Claimed by the Villainess’s Brother

Chapter 13

I was in the classroom, hunched over the teacher’s desk, scribbling down some notes. The classroom was quiet, everyone else having already cleared out. The only sound was the scratch of my pen as I worked through my responsibilities.

The door creaked open, and I glanced up to see Lucas standing there, staring at me. He didn’t say anything right away, just stood there, and it made me feel a little on edge.

My brows drew together. "What's the matter?"

Lucas leaned casually against the doorframe. “I thought you’d already left.”

I frowned, looking back down at the paper in front of me. “I still needed to give you your activity report since I've already handed out everyone else's,” I muttered. “I knew you were talking to the teacher, so I sent you a text that I’d wait. Didn’t you get it?”

Honestly, I hadn’t wanted to wait at all.

I could have just left his report on his desk, but I’d overheard a plan of Luna’s through some sources. Apparently, she wanted Lucas to ask Elena to study with him for an important test today after school. I was certain Elena would have no choice but to agree. She loved helping people. And I was also certain Lucas would appeal to her in a way that wouldn’t raise her suspicions, especially since he technically saved her from Luna a week ago.

So, I told Elena to go home first while I kept Lucas occupied.

Lucas was still gazing at me, and I pretended to be absorbed in my notes.

“I’m glad you waited,” he finally said, his footsteps light as he moved closer to the desk. “If you weren’t here when I came, I’d feel really left behind.”

"Well, I’m here," I said flatly, sliding the report across the desk towards him. "So you can stop worrying.”

He ignored my irritation, leaning over the desk a little too close for comfort.

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t,” he said, his tone light but with that underlying tease that always grated on my nerves. “I might’ve missed out on this little moment with you.”

I clenched my jaw. “Seriously, I know you have no friends, but can you stop making passes at me?”

Lucas raised an eyebrow, looking amused rather than offended. “You think friends only exist within the school or something?”

I shot him a suspicious look. “Luna doesn’t let you hang out with her?”

He shrugged casually, almost as if the topic bored him. “Yeah.”

“Why not?”

“Because her friends won’t stop flirting with me and it annoys her.”

I frowned at the thought. I’d definitely hate it if my friends kept flirting with my brother too.

“Well, what about the guys?” I asked, trying to steer the conversation away from Luna.

“They’re all friends with Fernazo,” he replied nonchalantly.

“And?” I prompted, sensing there was more he wasn’t saying.

“That’s it,” he said, his tone flat, but his eyes were still watching me, gauging my reaction.

“You… you don’t like Jonathan?” I asked, unable to hide my curiosity.

He smirked, leaning in slightly as if sharing a secret. “What do you think?”

“Well, for starters, you’re not calling him by his first name,” I answered, holding his gaze and refusing to back down. “And I think you’re avoiding the question.”

Lucas’s smirk widened, but he didn’t offer any more explanations. Instead, his fingers brushed against mine as he finally accepted his report, the touch lingering just a bit too long.

“Thanks for waiting,” he said, like he was trying to make it mean something more.

I jerked my hand back, trying to ignore the flicker of something I didn’t want to acknowledge.

Couldn’t he ever have a conversation without physically touching me?

“Don’t mention it,” I retorted, impatience lacing every word. “Just take it and go.”

“You’re always so eager to get rid of me,” he mused, but not moving away.

I bit back a sharp retort, knowing that any response would only give him more ammunition. Instead, I shot him a glare, which only made him raise his eyebrows in amusement. This was typical of Lucas. Turning everything into a game.

“I didn’t know you two were so close.”

My head whipped around to see Jonathan standing in the doorway, his expression mildly curious.

“We’re not close!” I blurted out, a little too quickly, shooting up from my seat.

“Not true,” Lucas interjected smoothly, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me to his side. “We’ve already closed the gap between us, haven’t we, Coline?”

“Oh, yeah?” Jonathan asked, his tone light but probing. “Since when?”

Lucas smiled a humorless, condescending smile. “That’s a secret.”

I shot Lucas a murderous look, but he just smirked, releasing me with a deliberate slowness, as if savoring the tension that hung thick in the air.

“So, why are you still in school?” I asked, quickly stepping away from Lucas and moving toward Jonathan, eager to change the subject. “Is there something you need?”

Jonathan handed me a folder full of papers. “This is what you needed, right?”

I opened the folder and glanced at the contents. “Oh, yeah. Thanks.”

“And…”

I caught the hint and grinned. “She’s where she usually is.”

A corner of his lips lifted in a brief smile. “Thanks, Coline.” His eyes flicked over my shoulder before he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping. “Are you alright?”

I forced a confused look onto my face. “Yeah?”

His gaze darted over my shoulder again, his voice dropping even lower. “He’s the last person I’d guess you’d hang out with.”

“We’re not hanging out,” I muttered back, feeling a bit affronted. “I’m the class president. I have to look after new students until they’re settled in.”

“What are you two whispering about?”

I stiffened, glancing over my shoulder to see Lucas twirling a pen between his fingers, his eyes locked onto us with an intensity that made my stomach twist.

Was I imagining it, or did he seem a bit… pissed?

“Nothing that should concern you,” Jonathan replied coolly, giving my shoulder a reassuring pat. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Coline.”

As Jonathan left, I barely had time to exhale before Lucas’s arms were around me again, pulling me tightly against his chest. His front pressed flush against my back, making it hard to move.

“You’re so easygoing with him,” he murmured, his breath warm against my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.

“He’s a friend,” I retorted, trying to elbow his stomach, but he effortlessly caught my arm. “Sort of. Now, let go.”

“How come you never smile at me like that?”

“You don’t give me any reason to smile?” I returned, continuing to wriggle in his tight embrace. “Now, let go.”

“What’s in the folder?”

I let out a irritated sigh, feeling a wave of defeat as I realized Lucas wasn’t about to let me go anytime soon. Flipping open the folder with a bit more force than necessary, I showed him the papers inside.

“Stuff for the student council,” I said, my tone edged with frustration. “I’m also the representative for our department, so it’s part of my responsibilities.”

“And let me guess, he murmured, “Fernazo’s the President.”

“Bingo. And your sister’s the Vice-President.”

“I see. But why is the president the one coming to see you?”

“Because your sister’s the vice,” I replied, emphasizing the word.

“Meaning?”

I sighed in exasperation. “She doesn’t let any other girl get close to Jonathan in the student council room. She practically rigged the elections to make sure her friends won. I feel bad for him, but he doesn’t have a choice but to personally hand out stuff like this to everyone else.”

Though he kept his tone light, I could sense something simmering beneath Lucas’s calm exterior. But I hadn’t done anything wrong, so I wasn’t about to let it bother me. I had nothing to feel guilty about.

Then I became acutely aware that Lucas was still holding me, again as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I felt my cheeks flush and managed to finally free from his hold, stepping several paces away to regain some personal space and some semblance of control.

“So,” I said, clearing my throat and trying to sound more composed, “what’s your issue with Jonathan?”

“Issue?” He raised an eyebrow, his smirk never faltering. “I wouldn’t say I have an issue.”

“Cut the act. You clearly dislike him. Why?”

His lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile. “Dislike is a strong word. I just have my reasons.”

“What reasons?”

He tilted his head slightly. “Some things are better left unsaid. Aren’t you heading home? I could give you a ride.”

Again.

He was doing it again.

He may respond to a question, but it was never with a direct answer.

Even now, he was changing the subject.

“I have my own car,” I grumbled, trying to mask my irritation. “I don’t need a ride.”

“You’d best be on your way,” Lucas said, his tone amused, yet something in it made my body tense. “Bad things could happen in the dark.”

I didn’t need be asked twice.

I couldn’t wait to get away from him.

With a swift motion, I gathered my things and headed toward the door. As I reached the threshold, I paused and glanced back at him. His face was partially obscured by the shadows in the room, making his expression harder to read.

For a moment, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was more than just casually curious about me. There was something in his demeanor, in the way he watched me, that hinted at a deeper intrigue.

Shaking off the unsettling thought, I stepped out into the hall, the door clicking shut behind me.