Chapter 5: Hidden Secrets
446 Words
Aria barely slept that night.
The message remained on her phone screen long after midnight.
You need to tell him the truth before it's too late.
She read it again.
And again.
And again.
Who sent it?
How did they know about Ted?
Most importantly
How much did they know?
Aria placed the phone face down on her bedside table and closed her eyes.
But sleep never came.
Across town, Ted was having the exact opposite problem.
He couldn't stop smiling.
Every time he remembered Aria kissing his cheek, his heart started racing again.
By morning, Zuan had already noticed.
"Look at him," Zuan announced while pointing at Ted.
"He's gone."
Minho nodded seriously.
"Our brother has officially left reality."
Bobie laughed.
"I've never seen him this happy."
Ted threw a pillow at them.
"You guys are annoying."
"No," Minho corrected. "We're supportive."
The room exploded with laughter.
A few hours later, Ted received a message.
It was from Aria.
Can we meet today?
Ted smiled immediately.
Of course.
That evening, they met at a quiet restaurant overlooking the city.
The view was beautiful.
But Ted's attention remained on Aria.
Something felt different.
She smiled.
She talked.
She laughed.
But something seemed off.
As if her mind was somewhere else.
Finally, Ted couldn't ignore it anymore.
"Aria."
She looked up.
"Yeah?"
"What's wrong?"
Her smile faded.
For several seconds, she didn't answer.
Then she looked away.
"Nothing."
The answer came too quickly.
Ted knew it wasn't true.
"Aria."
She remained silent.
Ted leaned forward slightly.
"You don't have to tell me if you're not ready."
She looked at him.
"But whatever it is, you don't have to carry it alone."
For a moment, Aria's eyes softened.
She looked like she wanted to say something.
Something important.
Something she had been holding inside for a long time.
But before she could speak
Her phone rang.
Again.
The same unknown number.
Aria immediately became tense.
Ted noticed.
"That's the person who's been bothering you, isn't it?"
Aria stared at the screen.
Her hand trembled.
The phone continued ringing.
Finally, she answered.
"Hello?"
Ted couldn't hear the voice.
But he could hear Aria.
And what he heard made his blood run cold.
"No."
Silence.
"No, I'm not telling him."
More silence.
Aria's face became pale.
Then she whispered:
"Please stop threatening me."
Ted froze.
Threatening?
Who was threatening Aria?
And why?
A few moments later, the call ended.
The restaurant suddenly felt very quiet.
Aria lowered her phone slowly.
"Ted..."
For the first time since meeting her, she looked genuinely afraid.
And Ted realized something.
Whatever secret Aria was hiding
It was far more dangerous than he had imagined.
- Writer
