21.

the bad boy soothes

GAZING AT JULIAN'S peaceful slumber, Akari couldn't shake the guilt that weighed on her. The stories she shared about her parents and the memories she cherished were a stark contrast to the dark and haunting recollections Julian harbored about his father. In that moment, a deep resolve stirred within Akari, urging her to embark on a journey to clear Julian's name.

It had been two days since Julian revealed his story. He added more details later on whenever he remembered something new. Akari felt her heart sink every-time the memory he shared was something tragic.

The determination in her eyes spoke volumes as she silently pledged to unearth the truth, to peel away the layers of deception that had shrouded Julian's past. It was a commitment not just to him but to herself — a promise to bring justice, to dispel the shadows that lingered in his memories.

As the room embraced a quiet stillness, Akari's thoughts resonated with a newfound purpose. She knew the path ahead wouldn't be easy, but the fire of determination burned brightly within her. It was time to unravel the mysteries, confront the demons, and ensure that Julian's name would be untainted by the sins of his past.

Akari, overcome by restlessness, abandoned the solace of sleep. Fueled by a newfound determination, she found herself drawn to her reliable laptop. The soft glow of the screen illuminated her resolute face as she dove deep into the labyrinth of news articles detailing the crime and the intricacies of William's company. The hum of the printer echoed through the silent night as Akari translated the digital evidence into tangible pages, creating a physical record of the injustices surrounding Julian.

As the world outside slumbered, Akari transformed her sanctuary. Memories etched on her board were cleared away to make room for a crime board, a meticulous compilation of articles, photographs, and connecting strings. The room became a silent witness to Akari's relentless pursuit of truth, each piece of information carefully added to the growing tapestry of evidence.

Through the quiet hours, the town oblivious to her fervent efforts, Akari pieced together the puzzle that held the key to Julian's redemption. As the first light of dawn brushed against her determined face, she surveyed the result of a night spent unraveling the threads of deception. With a resolute gaze, Akari knew that this makeshift crime board marked the beginning of their fight to clear Julian's name.

The morning light painted the room as Julian stirred awake, his eyes immediately drawn to Akari standing by a board full of pictures on the wall. Concern etched his features as he took in the evidence of a sleepless night.

"Akari? What are you doing?" Julian asked, as he realised that Akari had spent her night making a crime board for him. The room bore the aftermath of Akari's relentless pursuit of truth. Cut papers scattered like fallen leaves across the floor, strings crisscrossing in a chaotic dance, telling a tale of determination and meticulous effort. Every piece of evidence, every article, had been rearranged and scrutinized to find its place on the crime board that now adorned the wall.

"You didn't sleep?" Julian's voice carried a mix of worry and gentle reproach.

Akari looked up, meeting his gaze with a tired but determined smile. "Exams are over, Julian. It's just voluntary clinical work now, and I'm used to pulling all-nighters."

Julian shook his head, refusing to accept her explanation. "That doesn't mean you have to keep doing it. Come on, let's get some rest."

Before Akari could protest, Julian took matters into his own hands. He gently pulled her away from the crime board, guiding her toward the bed. With a firm yet gentle touch, he urged her to lie down.

"Close your eyes, Akari," Julian instructed softly, his concern evident in his eyes. "You need to rest. Thank you, but you can't sacrifice your sleep for it, and you should have woken me up,"

Akari hesitated for a moment before yielding to Julian's insistence. As she closed her eyes, she felt the weight of exhaustion settle in. Julian remained by her side, a comforting presence, as she surrendered to the much-needed respite he insisted upon.

Slowly, she drifted off to sleep, comforted by the gentle rise and fall of his chest and the reassurance of his presence. The room, once filled with the intensity of their pursuit of truth, now embraced a serene stillness as Akari surrendered to the much-needed rest, cradled in the safety of Julian's embrace.

"Sleep well, starlight," Julian whispered as he closed his eyes, knowing that Akari has fallen asleep.

——————————

"THE DRESSES ARE back from the tailors," Ha-eun squealed in excitement. "Everyone, please check if it's all good, we have only 3 days left so if there's any alterations required, we need to give it to the tailors now," Ha-eun spoke, standing on top of the meeting table while holding her dress up. The excited Kappa Thi Theta members scurried around the sorority house, chattering and talking about their dresses.

Akari was searching for her dress from the pile and finally saw it, underneath about eight huge and beautiful but heavy dresses. She pulled it out and hurried to the room upstairs.

"I'm coming too," Akari heard Ha-eun squeal out with a giggling Fleur running behind her.

Maybe, this is what girlhood means.

Akari opened the first door and saw Rebecca already with her dress on, looking at the mirror.

"Come in girls," She didn't even have to look behind to see who were coming in. All three squeezed into the room.

"It's so perfect," Rebecca clapped her hands, satisfied with her appearance in the mirror. "The tailor made a matching mask for all of us as well," She said.

Akari couldn't help but smile as she observed the excitement in Rebecca's eyes. The room was filled with a buzz of admiration for the dresses and the meticulous work of the tailor. As Ha-eun and Fleur joined the mini gathering, each member exchanged compliments and discussed the intricate details of their outfits.

"Let's try ours too," Ha-eun suggested, her enthusiasm infectious. The room became a flurry of fabric as everyone rushed to slip into their dresses. Akari found a quiet corner, appreciating the camaraderie that had formed among the Kappa Thi Theta members during this process.

As she carefully donned the attire, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building. The mirror reflected a transformed version of herself – the dress enhancing her grace.

Ha-eun and Fleur joined her in the room, their faces mirroring the delight radiating from Rebecca. The matching masks added an extra layer of mystique to their ensembles, creating an ensemble that was not only stylish but also a symbol of unity.

"It's like a fairytale," Ha-eun exclaimed, twirling around in her dress. "I can't believe the auction is just in 3 days."

The four exchanged excited glances, realizing that this upcoming event was not just about the dresses and masks but a celebration of the hard-work they had put in to conducting the auction.

"Oh," Rebecca exclaimed. "I just remembered, we need to finalize the list of contributors. The invites have already been sent, but the contributors who are providing their products for the auction are still submitting them. We received one this morning as well," Rebecca added, carefully packing her dress neatly back into the cover.

Akari was also packing her dress neatly back into the cover. "How many contributors do we have this year?"

"Almost nearing forty," Rebecca whispered.

"Wow," Akari whispered back. "That's amazing."

"Let's go down; I need to check the lists anyway. I might need help arranging," Rebecca said.

Rebecca and Akari made their way downstairs to the sorority's office room. The atmosphere was abuzz with excitement as other Kappa Thi Theta members prepared for the upcoming auction. Once inside the office, Rebecca started sorting through the papers spread across the desk.

"We have to ensure everything is in order," Rebecca said, her eyes scanning the lists and details. "The contributors' information, product descriptions, and starting bids all need to be organized."

Akari nodded, eager to assist. They meticulously checked each document, confirming the accuracy of the information. The office room was filled with the rustling of papers and occasional whispers as they discussed specific details.

As they worked, Fleur entered the room with a clipboard in hand. "Hey, do you need any help?" she offered.

"Actually, yes," Rebecca replied. "We're going through the contributors' details for the auction. If you could cross-check the names and make sure we have all the necessary information, that would be great."

Fleur nodded and joined in the organizational effort. The trio worked seamlessly, ensuring that every contributor's product was accounted for and properly documented.

After a thorough review, Rebecca leaned back, satisfied. "I think we're almost there. Just a few more adjustments, and we'll be ready for the auction."

Akari added, "It's impressive how many contributors we have this year. The variety of items is going to make the auction even more exciting."

Rebecca smiled, appreciating the teamwork. "Absolutely. Kappa Thi Theta has worked hard to make this event a success, and I'm confident it will be."

"Alexander Jones?" Fleur asked, ticking it off in her paper.

Akari's eyes widened. The name struck a chord, and she eagerly grabbed the paper from Fleur's hands, scanning the newly added entry. Her heart raced as she saw Alexander's name and contribution listed for the auction.

A spark of realization ignited within Akari – Alexander's presence provided an opportunity to bring Julian to the event. The masquerade theme offered a perfect cover for Julian.

Gently returning the paper to Fleur, Akari met her curious gaze with a subtle smile. Fleur raised an eyebrow, silently inquiring about Akari's thoughts.

"You're plotting something, Akari," Fleur whispered.

Akari nodded, her eyes conveying a playful secrecy. The prospect of sharing the masquerade auction with Julian brought a sense of excitement, and Akari couldn't wait to see how the unfolding events would shape their night.

———————————

Hiiii! How are you guys liking it so far? What do you think will happen in the auction? ;) See you there 💋❤️