Greco

I adjusted my goggles once more, ensuring no water could seep in, and took a deep breath. Standing at the edge of the pool, I let my gaze sweep over the still, glistening water. This was my sanctuary—a place where thoughts and worries didn't weigh me down, even if only temporarily.

I dove back in, slicing through the water like a knife. The cool embrace surrounded me as I powered forward, arms cutting rhythmically through the surface. Each stroke felt like a deliberate attempt to outpace my thoughts, the splash of my arms and the bubbling sound of exhaled air creating a soothing, hypnotic cadence.

"One lap down," I told myself as my fingertips grazed the far wall. Without hesitation, I flipped underwater, planting my feet firmly on the wall, and pushed off with all my strength. The surge sent me gliding through the water like a missile, momentum carrying me halfway across the pool before my strokes resumed.

I focused on everything: the angle of my elbows, the rotation of my shoulders, the propulsion from my legs. Coach's advice echoed in my mind: "Efficiency wins, not just strength." My kicks became tighter, more controlled, driving me forward without wasting energy.

By the fourth lap, the familiar burn in my shoulders and thighs crept in, muscles protesting the relentless motion. But I couldn't afford to stop. I pushed harder, forcing myself to ignore the ache. The first week of November loomed closer with every breath. Two weeks wasn't enough to slack off, especially when I knew my competition wasn't taking breaks either.

As I neared the wall for the sixth lap, my lungs burned, desperate for more oxygen. I flipped again, planting my feet on the wall and kicking off with just enough force to propel me into a final glide.

When I reached the starting end, I gripped the pool's edge and hoisted myself out, my arms trembling slightly from exertion. Water dripped from my body, pooling beneath me as I sat on the tiled floor. My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath, droplets streaming from my hair down to my shoulders.

Lying back against the warm tiles, I stretched my arms out beside me and closed my eyes, letting the sound of water lapping against the poolside fill my ears. For a moment, I allowed myself to drift, letting my body relax, but my mind wandered to Jaco's voice again.

He still hasn't woken up?

I gritted my teeth, shaking the thought away, but it clung stubbornly to the edges of my mind.

The clock on the wall caught my attention. The little red hand ticked closer to noon, and I remembered—Carter's birthday was later.

I let out a groan, dragging my hands over my face. "Why now?" I muttered under my breath. Balancing training and everything else was hard enough without trying to put on a smile for a party. Still, I knew I had to be there.

"Alright," I said to no one in particular, sitting up and stretching my legs out in front of me. "One more set."

The pool shimmered in front of me, an open invitation to dive back in. And I would—after all, there was no quitting until the water accepted me as its master.

NM

The party was in full swing, vibrant with chatter, music, and the soft glow of chandelier lights. Yet, my focus was fixed on the entrance. Greco wasn't here yet. I'd sent him multiple texts, and each one was met with silence. Beside me, Ally was fidgeting nervously, her fingers dancing over each other before she bit down on her nail—a telltale sign of her anxiety.

"I don't think he's coming, NM," Ally said softly, her voice laced with disappointment.

I turned to her, offering a wide, reassuring smile. "What are you talking about? Greco will come. You'll see."

But as the minutes stretched, doubt crept into my own mind. Maybe he really wasn't—

The grand doors to the reception hall opened, and I instinctively stood, my heart skipping a beat when I saw him.

Greco walked in, dressed sharply in a tuxedo, his hair styled back in a way I'd never seen before. He looked... different. Striking. I blinked, trying to reconcile the confident figure before me with the Greco I'd grown used to seeing in casual clothes and unkempt hair. Tonight, all eyes turned to him, the quiet murmur of guests growing louder. Whispers filled the room—after all, Greco Pellaria wasn't just any guest. He was Vera's golden swimmer, a name known to everyone.

The admiration on people's faces was palpable, and I caught myself staring too long. His presence commanded the room, yet there was a certain ease to the way he moved, his eyes scanning the crowd as if searching for something—or someone.

When our eyes met, he smiled, a simple, genuine expression that tugged at something deep inside me. He walked toward me with purposeful strides.

"Sorry I'm late," he said, his voice steady yet apologetic.

"It's fine," I replied, trying to keep my tone casual. "But Ally's been waiting for you."

At my words, Greco's gaze shifted to Ally, standing quietly beside me. For a moment, he seemed caught off guard, as if he hadn't noticed her there.

"Hi, Ally," he said, his voice softening. "Sorry. I got stuck in traffic. I had to commute here."

Ally didn't respond, her eyes avoiding his.

I rolled my eyes, stepping in. "Why'd you commute, anyway?" I teased, my tone light but laced with exasperation.

Greco turned to me, his expression unreadable for a split second before he chuckled. "I don't exactly own a car, NM," he said, brushing off my comment with an easy grin.

"You could've asked Nacthan to give you a ride," I retorted, crossing my arms.

He shrugged, his tone nonchalant. "Didn't want to bother him."

Before I could press further, Ally excused herself, mumbling something about needing to sit with her family at the front. That left just me and Greco at the table.

I stole another glance at him, unable to resist. He really did look incredible tonight, and I hated how my heart fluttered at the sight of him. When he caught me staring, I quickly averted my gaze.

"What? You think I look good or something?" he teased, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips.

I scoffed, feigning indifference. "Not really. Don't flatter yourself."

He laughed softly, and I tried to ignore how warm his voice sounded.

Before I could come up with another snarky comment, the doors opened again. This time, Fuse entered, his brother Daze right behind him. Their arrival sent a wave of excitement through the crowd, especially among the female guests, who seemed ready to swoon at the sight of the brothers. Behind them followed members of SECRET, their group well-known around Vera, and finally, the man of the hour—Carter.

I barely had time to take it all in when I noticed Fuse walking toward us. My chest tightened. His sharp gaze flickered between me and Greco, and a smirk formed on his face as he sat down across from us.

"Well, look who decided to show up," Fuse said, his tone biting. "You don't belong here."

I froze, my eyes darting to Greco. He didn't flinch, his expression unreadable as Fuse continued.

"Don't try too hard, Greco," Fuse sneered. "You're just trash, after all."

The air grew heavy, tension crackling like static electricity. I watched in horror as Greco's hand tightened around the glass he was holding. A second later, it shattered, shards falling to the table as blood trickled from his palm.

"G-Greco," I stammered, reaching out to him, but he didn't even glance my way. His eyes were locked on Fuse, burning with restrained fury.

"I didn't come here to take insults from you, Fuse," Greco said, his voice low and cold.

"And I didn't come here to see you," Fuse retorted, leaning back in his chair, unbothered.

Before I could intervene, Daze's voice cut through the tension. "Fuse, that's enough. You shouldn't treat our brother like that."

I froze, the words hitting me like a ton of bricks. Brother?

My mind raced with questions, but there was no time to ask. Greco abruptly stood and stormed out of the hall. I followed him, my heart pounding.

The reception hall's warm light and laughter faded behind me as I stepped into the cool evening air. I tightened my shawl around my shoulders and scanned the empty courtyard. Where had Greco gone? My chest ached with worry, but my feet propelled me forward. The unease in his expression as he left haunted me, and I couldn't just stand by.

"Greco!" I called into the quiet night, my voice trembling as it echoed in the distance. No response. My heels clicked softly against the cobblestone path as I made my way toward the main gate. The laughter and music of the party grew faint behind me.

I turned a corner, and my heart stopped.

There he was. Greco stood several feet away, his tuxedo a stark contrast to the shadowy group of men encircling him. Their postures were predatory, shoulders squared, their sneers glinting under the dim streetlights.

"Dressed to impress, aren't we?" one of the men taunted, his voice laced with mockery. He was about Greco's height but broader, with a cocky grin that made my stomach churn.

Greco chuckled softly, his hands slipping into his pockets. "Don't push your luck," he said, his voice calm but edged with warning.

"Oh, and what are you going to do about it?" another man jeered, stepping closer. His words dripped with venom. "You're nothing, Greco. No family. No allies. You're just a washed-up swimmer pretending to be someone important."

My breath caught as I watched Greco's demeanor shift. His soft laugh vanished, replaced by a sharp, unyielding glare. His shoulders tensed, and his jaw clenched, the muscles working beneath his skin.

"Leave," Greco said, his voice low and commanding. "I'll count to three. If you're still in my way, we'll have a problem."

My pulse raced as the tension between them thickened, suffocating the air around me. I should have turned back, run for help, but my feet were rooted in place, my back pressed against a lamppost.

The men laughed in unison, their amusement echoing in the empty street.

"Three," Greco began, his tone steady.

"Two."

I felt a chill crawl down my spine as I realized he wasn't bluffing.

Before he could utter the last number, my world tilted. From the corner of my eye, I spotted movement near my feet—a snake slithering from the shadows.

A scream tore from my throat before I could stop it.

Greco's head snapped in my direction, his sharp gaze finding me instantly. His eyes widened in surprise. "NM?"

"Oh," one of the men sneered, noticing me. "Looks like we've got a guest."

The way they looked at me, like vultures circling prey, sent a fresh wave of fear coursing through me.

"Stay away from her," Greco growled, stepping in front of me. His voice dropped, each word dripping with authority.

But one of the men ignored him, advancing toward me with a menacing smirk.

In an instant, Greco lunged, his fist slamming into the man's stomach. The force sent him stumbling backward, clutching his midsection. Greco didn't stop. He grabbed the man's arm and twisted it behind his back, eliciting a sharp cry of pain.

The sound made me flinch, my hands flying to my mouth.

The remaining men hesitated, exchanging wary glances. Greco released his grip, letting the man crumple to the ground. His cold, unrelenting gaze swept over the others.

"This is your only warning," Greco said, his voice eerily calm. "If I see any of you again, you'd better be ready for the consequences."

The men scrambled to their feet, fear etched on their faces as they fled into the night.

I stood frozen, my legs weak and trembling. Greco turned to me, his hard expression softening the moment his eyes met mine.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle now as he approached.

I stumbled back, shaking my head. "Don't—don't touch me."

His brows furrowed, confusion flickering across his face. "NM—"

"No!" I cut him off, my voice breaking. "You're not who I thought you were."

He stopped, his hands falling to his sides.

"You hurt people, Greco," I said, my chest tightening. "I just saw it. You're dangerous."

His lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, something unreadable flashed in his eyes—pain, perhaps, or regret. Then, a faint, bitter smile curled at the corners of his mouth.

"Not because I hurt people," he said quietly, "I'm already the bad one."

Before I could respond, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows.

I stood there alone, my heart pounding and my mind racing with questions I didn't know how to answer.