𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤 | 𝘙𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟗

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤 |
𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭

Catalina's POV

I woke up with a pounding headache, my body heavy from sleep and the remnants of yesterday clinging to me. My clothes were still on, the same ones from the night before, and I could feel the smeared makeup around my eyes. The memories of the argument with Rafe hit me in waves, making my stomach twist.

Rolling over, I instinctively reached for my phone. Empty. My hand patted around the bed in a haze, panic rising as I realized I couldn't remember the last time I saw it. A sudden jolt of adrenaline shot through me as I jumped out of bed, frantically searching my room. Clothes from last night were strewn on the floor, my bag tipped over, but no phone.

"Shit, shit, shit," I muttered under my breath, running my hands through my hair. I tore through everything—my bedside table, my bag again, the bathroom counter. Nothing.

I paused, breathless, staring at the mess. There was no chance of finding it now. It must have fallen somewhere during that argument with Rafe. I clenched my fists, remembering how I'd slapped him. How I'd stormed out. I should've paid more attention.

Sighing, I gave up. I was too tired to keep stressing over it. I needed a shower.

The warm water pounded against my skin, washing away the remnants of yesterday's makeup, but it did little to calm the growing anxiety in my chest. To top it off, my parents were home. I could hear them downstairs, their voices faint but present. That almost never happened.

I wrapped a towel around myself, staring at my reflection in the mirror for a moment. I looked horrible and miserable, it was killing me.

After getting dressed, I headed downstairs, pulling a sweater over my head as I entered the kitchen.

The sight of them irritated me. My dad was, as always, hidden behind his newspaper, the occasional rustle of pages the only sign that he acknowledged my presence. My mom, scrolling through her phone, barely looked up when I greeted them.

"Good morning, sweetheart," she said absentmindedly. I hated that tone—the distance. But I didn't have the energy for a confrontation. Not today.

I poured myself a glass of water, staring at the kitchen counter, trying to push away the gnawing worry about my missing phone when the doorbell rang.

There was a brief shuffle from the hallway, and I heard Maria, call out, "Miss Catalina, it's for you."

"For me?" I muttered, setting the glass down as I made my way to the door. My parents exchanged curious glances, my mother frowning. "Who is it?" she asked, annoyed. "I don't like visitors on Saturdays."

"Neither do I," I shrugged. I had no clue who it could be.

But the second I opened the door, my breath hitched. There he was, Rafe, standing on the porch, a sports bag slung over his shoulder like this was some normal visit. My stomach clenched.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I whispered, stepping outside to avoid any prying eyes from inside the house.

Rafe pulled my phone from his pocket, holding it up just out of reach as I reached for it. "Ah ah," he taunted, a cruel smile curling on his lips. "Not getting it back yet. First, why don't you tell me about that little secret of yours?"

I froze, my stomach tightening. "What secret?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

He stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with a twisted satisfaction. "Didn't know you and your little friend were... whores."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I refused to flinch. "You don't know what you're talking about."

Rafe's smirk grew darker, and he tapped my phone against his hand. "Oh, but I do. I went through it. The messages, the pictures. Adriana and you, huh? Selling yourselves to stay afloat. Must be tough for the perfect Catalina to stoop that low."

My pulse raced, anger bubbling inside me. "Give me my phone, Rafe," I demanded, my voice tight.

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "You're not in a position to demand anything. You should be careful, Catalina. One screenshot, and everyone at school knows your dirty little secret. All that 'good girl' reputation you've built? Gone."

I felt my chest tighten with rage. "Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?"

He laughed, the sound cold and mocking. "Want? I don't need anything from you, Catalina. Just consider this a little warning. I want you to know I could destroy you whenever I feel like it." His eyes glinted with malice. "All it takes is one slip, one wrong move, and I'll make sure the whole school knows what you and Adriana have been up to."

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my composure. "You're disgusting."

He leaned back, still holding my phone out of reach, enjoying every second of my frustration. "Maybe. But your pretty pink world can't shield you from the secret you're hiding, Catalina. Everyone has a little dark side, even miss perfect."

I stared at him, my blood boiling.
"If you think you can scare me with your words, Rafe, you've underestimated me. I play this game just as ruthlessly as you do."

Rafe's smile didn't falter.
"Oh, really?"

Just as the tension reached its peak, the front door swung open, and my dad stepped outside. "Catalina! Rafe?" he called out, his voice laced with surprise.

I immediately stiffened, turning toward him in disbelief.

"Well, this is unexpected," my dad continued, his face lighting up with a welcoming smile as he saw Rafe standing there. "Good to see you, son."

Rafe instantly switched gears, his face morphing into one of polite charm. "Good morning, Mr. Delgado," he said smoothly, like nothing had happened.

"Didn't realize you two knew each other," my dad said, giving me a brief glance before turning back to Rafe. "Your father and I are good friends, as you know. You're always welcome here."

I swallowed hard, feeling my world tilt as my dad and Rafe exchanged pleasantries like they were old family friends.

"We were just about to have breakfast," my dad said, gesturing toward the house. "Why don't you join us?"

Rafe smiled, giving my dad the smooth politeness I've never seen coming from him before. "Thank you for the offer, sir, but I've got a few things to take care of this morning. Maybe another time."

My dad nodded, still smiling. "Alright then, son. Don't be a stranger."

As my dad turned to go back inside, Rafe shot me a final, dark look. "See you around, Catalina," he whispered, just loud enough for me to hear as he gave me my phone. Then he walked off, leaving me standing there, fuming with anger and dread.