Never Just Friends

A Cliffhanger in the Dark

Hanna’s pulse thundered in her ears as she stared at Ciara. The dim lighting of the parking lot cast long shadows over Ciara’s face, making her smirk seem even more menacing.

“I don’t have anything to say to you,” Hanna said, trying to sound braver than she felt.

Ciara took a slow step closer, her heels clicking against the pavement. “Oh, I think you do,” she said, her voice smooth and calculated. “You’ve been very busy lately, haven’t you?”

Hanna clenched her keys tighter, her palms slick with sweat. “If you’re here to threaten me, it won’t work.”

“Threaten you?” Ciara said, laughing softly. “No, Hanna. I’m here to make sure you understand what happens when you step out of line.”

Hanna swallowed hard, refusing to back down. “Everyone knows what you’ve done, Ciara. It’s over. You’re done.”

Ciara’s smirk faded, replaced by something darker. “You think a few screenshots are enough to stop me? You’re playing checkers, Hanna, and I’ve been playing chess this whole time.”

The weight of her words settled heavily on Hanna’s chest. She had expected Ciara to be angry, maybe even desperate, but this calm, calculated version of her was far more terrifying.

“You don’t scare me,” Hanna said, though her voice wavered.

“Maybe not yet,” Ciara said, tilting her head. “But you should be scared of what’s coming.”

Before Hanna could respond, Ciara took another step forward, her expression unreadable. “This is your last chance, Hanna. Back off, or I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Hanna’s breath hitched as Ciara’s words sank in. She wanted to respond, to tell Ciara that she wasn’t backing down, but the words caught in her throat.

Ciara leaned in slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. “You don’t know what you’ve started.”

With that, she turned on her heel and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Hanna standing frozen by her car.

The quiet of the parking lot pressed in around her, but the weight of Ciara’s threat was deafening.

Hanna climbed into her car, locking the doors as her hands trembled against the steering wheel. Her phone buzzed on the seat beside her, and she picked it up with shaking fingers.

It was a message from Elordi.

Elordi: She knows.

Hanna’s heart sank as she stared at the screen. Whatever Ciara was planning, it was already in motion.

And this time, Hanna wasn’t sure if she’d be able to stop it.

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