CHAPTER 32: NO REST (1)

Luna’s mouth fell open slightly, the corners of her lips twitching upward as a deep blush spread across her face at C’s unexpected words.

C looked right at her with that blank, featureless face. His grip on her hand tightened just a bit, as if trying to send her a silent signal.

"You ungrateful woman! What the hell are you doing here, huh?" C shouted, his voice sharp with a fury that was almost convincing.

If they hadn’t been in the middle of a crowd, Luna might have already launched herself at him and pummeled him for real.

The older man who had been harassing Luna stepped back immediately, clearly wanting no part of the "lover’s quarrel" unfolding before him.

C let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Sorry," he murmured, his voice low enough only Luna could hear. "I had to think of something to get him away from you."

Luna didn’t answer. She kept her head down, clenched her fists tightly, and slipped away from C, determined to finish her task—getting that tracker on the police car.

She weaved through the mob, bumping into angry bodies more than once, but finally reached the police vehicle. With a trembling hand, she stuck the small GPS device underneath the back bumper.

Done.

Luna looked around, scanning the chaos until her eyes found C in the distance. He was talking urgently with Theo.

Then, she saw Theo break away, his tall frame moving quickly through the crowd after spotting Ivansia standing on the balcony above.

I need to follow him, Luna thought desperately—but before she could move, a corrupt-looking police officer emerged from Ivansia’s house.

He bumped into Luna roughly, nearly knocking her over, as he carried a black suitcase clutched tightly in his hand.

Oh god. I’m too late. They already gave the money to the police, she realized, her heart sinking.

She tried to chase after the officer, but C appeared out of nowhere, pulling her back into the shadows of the crowd.

"Don’t go after him," C said firmly, his eyes locking with hers even though his face showed no features at all. "I’ll handle that guy myself. Right now, can you get me a motorcycle?"

Luna was panting, her breath ragged from fighting her way through the mob. "I already sent Sherra to get it from my garage earlier," she managed between gasps.

"Perfect. Now—" C’s words were cut off by the roar of an approaching engine.

A motorcycle skidded to a stop beside them, the headlight casting a sharp beam through the darkness. The rider pulled off their helmet, revealing Sherra’s face.

"Here’s the bike you asked for, Miss Luna," Sherra said crisply.

"Thank you, Sherra. You’re always reliable," Luna replied, relief in her voice.

She motioned for Sherra to hand the keys and helmet over to C.

C unzipped his bag, quickly checking his gear and slipping something small into his stomach.

"What’s going on here, Miss Luna?" Sherra asked, glancing anxiously at the angry mob brandishing torches and shouting threats.

"There’s a swindler who ran out of time to protect his money," C answered flatly as he climbed onto the motorcycle.

"Huh? So why are you two even here?" Sherra pressed, confusion wrinkling her brow.

"To save that swindler," C shot back without missing a beat.

Sherra’s lips twitched up, revealing a row of white teeth as she let out a small, incredulous laugh.

"You’re kidding, right?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.

"He’s not joking, Sherra," Luna cut in firmly before C could answer. Her voice was tense but steady. "My friend is in danger. I don’t care if her father is a criminal or not—I can’t stand by and watch her suffer."

Sherra’s eyes softened, and she gave a small nod, understanding shining through her gaze.

In the distance, the police car was already pulling away.

C started the bike’s engine, the deep, aggressive rumble reverberating in the night air.

"Hey, C, wait a second," Luna called out, her voice tinged with urgency.

C flipped his phone into a holder on the bike’s dashboard, eyes flicking to the screen as he checked the live location of the tracker he’d just installed.

Then he finally turned his head toward her. "What is it?" he asked, his voice impatient but attentive.

Luna looked down, pressing her lips together, hesitating for a brief moment before lifting her head again to meet C’s faceless gaze.

"I... I had another strange dream just yesterday," she confessed, her voice trembling slightly. "I saw you... covered in blood. Your body was full of these weird, gaping holes, and—"

She sucked in a shaky breath, eyes glistening with fear. "Please... be careful, C."

Oh... looks like Luna’s starting to regain fragments of memories from the previous loop, C thought.

C reached out, resting a gloved hand gently on her shoulder. His helmet visor now completely obscured his face. "Relax," he said softly. "It was just a dream. Don’t worry about me."

"If you don’t come back in an hour or so, I’m coming after you," Luna warned, her voice firm. "And if you need help, call me. I mean it."

"Got it. Later," C replied. He revved the motorcycle once, the engine snarling, and then sped off into the night, chasing after the police car.

Sherra watched him go, then shot Luna a sideways glance, a sly smile curling her lips.

"Hmmm... looks like someone’s fallen head over heels for that faceless guy," she teased, her tone light.

"Shut up. We need to get inside that house now," Luna snapped back, stomping off toward Ivansia’s villa.

The angry mob still pressed tightly around the house, but with Sherra by her side, Luna felt braver than before.

Sherra used her strength to shove a path through the sea of furious bodies, clearing the way so Luna could follow close behind.

But just as they reached the front steps of Ivansia’s house, a group of thugs suddenly stormed into the mansion. Luna’s breath caught painfully in her chest, trauma surging up like acid through her veins.

Sherra caught the change in Luna’s expression instantly. "Are you sure about this, Miss Luna?" she asked, voice low but urgent. "This is dangerous. We don’t have to get involved in this mess."

Luna hesitated, her mind flashing back to Ivansia’s tearful face in class earlier. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She shook her head with fierce determination.

"No. We’re going in."

----

Theo slammed through the front doors of the mansion like a raging storm, shoving aside anyone in his path without a second thought. Shouts of surprise and curses erupted behind him as he barreled forward.

As he made it inside, Theo nearly collided with one of the corrupt officers who was just exiting the villa, a black suitcase clutched tightly in the man’s hand.

Theo’s shoulder smashed into the cop’s chest with a brutal force, knocking the man sideways. The officer glared back, fury flashing in his eyes—but Theo didn’t even spare him a glance. His mind was laser-focused on one thing alone.

He kicked the living room door open—and there, in the center of the plush space, Ivansia sat on the floor, hugging her knees tightly to her chest. Her face was pale as a ghost, wide eyes shimmering with terror, as if her entire world had just shattered around her.

She looked utterly lost, frozen in helpless shock. Next to her, Ivansia’s mother was desperately trying to calm her, rubbing soothing circles on her daughter’s trembling shoulders.

When Ivansia lifted her gaze and saw Theo standing in the doorway, her red, tear-streaked eyes widened in disbelief.

Her whole body went rigid. She took in the sight of Theo’s battered face—his bruised cheek, split lip, the raw cuts scattered across his skin.

"Theo?" she breathed out, her voice cracking, confusion and worry lacing every syllable.

She stumbled to her feet, rushing toward him, her hands reaching out as if afraid he might disappear.

"What happened to you? Why... why do you look like this?" she whispered, fingers hesitantly brushing against the deep bruise on his cheek. Pain and fear swirled together in her violet eyes.

Theo forced a small, pained smile, his lips twitching despite the injuries. He caught her hands in his own, gripping them tightly.

"Calm down, Ivansia," he rasped, his voice low but strong despite the strain. "I’m here now. I’ll take care of this. I promise you, I’ll fix everything."

His words were simple, but in that chaotic moment, they rang out like an anchor, grounding Ivansia in the storm of fear.

Suddenly, Ivansia’s father appeared, rushing to his daughter’s side. Relief washed across his face as he pulled her into a half-embrace.

"It’s all going to be fine now," he said hurriedly, breathless. "I’ve paid the officers who came just now. They promised to protect us from the mob and those thugs outside. We’re safe here."

Theo’s face hardened instantly, C’s warning ringing loud and clear in his head.

Never trust those cops.

"No! Lock the doors right now!" Theo shouted, startling the whole family.

He spun on his heel, racing toward the front entrance to bolt it shut. But he was too late.

The doors slammed open, and a wave of thugs crashed into the house. Ten men, each wielding weapons—knives, baseball bats, and gleaming machetes.

Damn it! Theo thought bitterly, his jaw clenching tight. How many more fights am I going to have to survive today?