Chapter 217: The Past [23]

"You hurt her, didn’t you?"

Jacob’s stern accusation made me do a double-take.

"Don’t jump to conclusions about something you know nothing about," I bite out, feeling my annoyance rise.

"I think I know enough. I know how a few weeks ago you walked out on your birthday because of the attention she got."

"E-Excuse me?"

"Annabeth has always tried to do the right thing... always." He drilled that information like there was no other way to see it, and I was the one who was stuck with everything that went on in our lives.

He was actively defending her right in front of me. It had never been like this at any point. But I guess you could say that this was one of the things I saw coming from a mile away.

"You know how much she hates conflicts, and always tries to resolve them even at the cost of her happiness."

I chewed the inside of my mouth to keep from lashing out, no matter how much I wanted to. He’d taken his time to really analyze the situation; he wouldn’t be spurting words like this. Making her the saint and me the villain.

Annabeth made pretty sure of that a night ago. Jacob came to contribute and make me feel more destroyed than I already did—the irony.

"Wow..." That word left my lips with more scorn than the shock it was meant to convey. "Didn’t you think that this time she might have been the one in the wrong? And for once, you don’t run to her side but see my side of the story."

A scoff rolled off before I could stop. "You don’t even need the story. You’re already certain, aren’t you?"

He shook his head. "You always think things have to go your way. Annabeth doesn’t get that chance. She has to live up to Don Morri’s expectations just so you can pursue your dream and do whatever you want. But you don’t care about that."

"Annabeth and I are two different people, Jacob." I pointed a finger at his chest with every beat of the words. "We both have our goals, and we’re both adults who chose to do what we want. Living up to my father’s expectations...? That’s all on her, so don’t pin that on me like she had made a selfless-sacrifice."

I turned on my heels, but his words stopped me.

"If you’re mad because I give Annabeth too much attention, then you shouldn’t. It’s not Annabeth’s fault; it’s mine. Annabeth and I are together; we kept it a secret because she didn’t want you to get hurt. She said you wouldn’t understand."

Maybe I’m cursed right now. A perfect explanation for the things happening in a span of forty-eight hours. Someone must be having a fucking laugh at my life and poking it for fun.

As if his confession would change anything. I bet he said it so I’d be mad at him and not Annabeth.

"Doesn’t matter..." I shook my head as though done with him and everything.

It was one thing to deal with my sister making me a villain in her life, and it was another to watch my childhood friend and crush see me as nothing more than a thorn in the side of the woman he loves.

He does love her. And I could see that now; it was also hard enough to fully realize my sister never loved him as much as he did. She used him, and for what? To make me feel less about myself. To make me feel unwanted.

She was the villain in my life. It took me so long to realize it wasn’t the fucking universe. It was her.

~☆~

It was after hours, and the academy was probably empty by now. But soft instrumental music played from the studio I occupied.

I followed the rhythm gracefully, managing my steps and making sure I didn’t go off key.

I have been at this for hours, cut between breaks, and before I knew it, I was back on my feet with an energy the size of a bull.

My feet hurt, but I needed that. I usually go clubbing to listen to the chaotic music and let the wild air take over whenever I need to take things off my mind.

However, I had found something special. Turns out doing this helped more than clubbing ever did.

I twirled momentarily, and when I ceased, I saw a tall figure standing at the doorway, leaning against it.

But I couldn’t see his face. A bouquet of calla lilies concealed it.

"Zade..." I murmured, and that was his cue to move.

Within seconds, he stood before me, and my eyes furrowed. The bouquet moved, a smirk playing on his lips.

"What are you doing here?"

"Watching you dance."

I blushed hard. It was my mistake not to notice him. I was so driven in my dance that I hadn’t realized I wasn’t alone.

"Is that for me?" I reached for the bouquet.

"Depends."

"On what?"

He said nothing, observing me closely.

"What?"

He took the bouquet from my hold, tucked me closer by the waist until I was sandwiched against him.

My heartbeat sounded like a drum, slamming hard against my chest.

"I’m gonna give a simple warning," he began, our noses now touching, and all it took was seconds. "Never ignore my calls or my texts. There will be consequences if you pull something like that again."

How could words like that come off so calm yet induce rage? He’s pissed off that I had ignored him, but he settled for that smile that could make a woman drop her panties.

"That sounds more like a threat."

He chuckled, contradicting the situation. "I prefer a warning. I love going easy on my little kitten."

"What happens then if I keep ignoring you?" My fearlessness was gonna get me in trouble, but I was somewhat eager to know what he would do... When he doesn’t go easy on me.

"Let’s have dinner. Grab your things."

That ended quicker than expected. Knowing Zade, he was probably saving the best for last.

"What if we get shot at again?"

"We won’t," he promised.

I had a feeling he had already taken care of that.

I cleared my throat and walked to gather my things. When I was done, I was back to him, bag on my shoulder and the bouquet in hand.

This picture made me feel ticklish in a way, because for a moment, I felt like a woman whose boyfriend had just picked her up, taking her out to dinner to make the evening special.

It felt good.

"All ready to go, Mr. Salvero."

"Good girl."

Oh no.

He grinned when he caught that reaction, and within seconds I was in his arms again. This time he didn’t tease me. His lips were on mine, starting slowly like he was memorizing my lips for later.

And then the madness came; it became fierce in a way that I couldn’t keep up. He hungrily devoured me, the bouquet slipping from my grip, and my bag came off too.

Before I knew it, I was on my tiptoes, my arms around his neck.

The taste of him was deeply intoxicating, and I didn’t want him to stop. But when I briefly opened my eyes, I caught sight of someone watching us.

I quickly pulled away. "A-Annabeth."

The expression on her face was blank, but then, as though rehearsed, she smiled.

"Mr. Salvero, what a surprise," she said politely. "And here I was, thinking about scheduling another interview, only to find you here."

"Is that so?" The corner of his lips lifted.

"We never quite finish our last one." She darted her eyes to me, her smile growing wider, and it only made me uncomfortable.

"I believe we covered every area of interest, so there’s no need for another interview. My schedule isn’t that flexible."

I snapped my eyes to Zade. D-Did he just reject her? No one rejects Annabeth Morri, but he basically just did so. A fucking first time experience.

She cleared her throat. "Of course. Um, Ana. I came to get you. Father’s home, and he wants to see you."

Father’s back so soon? I thought he wouldn’t be back until next month.

Great.

"C-Can we take a rain check?"

"A rain check on our date?" He raised an eyebrow.

Annabeth’s expression remained unchanged even after Zade had so bluntly referred to it as a date.

"As long as you make it up to me." He dipped his hand into his suit pocket and pulled out his phone when it rang.

It got awkward as Zade was on a call, and all Annabeth did was just stare at me with that animated smile on her face.

By the time we were alone in the car, I couldn’t wait for us to get home as soon as possible.

"So... he’s coming to your academy now, huh?" Annabeth finally broke the silence. "My, my. Who would have thought things would turn out this way?"

I gulped. "Father isn’t back from his trip, is he?"

"No, he’s not."

I clenched the bouquet of calla lilies tightly, which Annabeth hadn’t taken her eyes off ever since the ride.

"You always did have a strange fondness for those flowers. I never understood it. Honestly, roses would have been a far better choice, you know. It’s more—"

"I’m not you, Annabeth."

The weight of her eyes fell on me, and her lips stretched into a thin smile that felt so forced it sent chills down my spine.