Cheat Million Love

Inside the music club room, Melody was practicing with her bandmates. The soft, flowing sound of her violin filled the air, wrapping the room in a warm, beautiful atmosphere. Her friends applauded and complimented her playing, but the mood shifted the moment Markus appeared in the doorway, arms crossed and eyes sharp.

His intense stare made the other members uneasy. They exchanged glances but said nothing.

"Just focus. Don't mind me," Markus said flatly.

Melody stopped playing and looked at him, clearly annoyed. "Markus, please leave. We need a calm environment to practice."

But Markus shook his head. "I'm here to make sure you stay focused and don't overexert yourself. Ignore them."

Melody sighed, holding back her frustration. She chose to keep playing, even though the room now felt heavier with tension.

---

Meanwhile, at Unity Club, Nic sat with Nia, Olivia, and Leona. They were deep in discussion about Markus's increasingly strange behavior.

"He's way too overprotective of Melody," Nia said, frowning. "It's like she doesn't even get to make her own decisions."

Leona nodded. "I've heard from the other student council members—he's always trying to control what she does. It's over the top."

Nic tapped the table thoughtfully. "I think Melody needs space. She looks like she's being smothered."

"So, what's your plan?" Olivia asked, sipping her tea.

Nic looked straight at her. "You. You're the key to helping Melody feel free from Markus. I believe you can make her feel safe and welcome here."

Olivia smiled softly. "I've already started getting close to her. And honestly, I feel like we're connected somehow. Don't worry. I'll help."

Nic nodded, satisfied. "Good. Then I'll handle Markus."

---

At the school cafeteria, Melody stood in line waiting to buy lunch. A cheerful student approached her.

"Melody, could you play the piano for us later? I bet everyone would love it."

Melody smiled. "That sounds fun. Music always makes lunch better."

But Markus, who wasn't far away, quickly stepped in, eyes cold. "No performances. Melody needs to focus on eating and staying healthy."

The student backed off awkwardly, not wanting trouble. Markus turned to Melody. "Don't waste your time doing things for people who don't matter."

Whispers spread throughout the cafeteria. The students were visibly annoyed by Markus's behavior. At one table, Mika paused mid-bite and muttered sarcastically, "Wow, this new student council guy's a real control freak."

Markus heard it and stormed toward her, fists clenched. But Melody grabbed his arm, her expression pleading. "Markus, please. Don't."

He pulled away but couldn't let it go. He snatched Mika's burger and threw it on the floor.

Mika stood up, glaring. "If Nic were here, you'd be done for."

Markus laughed loudly. "Nic? That clown from Unity Club? He wouldn't dare touch me. He froze when I grabbed his collar!"

The cafeteria fell into tense silence. Then Olivia stepped forward, moving toward Mika.

"Mika, let's go," she said calmly.

When Markus tried to grab Olivia's wrist to stop her, Melody suddenly stepped in—and slapped him.

The room went completely silent. Markus held his cheek in shock. "Why…?" he whispered. "Why would you do that?"

Melody didn't answer.

Markus's eyes widened in realization. "They've gotten to you… Nic and that club. They've been feeding you lies!"

He stormed out, his face twisted in anger, heading straight to find Nic. Melody stood trembling, flashes of the past filling her mind—memories of the time Markus nearly beat someone unconscious just for criticizing her music.

"I have to stop him…" she whispered, her voice shaky.

Olivia hugged her gently. "Nic's not weak, Melody. Believe in him. And believe in yourself."

Hearing that, Melody slowly calmed down. Olivia reminded her so much of her mother.

---

Markus burst into the Unity Club, where Nic was sketching quietly. As the door slammed open, Nic held up his drawing—a portrait of Melody performing on an international stage.

"What's this?" Markus asked coldly.

"It's my dream for Melody," Nic replied calmly.

Markus didn't care. He lunged forward, ready to attack. But before he could get close, Nic pressed a small device Luna had given him. Markus dropped to the floor, his body twitching from a mild electric shock.

From behind the door, Luna stepped in with an amused look. "Is it time for an experiment?" she asked with a sly smile.

Nic chuckled softly. "Maybe. But first, I think we need to ask Markus a few things."

Luna locked the door behind her. The atmosphere in the room changed drastically.

Markus was dragged onto the club's couch and tied up, still unable to move. He shouted in anger while Luna casually prepared a syringe.

"This'll just calm you down, not kill you," she said casually. "Unless it's expired. Then… no promises."

Nic turned Markus's chair to face him. "Why are you so obsessed with controlling Melody? She looks like she's suffocating."

Markus glared. "Because I like her. I'm not letting her get close to anyone—especially you."

Nic's expression darkened. "You like her, but you treat her like a caged bird. Is that how you think she'll be happy?"

Markus struggled, but the ropes held tight. "Let me go! You bastard!"

Nic sighed. "You keep saying people who compliment her music are lying. Why?"

Markus hissed, "Because I want to protect her from random idiots who might say something cruel. I don't want her traumatized again."

Nic nodded slowly. "I get that. But your way… it's wrong. You're scaring her."

Markus thrashed wildly, screaming more curses. Luna walked closer. "Want another dose? I've got more where that came from."

Nic raised a hand. "No need. I'll untie him."

"Brave choice," Luna said, stepping toward the door. "I'll keep watch."

Nic undid the ropes. As soon as Markus was free, he slammed his knee into Nic's stomach, sending him to the ground. But Nic got up calmly, unfazed.

"Hey, Mr. Student Council," Nic said with a smile. "I'm going to be the one who makes her happy."

Markus's face twisted in fury. He charged at Nic again. This time, Nic didn't dodge. But right before the punch landed, the system flashed in Nic's mind—showing Markus throwing away Mika's burger.

That was the final straw.

When Markus swung his fist, Nic caught it, pulled him close, Activate God of War skill and punched him square in the face. Markus stumbled back, completely dazed.

"W-what was that strength…?" Markus muttered, stunned.

Nic stepped forward, eyes sharp. "You're not the only one who cares about Melody. But if you keep acting like this, you're gonna hurt her more than anyone ever could."

Defeated and humiliated, Markus didn't say a word. He walked out of the club, fast and silent.

---

Markus made his way to the school's rooftop pool to cool off, but in the hallway, he ran into Rayn and Greg, two former members of the Deathly gang.

"Well, look who it is," Rayn sneered, leaning against the wall. "The loudmouthed newbie from the council."

Markus glared. "Move."

Greg laughed. "You hear that, Rayn? He's grumpy. Maybe we should cheer him up."

Without another word, Markus attacked. A fierce brawl broke out. Though he managed to win, Markus was left panting, bruised, and battered.

"Man, the new student council guy's already out of breath," Rayn mocked, holding his bruised cheek.

Markus didn't respond. He just limped away, knowing in his heart that things with Nic and Melody were far from over.

---

Back in Unity Club, Luna sat down beside Nic, now fully recovered.

"So, Nic. What now? Take a breather first—you just punched a student council guy."

Nic shook his head with a grin. "He threw away Mika's burger. I'm still pissed."

Vivi walked in just in time to hear that and laughed. "Wait, are you serious? You hit him over Mika's burger?"

Nic nodded. "You've never seen Mika when someone messes with her food. She's scarier than Luna with a syringe."

Luna raised an eyebrow. "Scary? I'm not scary, am I?"

Nic gave her a side-eye smile. "You brought a syringe to a club meeting. So yeah… a little."

To be continued...