Chapter 16: Part 16
Abel’s face was equal parts, sharp angles and smooth edges, much like the rest of him; the way he stood with his chest out and head held high only irked me further. How dare he talk like that? What was he trying to insinuate by his remark?
I could feel my blood begin to boil, an actual searing heat starting from inside, radiating through the pores. Partly because of how close the Alpha was standing, the warmth of our bodies mixing in the tight bubble around, making my skin feel weird and buzzy.
“What did you just say?” I asked icily.
“You heard me the first time, Miss Emma.”
“You’re unbelievable!” I recoiled, taking a deep breath as I struggled to compose myself. My arms visibly tensed, shoulders squaring, and jaw strained as I kept on grinding my teeth into nothing but little nubs.
From upfront, I caught the bob of his Adam’s apple in his throat like he’s swallowing down the words that could further rile me, even as he stared dead into my eyes. Eyes that have lost all traces of green from earlier, turning into something grey and sinister with rage at this point.
“We are just friends, not that it’s any of your concern, to begin with! I got the job for my calibre, not by my friendship with Avon.”
Abel appeared lost for a few seconds before the venom in his tone returned, arms falling by his side dully, “It’s my concern when you are standing in my building's parking lot and flirting.” The Alpha snarled, forcing himself into the tiny bit of my space. He pointed an accusing finger at me like some disapproving mother lecturing a child.
I threw my hands in the air, an exasperated sigh escaping me as I met his stormy eyes. “We were talking! Where do you want him to drop me off? Outside the building?!”
“Yes! That would be highly appreciated.”
“Again, unbelievable!”
“For someone who’s majoring in English, your vocabulary pains me.”
“Shut up.” I childishly retorted, turning away from him and the sharp pheromones in the elevator. Taking a deep breath through my mouth, I turned to him, pointedly narrowing my eyes.
“What?”
“Seriously? You are not going to apologise for acting like this?”
“I’m not apologising for anything. It would be a damn lie anyway, 'cause I’m not sorry.” He huffed; all traces of anger from earlier in his voice settled into something light and soft and calm. Dangerous. Abel lazily leaned against the elevator door, eyeing the side of my profile. “I think you’re the one who owes me an apology for bringing someone who doesn’t belong in the building.”
“Are you serious right now?” My brows rose in utter disbelief that his twisted brain could honestly see it that way, that the Alpha would have the nerve to suggest he’s the one who deserves an apology for anything. I had not expected it but felt a strong wave of rage swoop in and tuck under my chest.
“Do I look like I am in the mood for jokes?”
Before I could reply, the elevator dinged, a breath whooshing out of my lungs. Pinning my Professor with a glare, I walked out as the doors opened, unable to bear that smug look on his face anymore.
***
I slammed the door to our living hall with much force than necessary, wincing as the sound echoed. Turning on my feet, I rushed to the couch and threw my bag in there, almost hitting Allie in the process.
“Ouch! What the fuck?!” She cursed, lifting her head and rubbing at her elbow.
“Oh! Moons! Sorry.” I cringed, blowing air on her skin, leaning closer. “I wasn’t looking. Sorry.”
She pulled me in by the shoulders and made me plop next to her, ignoring the sudden yelp that slipped out of me. “Was waiting up all night. Where have you been?”
“Cafe.” I let out a sigh, throwing my head on her bony shoulder, watching the drama playing on television. Allie loved watching dramas, especially romantic ones and binged them an unhealthy amount of times.
“Date?”
I made a sound in the back of my throat, sitting up. “I don’t have time for that, not in the first month of my university anyway.”
“Then?”
“I applied for a job there…it’s part-time just to help with the bills and groceries.”
“Em!” My friend exhaled, making a face as she met my eyes. “You don’t have to do that. We are set. I have my allowance, which is enough for both of us. Focus on your studies.”
“That’s very kind of you to say, Allie, but I cannot freeload forever. Please let me do this.”
“Fine. Is that why you are pent up?”
“No! It’s our landlord.”
Allie’s lips quirked in an amused smile, plopping a hand under her chin and slowly blinking. “What did he do now?”
“Where do I begin?” I let out a snort to tell her everything, but my jaw was heavy, and my tongue felt fuzzy, tiredness seeping into the pores. Sensing this, my friend helped me to my friend and pushed me down onto my bed, and dumped the duvet on top of me.
“Sleep now”
The entire night I was slipping in and out of consciousness and thankfully without dreams, and when I woke up the following day, Allie greeted me with a tray holding some buttered toast.
“Umm…good morning?”
She beamed at me, placing the tray on the bedside and tidying up the space. “I am running late, and we are behind on groceries, so this is all we have.”
“Oh? Where are you going?”
“To my job interview.”
“What?!” My eyes widened. “Are you going to that shady club again?”
“No, this is a high-end restaurant. My friend recommended me, and they want me to come for an interview today.”
“Moons! That’s great! Why didn’t you tell me last night?”
“You were in a different mood.”
My cheeks turned pink as I recalled the anger and frustration I radiated after talking with Abel last night. I avoided her eyes, looking at my folded hands. “Sorry about that.”
She giggled. “It’s alright! We will catch up tonight; go somewhere, maybe?”
“Sounds fun! I’ll see you. Good luck with your interview.”
“Thanks!” Allie yelled, waving at me before shutting the door.
***
I shuffled back, my brows furrowed together as I kept on searching for the card in my bag. The library card was mandatory before borrowing any book, and I haven’t been able to find it.
“Morning.”
“What the –” I jumped in the spot with my heart in my throat, almost threatening to break through my skin and ligaments. It’s him–Abel, looking as impeccable as always, and my mind was racing so much that I realised after a few seconds my back was to the elevator. There were only a few inches of distance between us to which I swallowed thickly and tried to calm my pulse, to no avail.
“Oh!” He breathed, adjusting the coat he was wearing, and it rustled, clearly very heavy and expensive. A hand was outstretched towards me, “I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you all right?”
Ignoring the sparked familiarity, I batted his hand away, without much grace, without much care. After his words last night, my mood was still dampened.
“No, I am not,” I echoed, keeping my expression as blank as possible, not squirming away when his assessing eyes met my gaze. “Why would you startle me like that?”
Abel rolled his eyes, “You are standing in front of the elevator. What do you want me to do? Slowly push you away?”
“Whatever,” I said, taking a few steps back, hoping that the bright lights from the ceiling hid my reddening cheeks, and I didn’t know why I was suddenly flushing, feeling too hot.
“Do not tell me you are cross with me about last night.”
I sucked a sharp breath at those words, my grip tightening around the strap or the bag. Tapping my feet against the ground, I causally shrugged. “I am not the kind of person to hold silly grudges. At least not on people I barely know.”
Lies. A voice mocked me from inside, but I cursed under my breath. I did not forget things easily; it’s a curse.
“Is it now? Because I have been thinking something else.”
“You are wrong.”
“Maybe.” He hummed, pressing the button and stepping inside the elevator, his eyes boring into my back.
“You are using the elevator, right?”
“Of course!”
“Then get in!”
“You don’t have to tell me that.”
“Must you always have the last word, Miss Emma?”
“Yes! Deal with it.” I turned and stumbled, hurrying along until I was inside, promptly pressing my back to the wet and icy wall. My eyes clenched tight as I could hear my heartbeat thundering like a band, obscenely loud in the surrounding silence. I let the air fill my lungs, concentrating on the dampness in my back rather than Abel next to me.
***