XJ's POV
It had been two days since I arrived at this house—the home of my only living relative, the last connection to my late mother.
Mom.
A sharp pang twisted in my chest. My fists clenched as memories from thirteen years ago crashed into me like a tidal wave. Blood. Tears. Loss. I gritted my teeth.
"Stop it!"
I forced the thoughts away, swallowing the ache before it could consume me. This wasn't the time for old wounds. Yet, a nagging question slithered into my mind.
How did Uncle Julyo and Tito Toni even meet? My staying here—it couldn't be a coincidence. Was Uncle planning something?
Knock. Knock.
The soft rapping on the door yanked me back to the present. My fingers twitched, ready to grab a hidden blade out of instinct, but then I realized, I'm just a normal fvcking student. I took a deep breath and exhaled.
"Come in."
The door creaked open, revealing a frail-looking girl with a small frame. Large, thick glasses nearly swallowed her face, her nervous gaze flickering behind them.
Ella. My biological cousin.
"Hi, Xyrine," she murmured, stepping forward cautiously. "I just came to bring your uniform for tomorrow."
I barely spared her a glance. "Just put it there and leave."
Seconds passed. I could still feel her lingering presence. I sighed, turning to face her with a blank expression.
"Is there something you need?"
Ella's lips parted, but no words came. Instead, she clenched her fists as if gathering courage. Then, without warning— She dropped to her knees.
"Xyrine, please!" she pleaded, her head bowed so low her glasses nearly slid off. "Move to another university! I can recommend some, if you want. Choose any, just not Montreal!"
Her sudden outburst took me by surprise. I frowned while scanning her for any signs of deception, but all I saw was desperation.
My gaze shifted back from the ceiling, "You know I had no say in this decision."
Her shoulders sagged in defeat, but she still didn't leave. Instead, she bit her lip, and open her mouth again, "I have a favor to ask."
She avoided my gaze, anxiously biting her finger. "If you ever find out anything about Montreal... regarding me... please, please don't tell Dad."
Her words sent a ripple of curiosity through me, but I didn't show it.
What was she afraid of?
I stepped forward until I towered over her. "I don't take orders from anyone outside the BBO."
Confusion flickered across her face, but she didn't question me. Instead, she nodded quickly and scrambled to her feet.
"Sorry. I'll leave."
The door shut behind her, and silence settled once again. My gaze landed on the uniform she had left behind.
It's a White blouse. Black coat. Black skirt. A necktie.
I scowled. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself wearing something like this.
Without a second thought, I grabbed the uniform and tossed it straight into the trash.
Even as I sat back down, Ella's words lingered.
What was with her?
What was with Montreal University?
*****
KRING! KRING!
I quickly sprang up from my bed when I heard the alarm clock beside my bed. I looked at the clock on the side table. It was already eleven. I must have overthought things last night, which caused me to sleep in.
I quickly got up, took a shower, and got dressed. The uniform Ella handed me last night was in the trash, so I just wore a black shirt, pants, and a black cap. I was about to leave when I noticed a note on the side table.
"Good morning, Xyrine. Uh, I just want to say that please, please, please wear your uniform—"
I looked at myself. I smiled a little after reading it. "Well, I'm already dressed."
"—and please, please, don't approach me at school. If you see me, just avoid me. Please!"
Uh, this is frustrating..
Montreal University
"Ah, ma'am, this is as far as I go. The parking lot inside is exclusive to students," the Grab driver said.
I blinked at him. "What?" I wanted to protest, but what could I do? With a frustrated sigh, I stepped out of the car, my eyes narrowing as I took in the long stretch of pavement ahead.
Hah. Crazy. How did I end up in this situation?
Before my irritation could boil over, I inhaled sharply and started walking toward Montreal University. The sun blazed overhead, the heat simmering against my skin, but before I could get too far— I stopped and turned, spotting a security guard watching me with an assessing gaze.
"Hey, miss! Where are you heading?"
I arched a brow. "Inside."
His eyes flickered with something—caution? Suspicion? He scanned me from head to toe as if searching for a reason to send me away. "Outsiders aren't allowed in, miss."
Ah, sure. I wasn't particularly eager to go in, anyway. "Okay," I muttered, already turning to leave.
"Wait—let me confirm. What's your full name?"
"Xyrine Jean Guevara," I answered flatly.
The moment my name left my lips, his demeanor shifted. His eyes widened slightly, and a nervous chuckle escaped him.
"Ah! You're in Class A. My goodness, you should've said so! I almost missed a VIP student. You may proceed, ma'am."
I simply nodded, ignoring the way his tone had suddenly turned overly accommodating. Class A? VIP treatment?
After what felt like an eternity, I finally stepped inside the university grounds. My stomach twisted in hunger, so before heading to the admissions office, I decided to find the cafeteria. But the campus was massive—an endless expanse of modern buildings, wide pathways, and lush green fields.
And yet, not a single student in sight.
Is this normal?
I kept walking, the silence pressing down on me like a heavy cloak. Then, finally, in the distance, I saw someone—a lone figure standing in the middle of a field.
As I drew closer, I noticed something hanging from his neck. A signboard.
"SPADE'S PROPERTY."
I stopped short.
Ohhh.
I didn't know whether to scoff or raise an eyebrow. I had never set foot in a university before, but this very unusual.
Tagging someone as property? is that even normal?
I studied him. He was thin, pale, and drenched in sweat. Judging by his shaky stance, he had been standing there for quite some time.
'Pathetic.' the word almost escape from my mouth.
But my hunger was more important than my curiosity. Ignoring the absurdity of his situation, I approached him.
"Hey, I think I'm lost. Do you know where the cafeteria is?"
His head snapped toward me, his wide eyes darting left and right before finally meeting mine. "M-Miss, can't you read the sign around my neck?" he stammered.
"I read it."
"Then why are you still talking to me?" His voice dropped to a whisper, as if afraid someone might hear.
I sighed, patience wearing thin. Without warning, I grabbed him by the arm.
"Miss, do you have any idea what you're doing?! You're putting both of us in danger!" he nearly yelped as his face turning ghostly pale.
I rolled my eyes. "Look, this campus is huge, and I'm not in the mood to wander aimlessly. Just come with me. And take off that ridiculous sign."
Before he could protest, I pulled the placard from his neck and tossed it aside.
"Waaah, no!" He scrambled to retrieve it, gripping it as if his life depended on it.
I furrowed my brows but didn't push the issue further. As we walked toward the cafeteria, I finally started seeing more students. The sheer size of the place was overwhelming, and for a brief moment, I forgot my irritation.
But something felt... off.
People were staring.
Not in a casual way. No whispered gossip or stolen glances. Their gazes were sharp, unblinking, and filled with something close to horror.
"Miss, please stop doing this," my unwilling companion pleaded. "You don't know what could happen if you keep talking to me."
I ignored him and kept walking. "Let's sit at the back. It's empty."
"You don't understand!" His voice wavered. "I'm Spade's toy. Actually, there are two of us! We're both on the hotlist. If Spade finds out anyone talked to us, you'll be in danger too! Please, stop!"
I exhaled slowly. I kind of got what he was saying, but I wasn't in the mood to care. "So, it's not just you with the weird placard? Who's the other one?"
He's about to opened his mouth to answer— when a loud voice suddenly tore through the cafeteria, cutting through the heavy air.
"Damn you! This is the latest Chanel bag I bought in the US. How dare you?!"
I almost ignored it. Almost. But then I turned. And the moment I did, my heart stopped.
Standing there, rage twisting her perfect features, was someone I never expected to see.
Monique.
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
No way... But why—Ah, right.
A bitter grin tugged at my lips. Of course she was here. This university belonged to him after all.
What a sick twist of fate.
Monique's voice grew shrill as she lashed out at the girl kneeling before her. "Be thankful I borrowed you from Spade! You had the privilege to hang out with me, and this is how you repay me?! Are you stupid?!"
I see, still as crazy little b*tch as ever.
"S-She's the one."
I turned to my companion, whom I had almost forgotten for a moment.
"What?"
He swallowed hard, his gaze darting toward Monique. "She's the other one." He repeated, his voice still trembling.
Finally, I looked, and my world tilted.
I knew that face.
I knew her.
And in that moment, I realized—everything Ella said, every plea she made, every warning she gave, all pointed to one undeniable truth.
Montreal University was far worse than I had ever imagined.