Chapter 29: I like you

NOVA'S POV

My morning alarm goes off startling me. I only slept for an hour. All I could think of was how good it felt to be trusted by Sofia. I may have accepted the dare but that's because i knew she hated me and I didn't think I'd fall for her. I only thought of it as a harmless crush when she moved to this university. A quiet yet standoffish peice of art you just admire and hope to one day afford to be the one to buy it.

It's Sunday so that means i have golf with my future husband's family. It's funny, to think about it. I drag my feet to my bathroom, reluctantly washing off any lingering traces of her touch, her scent and her taste. I already want to do it again. Fuck all her problems away.

I never did ask her about her family and that has sat with me for the longest. She only mentions her dad and I know her mom and sisters died but i never fully asked, how she got through it...if she has. Or the reqson behind the medication.

What her diagnoses is.

It's 8am so i dress up in my golf outfit, holding my hair in a low ponytail. When I'm done getting reqdy i pick my phone from the bed and send my Tinkerbell,  a goodmorning message.

Me: Goodmorning Tinks. I hope the orgasms I gave you didn't ruin your early morning.

Photo

Photo

I look back at the two pictures I just sent already rethinking it. One night with her and I'm already updating her?

"Nova, glad you could finally join us," my dad says not once looking up at me. I take a seat in one of the many emtpy ones at the table. The table is immediately set with my breakfast.

"Where's mom?"

"Hospital visit,"

"And you didn't think to go with her?" I ask already agitated.

"One of us has to make sure the Carusos don't back away on the contract," he says his voice neutral but the smirk on his face is evident.

"That's all you ever cared about," I mumbled eating my breakfast quietly. He always made it hard to like him. He's my father's but sometimes I wish I didn't remember how fatherly he was when I was little. Because now I'm just an investment.

When I'm done so is he and we head to the sportsclub for the worser part of my day. Neither of us talk and for that i am grateful. I have nothing nice to say to him.

"Your little distraction...she seems off the radar,"

My head perks up.

That's him trying to make me slip up.

"She'snot a distraction...and privacy is a thing,"

"Even private people are found on government files, Nova,"

"If I'm ever looking to destroy someone's life, I'll consider that," I retort feeling my blood boil at his interest in her. She's so strong but by endurance not by choice. I doubt she gets to have one.

He laughs lightly. "You always were naive of why these low class girls come after you,"

"A dangerous assumption, dad, even for you,"

He adjusts in his seat.

That got to him.

Good.

The staff greets him almost immediately leading us to the golf carts.

After a few minutes we catch up with the Carusos.

Fabio, their son jogs over to me a little eager for my liking. What happened to not pretending to enjoy this?

"Nova, i see you adjusted your wadrobe to look more...womanlike," his mom says and I don't respond.

She steps away, walking back to the two men discussing golf and business.

"You need to act less eager or they'll think you actually want this," I say taking out a golf stick.

"I looked you up...you're really hot when you're playing on the court," he comments earning a glare from me. Is he fucking serious?

"So you want to be married off to someone you barely know and barely finds your existence as a necessity on earth?"

"Dad says you can tame a woman. Just give her what she wants,"

"At your age your father still thinks for you? I want you to hear this from me Fabio...I would rather lose everything than marry a dumb man with daddy's money,"

I throw the golf stick at him and walk away from the scene. My dad watches from a distance but I don't give a shit right now. No one will ever disrespect me like that.

"Nova! Nova!" He calls out once I'm sat in the golf cart. I wait patiently for him to scold me or threaten to ruin my life but he doesn't.

"Go meet your friends and fix that fucking act before dinner tonight. You'll be seen publicly with their son at fashion week,"

He walks back to the family to undo everything I'd done.

On my way home my phone lights up with a text from Sofia.

Tinkerbell: That was the plan Castiello. And you look so sexy in that outfit ( you know where to find me if you need help undressing)

I chuckle at the text. She's back to being bold.

I like it.

Me: Can we meet right now?

Tinkerbell : No. Can't let yiu think I'm that available.

Me: Scared I'll make your legs shake again?

Tinkerbell: Never said I wanted it any other way 'my love'.

Me: That's you teasing me huh?

Tinkerbell: Not at all. Just reminding you. I am swamped this week but feel free to sneak in again.

Me: I want to do that again too, Tinks.

I wait for the three dots but they disappear and don't show up again. At the house my phone rings as I head up to change out of these clothes.

"It's Sunday Nova! The picnic won't start without you," Rafa says over the group call.

"Like hell it won't. She's too good for us now," Riley says and the rest chime in.

I remain silent.

That's the truth.

"i hope you still remember the dare Nova. The championship season is coming up," Delia says and the rest go silent. They had forgotten about it, but she hadn't.

"I'm coming over...have my favourite pizza ordered and be ready to party," they all cheer like that's the only thing they related to.

"Are you bringing the sophomore?"

"She's a junior and she is Sofia,"

"Careful, Nova..you're starting to sound like her girlfriend or something, "

"Like I'd ruin my streak," I say feeling the weight of those words. That was the first time a lie felt heavy. I did it so casually but this one...this one is different.

Maybe because I genuinely like Sofia.

I change into a pair of white linen shorts..a white brallete under a white button down shirt that i leave unbuttoned.

The call is still active with them discussing on what alcohol to get but i think I'll move to something less intoxicating.

I pick my phone to a private chat with Delia.

Delia: I'm sorry about the arranged marriage

She remembered. When i told her i did it because i thought we were friends and she'd find out anyway. When my dad set the date to announce the relationship i didn't think I'd be here for it.

Me: Thank you. Feels like my whole life is about to change

Delia: I may not like your choice of girls but I care about you Nova

I looked at that text for a brief minute. She's just like my father. Cunning. Even now i still can't tell when she's being genuine with me or waiting for leverage.

Me: I know. I'll see you soon.