Isabella's POV
I woke up a bit drowsy after such a chaotic night. Pulling my hair up in a ponytail, I gave my cat her food as she purred and began munching happily. Pouring myself a glass of water, I chugged it down as something passed through my mind.
Solnyshko...
He had called me that. What does it mean? I hurried up, grabbed my phone, and checked the meaning of that word.
Sunshine...
So last night I was entitled with another endearment. Sunshine... I see.
Last night I didn't eat anything, and I was so hungry. I made myself some pancakes and ate them with a blank stare because my mind was still stuck in last night.
Just the thought of it has goosebumps rising on my flesh.
After breakfast, I washed the dishes and took the trash out, only to pause at the doorway.
A huge bouquet of black roses was there at my doorstep.
For a couple of seconds, I just stared at it and then looked around. Maybe someone accidentally delivered it to my doorstep.
Tossing the trash in the bin, I walked back and picked up the bouquet. There was a single tiny note that said.
For Isabella.
And that was it. Still muddled, I brought it in and closed the door, locking it properly.
The bouquet was beautifully tied with velvet ribbon. Each petal was dusted with faint gold glitter, and it was so beautiful and big.
Amidst my appreciation, I noticed something awful that left me stunned. One rose in the middle had dried blood on it. I was sure it was blood, and my blood ran cold as I jerked away from the bouquet.
"What the hell..."
Before I could process anything. My phone rang, and it was a message. The sudden sound made me jump as I placed my hand on my chest and tried to remain calm.
The message was from Mr. Volkov. I was just staring at the screen before mustering the courage to check the message.
'Did you like my flowers, little dove?'
So it was he who had sent these flowers. But why was he doing this?
'Did you like my marks?' Another message popped up, and my eyes widened as heat flushed my cheeks and I instinctively covered the hickeys on my neck and collarbone as if he could see me right now.
This man was crazy.
My heart slams fast in my chest as I inhaled sharply. Another message popped up.
'Don't run to the mirror. I already remember every inch of how you looked when I marked you.'
My heart stuttered in my rib cage as my hands shook. The bouquet almost fell as I placed it on the slab.
I sat on the chair and hugged my arms. This was scary. This man was terrifying.
At the academy, I kept my head lowered. I had a scarf around my neck to hide the marks as I headed to my first class. The class went by smoothly. In the next class, Mia was sitting in the seat ahead of me. She didn't make eye contact with me.
I wanted to talk to her, and I will talk to her when I get the chance. I want to know more about the hunt and the hunter who came after me.
Mr. Volkov walked in, and I swear my heartbeat accelerated. I inhaled deeply and lowered my gaze, and kept it on the notebook. He gave the lecture; his deep voice was calm, unlike the last night when he sounded like a feral predator.
Once the class finished. I was quick to pack my stuff and hurried out of the class as if my ass was on fire.
I took in a deep breath once I stepped out, only to collide into a hard body, and before I could fall, the person grabbed my arm and steadied me.
"Jerry," I gasped, and he stiffened and averted his gaze. He was wearing a turtle neck, probably to hide his marks, just like me.
He let go of my arm and was about to leave, as I quickly grabbed his wrist, stopping him. At the same time, Mia stepped out as I grabbed her hand as well.
"We need to talk," I said as they both gaped at me. We couldn't possibly brush off this incident under the rug. That couldn't happen.
"So?" I asked, staring at Mia, who was tongue-tied, we were sitting in the garden at the back of the academy. There were barely any students around.
"I found out about this place from the club. I participated once, and I chose easy intensity. The chase was thrilling, I liked it, and nothing happened. I wanted you guys to try it as well. But I chose mild this time. But nothing serious happens in mild as well, but looking at your necks, I was wrong," Mia said, looking sheepish and giddy.
"Who are the hunters?" I asked.
"They are the crazy rich people. From what I've heard, they have subscriptions and the list of candidates is sent to them, and they choose their prey," Mia said as I stared at the grass.
"How was the chase, Jerry. I didn't know something like that would happen-" Jerry cut Mia off.
"That f*cker! I'll rip his head off once I find out who that bastard was!" He growled so viciously with those red, outrageous eyes that it startled both Mia and me.
We've never seen him this angry. Ever. Jerry was always the calm guy.
"Are you Miss. Martinez?" A guy from my department approached us. He was my junior.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Volkov is calling you in his office for some work." He said it and walked away, while I just sat there, still as a statue.
I didn't want to face him.
God, please no.
"I don't want to go." I blurted out as my hands began to sweat.
Mia raised a brow at me. "Why not?"
"I...I uhhh. Do you even know how much work he gives me? It's too hectic. I can't have proper sleep since he assigned me to help him." I said the first lie that came to mind, and it seemed to work, as she nodded with a sad look, feeling bad for me.
An idea popped into my head, and my eyes lit up.
"Mia, please, please, please. I need your favor." I said, holding her hand as she looked at me cautiously.
"And that is?" She asked, a bit scared.
"Go to Mr. Volkov's office and tell him. I wasn't feeling well, so I went home." I said, and luckily she agreed to help.
Thankfully, I didn't get to face him.
On my way home, I had to buy some groceries, so I bought them and went back home, thinking of ordering pizza because I was too tired to cook anything for myself.
As soon as I stepped inside, I jogged straight to the open kitchen because the shopping bag was about to fall from my hand. I placed all the things on the counter, then locked the door, and then I froze mid-step.
My heart ceased to beat as my eyes fell on something...
No...
Someone.
Someone... who was sitting in my lounge.
Staring at me.