(Sierra's POV)
His eyes softened-barely-but enough for my stomach to twist. His eyes….
"You didn't eat your lunch," he said quietly. "I…" I swallowed. "I wasn't hungry." His jaw tightened. "You need to eat, Sierra." His voice wasn't harsh, it was almost. pained. "I will," I whispered.
We stood there in tense silence until he stepped closer-too close-his breath brushing my forehead.
"When you have a nightmare again…," he muttered, "wake someone. Anyone."
I blinked. "I didn't want to bother anyone." His voice dropped lower. "You can bother me." My heart stuttered. What my hot stepbrother just said? I opened my mouth, but a voice from outside called his name. Stefano cursed under his breath and stepped back. "Go," he muttered, "Eat first then your class will start." But before he looked away, his eyes flicked over my face-soft, worried, and lingered just a second too long. And then he was gone. Leaving my heart racing uncontrollably. I see care, worry, affection in his eyes. And I was shocked seeing that.
That almost-moment with Stefano last night still clung to me like smoke. His hand braced beside my face…His breath against my cheek. His eyes were dark, fixed on my lips, as if I was dangerous. And then he backed away, like I was the danger. I still didn't understand him. I doubted I ever would.
Next day
I tightened my grip on my backpack and walked through the courtyard. Campus was already alive: music from someone's speaker, laughter around the fountains, groups walking to the glass-walled buildings. It was one of those kinds of mornings where everyone looked fresh, loud, and full of energy.
Everyone but me.
"Hey, Sunshine!"
Sebastian's voice instantly softened me. He jogged up, ruffled his slightly messy hair, and gave me one of his warm, goofy smiles. "You look… tired," he said, frowning.
"Just didn't sleep well." Truth. And also a lie. He walked beside me till we reached the café overlooking the football field. Stefano, Marko, and Arko were already there, their uniforms half casual, sleeves rolled up, laughing over something in particular—Marko mimicking Ethan's disastrous attempt at picking up Angel two weeks ago. Marko was doing a terrible impression. Ethan threatened to drown him in the nearest fountain.
Angel, next to them, was almost falling over laughing. It would have been the perfect scene, normal and warm, if Stefano didn't instantly freeze at my approach. His eyes slowly, subtly moved over me, without actually seeming to be doing it—
"Morning," I said.
Marko turned first—as always now. "Hey, Princess."
"You ate?" he asked.
"Not yet."
"Good," he said. "Sit. We'll order."
I blinked. "You don't have to—"
"But I want to." Seriousness in his tone really surprised me. He meant it, really. Ethan chimed in, "Yeah, Sierra. We're not letting our friend skip breakfast. That's how people faint in class and then we have to carry them and we are very lazy. "You guys…" I frowned.
But It felt… nice. Safe. Warm.
I slid into the seat beside Sebastian-and diagonally across from Stefano. His eyes flicked to me every few seconds, like he couldn't help it. His whole body was betraying him.
We talked, laughed, ate. And naturally, with time, I began to feel closer with Marko and Ethan. Ethan pushing his dessert toward me. Marko asking if my shoes were comfortable because the flooring in the architecture wing was slippery. Tiny caring things. Things people don't fake.
There came a moment when Marko reached over and tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. It was a completely gentle motion. I didn't see Stefano react—
But I felt something thicken in the air. A decrease in tension. A tightening. And then—
"Don't touch her hair like that." His voice. Low. Sharp. Too sharp. Everyone froze.
Marko straightened, startled. "Relax, man. Her hair was in her face."
Stefano's jaw set in a hard line. He didn't look at me. Not once. But the muscle ticking in his cheek told me everything. After breakfast, everyone split for class. Sebastian and Ethan left to check the updated training schedules.
But Stefano?
He lingered. Just for a second. And I'm already seduced. I don't know why I'm becoming dirty minded day by day around him. Just long enough to pass by me, close enough that his arm brushes mine, close enough that his voice could ghost against my neck. "You should stop letting Marko touch you like that."
I swallowed hard. "Why? Does it bother you?" I didn't know where the courage came from. But his reaction— He froze. A pause. A long one. Then, very quietly—
"No." But the lie cracked at the edges. He walked away before I could see his expression. Before I could breathe.
(Stefano's POV)
I did not like what was occurring. Not to me. Not to this plan. Not to the way my chest tightened every time Sierra laughed at something Marko said. Marko and Ethan were supposed to warm up to her. Gain her trust. Get information. But they were getting too warm. Especially Marko.
Even now, walking down the hallway to the training room, I couldn't get the damn image out of my head: Marko fixing her hair, Sierra smiling softly at him. It shouldn't matter. She wasn't mine. She never would be. I made sure of that. And yet— My hands wouldn't stop clenching. I know that Marko respects her and see her as little sister but still I felt insecure.
"Bro," Ethan said, walking beside me, "you're snapping that water bottle in half." "Shut up." He laughed. "Admit it. You're jealous." I froze. He smirked.
I shoved his shoulder. "If you say that again, I will bench you for every match this month." Ethan raised both hands, grinning. "Okay, damn." But I could still hear the echo of that word.
Jealous. Nonsense. Stupid. Impossible. And yet— Why did it feel like my chest was burning? Marko didn't help, either.
Marko was quiet. Too quiet.
"It felt wrong," he admitted. "She's being real with us. And we—"
I cut him off sharply. "Don't start. You know what we need from her." Marko glanced down at his wounded hand. "She's a good person, Stefano." I hated that feeling, because I already knew it.
He spoke nonstop. "She's the first girl who ever looked at me like I was actually hurt. Not annoyed. Not dramatic. Just…worried."
Something inside me cracked open—and I shut it immediately.
"Stick to the plan," I said coldly. Marko didn't reply. That worried me more than if he had. I told him but even I can't continue the plan. I lost my mind over her. She's making me insane day by day.
(To be continued...)