The next morning, a loud knock echoed through the room, pulling Alex from the warmth of sleep. His eyes fluttered open, still heavy with exhaustion — for last night had been hella hectic for him, not just him but the girl sleeping beside him. Remembering what happened last night, his face flushed red and a smirk stretched at the end of his lips. 'She's a freak.' He thought, still smirking. The knock came again, louder and more urgent this time around. For a moment, everything felt still, the soft sheets tangled around his legs, the lingering warmth beside him where Elizabeth slept peacefully, her hair spilling across the pillow. Alex groaned softly, carefully slipping out of bed to avoid waking Elizabeth. He grabbed a shirt from the floor, pulling it over his head as he made his way to the door. The moment he opened it, Peter stood there, arms crossed and looking far too awake for this early hour. His usual easygoing expression was replaced by something serious. "They have began to move," Peter said without preamble, his voice low but tense. Alex narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?" Peter stepped inside, glancing around as if making sure that they were alone. "My father is no longer patient, he has decided to come out plainly, and anytime soon, they will come for you." Alex's blood ran cold at the word. "Who else?" "This might sound crazy but her father is also in this game, he's working with my father," Peter replied and glanced at Elizabeth who seemed to still be sleeping.
Alex's jaw tightened as Peter's words sank in. Elisabeth's father—working with Mr. Gustavo? Of all the possibilities he had considered, this wasn't one of them. His mind raced, piecing together the fragments of what this meant. If both of them were moving openly, things were about to get much worse.
"You're sure?" Alex asked, his voice colder now, the easygoing warmth from earlier completely gone.
Peter nodded. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't. My father's been planning something big, and her father? He's not just tagging along—he's fully involved." His tone sharpened. "And whatever they're after, it's got everything to do with you."
Alex exhaled slowly, running a hand through his messy hair. Last night's memories still clung to him, but the weight of reality crushed any lingering warmth. "Any idea what their next move is?"
"Not yet," Peter admitted. "But I know this—if they're coming, they won't hold back. We need to be ahead of them." His gaze flicked toward Elizabeth again, and for a split second, his expression softened. "Does she know?"
Alex hesitated. He thought about the fire in her eyes, the way she fought beside him without hesitation. She wasn't weak, but this? This was something else. Something bigger. "No," he said finally. "I don't think so."
Peter sighed, leaning against the wall. "She'll find out eventually, Alex. And when she does, it won't be pretty."
Alex knew he was right. There was no easy way to tell her that her father was working alongside the people who had already done so much damage. And when she found out… there was no telling how she would react.
"Let me handle it," Alex said, his voice quieter now. "I'll tell her when the time's right."
Peter didn't look convinced, but he let it go. "Just don't wait too long," he warned. "We're running out of time."
As the room fell into a heavy silence, Alex turned his gaze back to Elizabeth. She still slept peacefully, her face soft and calm—a stark contrast to the storm brewing around them.
For a moment, he allowed himself to feel the warmth she brought him. But beneath that warmth was a cold reality—one he couldn't ignore.
If her father had chosen a side, there was no going back. And no matter how much Alex wanted to protect her, he knew one truth above all else:
Soon, she would have to choose where she stood. Choose who she'll support.
"I'll be heading back home," Peter announced. "I'll keep an eye on my father, then if there's anything new, I'll let you know."
"Very well then, bye," Alex replied and Peter nodded and left Alex's room.
When the door shut behind Peter, the silence in the room felt louder. Alex leaned against the wall, his thoughts tangled in the weight of what he'd just learned. Mr. Gustavo and Elizabeth's father—working together. It wasn't just a coincidence. This was intentional, calculated, and somehow, it all centered around him.
He let out a slow breath, pushing away the heaviness as he turned his gaze back to the bed. Elizabeth stirred, her brows knitting slightly before her eyes fluttered open. For a brief moment, she looked soft, vulnerable even—before the sharpness returned to her expression.
"Why are you staring at me?" she mumbled, her voice still laced with sleep.
Alex let out a dry chuckle, pushing off the wall and moving toward her. "Maybe because you snore louder than I thought."
"I do not snore," she shot back, sitting up and brushing her hair out of her face.
"You do," Alex teased, but the amusement faded quickly. His face grew serious as he lowered himself onto the edge of the bed. "We need to talk."
Elizabeth blinked, instantly alert. "What is it?"
He hesitated, not because he didn't know what to say, but because he wasn't sure how to say it. "It's about your father," he started, watching her reaction carefully. "He's working with Mr. Gustavo."
For a second, Elizabeth didn't respond. Her expression didn't shift the way he expected. No shock. No disbelief. Instead, her lips pressed into a thin line, and her fingers tightened around the sheets.
"I figured he was involved in something," she admitted quietly. "He's been… different for a while now. But I didn't know it was this bad."
Alex narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
She let out a bitter laugh, one with no humor behind it. "I knew he was connected to people—dangerous people. He always had secrets, but he never let me close enough to find out what they were. I just didn't think he'd go this far."
There was an edge in her voice—a mix of anger and something else. Something closer to pain.
"Peter said they're moving openly now," Alex continued. "Whatever they're planning, it's big. And it's about me."
Elizabeth scoffed softly. "Of course it is. Everything always comes back to you."
"I'm serious, Elizabeth," Alex said, his tone sharper than intended. "If your father's in this, you're not safe either."
"I've never been safe," she said quietly, looking down at her hands. "Not since the day I refused to follow his orders."
A heavy silence stretched between them. Alex watched her closely, trying to read the storm behind her icy blue eyes. For all her sarcasm and sharp-tongued bravado, there was something else now—a crack in her armor.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, softer this time.
Elizabeth shrugged, but the tension in her shoulders betrayed her casual demeanor. "Because I didn't want you to treat me like I'm fragile. I can handle myself."
Alex leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I know you can. But this… this is different. If he's working with Mr. Gustavo, it means they won't stop until they get what they want. And right now, that's me."
For the first time, uncertainty flickered in her expression. "So, what do we do?"
Alex met her gaze, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on his shoulders. "We stay ahead of them. Peter's watching his father. I'll figure out the rest but I need you to be careful. If your father knows you're with me, he won't hold back."
Her jaw tightened, but she gave a reluctant nod. "I'm not running, Alex. Whatever happens, I'm not backing down even if it kills me."
He didn't doubt her words. Elizabeth was many things, stubborn, proud, reckless, but a coward wasn't one of them. And yet, as he looked at her, he couldn't shake the cold feeling gnawing at the edges of his mind.
Because no matter how strong she was, the storm heading their way wouldn't spare anyone.
And if her father was already this far gone, there was no telling how much worse things would get.