---
A Silent Storm
Kayla slumped onto her bed, tears streaming down her pale, rosy cheeks. Her chest heaved with silent sobs as the weight of her family's turmoil crushed her spirit. It felt like an invisible enemy was targeting them, lurking in the shadows, watching every move, waiting to strike. First, the accusations against her parents—false and cruel—tearing them apart piece by piece. Now, her grandmother, Cecilia Lion, was gone. The vibrant woman who had been her sanctuary was taken away under suspicious circumstances.
Kayla wiped her tears with trembling hands, her mind racing with paranoia. Is someone trying to destroy us? Am I next? She couldn't trust anyone.
A soft knock on the wooden door startled her, breaking her spiraling thoughts. She quickly wiped her face, trying to steady her voice.
"Come in," she said, her voice cracking slightly as she buried her face into her pillow to hide the evidence of her tears.
The door creaked open, and Akim stepped inside. His silhouette was faintly illuminated by the hallway light. His brows furrowed at the sight of her curled-up figure.
"Kayla," he called softly.
She gave a weak nod, indicating she was fine, though the slight tremor in her shoulders said otherwise. Akim heaved a deep sigh—not one of relief, but one heavy with concern.
Without another word, he walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. The mattress dipped under his weight as he turned slightly to face her.
"Oh, Kayla…" he murmured, his voice breaking a little.
Before she could respond, Akim gently pulled her towards him, maneuvering her so that she lay on his chest, curled up like a child. His hand rested on her back as he began to stroke her long, ginger-red hair, letting her cry in the safety of his arms.
"Shh… it's okay," he whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head.
Kayla clung to him, her body trembling as she let out the sobs she had been holding back. They stayed like that—wrapped in each other's presence—until exhaustion finally pulled them both into a fragile sleep.
---
The Morning Light
The clinking of ceramic dishes pulled Kayla out of her slumber. Sunlight poured through the thin curtains, painting the room in soft golden hues. She opened her eyes slowly, her gaze falling on Akim's sleeping face.
For the first time, she could really see him without his large spectacles hiding half his face. His chiseled jawline was dotted with faint stubble, his thick eyebrows framed his serene face perfectly, and there was a faint scar across his left brow. A tattoo peeked out from the collar of his shirt, and his pierced ear glimmered faintly in the morning light.
Kayla's breath hitched as her eyes drifted to his lips. They were soft, slightly parted, and… inviting. Her hand moved hesitantly toward them before she froze, realizing what she was about to do.
Suddenly, Akim's amber eyes snapped open, glowing almost inhumanly in the light. For a moment, he stared blankly at the ceiling, his expression unreadable, as if lost in a vision.
"Akim?" Kayla whispered hesitantly.
His gaze shifted to her, and for a brief second, his eyes widened in surprise before softening. "Kayla…" he murmured.
"Hmm?" she responded, her voice small, her heart pounding against her ribcage.
Akim reached out and lightly patted her hair, his lips curling into a faint smile. The simple gesture—gentle and affectionate—made Kayla's chest tighten in a way she couldn't explain.
"G-Good morning, Akim," she stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Good morning, Kayla," he replied softly, his voice carrying a warmth that made her cheeks flush.
They stared at each other for a long moment, eyes locked as if trying to unravel something unspoken between them. But then, Akim sat up, grabbed his glasses from the nightstand, and placed them back on his face, effectively hiding the vulnerability she had just witnessed.
Kayla sighed internally. Why does he hide behind those glasses?
"Akim… can I ask you something?" she said timidly.
He stood up, adjusting his glasses with a faint smirk. "Go ahead."
"Are you… are you half-blind?" she asked cautiously.
Akim chuckled softly, shaking his head as he turned toward the door. "Yeah, something like that."
And with that, he left the room, leaving Kayla staring after him, a thousand more questions forming in her mind.
---
Breakfast with Shadows
Kayla took a quick bath and tied her fiery ginger hair into two neat braids, leaving soft bangs to frame her face. She slipped into a white short dress with delicate embroidery and paired it with crisp white sneakers.
Stepping outside, she spotted Roman sitting cross-legged on a bench, his phone in hand. Akim lay next to him, his head resting on Roman's knee, his glasses slightly askew.
A faint smile crept onto Kayla's lips. There was something oddly comforting about seeing them like this—so casual and at ease.
"Umm… aren't you guys eating?" she asked, her voice breaking their peaceful silence.
Both men looked up simultaneously, as if they had been waiting for her. Without a word, they rose and walked toward the dining table, gesturing for her to follow.
The table was beautifully set, with warm bread, fresh fruit, and plates of scrambled eggs. They ate mostly in silence, the soft clinking of cutlery filling the space.
After a while, Roman cleared his throat. "Kayla," he said gently.
She looked up, her fork frozen mid-air. "Hmm?"
"I'm… I'm sorry for your loss," Roman said, his voice low but sincere.
Kayla's eyes widened. "What? How do you—"
"It's all over the news," Roman explained softly. "Your grandmother, Cecilia Lion, was a prominent figure. People noticed."
Akim spoke then, his deep voice cutting through the silence. "Yeah… we saw it on the headlines."
Kayla's throat tightened as she fought back fresh tears. She dropped her fork and quickly wiped at her eyes, trying to keep herself composed.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling.
But beneath her gratitude, fear clawed at her chest. If the world knew about her grandmother's death, how long would it take for whoever was behind it to come for her next?
Who can I trust?
As the three of them sat in uneasy silence, the weight of the unknown hung heavily in the air. Kayla realized one thing for certain: her life was no longer safe, and every moment from now on could be her last.
And yet, as she glanced at Akim and Roman, she felt a faint flicker of hope—however small it might be—that she wasn't completely alone.