In the evening
At the Mendes Mansion
Mrs. Mendes walked into the living room and dropped her handbag on the blue couch.
"I'm so tired," she sighed, collapsing into it. "Alan, I'm back."
"I'm in the dining room," came Alan's voice from a distance. "Go freshen up and come down for dinner."
"Sometimes I wonder if I'm still the parent in this house," she muttered as she stood, stretching, and made her way upstairs.
Minutes later, she descended the staircase and headed for the dining room. Alan sat at the table, focused on his phone. The table was covered with several dishes—far too many for just the two of them.
She paused at the doorway, puzzled. Why did he make so much food?
Alan looked up and noticed her standing there. "Why did you take so long to get here? I've been waiting for hours," he said, his tone playfully nagging.
"Is someone coming over for dinner?" she asked, glancing at the spread.
"I don't remember inviting anyone. Did you?"
"No, I didn't."
"Then sit, Mom," he said, gesturing to the chair opposite him.
She took her seat, still eyeing the dishes. "Why did you make so much food?"
Alan shook his head. "You're always so forgetful, Mom."
"What did I forget this time?"
"It's that time of the year."
Her brows lifted. "Really?"
"Forget about it. I'll take care of everything, okay?" he replied with a soft smile.
She smiled back. "I just realized how lucky I am."
"Yes, you're really lucky, Mom. Having someone like me around is a rare gift."
"I didn't say that to make your egoistic head any bigger," she said, flicking his forehead.
"Ouch, that hurt, Mom," he whined.
"I love you, Alan. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"The answer is nothing," he said, grinning.
She laughed lightly. "Your father would be proud of the person you've become."
"I love you too, Mom," he whispered, placing his right hand gently over hers.
She chuckled. "That sounds so weird coming from you."
"Just eat already," he said, scooping up some food and feeding her a forkful.
With her mouth full, she mumbled, "How was your day?"
"It went as expected. They tried to bully me because I wore glasses, and I behaved like the bigger person and beat them to a pulp," he said, smiling smugly.
She shook her head. "You mischievous, good-looking devil. You behave a lot like your father. I hope those boys are okay."
"Don't worry, Mom. The doctor said they'll be discharged next month."
"Next month?" she exclaimed. "You say that so casually—like it's a good thing!"
"Mom, I just wanted to have a talk with them, but things got out of hand. I had to handle the situation."
"You're just something else, Alan."
"I get that from you," he teased.
She sighed. "Anyway, Laurel came over today. She invited you to her birthday party next week."
"I'll pass. I've got something important to do next week."
"I know things ended badly between you two when you decided to cross that friendship line, but she's still your friend no matter what. You can't just throw everything away because your romantic relationship didn't work out."
"And what about you, Mom?" he countered. "It's been sixteen years, and you still don't want to date again. You've completely shut yourself off from love just because of him."
She looked down, her voice soft. "You love me, Alan—and that's enough for me. Being loved by you feels the same as being loved by him. I know you think I'm being silly, but you won't understand. You don't know what it's like to love someone more than yourself."
"I love you more than I love myself," he said sincerely.
"That's not what I mean, Alan. One day, you'll find someone who makes you feel that way—and then you'll understand me."
"Then I guess I'll never understand you," he replied quietly. "Love isn't for me."
"One day you're going to take those words back."
"I can't wait for that day to come," he said softly, wiping her tears away with his thumbs. "I don't like seeing you cry. It makes me feel like Dad's going to come for me at night."
She laughed softly. "Now there's the pretty face I love to see."
"You're such a sweet mouth, Alan. I'm starting to get jealous of the girl who'll win your heart. No one's going to hurt her—not while you're around. She'll always be loved."
"You don't have to be jealous. You'll always be the only one in my heart."
"I'm your mother, silly."
"Who said you can't be more?" he teased with a mischievous smirk.
"When did you become this bad?"
"I've been learning a thing or two from you."
She rolled her eyes. "Okay, you seriously need a girlfriend."
"Really?"
"Yes! When are you going to bring a girl home? I need you to get me grandkids—I'm already close to my grave."
He snorted. "You're in your mid-thirties, Mom. You're nowhere near death."
"I may not look it, but I'm older than you think."
"Sure."
"Alan, I mean it. I want grandkids. I don't care what kind of girl you pick—I just want grandkids."
"Mom, I'm eighteen. I'm not ready to be a boyfriend, let alone a father."
"I had you when I was eighteen."
He groaned. "Why are you so stubborn, Mother?"
"How am I being stubborn? You don't want to date or get married—that's fine. But I won't accept you not giving me grandkids."
"How did we even end up talking about this?" he said, rubbing his forehead.
"You're giving me a grandkid, and that's final."
"I don't have a say in this, do I?"
"I'm glad you understand me," she said cheerfully, taking another bite of food.
Alan smiled faintly, watching her. Sometimes she acts so sweet and innocent, and other times she's worse than the devil himself.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing."
"Eat before it gets cold."
"Sure," he replied, picking up his fork.
5 PM — At the Sawyer Mansion
Nikki walked down a dark corridor, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. The air was thick, heavy with an ominous aura. At the far end stood a massive brown wooden door. She stopped before it.
The door creaked open on its own, and she stepped inside. The room was dimly lit by dozens of flickering candles. Along one wall, an array of weapons glinted in the firelight. At the far end stood a throne—on it sat a regal woman, exuding cold authority, and beside her stood a younger girl.
"Why are you so late, Nikki? And why are you still on your feet?" the woman's voice echoed sharply.
Instantly, Nikki dropped to her knees, bowing her head. "I'm so sorry, Mother. Father called for me."
"Is your father more important than your responsibilities?"
"No, Mother."
"How was your first day in the human school? Any success?"
"Not yet, Mother."
"Do you know what that means?"
"Yes, I do, Mother."
"Undress yourself."
"Yes, Mother," Nikki whispered, raising her head slightly as she began unbuttoning her shirt.
"Alisson, get the whip," the woman commanded, her voice like steel. "Show no mercy—or I'll do worse to you."
"Yes, Mother," Alisson replied, walking to the weapon wall and retrieving a black whip.
"Position yourself, Nikki," the woman ordered.
Nikki bent down on her knees, stripped to her underwear and skirt.
Alisson stepped forward, lifting the whip. It cracked sharply across Nikki's bare back.
"This should help you remember," her mother said coldly, "that failures will always be punished."
The whipping continued.
An Hour Later — The Medical Room, Sawyer Mansion
Nikki lay unconscious on a bed, her back wrapped in bandages. Amber sat beside her, tears streaming down her face.
As Nikki drifted between sleep and wakefulness, a dream began to form—vivid, disorienting, and haunting.
She was four years old again, small hands clutching at someone just out of reach. A boy with blurred features stood before her. His face was indistinct, but she could see his jet-black hair and piercing crimson eyes.
"Promise me you won't leave me," she whispered, clutching his tiny hand.
"I won't," he murmured softly, his voice a gentle echo in her mind.
But the scene shifted abruptly. Shadows of chaos swallowed the familiar warmth, flashes of destruction and screams tearing through the dream. She called out, frantic, "Damian! Damian, where are you?"
There was only silence. The boy—her Damian—never appeared.
The nightmare twisted again. This time she saw him walking away, his form receding into darkness as she begged, "Don't leave me… please!"
Everything around her collapsed into blackness, heavy and suffocating. Her heart pounded, and then…
Her eyes fluttered open.
Amber leaned forward, relief flooding her features. "Nikki, why do you keep doing this to yourself?" she cried softly. "Why do you have to risk your life just to prove a point to her? Why can't you realize that there are people who love you no matter who you are?"
A tear dropped from Amber's cheek onto Nikki's hand. The girl's fingers twitched. Moments later, she blinked, the remnants of her dream lingering in her mind.
"Don't leave me… please, Damian, don't leave me…" she murmured weakly.
"Nikki?"
"Don't leave me!" Nikki gasped, jolting awake.
"Nikki, are you okay?"
"Damian?" she asked, blinking rapidly.
"It's Amber, silly," Amber said, voice trembling.
"Amber? What happened? Why am I in the medical room?"
"You passed out again."
"Did I make it to the last minute?"
Amber frowned. "Is that seriously what you're thinking about? You almost died, Nikki!"
"I'm a demon."
"Half-demon, in case you need a reminder."
"Amber, please don't—"
"Save it, Nikki! I almost lost you today. If Ryder hadn't come in time, you'd be gone. Why do you always risk your life just to make your mother acknowledge you?"
"I'm the Crowned Princess of the Middle Chamber of Hell. I have to live up to my mother's expectations."
Amber's voice broke. "If you keep doing this, I promise I'll leave—and you'll never see me again."
"Amber…"
"I can't watch you suffer every day. It's better if I go. I'll only be a burden to you."
Nikki reached out and pulled her into a hug, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I already lost a close friend once. I don't want to lose another."
Amber hugged her back. "You'll never lose me, no matter what happens."
"Thank you… for always sticking with me, even when I'm unreasonable and irresponsible. You're the best friend I could ever ask for."
"You're welcome," Amber whispered, wrapping her arms around Nikki tighter.
The Next Day — Closing Time
At Greenwood Academy, Parking Lot
Alan was heading toward his car when he bumped into someone. Both stumbled, and his glasses fell to the ground. As he bent to retrieve them, he saw a boy sitting on the pavement—the person he'd collided with.
"I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going," Alan said quickly, bowing his head.
"Let me go," a familiar voice snapped.
Alan looked up sharply—and saw Nikki sitting on the ground, surrounded by two boys.
For a brief moment, her eyes caught his. And something in her chest tightened. The color of his irises—deep, impossibly red in her blurred memory—flashed before her mind like a ghost of her dream. She blinked rapidly, shaking it off. It's just my imagination…
"Shortie?" he called.
Her head turned toward him, eyes narrowing. "What are you doing here?"
"It looks like you two know each other," one of the boys sneered. The fallen boy got to his feet and joined them.
Alan's gaze shifted between them. "What's going on here?" He glanced from Nikki to the boys. Why is she on the ground? What do these guys want with her?
"Just mind your business and walk away, nerd," one boy warned.
Alan raised an eyebrow. "Why do you all assume that everyone wearing glasses is a nerd?"
"Does that mean you're not?" the leader scoffed, shoving him backward. Alan staggered back a step but didn't react.
"Newbie, just walk away. It's none of your business," Nikki said flatly.
"Listen to the girl, nerd," the boy added.
"Fine, I'll walk away," Alan said, bending to pick up his glasses.
"That's the best decision you've made today," the leader snorted.
Alan moved swiftly—sweeping the boy's legs out from under him. The leader fell hard, crashing onto his backside. The others rushed to help.
"Get away—they'll hurt you!" Nikki cried.
Alan's eyes darkened. "They're not worth the trouble." He struck fast, snapping the first boy's neck, then turned and punched the second across the face before spinning and kicking him squarely in the chest. Both hit the ground, unconscious.
"I can't believe I wasted more than a minute on you three," Alan said, dusting off his hands before walking toward Nikki.
Nikki stared up at him, a flicker of unease crossing her face. How did a guy like him take out the most feared boys in school that fast?
"This is the first time I've seen the most popular girl in school getting bullied," Alan remarked.
"They weren't bullying me. I had it under control. I didn't need your help."
"I wasn't helping you," he said dryly. "I was just pissed. My mom bought those glasses for me, and she'd kill me if I broke them. So, really, they were just punching bags I used to vent on."
He crouched beside her.
"What do you want?" she asked, trying to scoot away, but her strength was gone.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered, lifting her effortlessly into his arms.
"Put me down!"
"You act tougher than you are."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You act all tough, but deep down, you're a weakling.
"Do you always underestimate every girl you meet?"
"Actually, the opposite. I usually overestimate them. You're just the first who thinks I'm underestimating her."
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
"You really misunderstand me. I'm only doing this because there are cameras around. If the school finds out what happened, I'll get in trouble. So, technically, I'm saving myself." He flashed a grin.
"You're the most self-centred person I've ever met."
"I can't fake being nice. It takes too much tolerance—and I was born with very little."
"Where are you taking me?"
"Home."
"I appreciate your selfish gesture, but I can take myself home."
"Keep talking and I'll drop you."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Try me," he said with a deadly serious expression. She shut up immediately.
He carried her toward a black SUV, where Amber stood by the backseat door.
"How did you know this was my car?" Nikki asked.
"My car's the black one," he replied, nodding toward a sleek Ferrari parked beside it.
She blinked. "Why are you using a sports car to come to school?"
He set her gently on her feet. "Next time you get bullied, make sure I'm nowhere near."
"Well, make sure you don't help me next time!" she snapped as his car door shut and the engine roared to life.
Alan's car sped off.
"Nikki!" Amber called, hurrying over.
"Hi, Amber."
"Where the hell have you been?"
"I was on my way when three boys stopped me. I couldn't fight back—I'm still recovering from yesterday."
"I told you to be careful!"
"I'm sorry for making you worry."
"How did you get away from them?"
"A boy helped me."
Amber blinked. "I guess not all of them are bad."
Nikki sighed. "He's the worst of them all."
"Did he do something to you?"
"Just forget about it. Let's get going, or we'll be late," Nikki said, opening the backseat door and sliding in. Amber followed, and the car pulled away into the dusk.