We reached the room I was staying in. Alex left as he said that he had some work at the factory. It meant I cannot explore the factory today as Alex would be there. I cannot explore the mansion too at this time as there is a possibility of someone catching me.

I decided to explore it past midnight. I picked my phone to set an alarm to wake me up at midnight. It had seven calls from an unknown number. I wondered who it could be as I was not familiar with the number. I decided to call the number to see who it was.

"Hello?Angel?" a familiar voice said but I was too stunned to believe it.

"Who's this?" I asked.

"I'm Cole,"

"Oh," was all I could mutter. I felt butterflies in my stomach hearing his voice.

"Are you okay?" he asked in a concerned tone.

'I couldn't believe he was concerned for me? Or was it just me and my over-thinking brain?'

'Just because I feel for him, it doesn't mean he feels the same way for me too.' I thought to myself.

'Wait, what? No! I definitely don't have any feelings for him. I have a boyfriend!'

"Hello? Are you there? Is everything alright?" asked Cole, sounding even more worried now.

I realized I had been busy talking to myself and stammered, "Yeah, I - 'm there..."

"Okay... I hope everything is alright," he said.

"Yes, I'm fine. What happened?"

"Angel, please listen to me and do as I say," Cole said in a serious tone.

"Why? What do you..." I tried to ask but Cole cut me off and said, "Don't ask questions! Just find a way to leave from there right now! I don't think it's right for you to stay there alone. I promise to explain to you everything tomorrow."

"But I am not alone, Alex is there... I don't understand what's wrong with me staying at my boyfriend's place?"

"I told you to not ask questions and do as I say," stated Cole.

"Okay... But I want you to tell me everything that I want to know about Alex tomorrow,"

"I will," he said.

"Okay, see you tomorrow morning!"I said.

"Yeah, please try to get out of there soon, take care..."

"Yeah, goodnight," I said and ended the call.

I decided to stay at the mansion for the night and think about leaving from here tomorrow. After all, I and Jessica didn't do so much efforts for anything. I am not going to go back from here like a coward. But is there anything to be even afraid of here?

I saved Cole's number and set an alarm for midnight. I was having difficulty to sleep as I was too curious to explore the mansion and I was a bit afraid too about getting caught. A long time was spent by me tossing and turning on the bed, snuggled inside the blanket before sleep took over.

"Angel...Wake up!"I heard a distant voice.

A warm hand was placed on my arm. It shook me gently. I turn around without opening my eyes and continued sleeping.

"Angel! Wake up! You would be late for university!"

I recognized the voice now and opened my eyes a little. Alex tapped my cheeks with his hand, asking me to wake up. I sat lazily on the bed for some seconds until realization hit me. I did not wake up at midnight! How could I be so careless!

"Get dressed quickly, we will have to leave in some minutes," said Alex.

I got up from the bed and looked at the clock. I had only forty-five minutes to get to reach the university. I hurriedly rushed towards the bathroom to brush my teeth. After I was done, I started going through the wardrobe to find a suitable outfit. I couldn't find a casual t-shirt to wear to college.

Olive's choice was so different than me and better too. There were pretty dresses, skirts, tops and anything you could want from major brands. It was a wardrobe any girl would kill for, but I was having difficulty choosing an outfit for me as I never dressed up much for the university.

"Come on Angel, just pick an outfit, you don't have time to be choosy,"

"I know. I should have woken up on time,"

"Yes, you had set the alarm wrong. It went off in the midnight, I turned it off."

"Oh..." was all I could mutter.

"I came to check on you after my work was done and just when I was about to leave your room, the alarm rang," explained Alex.

"Okay," I said as I continued to look through the wardrobe, so I could avoid having eye contact with Alex.

I finally chose a white crop top, blue jeans and a pink hoodie. I got dressed. It surprisingly fit me well. I picked up my cell phone, it was on silent and had six calls from Jessica.

I called Jessica and told her I was going to be a bit late for the university. She was curious to know about last night. I told her I will tell everything to her once we meet. She excitedly agreed and ended the call. Only if she knew that I had slept throughout the night!

Alex was back soon with the keys. The drive to the university was unusually silent. Alex seemed pre-occupied in his thoughts. I too was quite curious to know what Cole would tell me today. A part of me was scared too, scared to know the truth.

I had waited years for Alex while he went around dating other girls. Now, that I finally had him, I feared to lose him. Losing him to a truth that I didn't want to know yet I wished to. I don't know what his secrets are, but I know that they are bad enough for my friends to advise me to stay away from him.

I reached the university and got out of the car but not before placing a peck on Alex's cheek and telling him goodbye. My stomach churned from inside as I did that. Alex smiled at me before driving away.

Hello readers!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please vote and comment to let me know!

Love,
Serene