(Sierra's POV)
I couldn't shake the feeling that something important had slipped right past me. That morning, as I wandered through the quiet hallways of the architecture building with Angel, my eyes kept catching a small, folded piece of paper tucked under a chair leg. Curiosity pricked at me. I bent down and picked it up. My heart thudded slightly - there was no signature, no name, just a short cryptic message:
The truth you seek is closer than you think. Look beyond what you see, Bella.
I frowned, crumpling it slightly in my palm. Who could have left this? My first instinct was to shrug it off, but a small part of me—the part that always dreamed of secrets and mysteries—wanted to chase it, to dig further. Angel finally noticed my distraction. "Sierra, are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost." I laughed softly, trying to mask my unease. "Just… thinking. Something about this school. It feels like there's more happening than we see." She raised an eyebrow, but didn't push. I was glad for that. My mind had become a storm of curiosity and suspicion, and I needed a quiet moment to think.
(Stefano's POV)
I had caught it right away-the way Sierra's hand lingered on the note, the slight furrowing of her brows, the tension that hadn't been there before. I detested how my chest tightened up just at the sight of her uncertainty. Why am I even thinking about this? I hated her. Or at least, I should hate her. But seeing her there, so absorbed, so vulnerable in a way only I could notice, gnawed at him.
I adjusted my bag strap, trying to look casual as I walked past her table in the architecture building. My eyes couldn't resist tracing the line of her jaw, the soft curve of her cheek, her cherry lips and her bosoms…..Christ why she weared that V- neck blue dress. She looked like she belonged in sunlight, not under the flickering fluorescent lights of the college.
Damn it, Stefano. I muttered under my breath. She's just… my stepsister. Stay away from her. And yet, the pull was undeniable.
(Sierra's POV)
Later, at lunch near the football field, Marko hadn't stopped teasing me over some minor drawing I had made in my notebook. "Seriously, Sierra, this looks like it was drawn by a toddler!" he said, nudging Ethan, who snorted. I rolled my eyes but smiled despite myself. "Maybe I should draw you next, Marko. At least then I'd be honest about your, uh… charming features."
He laughed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey! That's not fair. Ethan can back me up!" The three of us ended up laughing, and for that moment, I just forgot about the cryptic note, the tension, all of it. It was just us-friends joking around, teasing each other, harmlessly messy.
(Stefano's POV)
I watched from a distance, leaning against the railing of the upper floor balcony. The way Sierra laughed, crinkles forming at the corners of her eyes, twisted something in him. She's… beautiful. Damn it. I felt a dart of jealousy as Marko playfully nudged her shoulder, and she burst out laughing. Ridiculous. Marko was like a brother to her. I knew it. Yet, the spurt of protectiveness, of needy hunger for her attention, had my jaw tightening. She's just laughing with friends. Nothing more. But it wasn't nothing. Not anymore.
(Sierra's POV)
After lunch, Marko had slightly hurt his hand while helping Arko pick up some scattered papers from a small accident that had taken place near the campus steps. I noticed the grimace on his face and immediately knelt beside him. "Marko, is it bad? Do you need me to… help you clean it?" He shook his head stubbornly. "Nah, it's fine. Just a scratch."
I frowned, unconvinced. Did he really love to get hurt always? The next few hours were spent with him, cleaning the cut, putting antiseptic, applying bandages, and even fetching water for him. He grumbled all the while, but I saw how he softened, saw his eyes linger on mine for a fraction of a second more than usual. By the time Stefano, Ethan, and Sebastian arrived, he looked genuinely touched-and a little shaken-that I had cared so genuinely for him.
"Thanks, Sie," he muttered quietly, almost embarrassed.
I smiled softly, brushing a stray hair behind my ear. "You're welcome. Just… be careful next time. I barely see u without scratches or cuts "
(Stefano's POV)
I watched from afar, his chest constricting. No, Stefano. She's not yours. She's. some other person's problem. Back away. But the pull-the jealousy, the protectiveness, the sudden surge of desire to have her attention solely on me -was impossible to ignore.
(Sierra's POV)
That night, after a long day of college and tutoring sessions, a nightmare occurred. Sweat ran down my face; tears pricked my eyes. I awoke with a start, shaking, my blanket twisted around me. I hadn't expected to find anyone in there but found Stefano. He'd somehow silently entered the room. His hand was soft on my shoulder, rubbing small circles; his presence grounding me. "Shh… it's okay," he whispered softly. I leaned into him, the warmth of his body making my racing heart slow. He pressed a soft kiss to the side of my head, whispering, "Relax… breathe. You're safe." I closed my eyes and let the tension melt from my body. I felt safe - completely - with him. And for some reason, that both terrified and thrilled me. God I can't fall for him.
The next day, walking together to our architecture class, I noticed Marko. Then Sebastian and Ethan appeared, on their way to the field to update Stefano about football practice, I waved bye and went to class with Angel, smiling softly. It was a college life filled with gossip, laughter, and an occasional naughty joke by Marko or Ethan. I realized once more that friendships-genuine, simple, kind-hearted friendships-could be just as thrilling and comforting as any romance. I just hope I never loose them...
(To be continued...…..)