you! "
" So you taught to disrespect me, is that it? You thought disrespect equalled more disrespect? "
" Does she agree that what I did was disrespectful to her? Maybe it's what she wanted! After all, didn't you start to pay more attention to her after that happened? "
" What, Dito? Nothing to say? "
" I don't want to upset you anymore "
" Shut up, Dito "
Hadyan takes a deep breath, " I've made up my mind. You're out. Broken. You're caffeine, Dito "
" What? You can't do that to me! I gave everything to you! You promised! "
" You also came very close to taking everything from me " Hadyan involuntarily glances at her. Dito catches this, eyes dawning with comprehension.
" Turning on your own, for this slut? "
" You'll pay for this! "
" Your first, slut "
" Shut it, Dito. Don't make this any worse for yourself " Hadyan's face lights with a white-hot rage, but he stops himself from doing anything further. Instead, he turns to you.
" What do you want to be done to him? "
" What? "
" I already chose how I wanted to punish him. Now, it's your turn "
" Kick his ass. I want to watch him bleed "
" Gladly " Hadyan starts pummeling Dito with even more vigour. Soon, Dito's nose is leaking effusive amounts of blood and his right eyelid is swollen shut.
" I think he looks better, don't you? "
" The new-look suits him " Hadyan grins at her. He then turns back to Dito.
" Get out. Or these are more where that came from "
Dito doesn't need to be told twice. With a pained groan, he quickly gets up and limps away.
" Thank you for doing that, Haiyan "
" Thank you for asking me to, Lea "
" You son of a bitch, Adinata Hadyan! "
Lea and Hadyan both turn. Dito is still inside the warehouse, standing at the exit. " You can't just break with us. You we'll regret it.
" Dito… life is full of regrets. But I bet this won't be one of Hadyan's. Get out "
Dito grits his teeth, but acquiesces. He quickly leaves the warehouse.
" Phew. That was an eventful evening. Time to head back, I think "
" Yes. Please. I need a good night's sleep "
Hadyan takes her back to her dorm room. It's empty. She quickly changes into her pyjamas, while Hadyan's back is turned.
" Hadyan, do you want to.. lie on my bed? "
" It would be my pleasure, Lea "
He drapes himself across her bed. Inches away from her.
" You okay? "
" I'm good, " she notice Hadyan's bloodied knuckles.
Oh, God. I was so worried about all the punching, I forgot Hadyan could be hurt, too. After a few moments of silence, Hadyan squeezes his knuckles tightly. He winces in pain.
" Hey. Don't do that. You'll only hurt yourself more. One of these days, you're going to have to tell me what you do "
" You know about Formosa Company Enterprises "
" Yes, but that's your company. I want to know what you do. How did your family get that company? "
" you don't want to know, Lea. Trust me. Stop pushing "
He doesn't want me to know about this!
" Fine. Just one last question.. are you a gangster? "
" Sure, let's go with that. I'm a gangster "
" Hadyan, be serious. You're messing with me! "
" You asked "
She sighs, her mind swimming with a million different thoughts. " It's not fair "
" What's not fair? "
" That I can't touch you, but you can touch me "
" I think you've broken that rule quite a few times already, Lea "
" I bet you've never even had to follow any rules. I bet no one's ever imposed any rules on you! "
" You haven't met y dad "
" … Is he bad? "
" Well, he's no Mickey Mouse or Santa Claus "
" I don't think most people's parents are " Hadyan bows his head, thoughtful and melancholy.
" It's why I had that rule, you know. About not touching "
" Because of your dad? "
" Let's just say, his physical contact with us wasn't exactly tender. For a long time, I've just been terrified of any form of physical intimacy. Except with you "
His eyes are electric, somehow staring deep into her soul. He leans closer, his gaze shifting to her lips.. she gently presses her lips to Hadyan's lips. He parts his mouth but doesn't reciprocate. Yet.
" So is this how it works? You can't receive it, but you can take it? "
" I never thought I was taking. I thought I was giving " she rolled her eyes.
" Hadyan. I'm trying to help you " his voice grows tender.
" I know " he leans into the kiss. A second later, his hand creeps up her shirt. Her breathing grows ragged.
" Hadyan… " he shushes her again. With his other hand, he skillfully undoes her bra. She gasps when his hand makes contact with her bare skin. He cups her breast, groaning into her lips.
" Hadyan, I think we should stop. Amira could come back at any moment " he stops, breathing heavily. He seems to shake off any lingering nerves.
" There was something I wanted to ask you, though. Amira mentioned "
" Yes? "
" Does the name Alfero mean anything to you? It's okay to tell me. I know I'm a Mahendra, but I would never set Jimmy on you " she stare at him, trying to decipher the word salad he just threw at her.
" Hadyan… Alfero is just a phrase on my grandma's necklace "
" That's all? "
" That's all " relief floods Hadyan's face
" Oh. Well. Good " he starts to say something, but suddenly stops-- distracted by something through the window.
" Lea. Could you come here, please? Right fucking now " she quickly hurries over, looking outside. There's a ring of black cars blocking her dorm. Men in suits and earpieces are getting out. Hadyan looks at her with growing fear.
" I think we're in trouble, Lea "