Chapter 8 Chapter 8
Hailey’s POV
Fright, that was the only word that could describe what I felt as I sat in the lecture hall, my textbook open in front of me, but the words blurring together into meaningless shapes.
My mind kept replaying the news headline over and over again.
‘Notorious Criminals Go Missing Overnight.’
My stomach churned as I stared blankly at the professor’s PowerPoint presentation. I couldn’t focus, couldn’t think about anything except those men kneeling on the ground, begging for mercy.
And Damien standing over them like some kind of dark god.
“Miss Hailey?”
I jolted, my head snapping up.
The professor was staring at me, one eyebrow raised. “Are you with us today?”
Heat flooded my cheeks as several students turned to look at me. “Yes, sorry,” I mumbled, sinking lower in my seat.
The professor gave me a long look before turning back to the board, and I let out a shaky breath.
I had to get a grip.
The moment class ended, I practically bolted out of the room, my bag slung haphazardly over my shoulder. My throat felt dry, my head was pounding, and all I wanted was something cold to drink and a moment to collect myself.
I spotted a vending machine down the hallway and made a beeline for it, fumbling in my pocket for spare change.
The soda clattered down, and I grabbed it, cracking it open and gulping it down like I’d been stranded in a desert. The cold fizz burned my throat, but I didn’t care. I just needed something, anything, to ground me.
I was halfway through the can when I felt a prickling sensation on the back of my neck like someone was watching me.
Slowly, I lowered the can and turned my head.
My heart stopped when I saw Damien.
He was standing at the end of the hallway, his hands in his pockets, his dark eyes locked on me with an intensity that made my knees weak.
How did he even get in here? This was a college campus, not some business meeting.
He took a step forward.
That was all it took.
I spun on my heel and ran.
My sneakers squeaked against the polished floor as I darted around a corner, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps. I didn’t know where I was going, I just knew I had to get away from him.
A door appeared on my right, slightly ajar, and I shoved it open and slipped inside, pressing my back against the wall as I tried to catch my breath.
It took me a second to realize where I was.
A classroom.
And it was full of students.
They all turned to stare at me, confusion written across their faces.
“Uh, sorry,” I muttered, my face burning. “Wrong room.”
But before I could leave, a voice called out from the front of the class.
“Miss, if you’re going to interrupt, at least take a seat.”
I froze, my hand still on the door handle.
The lecturer, an older man with graying hair and sharp eyes, gestured toward an empty seat near the back. “Well? Are you staying or leaving?”
I opened my mouth to say I was leaving, but then I saw Damien.
He was standing in the doorway, blocking my only exit.
My stomach dropped.
“I would like to join the class.” I bowed and quickly moved to the empty seat at the back row. Praying inwardly for Damien to just walk away so I can go out.
The lecturer smiled, and locked eyes toward the door and his posture changed immediately. He bowed slightly and turned to the class.
“Actually,” the lecturer said, turning toward Damien with a warm smile, “we’re honored to have a special guest with us today. Mr. Damien Alejandro, a highly respected figure and one of the university’s most generous benefactors.”
Benefactor?
The students murmured amongst themselves, some pulling out their phones to take pictures.
Damien stepped into the room, his presence commanding every bit of attention. He looked completely at ease, like he belonged there, like he owned the place.
“Thank you for having me,” Damien said smoothly, his voice carrying effortlessly through the room.
I tried to shrink into the wall, praying he wouldn’t notice me.
But of course, he did.
His gaze swept over the classroom and landed directly on me.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
No. No, no, no.
“I couldn’t help but notice,” Damien said, gesturing casually in my direction, “that the students in the back might have trouble seeing the board. Perhaps those seated in the last few rows should move to the front?”
My blood turned to ice immediately and I looked at the other student. Completely nodding to Damien's suggestion.
The lecturer nodded enthusiastically. “Excellent suggestion, Mr. Alejandro. Yes, students in the back, please move forward.”
The students happily took their bags and moved to the front row excluding me who was still rooted in my deep thoughts.
“Miss?” The lecturer looked directly at me. “That includes you.”
I clenched my jaw, my hands balling into fists at my sides.
This was deliberate. He was doing this on purpose.
Slowly, reluctantly, I grabbed my bag and made my way to the front, refusing to meet Damien’s eyes even though I could feel them burning into me the entire time.
I dropped into a seat in the second row, as far from him as I could manage, and stared straight ahead, my heart pounding furiously.
The lecture dragged on, every second feeling like an eternity. I couldn’t focus on a single word the professor said. All I could think about was Damien standing at the front of the room, watching me.
The moment the class ended, I shot out of my seat and made for the door.
But as I rushed into the hallway, I collided with someone.
“Oh, I’m so sorry….” I started, then looked up to see Professor Mendez.
“Miss Hailey,” he said, steadying me with a hand on my shoulder. “Are you alright? You look rather flustered.”
“I’m fine,” I said quickly, wiping at my forehead. I was sweating, and I knew it showed.
He frowned, his eyes narrowing with concern. “Are you sure? You seem unwell.”
“I’m fine, really,” I insisted, forcing a smile. “Just, uh, running late for my next class.”
He studied me for a moment longer, then nodded. “Alright. But if you need anything, my door is always open.”
“Thank you, Professor.”
I hurried past him, my legs trembling as I made my way toward my second class.
By the time I reached the lecture hall, I felt like I’d run a marathon. I slipped into the room and spotted Benita immediately, her arm waving frantically at me from the middle row.
I hurried over and dropped into the seat beside her.
“Finally,” she said, turning to me with wide eyes. “You’re not going to believe this.”
“Believe what?” I asked, pulling out my notebook.
She shoved her phone into my hands. “Look at Sophia’s Instagram story.”
I stared at the screen, my stomach sinking with every word I read.
It was a picture of Sophia lounging by a pool, sunglasses perched on her head, a smug smile on her face. The caption read.
‘Don’t worry, besties. I’ll be back on campus sooner than you think. Just having a little chat with the board. Connections matter, after all.’
There was even a little winking emoji at the end.
I felt my jaw tighten, anger bubbling up in my chest.
“She’s using her father’s position,” Benita hissed. “She’s going to get out of her suspension. I knew it.”
I stared at the post, my hands trembling.