The library was dipped in a hush so thick, even thoughts felt too loud. Rows of tall wooden shelves stretched like sentinels, heavy with books that smelled of old paper and quiet secrets. The golden light from antique lamps cast soft pools on the tables, where students whispered and pages turned like falling leaves.
It wasn't supposed to be a battlefield.
But the air changed the moment Aiden stepped in and spotted Garson.
One look, and he knew—Garson was fuming. Without a word, Aiden walked over and stood beside him, a quiet show of support.
Garson, eyes stormy, moved toward the study table and took the empty seat next to Danna. Aiden sat across from them beside James.
"Danna, could you explain this to me?" James asked, smirking—his gaze flickering to Garson, daring him.
"Umm… sure," Danna replied, a bit unsure. She leaned forward, ready to help, when—
Garson suddenly plucked the pen from her hand.
"Let me guide my brother," he said coolly, his eyes locking with hers. "Switch seats."
Caught in the tension, Danna stood without arguing, sensing the unspoken challenge in the air. Garson slid into her seat beside James, his presence like a silent thunderstorm.
"Garson, she's just your classmate, so why the hell are you disturbing us?" James snapped, clearly annoyed.
Garson's jaw clenched, his voice cold but sharp.
"She's, my enemy."
His eyes didn't leave Danna.
James scoffed. "Then let her be. If she's your enemy, she can get out of here."
Garson leaned in slightly, his tone heavier now—dangerously clear.
"She. Is. My. Enemy," he repeated, each word laced with fire, emphasizing every syllable like it meant everything.
Danna stood frozen, her heartbeat loud in her ears. The library felt a little smaller… a little quieter… but the war had just begun.
"Danna, get up. Let's go somewhere else," James said firmly, his tone protective.
Before she could even move, Garson's gaze snapped to her—sharp, unwavering, almost dangerous.
"If you dare do that, Miss Coffee..." his voice was low, threatening,
"...you'll be responsible for the consequences."
The words struck harder than they should've.
Danna's fingers twitched. Her breath caught in her throat.
Her heart? Now racing—loud, wild, confused.
James glanced at her, unaware of the storm inside her chest.
She wasn't sure what scared her more:
James's walking away…
Or Garson not letting her go.
Aiden stepped into the tension.
It wasn't just in the air—it was alive. Thick. Unspoken. It clung to the walls like a storm waiting to crack.
His eyes found Garson instantly. The anger in Garson's gaze wasn't just visible—it burned.
Aiden didn't need context. He knew that look.
"James… let's go, bro," he said quietly, a hint of urgency in his voice.
But James didn't move. And Garson didn't blink.
The storm wasn't passing.
It was just getting started.
"You're just jealous of me, Garson. Admit it," James said, leaning back with a cocky smirk. His words sliced through the silence like a blade.
"Dad loves me. He appreciates me. And now you're scared..."
His voice dipped with mock sweetness.
"...that Danna might enjoy my company too. After all, she already sees you as the enemy, doesn't she?" The sentence hit harder than James knew.
Garson didn't flinch.
But his jaw tightened.
And his knuckles curled slightly on the table.
Garson was just about to speak—words bubbling with fire—
when Danna's voice cut through the silence, steady but sharp.
"James… please leave."
Her eyes didn't meet his.
"I have to discuss something with Garson anyway."
For a moment, the air stood still.
Then…
A slow, knowing smirk curled on Garson's lips.
"You heard her," he said, leaning back ever so slightly.
"Leave."
His voice was drenched in satisfaction.
But his eyes? Still locked on Danna like she was both the battlefield and the prize.
James stood there for a second—jaw clenched, pride bruised, and fury flashing in his eyes.
Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the library, the chair scraping roughly against the floor.
Aiden didn't say anything.
He simply gave Danna a glance—half concern, half understanding—then followed James, just in case his temper dragged him back in.
The footsteps faded.
Now it was just Garson and Danna...
Silence wrapped around them, thick and humming with everything unsaid.
"Why are you behaving like this, Mr. Whatever?" Danna snapped, the annoyance clear in her voice.
"And he's your brother."
But Garson's eyes didn't even flicker.
They were locked on her.
Like he could read every unspoken word behind her frustration.
"He's my stepbrother," Garson said, each syllable slow, controlled—but laced with something sharp.
Danna folded her arms, her brow furrowed.
"So? He's still your brother. And honestly… aren't you the one acting weird? Since yesterday—the moment I teased you—you've been acting like this."
The words lingered in the space between them.
Her gaze dared him to deny it.
Garson didn't blink.
Didn't look away.
And that silence? It wasn't empty.
It was full of all the feelings he hadn't said.
"Miss Coffee," Garson said coolly, his tone laced with sarcasm,
"whatever you said yesterday was ridiculous."
He leaned back slightly; gaze still fixed on her.
"And I'm not acting weird. I just know exactly what kind of person my stepbrother is."
The words came out sharp—almost cold.
But behind them, hidden like shadows behind glass…
were feelings he hadn't dared to name.
Not even to himself.
Danna watched him, narrowing her eyes, lips parting to respond—but she paused.
Something in his voice didn't match his expression.
"Miss Coffee," Garson said sharply,
"just stay away from him. That's it."
Danna met his gaze, unbothered.
"Actually, you have to stay late with me at university."
She smirked slightly,
"We have a project together—again."
Garson's eyes flickered for a moment, caught off guard, then he nodded curtly.
"Okay."
Without another word, he turned and left, leaving the room feeling colder—but somehow more charged.
What's wrong with him?
Danna thought, rolling her eyes.
Is he getting dumber or something?
Darkness had already settled outside when they both stayed late in the library, the golden glow from the lamps now fighting against the creeping night.
Just then, Miss Sira, the librarian, appeared quietly by their table.
"Students, it's already 9:00 PM," she said gently but firmly,
"You should leave now—I have to close the library."
"Sure," they said in unison, standing up and gathering their things.
But just as they started walking toward the exit, the lights suddenly flickered—and then went completely dark.
The hum of electricity died, leaving only the sound of their breaths in the thick, unexpected silence.
"I'll inform security," Miss Sira said, her voice steady but tinged with concern.
She reached for her phone, dialing quickly—only to hear silence. No ringing. No response.
With a sigh, she left the students behind and hurried toward the security office to inform them in person.
Danna's breathing grew faster, shallow and erratic, her chest rising and falling like waves in a storm.
Her grip loosened.
The books slipped from her hands and hit the ground with a dull thud.
Garson's head turned instantly.
He stepped toward her, concern cutting through his usual coldness.
"What happened?" he asked, his voice low but urgent.
She didn't answer—her hands were trembling now, her eyes wide and unfocused.
"Darkness…" she whispered, her voice barely there.
"I can't… I can't breathe—"
And then, her knees gave way.
She collapsed to the floor.
Garson's heart sank.
He didn't need anyone to tell him what this was.
She was having a panic attack.
Without thinking, he dropped beside her.
"Danna. Hey, look at me," he said softly but firmly, reaching for her hands.
Garson knelt beside her, gently taking her trembling hands in his.
She was shaking—lost in her fear, her breath shallow, her eyes distant.
He leaned in closer, his voice low, steady… almost soft.
"Everything is fine," he whispered.
"I'm here, Danna. I promise."
His thumb brushed over her knuckles as he held her hands tighter.
"The darkness will go now. I won't let it stay."
Something about his voice—calm, sure, safe—cut through the chaos swirling in her mind.
And for the first time…
She believed it.
Danna couldn't hold it in anymore.
With a choked sob, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Garson, clinging to him like he was the only steady thing left in her world.
Tears soaked into his shirt, her sobs soft but broken, echoing in the quiet library.
Garson froze for just a second.
Then his eyes fluttered shut, the weight of the moment sinking into his chest.
He didn't say a word.
He didn't need to.
His arms slowly wrapped around her—firm, warm, protective.
And in that silent embrace, full of emotion neither of them had dared to name...
The darkness truly did begin to fade.