Page 17 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

A moment later, the third stall door creaked open. His eyes landed on her. She stood just inside, not stepping out, her body drawn in, tense.

This wasn’t the Stella Mano had seen the day before.

Ody didn’t speak. He just looked at her. That alone made her lower her head.

“What do you want?” she whispered.

He stayed silent a second longer, holding himself back. “I think you know why I’m here.”

She blinked fast and looked away. “I won’t say anything to Anna. Don’t worry,” she muttered, almost ashamed she’d even considered it.

A faint smile tugged at his lips as he glanced down. Then he looked back at her. “That’s not why I’m here.” He started walking toward her with slow steps.

She went still, her eyes following him. With every step, she had to tilt her head back further.

He stopped in front of her, towering over her. “I’m here because you hurt someone I care about,” he said, lowering his head to keep eye contact.

She turned her face to the side, his presence suffocating.

“When you threatened to expose me to my girlfriend, I lost it. I panicked. I felt powerless against you.” His voice remained calm. “And Mano saw that. He tried to help me. Tried to keep me away from you… and your brother.” His jaw tightened. “So he came to find you.” He held her gaze, not blinking. “And you…” Something in his expression shifted. His fists curled at his sides.

Stella swallowed and took a step back.

“Give me one good reason not to break your face right now,” he said, barely holding himself back.

Her eyes went wide. She glanced toward the bathroom entrance, hoping someone would walk in.

“You’re lucky I was raised not to hit women.”

Silence stretched between them.

A breath slipped out of her mouth. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him. “I don’t have the photos or the video anymore.”

“Don’t speak,” he cut her off. “Listen.” He leaned in, closer to her face.

She backed away so quickly her shoulder brushed the wall.

“If you go near Mano again… if you text him… if you do anything other than act like he doesn’t exist…” His voice turned darker. “I’ll fucking kill you. I swear.”

Shaking, Stella forced herself to meet his green eyes, dull now, stripped of the brightness they were known for.

“Am I making myself clear?”

A weak “yes” slipped out, more breath than sound.

“Am I clear?” he snapped.

She flinched, eyes squeezing shut. “Yes,” she said, louder this time, though her voice still trembled.

Ody didn’t say anything else. He stayed there a moment longer, his presence pressing the warning into her. Then he turned and walked out, leaving the threat behind him like it was still in the room.

Chapter 5

The alarm cut through the steady tapping of rain against the windows. “Mmm...” Ody groaned, pressing closer behind Mano and slipping an arm around him as Mano clung to his pillow.

For a moment, he didn’t move. He just held him. His grip tightened like he needed to make sure Mano was still there. Still okay.

Then he exhaled against his neck and reached for his phone. He silenced the alarm and glanced through the half-open curtains at the gloomy weather. “Ugh… damn it...” he muttered, still groggy from sleep. He checked the time, then pulled Mano a little closer, his lips brushing against his ear. “Mano… it’s eleven. Wake up.”