Chapter 1
2307 Words
“Have you talked to Sage?” Mom asked me during breakfast and that’s her way to ruin my day. I hate it that she always asks me that same question every single day.
I don’t even know what I am supposed to do. I don’t even want to see that bastard’s face who rejected me right to my face. Hello? If I were to choose, I will never choose him. He looked like he f***s everything that moves.
I can’t believe the innocent Heaven Angeline fell for that man. Ew!
“I haven’t seen him, Mom,” I replied as I practically played with my food. Doesn’t she notice that I feel down every time she asks me something about Sage and his family? I swear I need to work hard and make a name for myself so I wouldn’t have my mother pushing me to every single rich man she knows.
I hate it.
Mom looked at me intently. “You should be friends with him,” she told me.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes at her because that would open a new line of litany from her. I don’t want to hear one from her now. It’s too early in the morning and I have to go to school. It’s my last year. I can’t afford to make a mistake now and I can’t afford to fail.
“I’ll try,” I replied as I brought my fork down and wiped my mouth with the napkin. “I have to go to school now,” I told her as I stood up and grabbed my Birkin.
Mom nodded at me as she watched me stand up. “Don’t forget to visit Sage’s office today,” she reminded and I had to turn around quickly so I can finally roll my eyes.
I walked out of the kitchen and walked straight to the garage to get my car. I sighed as I slid into the driver’s seat. “I hate this life,” I mumbled as I revved my engine to life.
I drove to school and was already cursing inside my head because I had to face those people there again. I hated seeing them because I know that they are all just jealous of me that’s why they are spreading fake news about me.
Everyone’s saying I have a s*x scandal just because I party all the time. What they don’t know is that I am still a virgin. I won’t give up my virginity just for anyone else. I may be a b***h but I am not a w***e.
And besides, I don’t have any interest in men right now. I have other priorities and that is to ace my internship at Valeria, one of the fashion giants in the whole world. If I get a good grade from that company, that would be a big boost in my resume.
But then again, I would be lying if I wasn’t thinking of the night that I met that guy who took care of me. He was the first guy to show me that kind of respect. And I find that…adorable.
I sighed in regret because I know it is almost impossible to ever see him again. That night was the first time I saw him from the club that I frequent. I know almost all of the people in that club and I believe that they all know me. Which was why it was so weird for me to see him.
From where is he? Why hadn’t I seen him before? And why hadn’t I seen him after that night?
I came back the next night and the next. I made sure to stay there at least a few hours before going home but there was no sign of him.
I gave up on seeing him again. I gave up on looking for him.
Maybe he was a one-time thing. However, I know for a fact that secretly, I am still hoping. And maybe I will see him in the future.
“Hi, Julia,” Brent, my annoying ex-fling, greeted me with a wide smile. He’s wearing a varsity jacket and a pair of blue jeans. He’s not even from the varsity but he always wears that jacket. A wannabe, maybe? I don’t know. And in all honesty, I don’t care.
I just looked at him from head to foot before totally ignoring him. I walked towards my first class and started to endure the rest of the day. This is my final week before my internship at Valeria’s. I am looking forward to it and I couldn’t wait for it to happen.
I hated school because I don’t have any friends. I don’t want some fake friends. I don’t want to be with people who just want to be with me because of my social status. I can survive on my own. I don’t want to be stressed dealing with people.
Like Shelby who is walking towards me with a sweet smile on her face. I know her as the daughter of the owner of a small-time casino in downtown Chicago. Their business isn’t going well and that’s why I know why she’s sucking up to me.
It’s easy to read minds of the elite.
“Are you going home?” she asked me as she hooked her arm around mine.
I immediately yanked my arm away from her and just walked past her without answering her question. I know what she’s thinking anyway. I’m rude. Yes, that’s what they all think of me here. I wonder if they also know that I think of them as fake.
I’d rather be rude but true to who I am than act fake.
I walked to my car and saw Sage waiting. His wearing his usual white long-sleeve polo and a pair of black slacks. His hair is pushed back and he looked so pissed as he’s staring at my white Porsche.
I pursed my lips in a thin line as I walked towards him. When he heard my Jimmy Choos marching towards him, he looked up, his eyes zeroing on me.
“What do you want?” I asked him, c*****g my head to the side.
He pursed his lips and looked at me with narrowed eyes. His thick brows are furrowed at me, looking so mad and pissed at me.
I rolled my eyes. That’s okay. I’m used to that. Anyway, I just need to show him that I am interested. That way, I would be doing my part as a puzzle piece in my mother’s bigger plan. “Why so pissed? Missed me?” I asked him in a mischievous tone.
He looked even angrier at me. “Stop coming to me,” he told me in a pissed tone.
I smirked and scoffed at the same time. “Why would I do that?” I asked him. “I am so happy to see you here. Maybe you missed me so much,” I told him to piss him off even more.
I love pissing him off. That’s the only way that I could get back at him for wasting my time.
“Heaven already left me. What else do you want?” he asked with his fists clenched on either of his sides.
I smiled sweetly and nodded as I stepped closer to him. “You know what I want,” I replied in a sultry voice. I ran my index finger from his shoulder down to his chest. I looked up at him and saw a disgusted look on his face. Great. I’d love it if he’s even more pissed now.
He gently pushed me away from him—his face still looking at me like I am the last thing he wants to see in his entire lifetime.
Don’t worry, Sage. Same here.
“Are you out of your mind?” he asked me harshly. “I will never like you!”
I never said I like him, too. But then I wouldn’t tell him that. I’ll let him think what he wants to think of me.
“You’re disgusting,” he uttered in gritted teeth.
I raised my brow to mask the pain from his insult. He thinks I am disgusting? I haven’t shown him how much of a disgusting person I am yet. I am still decent right now. I haven’t kissed him or anything. But I would never do that.
He’s kissed a lot of people in his life. I don’t want to be added to that disgusting list.
I shrugged and smiled at him sweetly even when I wanted to punch his face badly. I am itching to get out of his face because I hate him. I hate him so much. Does he think he’s handsome? He’s not that handsome to me!
That guy in the club was way more handsome that he is. And way more of a man.
“Whatever. Get rid of me if you can,” I told him as I fished for my keys inside my bag. I pressed the key fob and unlocked my car before turning back to him. “Be happy, Sage. And please, start thinking of our future,” I finished to piss him off before I got into my car.
I locked my door and saw Sage glaring at me before walking back to his Range Rover. I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “Asshole,” I mumbled before revving my engine to life.
It’s only five in the afternoon but I badly need a drink to calm my f*****g system.
***
“Three orders of tequila,” I told the waiter as I brought the menu down the round table.
I am in Berkshire, enjoying my time at the overlooking of the port. This is truly relaxing because of the silence and the peaceful scenery.
“Are you alone?”
My eyes widened as I felt goosebumps all over my body when I heard that familiar low baritone.
I cannot be mistaken. I may be drunk that night but it’s as if his voice has been planted in my mind. I couldn’t stop thinking about it no matter how I wanted to.
I slowly turned to my back and finally saw the familiar brown eyes staring back at me. He’s staring at me with a curt smile on his lips.
I fought the urge to smile widely in relief that I have finally found him again. No, he found me again.
He must have noticed that he I have been staring at him for too long because narrowed his eyes at me and cleared his throat.
I chuckled awkwardly and nodded. “Y-yes, I’m alone,” I replied, losing all the confidence I have saved all of my life.
He smiled at me. “Can I sit with you?” he asked.
Usually, I don’t want men to sit with me but since he is not just a man, I can share a table with him. “Sure, yeah,” I told him as I motioned the seat in front of me.
He smiled wider and pulled the chair to sit just across me. He looked out in the port leaving me with his majestic side profile. His lashes are so long and curled. His jaw is so sharp, looking so strong. And his side burns doesn’t make him look dirty at all. It’s hot. And oh my god, I love it!
Oh no, is this good? He’s right across me and I know for a fact that it would be a chore to not look at him. He’s such a good view after seeing that asshole of a Sage Black moments ago.
“What’s your name?” I asked him without thinking.
He looked at me and smiled. “My name is Clifford,” he replied before c*****g his head to the side. “How about you? Did you get home safe that night?”
I felt my blood rush to my face at his mention of that night. “Y-yeah,” I replied shyly. “Thank you, by the way. I’m sorry I haven’t paid you back the—”
“No need to do that. I’m happy you got home safe,” he cut me off. “What’s your name?”
I swallowed hard. “I’m Julia,” I told him.
Where have you been? I was looking for you. I wanted to ask him that but I stopped myself.
“Julia,” he repeated and I have never heard my name being called that way before. “Nice to mee you, Julia,” he told me with a sincere smile and a hand extended to me.
I smiled and took his hand for a shake. “You, too, Clifford.” I guess I have a new favorite name from now on.
- Writer
