Chapter 12 CHAPTER 11

Chapter 12 CHAPTER 11

The chatter of students around me faded into the background as I picked at my lunch. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Melvin walking straight toward me. My stomach sank. He held a single flower, bright against his hand, and for a moment, the whole cafeteria seemed to pause. Eyes followed him. Whispers rippled through the crowd like a soft current.

“Hi, Lilith!” His smile was easy, confident, yet there was a flicker of something softer behind his eyes.

I looked up, startled, my fork hovering mid-air. “Oh… why?”

“I just wanted to give this to you.” He held out the flower with a careful gesture, as if it could bridge the space between us.

I shook my head, forcing a small laugh that didn’t reach my eyes. “I don’t accept flowers. Especially from a playboy.”

“Don’t believe what people say about me,” he said gently, leaning just slightly closer. “It’s not true.”

“Melvin… stop it,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though my heart thumped erratically.

“Why have you suddenly changed toward me?” His brows furrowed, and I caught a hint of hurt in his voice.

“You don’t care if I change,” I replied coldly, staring at my plate to hide the anger and frustration coiling inside me.

“Is it because of what I did to your driver?” His words cut through the hum of the cafeteria.

I looked at him, my gaze sharp, my pulse quickening. “You know, I didn’t want to remember that… but you reminded me. He’s not the reason I’m angry with you.”

“If he’s not the reason… then why are you avoiding me?” His voice wavered slightly, as though the confident facade he wore so easily was slipping.

“Weren’t you listening to what I said?” I snapped, my patience thinning. “I don’t like men like you—a flirt. I never dreamed of being one of your trophies.”

“Don’t believe what others say about me,” he said, his voice soft but insistent. “None of it is true.”

I grabbed my tray and stood, the weight of his gaze still on me. I walked toward another table, ignoring the curious stares and whispers of the students around us.

“Lilith!” His voice rang after me, tinged with frustration.

I didn’t answer. Instead, I focused on finding an empty table, forcing my mind to settle.

“Hey, I saw what you did to Melvin earlier,” Elsie said, her tone casual as she slid into the seat across from me.

“I didn’t do anything to him,” I muttered, still a little flustered.

“You ignored him,” she said, smirking. “Honestly, it’s good for him. He needs to learn that not every girl falls for him.”

I let out a small laugh. “I don’t feel anything for him anymore… I have a boyfriend.”

Elsie’s grin widened, mischief sparkling in her eyes. “Then come watch a movie with me later. I’ll treat you guys.”

“You really want to make sure what I said is true,” I said, a laugh escaping despite myself.

“It’s easy to say you have a boyfriend… but hard to prove it,” she teased.

“Fine,” I said, feeling a little thrill of daring in my chest. “I’ll bring Aeros along.”

“Okay,” Elsie said, and for a fleeting moment, I felt a tiny triumph in the middle of the crowded, noisy cafeteria.

When the final bell rang, I rushed out of our classroom. Aeros was already waiting for me, leaning casually against the car.

“Hi, Baby,” I whispered, a smile tugging at my lips.

He nodded and opened the car door for me. Once inside, I pulled him close and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his lips.

“I missed you so much,” I breathed.

“I missed you too,” he replied, his smile warm against mine.

He started the engine, and we drove off into the fading afternoon light.

“Let’s go to the mall,” I said, leaning back in my seat.

“But I should take you home first,” he countered.

“Elsie invited me to watch a movie. I said yes, she’s treating us anyway,” I explained.

“Am I coming?”

I nodded, raising an eyebrow. “Of course. Why don't you want to?”

“Just you,” he said, letting me hold his hand as we drove.

“Baby… are you embarrassed by me?” I teased softly.

“Not really,” he said, though I could see a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

“Then we’re going together,” I insisted.

“Does your friend know about us?”

“Yes. Don’t worry, Daddy won’t find out.”

“Then… don’t make me come,” he murmured.

“Aeros, please,” I begged. “You have to come so Elsie will believe we’re a couple.”

He sighed, but finally nodded. “Okay.”

I couldn’t hide my grin. “Thank you.”

I knew he wasn’t thrilled about coming, but he had no choice but to go along with me. My plan couldn’t fall apart.

We arrived at the mall, and Elsie had already gone ahead. The three of us walked into the theater, Aeros and I side by side, Elsie a few steps behind, her eyes darting between us.

The movie started—a love story. I squeezed Aeros’s hand, feeling the warmth of his fingers against mine.

Halfway through, I glanced at him. “Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked softly.

I looked around, then without warning, pulled him closer. My lips found his in a slow, deliberate kiss—long, tender, impossible to ignore. I could feel Elsie’s gaze on us, but I didn’t care. Aeros responded just as eagerly, and the heat between us was undeniable.

The two of us slipped away, our attention quickly shifting back to the movie theater.

I hoped Elsie had finally believed me.

“My gosh! I was totally swooning over you two earlier!” Elsie exclaimed.

We were in the female restroom, just having finished the movie.

“Where’s my prize?” I asked.

“I’ll put it in your bank account,” she replied.

“I need cash.”

“Alright, cash it is. But… how did you even get Aeros to agree?”

I smiled, running my fingers through my hair. “It wasn’t hard.”

“Tsk! You’re shameless,” she teased.

“Just give me the full million.”

“You’ll need to spend three months with Aeros first.”

“Piece of cake,” I said.

“Lilith… What does it feel like to kiss Aeros?”

Heat rose to my cheeks. “Hmm… it’s okay.”

“Just ‘okay’?”

“I’m not grossed out by him… and he doesn’t have bad breath either.”

“Is it… good?”

I nodded and laughed softly.

“Oh my gosh!” Elsie squealed, practically bouncing in excitement.

“Come on, let’s get out of here before Aeros gets impatient.”

When we stepped out of the bathroom, Aeros was already waiting. Elsie nudged us to grab a bite to eat before heading home.

“Baby, did you enjoy yourself?” I asked him.

He simply nodded, eyes drifting to the street outside.

“My friend is totally swooning over us,” I whispered.

“I hope no one else finds out about our relationship.”

“Don’t you want them to know your boss is your girlfriend?”

“I don’t want any trouble.”

“Okay… if you don’t, then fine. Let’s keep this secret for now, just to avoid problems.”

I nodded. “I trust you to handle it.”

When we got back to the mansion, Daddy still wasn’t home. I went straight to my room to start on my homework. As I read, a knock at the door caught my attention. I stood up, expecting the maid. But when I opened it… I was stunned.

“A-Aeros!”

“Hi, Baby!”

I swallowed a few times, and my throat suddenly became dry. He was only wearing a white tank top and shorts, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Every line of his body was… perfect.

“H-Hello! W-why are you here?” I stammered, my heart already racing.

“Your dad called you,” he said, calm and steady.

“Why did you come? Where’s the maid?”

“She’s busy downstairs. I volunteered to come get you.”

“Okay… I’ll go down now,” I whispered, trying to sound casual.

I reached for my phone before heading out, but then Aeros stepped into my room. My stomach flipped. What if the maid or Dad saw him here?

“Why did you come in here?” I asked, trying to hide the nervous flutter in my chest.

“I was waiting for you,” he said softly.

I grabbed his hand, ready to pull him out, but before I could move, he pulled me toward him instead.

“A-Aeros!”

My heart felt like it was going to leap out of my chest.

He leaned close, his eyes locking onto mine. “Are you afraid your dad might catch us?”

“N-No,” I managed, though my voice betrayed me.

“Then why are you so pale?”

I pushed him lightly, but there was no real force behind it. “You’re the one who said no one should know about us.”

I stepped out first, trying to steady myself, and he followed like a shadow.

Daddy was sitting on the sofa, deep in conversation. I went up to him, kissed him lightly on the lips, and waited for him to finish.

“How’s school?” he asked.

“It’s fine,” I said.

“That’s good. I was talking to your Aunt Selya. She wants me to go to the province to visit your sick grandmother.”

“Really? Why can’t you go yourself?”

“I’m too busy with work.”

“Grandma will understand.”

“I thought maybe you could go with your driver instead.”

“Dad, I can’t. Exams are coming up.”

“You can go after your exams.”

“I really don’t want to go to the province.”

“It’s only three days.”

“It’s boring there are no malls.”

“I already told your Aunt you’re going, so you and Aeros can leave after your exams.”

I frowned, feeling a pang of frustration. “Feels like my opinion doesn’t matter.”

“I’m too busy, so you’re going. And you need to meet our relatives there.”

I clenched my jaw, irritated, but there was nothing I could do except obey.

As Aeros brushed past me to follow Daddy’s instructions, my heart raced uncontrollably. Every time he was near, I felt this wild, helpless pull I couldn’t explain, and it terrified me… and thrilled me at the same time.