Zephany’s breath hitched the moment her eyes landed on Pia standing among the crowd.
Oh no.
So much for keeping her marriage a secret. If Pia saw her here, there was no doubt she’d put the pieces together. Zephany could already imagine the barrage of questions her friend would throw at her—probably starting with, When did you marry a walking Greek statue?
Her mind spun rapidly. If Pia found out, then... what about Reynold? Her older brother wasn’t exactly nosy, but he had sharp instincts. If Pia figured it out just by showing up, there was a large chance Reynold already knew.
How will I explain this to him?
Will she be honest?
She sighed, fingers tightening on the edge of her seat.
No. There was no point thinking about it now. She forced herself to shift her attention back to Kendrick. His safety mattered the most at this moment.
As she looked back to the ring, she smiled despite her nerves.
This was Kendrick Montclair.
Kind. Gentle. Thoughtful.
And strong? She hadn’t expected this side of him.
Her husband, it turned out, was full of surprises.
---
As the second round began, the tension in the arena rose—thick as fog. On one side stood Kendrick, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his expression calm but alert. On the other stood Junas, already bouncing on his toes, smirking like victory was already his.
"That’s the pretty boy, right? The one who works at the art studio?"
"Yeah, Montclair or something. He’s cute, but dead meat."
Those unaware of his past reign couldn’t help but feel scared for him.
Junas made the first move. Fast. A punch aimed straight at Kendrick’s ribs. Kendrick dodged, ducked, and sidestepped with grace no one expected.
"Whoa! Did he just move like that?"
"No way! Did he take ballet classes or something?"
Junas lunged again, fists flying in calculated strikes. But Kendrick held his ground. He didn’t counter immediately. He observed. Waited.
Then came the moment.
He grinned.
"You hit like my little sister," Kendrick teased, blocking a jab and twisting it into a hold.
Laughter erupted from the left side of the audience.
"Who is this guy?!"
Those unfamiliar with Kendrick couldn’t help but ask.
This time, Kendrick had already adjusted to Junas’s every move.
Junas growled, pulling away and attacking again, more aggressively now. But Kendrick, still wearing that amused look, was clearly reading him.
"You’re too predictable," he said casually. "Left hook after a feint. Again?"
A gasp rippled through the arena when Kendrick sidestepped and gave Junas a light tap to the back of the head.
"Tag," he said.
Junas roared in frustration.
Zephany held back a laugh. She could barely believe this was the same quiet man who apologized when he bumped into chairs.
The crowd was on fire now.
"He’s totally messing with him!"
Those seeing him fight for the first time couldn’t help but be intrigued. Meanwhile, those familiar with his previous fights widened their eyes—he had definitely gotten stronger and faster.
"Where has this Montclair guy been hiding?!"
The shift happened quickly. Junas, angry and reckless now, left his guard wide open. Kendrick waited until just the right moment.
He ducked, swept Junas’s leg from under him, and pinned him in one smooth motion.
"Gotcha," Kendrick said softly.
The referee called it. Junas didn’t even protest. He just stared up at the ceiling, stunned.
The arena exploded in cheers.
Zephany didn’t think. She jumped from her seat, all shyness forgotten, and ran toward the ring. She ignored the stares, the gasps, the phones flashing.
Too thrilled and excited by the fight’s outcome.
"Kendrick!"
He looked up just in time to catch her.
She threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
"You were amazing!" she beamed. "I didn’t know you could fight like that!"
Kendrick blinked, then laughed, the sound boyish and genuine. "Neither did you, huh?"
It was only when he looked around that he noticed the silence.
All eyes were on them.
The main stadium, the crowd, the staff—everyone.
Zephany froze. Her cheeks flared red. She slowly pulled back.
"OMG," she whispered. "I—I forgot there were people. Watching."
Cassius, from the sidelines, smirked. "Well, this is unexpected."
Sophia, standing beside him, nodded slightly. "Unexpected. But not unwelcome."
"They’re progressing fast," Cassius murmured, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Good. Very good."
Pia, who had been halfway through throwing imaginary punches in the air, blinked twice.
Then grinned.
"Oh, Zephany," she whispered, whipping out her phone and snapping a photo.
She zoomed in, catching the exact moment Kendrick smiled down at Zephany like she was his whole world.
"When did you get a husband like that, huh?" she muttered, already plotting her interrogation. "And why didn’t you tell me, you sneaky flower?"
In the ring, Kendrick and Zephany suddenly realized how intimate the scene looked.
"I—I think we should go," Zephany mumbled.
"Yeah," Kendrick agreed quickly.
They hurriedly stepped down from the stage, hand in hand, their faces red.
Junas remained where he was, still on his back, blinking at the ceiling.
"I trained for twelve years straight," he muttered. "Twelve years and still I lost!"
---
Backstage, things quieted down.
Zephany fiddled with her sleeves, stealing glances at Kendrick, who was wiping sweat from his forehead. Neither of them said anything for a moment.
Then Kendrick looked up and chuckled.
"You ran up there like we were in a K-drama."
"I couldn’t help it," she admitted. "You were amazing. I forgot myself."
They laughed, the tension slowly easing.
Then Zephany glanced at the clock on the wall.
Her stomach twisted.
10:40 PM.
Only twenty minutes left.
She swallowed hard.
Right, the mission she received earlier.
> MISSION: EXPOSE PLAGIARIZED MUSICAL COMPOSITION DURING GRAND HALL PERFORMANCE.
NOTE: THIS IS A SOLO DIRECTIVE. DO NOT DISCUSS WITH TEAM BACON OR OBSCURA.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: PERFORM ON STAGE. PURPOSE CLASSIFIED.
Her hands trembled slightly. It was her first time receiving a solo special mission like this. And why did it feel... personal?
The Grand Hall.
The same venue. That night.
The memory tried to claw its way back.
Zephany shook her head.
No. Focus.
She needed to move.
Kendrick noticed.
"You okay?" he asked gently, stepping closer. "Something bothering you?"
Zephany looked at him, then down at her hands.
"My past," she said softly. "It’s... going to show up tonight, too."
Kendrick didn’t ask for details. He just waited.
Zephany offered a thin, nervous smile. "Come with me?"
He nodded without hesitation.
She reached for his hand, gripping it firmly. Then she led him through the winding corridors of the National Arena, her heart pounding with every step.
Toward the Grand Hall.
Toward the stage where music once gave her wings to soar in the sky of praises.