Claimed by the Villainess’s Brother

Chapter 16

The sky above St. Therese International was heavy with clouds, but it didn’t rain. Most people might have found such weather melancholic, but not me. I looked forward to it. I liked the rain, the sound of it pouring down, the way it felt calming. The thought of rain made me feel better than I had yesterday, especially now that the chaos of the photoshoot was behind me.

I was halfway down the hallway when I heard someone call my name. Looking up, I saw Jonathan waving at me from by the window. His usual easygoing smile was absent, replaced by a more serious expression. Curious, I walked over to see what he wanted.

“Coline,” Jonathan said, his voice tinged with worry as he glanced briefly at his phone. “Have you seen Elena?”

I hesitated for only a split second before lying. “I don’t know. Haven’t seen her since lunch.”

His brow furrowed deeper. “She’s not replying to me.”

“Well, Elena doesn’t usually reply to you anyway,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

But he didn’t smile. “I know, but this feels different.”

I hesitated again, torn between telling him the truth and coming up with a reassuring lie. Earlier, Elena had confided in me that she was avoiding him. I didn’t completely agree with her decision, but my loyalty to her came first. I wasn’t about to betray her trust.

Finally, I decided to stick with my lie. “She’s probably just busy studying. With the exams coming up, she might be focusing on that.”

Jonathan studied me, and I forced myself to maintain eye contact. Apparently, I had a tendency to look away when I was lying.

“She prefers to be alone sometimes,” I added, trying to sound convincing. “It’s not unusual for her to need some quiet study time.”

“But it’s odd that you aren’t certain,” he muttered, his expression hardening slightly. “Elena usually tells you everything, doesn’t she?”

I hesitated. “Not everything.”

His frown deepened as he leaned in a little closer. “Coline, come on. We both know you’re not clueless. Where’s Elena?”

“I really don’t know, Jonathan. She didn’t say anything to me about where she was going.”

He studied me for a long moment, his hands sliding into his pockets as he shifted his weight.

Then he stated matter-of-factly, “You know she’s avoiding me.”

I clenched my hands, trying to come up with a response that wouldn’t make things worse. “Jonathan, I—.”

“You don’t have to lie for her. I know that she’s avoiding me.”

A pang of guilt shot through me and I exhaled softly. “I’m sorry, Jonathan. But Elena’s just going through a lot right now, and sometimes… people need space. It’s not about you.”

His frustration was palpable as he ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not stupid, Coline. You’re protecting her. I get it. But do you think giving her space is going to solve anything? If I give her space, she’s just going to keep running further away from me.”

“But if you push too hard, you might drive her away even faster. Elena needs time to sort things out. Give her a little time, and I’m sure she’ll come around.”

“And what if she doesn’t? What if she just decides to shut me out for good? We’re graduating next year, Coline.”

“I don’t think she will. Elena cares about you. You have to trust that she’ll come to you when she’s ready.”

“You think you know best, Coline?" His frustration was growing, and with it, his voice began to rise. "You think you’re helping by getting in the middle of this? This isn’t your problem to solve. It’s between me and Elena.”

His words struck me, each one landing like a sharp blow.

I wasn’t used to seeing this side of Jonathan and my stomach twisted a little as I glanced around, noticing a few students in the hallway turning their heads, curious about what was going on.

“Jonathan, please,” I said quietly, trying to calm him down. “I’m not trying to make things worse. In fact, I want to help—”

“By keeping her away from me?” His voice was sharp, accusatory.

I flinched at his words. “I just… I care about her, Jonathan. I don’t want to see her get hurt.”

“And you think I do? You think I’d ever hurt her?”

Before I could answer, a voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"You just love putting Coline in an awkward position, don’t you? No wonder Elena’s sick of you.”

Jonathan and I both turned toward the window, where Lucas was outside leaning casually against the frame. His elbow was propped up, supporting his chin on his hand, but there was nothing relaxed about the way he was staring at Jonathan. His eyes were cold.

Angry.

Jonathan’s jaw clenched as he faced Lucas. "This isn’t your concern, Prieto.”

Lucas’s voice was low and cutting. "You should get your act together, Fernazo. Why are you airing this out in public?"

Jonathan glanced back at me, uncertainty flickering across his features. “I’m just trying to get answers.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow, his smirk sharp. “Answers? Or are you just trying to corner her until she says what you want to hear?

Without breaking eye contact, he heaved himself over the window frame with a swift, easy motion. Now face-to-face, the tension between them was palpable, making my pulse quicken.

Jonathan’s body locked as Lucas stepped closer.

“It’s curious to see you so invested in this Elena,” Lucas continued, a dark smile tugging at his lips. “Coline’s right. Maybe you should let her be. Sometimes, people are better off when you’re not around.”

“Lucas, enough,” I cut in, staring at him like he’d lost his mind. “What the hell are you doing?”

Jonathan glared at him. “And you think you know everything about her?”

“I’ve made my observations,” he said, his eyes gleaming with a mocking light as he leaned in slightly. “And from what I see, Elena isn’t exactly thrilled by your attention. In fact, she’s been avoiding you. It’s almost entertaining to watch how she keeps running from you. Ever thought she might not be interested?”

“Elena has her reasons."

“Reasons you clearly refuse to accept, judging by how desperate you look."

I glanced nervously between Lucas and Jonathan, my worry mounting as their argument heated up. Despite my anxiety, I couldn’t help but be intensely curious. It was clear this conflict was about more than just Elena. Lucas’s animosity seemed deeply personal, but what were they really fighting over?

“And you think you’re so different?” Jonathan fired back. “Hiding behind a mask of indifference while you play your own games? At least I’m not the one manipulating people’s feelings for my own amusement.”

Lucas’s smile faltered for a brief moment before he shrugged casually. “Manipulating? I’d say I’m more like an observer. But you’re right. Maybe I do enjoy seeing how people react. It’s a lot more entertaining than the predictable drama you seem so fond of.”

“At least I’m honest about my intentions.”

Lucas chuckled, the sound devoid of humor. “Honest? When have you ever been honest, Jonathan? If you were f.ucking honest in the first place, you wouldn’t be agonizing over this right now. You can’t even protect the girl you claim you like.”

“Seriously, that’s enough,” I interjected, when I noticed the ripple of guilt across Jonathan’s face. I didn’t fully understand what was going on between them, but it was clear that things had gone too far. “I’m really sorry about him, Jonathan. Let’s go, Lucas.”

Lucas’s gaze shifted to me, a hint of something unreadable in his eyes, but he allowed me to guide him down the hallway without protest.

Once we reached a secluded corner, I turned to him, frustration evident. “What the hell was that all about?”

I expected him to be vague or brush me off with his usual cryptic remarks, but to my surprise, he answered me directly. “Jonathan’s not the good guy you think he is.”

His words took me aback. “And you think you are? You’re not exactly the poster child for goodness either.”

Lucas met my gaze steadily, his expression unflinching. “But I never claimed to be.”

As I stared at him, trying to figure out what was going on in his head, he took a step closer, making me stiffen.

“How’s your shoulder?” he asked, his tone softer than I expected.

I blinked in surprise. “It’s fine. Just a little sore, but nothing serious.”

“I’m sorry.”

I blinked again. Did I just hear him say he was sorry?

Before I could respond, he added, “I tend to let almost everything slide, but not what you did, signing me up for the photoshoot like that.”

I studied him, trying to figure out if he was being genuine or just playing games. “So, since you did the same to me, I guess we’re even then?”

His lips twitched into a faint smile. “Seems like it.”

I gnawed on my bottom lip.

This is why I couldn’t really hate him, why it was hard to hold onto the anger his arrogant smirks and condescending words stirred in me.

Because how could someone so infuriating be so sincere at times?

“Good,” I muttered. “Then we’re even. But why did you keep touching me during the photoshoot yesterday?”

Lucas shrugged. “I was just trying to make you comfortable and relaxed.”

I shot him an incredulous look. “I was anything but comfortable and relaxed.”

He smirked. “At least you didn’t look pale anymore. You had a nice rosy tinge to your cheeks.”

Before I could retort, his hand reached out and lightly traced my cheek. The touch was feather-light but intense, sending a jolt of warmth through me that left me momentarily frozen.

“And you still do,” he added huskily.

For a heartbeat, the world seemed to narrow to just the space where his hand touched me.

My pulse raced and I wanted to pull away, but his touch held me in place.

And I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to.

Just as the moment between us seemed to stretch indefinitely, a group of students passed by, their loud chatter breaking the spell. I blinked, trying to shake off the lingering warmth from Lucas’s touch.

I cleared my throat, my face warming despite myself. “I need to go. There’s something I have to take care of.”

Lucas’s eyes stayed locked on me as I hurried down the hallway, my steps quick and my heart racing from our brief exchange. The weight of his gaze seemed to press down on me, lingering even after I turned the corner and was out of his sight.