Dyeing my hair RED

CHAPTER ONE : Flashback Thunders roars outside, matching Rylie's shouts and tantrums towards her dad and step mother. "Seriously? Kinakampihan niyo Yung mistress niyo instead of your own daughter?" Rylie screamed. Her step mother's eyes widen in anger as she clutch her fists. "What? You want to hit me? Then do it! Don't act all innocent—" She cuts her words as her Dad slapped her. "That's enough!" Her Dad roars back. The mistress (Anna) smirks at her, and act all pity when she turns to her dad (Kiel) "Honey," Anna calls out softly "Don't be mad, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have talked and let her bully me..." She wipes her fake tears. Rylie glared at her "Yeah, you should have let me." "Enough! Go to your room! I don't like your smart mouth talking back to your mom!" Kiel shouts "Why?! she's not my mom!" She step back "Now I know why mom left you." She talks back and runs upstairs. CHAPTER TWO Rylie didn't communicate with his father and step mother after that incident from the past. She's being distant, hard headed and hot tempered. She always got a fight at school cause many other student hated her for being almost perfect. Being the favorites teacher, billionaire parents, luxurious life, and all boys like her. —Christian's In a dimly quite office, there's a phone call. "Hello boss? I've got all the impormations you wanted from the Unila University." says by the voice on the other end of call. Christian smirks "Good. I'm on my way." The Unila University is also the school where Rylie goes to. Will they meet here? Or maybe in the next chapter? —Rylie's A clicking heels on the marble floor as one of the cheerleader approached Rylie "Hey there, I heard you pass the exam... Let me guess, you cheated right?" Agatha chuckles. Rylie slowly lifts her gaze, eyes cold and unbothered. “If I cheated,” she says calmly, adjusting the strap of her bag, “I wouldn’t just pass. I’d get a perfect score.” The hallway goes quiet. A few students nearby pretend not to listen. Agatha’s smile twitches. “You think you’re better than everyone, don’t you?” “I don’t think,” Rylie replies, stepping closer just enough for her voice to drop. “I know what I worked for.” Agatha scoffs. “Whatever. Just don’t cry when people find out the truth.” Before Rylie can respond, a deep voice cuts through the tension. “That won’t be necessary.” Both girls turn. At the end of the hallway stands a tall figure in a black coat, hands tucked into his pockets. His presence alone shifts the atmosphere. Whispers ripple through the students. “That’s him…” “Isn’t he from the business department?” “I heard he owns half the city—” Christian walks forward, each step unhurried, confident. Agatha straightens. “And who are you?” He doesn’t look at her. His eyes are fixed on Rylie. “I’m someone who doesn’t like false accusations,” he says smoothly. Then finally glancing at Agatha, his expression unreadable. “The exam results were reviewed this morning. No irregularities. In fact—” a faint smirk appears, “she ranked first.” A few gasps echo. Agatha’s face pales. “T-That’s impossible—” “Nothing’s impossible,” Christian interrupts softly. “Except bringing down someone who refuses to fall.” Rylie narrows her eyes at him. “Why do you care?” For a second, something flickers in Christian’s gaze—interest… curiosity. “Let’s just say,” he says, stepping closer, lowering his voice so only she can hear, “I’ve been looking for you.” Her heart skips—but her face remains unreadable. “You don’t even know me.” “Oh,” he replies quietly, “I know more than you think.” The bell rings, breaking the moment. Agatha storms off, humiliated. The students scatter. Rylie turns to leave, but Christian gently catches her wrist—not tight, just enough to stop her. “This isn’t a coincidence,” he says. “Unila University isn’t as simple as you believe.” She pulls her hand free. “Neither am I.” A challenge lingers between them. Christian smiles. “Good,” he murmurs. “I prefer it that way.” And somewhere in the shadows of the university, someone watches them both… holding a phone. “Boss,” a voice whispers through the line, “they’ve met.” CHAPTER THREE —Christian’s POV— “They’ve met.” The call ends. Christian lowers his phone slowly, staring out the tinted window of his car parked across Unila University. Students pass by the gates, laughing, unaware of the quiet war moving around them. “Keep watching,” he says to the driver. “But don’t let her notice.” “Yes, sir.” Christian leans back, replaying the moment in the hallway. The fire in Rylie’s eyes. The way she didn’t flinch. Not scared. Not impressed. Interesting. “She really is his daughter…” he murmurs to himself. —Rylie’s POV— The whole class whispers. First in exams. Confronted Agatha. A mysterious guy defending her. Perfect. Just what she didn’t need. Rylie grips her pen tighter as the professor discusses business ethics. Her phone vibrates inside her bag. Unknown Number. She ignores it. It vibrates again. Unknown Number: You should be more careful. Not everyone who approaches you has good intentions. Her jaw tightens. Rylie: Who is this? Three dots appear instantly. Unknown Number: Someone who knows what happened to your mother. Her breath catches. The classroom suddenly feels smaller. Rylie stands up abruptly. “Excuse me, sir.” Without waiting for permission, she walks out, heart pounding. She calls the number. It rings once. Twice. Then— “Curiosity is dangerous, Rylie.” It’s a male voice. Calm. Distorted. “What do you know about my mom?” she demands. A soft chuckle. “More than your father ever told you.” The line cuts. Rylie lowers the phone slowly, hands trembling—not from fear. From anger. Behind her, footsteps echo in the empty corridor. “You shouldn’t chase shadows alone.” She turns. Christian. “How long have you been there?” she asks coldly. “Long enough.” “Were you following me?” “If I was,” he says, stepping closer, “would you be able to stop me?” Her eyes flash. “Try me.” For a moment, silence stretches between them. Tension. Challenge. Then Christian’s tone shifts, just slightly. “You’re being watched, Rylie.” “I figured.” “This isn’t about school rankings or petty jealousy.” His jaw tightens. “It’s bigger.” “Then tell me.” Her voice cracks for the first time. “What do you know about my mother?” Christian studies her. The strong girl everyone sees… and the daughter searching for answers underneath. “Not here,” he says quietly. “Meet me tonight.” She laughs bitterly. “Why would I trust you?” “You shouldn’t,” he replies honestly. “But I’m the only one willing to tell you the truth.” Her phone buzzes again. Unknown Number: Tick tock. Rylie looks back at Christian. “Where?” she asks. A faint smile appears. “Rooftop of the main building. 8 PM.” He turns and walks away without another word. Rylie stands frozen in the hallway, mind racing. For the first time in years… She feels like she’s close to something. And somewhere far from campus, a man watches the university’s security cameras. “Prepare the car,” he orders. “If she learns the truth… everything changes.” CHAPTER FOUR —Rylie’s POV— 8:00 PM. The rooftop door creaks open. Cold wind brushes against Rylie’s face as she steps out. The city lights shimmer below, quiet but alive. Her heart pounds, but her expression stays firm. She almost didn’t come. Almost. “You’re late.” She doesn’t jump. She refuses to. Christian stands near the edge, hands in his coat pockets, staring at the skyline. “I’m right on time,” she replies. He turns slowly. “You shouldn’t be here.” “You told me to come.” “Yes,” he says calmly. “And you still shouldn’t have.” Rylie crosses her arms. “Stop talking in riddles. Tell me about my mother.” Silence stretches between them. The wind howls louder. Christian studies her carefully. “Your mother didn’t just ‘leave,’ Rylie.” Her chest tightens. “Then what did she do?” “She disappeared.” The word hits differently. “What do you mean disappeared?” she demands. “She was investigating something. Something connected to your father… and to this university.” Rylie shakes her head. “My dad runs companies. That’s it.” Christian steps closer. “Your father doesn’t just run companies. He controls people.” Her jaw clenches. “Watch what you say.” “Or what?” he challenges softly. “You’ll defend a man who never told you the truth?” The rooftop door suddenly slams shut behind them. Both turn. Locked. Rylie’s eyes widen slightly. “That wasn’t the wind.” “No,” Christian mutters. Her phone vibrates again. Unknown Number: Curious girls get hurt. Footsteps echo from the stairwell side of the rooftop. Slow. Deliberate. Christian immediately moves in front of Rylie without thinking. She notices. “Stay behind me,” he says quietly. “I don’t need protection.” “Tonight you do.” A figure emerges from the shadows — a man in a dark suit. He claps slowly. “Impressive. You figured out more than expected.” Rylie freezes. “…Dad?” The man steps forward into the light. It’s him. Her father. His expression is calm. Too calm. “You shouldn’t have come here, Rylie,” he says coldly. Her voice trembles for the first time. “Why is the door locked?” “To prevent interruptions.” Christian’s posture hardens. “Let her leave.” Her father’s eyes shift to him. “You’ve already interfered too much.” “Interfered with what?” Rylie demands. “What did mom investigate?” A long pause. Then— “She was digging into financial records,” her father replies flatly. “Things she didn’t understand.” “And?” “And she refused to stop.” The wind seems to disappear. “What are you saying?” Rylie whispers. Her father sighs, almost irritated. “Curiosity runs in the family.” Christian’s fists clench. “Where is she?” Rylie asks, voice breaking. Her father walks closer. “Safe,” he answers. “As long as you stay out of this.” Tears threaten to fall, but she forces them back. “You lied to me.” “I protected you.” “From what? The truth?” Footsteps approach from behind her father. Two more men appear near the stairwell. Christian leans closer to Rylie and whispers, “When I say run, don’t argue.” Her father notices. “You’re not leaving,” he says calmly. The rooftop suddenly feels smaller. Trapped. Christian’s jaw tightens. “Now,” he whispers. The lights flicker. Darkness. A loud crashing sound echoes as Christian grabs Rylie’s hand and pulls her toward the opposite side of the rooftop TO BE CONTINUE~