Chapter 59 See you by the stairs

Chapter 59 See you by the stairs
"I told you in the hallway, Maya," he murmurs, his dark eyes burning into my pupils. "The rich boy is gone. You're back where you belong. Don't forget it."

He releases my wrist instantly, his hand moving smoothly back to his lap just as my mother turns around with the large serving dish of chicken. I pull my arm back against my chest, my skin tingling and burning from the force of his grip. I quickly slide into the empty chair directly across from him, tucking my shaking hands beneath the table, burying them in the fabric of my cardigan so no one can see the red marks forming on my skin.

"So, Raphael," my mother smiles warmly, her face glowing as she begins loading his plate with large pieces of chicken and potatoes. "Tell us more about this new transfer to the academy. I still can't believe you'll be going to the exact same school as Maya now! What a wonderful coincidence."

"Yes, ma'am," Raph says, taking a modest bite of his food before offering her a brilliant smile. "My dad wanted me to have the best education for my senior year, especially since his new corporate position means he can actually afford the tuition now. But honestly, Mrs. Vance... I was really nervous about going to a place like that. It’s full of those arrogant, elite academy kids. You know exactly how they are. They think they own the entire city just because of their family names and their inheritances."

"Oh, don't I know it," Leo scoffs bitterly, his jaw clenching tightly as he stares down at his plate. The fork in his hand shakes slightly with his suppressed anger. "They think they can ruin a person's entire life, ruin their career, and then just buy their way out of the consequences like nothing happened."

"Exactly, Leo. That’s exactly what worries me," Raph nods right along, his expression turning earnest and sympathetic. He plays the role of the victimized, honorable boy perfectly, feeding directly into Leo's deep-seated resentment. He looks across the table, locking his dark eyes onto my frozen face. "That's why I'm so glad that Maya is already there. She knows what real life is like. She isn't fake like those girls in the cheerleading squad."

I freeze at the subtle mention of Chloe, my heart dropping into my stomach. He knows everything. He has been tracking the school news.

"I told my dad this afternoon," Raph continues, his voice steady and reassuring as he addresses my mother. "I told him that I am going to walk Maya to the school bus stop every single morning. I’m going to carry her bag, and I'm going to make sure she gets to her classrooms safely. There are a lot of sharks at that academy, Mrs. Vance. A lot of wealthy predators who think scholarship girls are just games to play with. I promise you, I won't let any of them get near her again. I'll protect her."

My mother looks like she is about to cry from happiness. The relief on her face is agonizing to watch. She reaches across the table, her eyes misting over, and places her hand over Raph’s. "You are such a blessing to this family, Raphael. Thank you. Thank you for looking out for my girl when I can't be there."

I stare down at my plate, the food turning to ash in my mouth. I lift my head slightly, meeting Raph’s gaze across the table.

As my mother turns her head away to wipe her eyes, Raph lifts his glass of water toward me in a silent toast. He offers me a smug wink over the rim of the glass before taking a sip.

"How is the rehabilitation going, man?" Raph asks, leaning his elbows on the table and looking directly at Leo. "My dad’s company works closely with a private sports clinic uptown. I can see if he can get you an appointment with their head physical therapist."

Leo’s eyes light up, his fork pausing mid-air. "Seriously? The state doctors just tell me to rest and take painkillers. They don't care if I ever get back on the ice."

"I'll call him tonight," Raph promises, nodding. "And don't worry about the apartment layout either. I noticed the bathroom doesn't have proper grab bars for your leg. I have some tools in my truck; I can drill a few heavy-duty handles into the tile this Saturday."

My mother sets her tea mug down, her face radiating gratitude. "Oh, Raphael, you don't have to do that."

"It's no trouble, Mrs. Vance," he says smoothly. "I'll handle the garbage bags every Tuesday while I'm at it. I'm right next door anyway."

By the time the plates are cleared, my family looks at him like he is a saint.

When Raph finally stands up to leave, I remain glued to my chair, staring at the empty table. My mother nudges my shoulder sharply, her eyes flashing a stern command. "Maya, walk Raphael out. Show him where the deadbolt trick is so he doesn't get locked out of the main lobby."

I stand up on heavy legs and follow him to the open threshold, the cold air from the dark hallway hitting my face. Raph steps out into the corridor, then turns around slowly to look at me. The good boy mask falls away now that we are out of my mother's sight. He reaches out, his thumb catching the edge of my gray cardigan, pulling me just a fraction closer to him.

"See you at 7:00 AM sharp by the stairs, Maya," he whispers, his breath hot against my cheek. "Don't keep your boyfriend waiting."

He turns around, his leather boots crunching against the floorboards as he walks into the apartment right next door, clicking his lock into place. I close our front door, resting my forehead against the cold wood, tears of frustration finally slipping down my cheeks.