Chapter 187

My phone vibrated in the middle of the class.

I had to pretend it wasn’t mine because the professor hated being interrupted during his lecture on ethics in medicine. We had laws and regulations to memorize, and I admitted that I gave up after the second sentence.

The university talked so much about ethics that it forgot that over time, doctors were corrupted by money and prestige. Or, their beings were shaped by cruelty, like my parents’. They used the profession dishonestly. Without character.

I discreetly took my phone out of my bag and placed it under the desk, so I could glance at it without too much theatrics.

It was a message from an unknown number, but its content made me raise an eyebrow.

Unknown: Where are you?

Me: Dante?

Dante: Who else would it be?

Me: There are 8 billion people. It could be anyone.

Dante: As far as I know, I didn’t multiply into 8 billion.

Me: You’re not the only person on this planet, you asshole.

Dante: But I’m the only person you should have in your phone.

I took a deep breath, furrowing my brow. I scanned the classroom, and the professor was still rambling about the subject.

I looked back at the phone.

Me: Are you speaking through one of the boys? Are you here at the university?

Dante: No.

Me: You bought a phone?

Dante: Yes.

Me: But you don’t like technology.

Dante: Yes.

His short sentences annoyed me.

Me: So…? What made you change your mind?

Dante: Nothing. I just need it to control your ass.

I was about to type when another response came.

Dante: Call me “sir” again, and I’ll make you scream "God" more times than a nun.

I blushed immediately.

I preferred to ignore it. He couldn’t know what he’d caused.

Me: Sir, phones don’t control asses. They just help you communicate.

Dante: Emília.

Even the habit of saying my name as a warning was there. Asshole.

Me: You bought a phone just to stalk me?

Dante: Looks like not a good phone, because I can’t see anything you’re doing.

I pressed my lips together to avoid exploding in the class.

Me: You sound like an old man. Your phone doesn’t control my phone. That’s not how it works.

Dante: But I asked for it to work that way.

Me: At the store?

Dante: Where else?

He could only be messing with me.

I grabbed my pen and started copying what was on the board to erase the traces of anger that sucked away my sanity whenever I talked to Dante.

Me: Well, they must’ve called the cops because they clearly thought you were an abusive boyfriend.

Dante: Better than thinking I’m a killer, don’t you think?

My eyes widened.

Did Dante just use emojis?

Me: Are you laughing?

Dante: No.

Me: Then why are you using a laughing emoji? Don’t. It doesn’t suit you.

Dante: Saw it on YouTube. They say it helps the conversation.

I pressed my hand to my mouth. God, my stomach hurt.

Me: You watched a tutorial on how to use a phone?

Dante: Plural.

Me: Huh?

Dante: I watched more than one tutorial to talk to you, surely.

Me: HAHAHAHAHAHAA

Dante: You’re not an animal. Write.

Me: It’s a laugh, my God! Wasn’t it in the tutorials?

Dante: I haven’t reached the part about communication codes.

Me: Communication codes?

AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH

My cheeks were puffing up. My stomach was about to explode at any moment.

I turned off my phone, focusing on the material. Despite hating it, I had a test in a few days, and if I failed, I’d have to try again. Everyone knew that in any university, the second test was worse.

However, every second, my pocket vibrated. I tried to ignore it, but I had no choice but to grab it again and turn off the sound. On the screen, several messages popped up with one name.

Dante: Emília.

Dante: Where are you?

Dante: Answer me.

Dante: Are you talking to someone else?

Dante: Emília, if I find out you’re talking to someone else, I’ll send their fingers as your birthday gift.

That man was sick. There was no explanation for this.

Me: My birthday is in months. Did you forget?

Dante: Consider it an early gift.

Me: I’m in class, you jerk.

Dante: And?

Me: I’M IN CLASS, DANTE! I NEED TO STUDY! LEARN!

Dante: I don’t see a reason not to answer me.

Me: Because I need to focus, and it’s forbidden to use your phone during class.

Dante: You’re using it.

Me: But I shouldn’t.

I shook my head impatiently. In just those few seconds, four more messages popped up on my phone.

Dante: I don’t care what you shouldn’t do. Do what I say.

Dante: Emília. Answer me.

Dante: Who’s in your class?

Dante: Come home now.

Me: No.

Dante: No is never an answer between us.

Me: It’s always an answer when you speak. Why can’t I use it???

Dante: Come home. I’m ordering you.

Me: And I don’t want to obey :P

I waited for a response. I knew I was provoking Dante, but he was like a caveman. He thought that because of the agreement and my life being in his hands, he had any possession over me. He was so wrong.

However, the screen flashed, and all I saw from his message was a simple:

Dante: ?