INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MANILA (ISM) — MORNING
Maaga pa pero buhay na ang buong campus. Students in designer uniforms, soft chatter everywhere, laughter, footsteps, engines, perfumes in the air — elite world.
Then—
A low, smooth engine growl slid into the scene.
Across the street…
A black Maserati MC20 slowly stopped.
Shiny. Elegant. Deadly.
Agaw-pansin agad.
"Uy… Maserati MC20 ‘yan ah…"
"Grabe ang mahal niyan…"
"Bagong dating ba ‘yan?"
"Celebrity kaya may-ari?"
Inside the car —
Marcus Romanov.
Silent. Still. Watching.
Blue eyes locked on one person only.
Calista.
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SCHOOL ENTRANCE
Kabababa lang ni Calista mula sa kotse nila. Inaayos niya ang strap ng bag niya habang naglalakad papasok. Calm, simple, unaware… beautiful without trying.
Then—
She felt something.
A gaze.
