Amira pov
As usual, I entered the class hall, determined to avoid any sight of both Ethan and Zayn. My mind was clouded with the events from yesterday, and I couldn't let their presence affect me. I sat next to Eva, forcing myself to focus on the lecture. The professor's voice became a dull hum as my thoughts wandered to the encounter I had yet to fully comprehend.
I pushed Zayn's dark, menacing face out of my mind and focused on the subject. Hours passed in a blur. Eventually, I found myself in the library, as always, searching for solace in the silence and the comfort of books. I was deeply engrossed in my studies, the world around me fading into oblivion.
By the time I looked at my watch, it was past eight. The library was deserted. A chill ran down my spine as the realization set in that I was alone. I hastily gathered my things, ready to make my way out, when I felt it—a presence. It was so close, like a shadow looming over me.
Suddenly, there was someone at my neck, so close, like a vampire about to sink his teeth into my skin. My heart stopped for a second, and I turned sharply, only to find Zayn standing there. His sinister smirk sent a wave of dread coursing through my body.
"Got scared?" he asked, his voice low, almost playful, but dripping with malice.
I instinctively stepped back when he stepped ahead, but the wall caught me. There was nowhere to go. I tried to keep my voice steady.
"What do you want, Zayn?"
He moved closer, his body caging me in, leaving no space to breathe. His face was half an inch from mine, and I could feel the heat radiating off him. "When are you going to give me the money?" he asked, his eyes dark and unrelenting.
I blinked, stunned for a moment. "What money?"
He chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "The billion you owe me. For the drugs you damaged."
I froze. Drugs? What drugs?
"You've got the wrong person," I said, trying to push him back, but he didn't budge. "I don't owe you anything."
His gaze narrowed, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Oh, but you do. And if you think you can just walk away from this, you're mistaken. You break something of mine, you pay for it. That's how the world works, sweet pie."
His words sent a wave of fear through me, but I couldn't let him see that. "I could complain to the principal," I shot back, hoping to sound braver than I felt.
Zayn's smirk deepened as he leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. "Go ahead. Complain all you want. You think anyone would believe you? You think the principal would take your side against mine? You know as well as I do that no one will listen."
I swallowed hard. His words felt like a punch to the gut. "You can't just—"
He cut me off, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "And if you try, if you so much as breathe a word of this to anyone, your family will be living on the streets. Do you understand?"
A cold sweat broke out on the back of my neck. He was serious. This wasn't just a threat—this was real. I clenched my fists, anger bubbling up inside me, but I knew I was trapped. He had me cornered, and he knew it.
"What's the price of your precious things?" I asked, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear.
He straightened up, that smug smile never leaving his face. "A billion."
I stared at him in disbelief. "A billion? For that trash?"
Zayn's eyes darkened, his smirk turning more menacing. He leaned in again, his lips brushing against my ear. "Trash? Not to me. You want to try it?"
I felt his hot breath against my cheek, and I gulped. My heart raced, pounding in my chest so loudly I thought he could hear it. I pushed my fear down and replied, my voice firm, "You know I can't give you that kind of money right now. But I'll find a way. Once I graduate and get a job, I'll pay you back."
He pulled back slightly, his expression hardening. "That's not good enough. I want my money now."
His stubbornness made no sense. Why would he care about losing a billion? Someone like him wouldn't even blink at that amount. But there was something more to this, something he wasn't telling me.
"I don't have that kind of money, Zayn," I said through gritted teeth. "You know that."
He shrugged, his eyes gleaming with something sinister. "Then you'll just have to find another way to pay me back, won't you?"
I frowned, confusion and fear swirling inside me. "What do you mean?"
Zayn smiled, a dark and twisted smile that sent shivers down my spine. "Tutoring," he said, the word rolling off his tongue like a predator toying with its prey. "You'll tutor me. Every day. For the rest of the year."
I stared at him, shocked. "Are you serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" He stepped closer again, his body pressing against mine, leaving no room for escape. "It's simple, Amira. Either you tutor me, or your family ends up on the streets. The choice is yours."
I felt trapped, suffocated by his presence and the weight of his words. There was no way out. I couldn't let my family suffer because of this. I couldn't let Zayn win, but I had no choice.
"Fine," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "I'll tutor you."
Zayn's smile widened, a sinister gleam in his eyes. "Good girl."
My stomach twisted at his words, but I refused to let him see how much he affected me. "We'll meet in the library," I said, trying to regain some control of the situation.
But Zayn shook his head, his smile never fading. "No. We'll meet in my room."
I shot him a glare. "Your room? Are you insane? I'm not going anywhere near your room."
He chuckled, a deep, dark sound that sent chills through me. "You don't really have a choice, do you? I don't want anyone seeing me being tutored by you in the library. Just obey the rules, Amira."
I clenched my fists, rage boiling beneath the surface. "This isn't fair."
Zayn leaned in closer, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine. "Life's not fair, sweet pie. You'll learn that soon enough."
His words hung in the air, thick with menace and something else—something darker. My body tensed, every instinct screaming at me to fight back, but I knew I was powerless in that moment. Zayn had me exactly where he wanted me, and he wasn't going to let go.
"Meet me tomorrow," he said, his voice smooth and commanding. "Nine o'clock. Don't be late."
And with that, he stepped back, leaving me gasping for air. I watched as he walked away, his figure disappearing into the shadows of the library. My hands were trembling, my heart racing, but I refused to give in to the fear.
I wouldn't let Zayn break me.