CHAPTER 51

ARIENNE CALLOWAY

"I think you should find someone else to take to prom, Mateo."

I kept my voice firm, my arms crossed over my chest as I stared at him.

We were the only two in the auditorium, the dim lighting making his expression hard to read. Rain pattered against the windows, filling the silence between us.

Mateo had been pushing this for days. Ever since he asked me, I had been trying to find the right way to turn him down, but this guy didn't get it.

His cocky smirk faltered for a second before he let out a small laugh, shaking his head. Like I just told a joke.

"You're serious?" he asked, stepping closer.

I sighed, already feeling annoyed. "Yes, Mateo, I'm serious."

He didn't take rejection well. That much was obvious. His shoulders stiffened, his jaw clenching just slightly before the smirk returned.

"What, you waiting for someone else to ask you?" He tilted his head, watching me closely. "Or is it Zayn?"

I blinked, caught off guard.

"The hell does Zayn have to do with this?" I shot back.

Mateo just laughed again, but this time, it was different. Colder.

"You don't even realize it, do you?" He took another step closer, and I instinctively stepped back. "The way he looks at you?"

I scoffed, shaking my head. "You sound jealous."

His smirk twitched slightly, but he recovered. "Nah. Just observant."

I was getting real fucking tired of this conversation.

"Look, Mateo, just—"

"I know about Goddess."

My words died in my throat.

A heavy silence settled between us.

I must've misheard him.

Because there was no way. No. Fucking. Way.

But when I met his gaze, I saw it.

He wasn't bluffing.

My stomach twisted, but I forced myself to stay calm. To not show a reaction.

I raised a brow. "What?"

Mateo smirked, like he knew he had me cornered.

"You heard me," he said, crossing his arms. "I know you're Goddess."

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. How? How did he find out?

No one outside my family and my friends knew. No one.

I kept my expression neutral. "You're full of shit."

Mateo just let out a low chuckle. "Yeah? Then why do you look so fucking nervous?"

I clenched my fists at my sides. I wasn't nervous—I was pissed.

But I couldn't let that show.

I had to play it smart.

"Alright," I said, tilting my head. "Let's say I am. What are you gonna do about it?"

Mateo grinned, like he had been waiting for me to ask.

"Oh, nothing much," he said. "Just wondering how people would react if they found out."

I hated how calm he sounded. Like he wasn't literally threatening me.

Blackmail.

That's what this was.

I took a step back, keeping my glare locked on him. "You're a real piece of shit, you know that?"

Mateo shrugged. "I've been told."

I forced myself to stay composed. To not let him see that he had any power over me.

But then he took another step forward.

"See, Ari, I'm not asking you to go to prom with me anymore." His voice dropped slightly, his smirk widening. "I'm telling you."

I felt my nails dig into my palms.

"You really think I give a fuck about prom?" I scoffed. "Why the hell would I agree to this?"

Mateo's eyes gleamed. "Because if you don't, I'll make sure the entire world knows who you really are."

Fury bubbled in my chest. He had no idea what he was playing with.

I took another step back—

And the floor betrayed me.

The rain leaking from the ceiling had made the ground slick, and before I could catch myself, my foot slipped.

A sharp pain shot up my ankle as I hit the ground hard, a small gasp leaving my lips.

"Shit," I hissed, gripping my leg. That fucking hurt.

Mateo's smirk widened. Like he enjoyed seeing me like this.

"Not so untouchable now, huh?" he muttered, shaking his head.

Before he could say anything else—

The auditorium doors slammed open.

The loud bang echoed through the empty space.

I snapped my head up—

And there, standing in the doorway, was Zayn.

His dark eyes scanned the room before locking onto me—then onto Mateo.

His entire expression turned murderous.