Chapter 62 Certainly not
NANCY'S POV
"Well, well, well," Vanessa kissed her teeth. "If it isn't the outcast girl from last night."
"She's not an outcast; she has friends," Diana responded sharply, frowning. "Also, shouldn't you apologize for bumping into someone? That's the right thing to do, but I guess you're too stupid to know that."
Diana went on the defensive immediately, and I wasn't opposed to it. Vanessa had indeed been the one to bump into me, and she didn't even apologize but had chosen to insult me right off the bat instead.
"Oh," Vanessa's lips parted in ridicule,6 and then her gaze shifted slowly to me, "I see you've found yourself a knight to defend you...Tell me, what skill did you use to warp her mind this time?"
Diana's face creased harder, and she spat out in mockery, "You wouldn't know since you have no friends."
Vanessa froze for a second. It was clear Diana's words got to her, but she brushed them off a minute later and then spat out, "Pathetic."
Her gaze remained trained on me, "I was wondering when you'd show your face again..."
She angled her head slightly, making her expression seem even more mocking, "I thought you'd have the decency to at least hide away after last night."
"Why do I need to hide? You're the one who made a spectacle of yourself, not me." I retorted.
Again, she stiffened, no doubt recollecting that she hadn't gotten the upper hand last night and that I had left her in the dust.
It was, however, just for a second, because her chin lifted egoistically again. She walked forward, stepping into my space, and her shoulders brushed mine briefly.
"Did you have enough fun last night?"
No doubt, she was referring to when she'd forced me to gulp down that glass of whiskey.
I didn't back down, but Diana stepped in before I could step up to her, "Back off, Vanessa."
Vanessa's gaze shifted to her, and she let out a short laugh, "Relax, I'm just talking to your friend here."
Diana let out a puff of air, looking angrier as the seconds passed, "You don't just talk to people, you humiliate them for fun."
"I'll take that, it sounds like a well-deserved compliment." The look in Vanessa's eyes was incredibly cocky. "Your friend here made it quite easy for me."
"I didn't make anything easy for you," I cut in.
"Oh, but you were very cooperative, that counts as easy..."
"You got her drunk," Diana said accusingly.
Vanessa stared at her for a minute, then shrugged her shoulders, "No one forced her to. I certainly didn't hold her mouth to force the drink in. She did it herself."
"Under your influence," Diana snapped.
The situation was escalating and looked like it would turn into a full-blown fight if I didn't step in, so I took a step between them. "I did get drunk."
Vanessa's eyes sparkled with satisfaction, but it dimmed the next instant.
"That doesn't mean you won anything. It was just taking a glass of alcohol, nothing more. I didn't embarrass myself like I know you wished I did."
I saw the light in her eyes go out, and the smug smile that clung faintly to her lips was wiped off in an instant.
Knowing that I'd hit my mark, I no longer saw a need to talk to her, so I grabbed Diana's arm, moving to walk away.
"Wait," Vanessa called out just as we turned.
I didn't want to stop, but Diana already did, and she pulled me to a halt with her as well.
Vanessa walked closer, "Since you're feeling very brave today, let me give you a piece of advice."
I frowned, but she went on anyway, "Stay away from things that don't belong to you."
"What the hell does that mean?" Diana bristled.
Vanessa ignored her, keeping her gaze on me, "You know exactly what I mean."
I knew exactly what she meant.
Mason, she was asking me to stay away from him, but the thing was...I didn't live under her rule, and I wouldn't let her dictate who I could talk to or be friends with.
It wasn't her place.
Unfazed, I said in a dry tone, "You don't own people, Vanessa."
"Let's go," I said to Diana next, once again grabbing her arm to pull her away.
She went with me this time without stopping.
"She's targeting you because of last night. You must have really embarrassed her," Diana said as we walked away.
I hummed in agreement, but then, my eyes widened in surprise when she suddenly patted my back.
"You did well, that girl's a witch," Diana huffed in frustration, then gave me a pleased smile when I glanced sideways at her.
"I'm proud of you."
"That's not exactly something to be proud of," I muttered.
"I'm proud of you regardless. She's probably pissed that Mason paid more attention to you than her."
I realised then that of all the things Mason told her, he hadn't included what happened on the rooftop.
Not sure if I wanted to tell her either, I clamped my lips together and just nodded.
"Well, if she tried anything again, she won't just have you to deal with; she'll have me too, and I just might as well drag Chloe into this."
I paused then, "Why Chloe?"
"Oh, right, you don't know this..."
"Know what?" I asked, now confused.
"The gist is Vanessa's kind of scared of Chloe. Chloe's Dad is a high-ranking military officer, so everyone knows not to step on her toes, including Vanessa."
That wasn't quite what I was expecting, but it made sense.
A pity that, unlike Chloe, I didn't have a military father who could help me deter Vanessa.
I'd have to do it myself.
As soon as I said the word 'father,' my body numbed.
My thoughts went to my Dad, and I couldn't help but wonder how he was faring.
I could very well imagine the kind of trouble he was in with Mr Hudson right now.
Did I pity him...?
Certainly not.