Chapter 28 28

Chapter 28 28
Chapter 28

Under the Rain, Secrets Burn

I don’t know what’s going on in the head of Damien right now. What would he be thinking of me? Would he think that I care less about him or that he needs to care less about me? Or probably because I didn’t go with him, he has already dumped me?

All these questions were drilling through my mind, echoing in circles until they almost drove me insane. My chest felt heavy, like a weight pressing down, refusing to let me breathe properly.

“What the hell did I do?” I whispered to myself, dragging my nails against the wooden counter in the bar. I could see my reflection in the faintly polished glass bottles as they were lining the shelf; it looked pale and uncertain, like I didn’t even recognize the girl staring back. Damien’s thoughts are literally driving me insane!

I should have gone home with him. That was the truth clawing at me. But no, I shouldn’t be thinking about him now. On second thought, I held back immediately; I can’t be hiding behind excuses.

He doesn’t want us to go public. He doesn’t want people to know that I am his friend, or worse, that we have anything together.

Because in everyone’s eyes, I am his step-cousin, and not only that, he is the professor at my school. The risk is too big, the scandal is too massive and risky, and it would probably spread like a wildfire. That’s why I declined to go home with him.

But from the look on his face earlier, I knew…deep down…I hurt him. I saw the disappointment flicker in his eyes even when he tried to mask it. Still, I convinced myself I didn’t care. At least, that’s what I thought at that moment.

Then Greg’s words returned to me, playing in my mind over and over… . You need someone with morals. His tone had been smug, and his gaze too sharp, like he thought he understood me better than I understood myself. And then, without warning, he drew closer, trying to kiss me.

Immediately, I pushed him away with both hands pressed firmly against his chest. My voice trembled with shock. “What are you trying to do?”

He only smiled, tilting his head, as if amused by my resistance. His lips curled into something mocking. “I think… probably cuddling.” His voice was low, almost teasing.

That disgusted me more than anything. My pulse raced with anger. “Ummm… Speaking of Damien, you know I’m surprised that you even have the nerve to judge him.”

Greg’s eyebrows furrowed immediately. His expression tightened, like he couldn’t quite process what I had just said. That confusion alone told me everything I needed to know; he had no understanding of how deep things are between Damien and me.

I smirked bitterly, reading the look in his eyes. “You simply don’t understand, Greg. But don’t worry, I’ll break it down for you, because I’m a generous person.”

His lips parted, but he didn’t speak. He just stared, his jaw tightening. Whether he is angry or not is not my problem.

“What I’m saying is…you don’t have the right to judge Damien. None whatsoever. And do you know why? Because when I was in trouble, you couldn’t even protect me from my bullying ex just now. You ran away like a scaredy-cat.” My tone of voice was sharpened and firm, and I made sure every word cut through him like glass. “Damien? He’s twice the man you’ll ever be.”

I watched his face darken, his nostrils flaring. His fists clenched at his sides, and for a second, I thought he might lash out. His pride was wounded, and his damn ego was bruised.

But I didn’t stop. I didn’t care about his anger. What confused me most was why I was even defending Damien at all.

Shouldn’t I be furious with him? Shouldn’t I hate the fact that he wanted to hide us? Yet there I was, standing tall, defending him like my life depended on it.

And yes, the fact that Damien and I had issues doesn't mean he can be insulted and looked down on in front of me!

“I know I deserve someone good,” I continued, my tone calmer now but still laced with finality. “Greg, you’re telling me that is actually a good thing. So thank you.” I smiled faintly, though it was bitter. “But am I the someone I deserve? That someone… is not you.”

And with that, I turned my back on him. His face was red, twisted with humiliation, but I didn’t give him another glance. My heels clicked against the floor as I rushed outside; my heart was hammering.

I needed to leave. I needed to find Damien.

“I can’t leave him like this,” I whispered to myself, shoving the door open. “He might say all those things, but I know it’s not what I think. He has to care… I know he does.”

The moment the door opened, I froze. Rain was pouring heavily outside, cascading in thick sheets that blurred the view of the street. My breath caught in my throat when a familiar voice cut through the rain.

“Clarissa!”

I gasped and turned. My eyes widened in shock. There, standing under the heavy rain, was Damien. His dark hair was plastered to his forehead.

His shirt was drenched from the rain and clinging to his frame, and trust me, for a second I could see his abs and almost lost my balance. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, but his eyes, they were fixed on me.

“Damien,” I whispered, my voice trembling with disbelief. “What the hell are you doing out here in the rain? Do you want to get sick?”

Without thinking, I rushed toward him, my shoes splashing in puddles as the rain drenched me instantly. The cold bit into my skin, but I didn’t care. All I could see was him. All I could feel was my chest aching at the sight of him waiting for me like this.

Is he insane?

“Why didn’t you wait in the car?” I scolded, my tone rising. “What’s wrong with you?! Weren’t you mad at me?”

When I reached him, I was already shivering, but he just looked at me; his face was tight, but his lips were gnashing on each other out of the cold, his jaw clenching as if holding back something explosive. Then his hands gripped my shoulders firmly, pulling me closer.

“You’re damn right, Clarissa,” he said, his voice low, rough, and full of emotion. “I was mad at you.”

My eyes widened. My lips parted, but I couldn't even say a word.

“And do you know why I was mad?” His breath was ragged, his brows furrowed. “Because I couldn’t stand to see you in another guy’s arms. I was mad because you almost got hurt.”

The intensity in his eyes made my knees weaken. His voice cracked with raw honesty, no longer the composed professor I used to know in school but a man fighting with himself, an obsessed man.

Then, in a sudden movement, he pulled off his jacket, which was already soaked with rain…and draped it over my trembling shoulders. His hands lingered as he adjusted it gently.

“Can’t you see, Clarissa?” His voice dropped, breaking slightly. “I can’t bear it. I don’t care if you toss me aside and run to a bunch of frat douchebags. But I’ll always make sure you’re safe.” His hand brushed against my wet hair, pushing it back from my face. “Always.”

At that moment, I forgot the rain. I forgot everything else. All I saw was him, and all I felt was the raw truth of his words. My eyes stung, not from the rain, but from the overwhelming rush of emotions flooding me.

My trembling hand rose to his cheek, cupping it gently. Our foreheads pressed together, and I whispered, my lips quivering, “Just take me home, Damien. It feels so cold out here.”

His arms tightened around me, and without another word, he swept me off my feet in a bridal style and carried me to the car. Again!?

The streets were quiet as we drove home; the muffling sound of the storm and thunderbolts could be heard every second. Rain trickled down the windshield and windows.

Everyone else must have been at the party, not knowing the secret we have been keeping to ourselves and living in.

A world where love could ruin us both. For a second, I wished he was just a random guy I fell in love with…forbidden love is the most painful.

When we reached home, I rushed inside; I was freezing up from the cold, and right now I was so desperate for warmth. I quickly pressed the room heater, and it came on, but I guess that wasn't enough.

The urge to dive into a hot bath was overwhelming, but Damien stopped me, holding out a towel.

“Dry your hair first,” he said softly, almost pleading. “You’ll catch a cold if you don’t.”

I hesitated for a moment but obeyed, rubbing the towel against my damp hair as he watched me with that same mix of guilt and longing. His eyes never left me. And I couldn’t even look away.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked quietly.

I looked up, meeting his gaze. My heart squeezed painfully. “If you really cared about that, Damien… you would’ve gone with me tonight.”

He flinched slightly, guilt flashing across his face. His hands slipped into his pockets as I watched him change his shirt to a new one. His body, oh God!

His shoulders were tense. “I know… I’m sorry. I knew that might be the problem. That’s why you were angry. I just…” He paused, struggling for words. “I just wanted to keep this private for now. I haven’t figured out a way for us to be together. But I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

I cut him off, my voice firm. “But do you want that?”

He blinked, startled. “What?”

“Do you want us to be together?” I repeated, my voice steady even though my chest was pounding.

For a long moment, he just stared at me, his lips parting in shock. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face. He stepped closer, his eyes burning into mine.

One of his hands slid to the back of my neck, his touch warm against my skin. The other wrapped around my waist, pulling me firmly against him. My breath hitched as our bodies closed the distance.

“You really have to ask me that?” he whispered, his forehead brushing mine. His lips were so close I could feel the heat of his breath. “Do you not already know how I feel about you?”

Gladys’s POV

Who the hell told Clarissa that she could do me like that? For all I care, she thinks she’s the woman now. She thinks she’s the most famous girl. She thinks she’s the queen now. But I’ll make sure I teach her a lesson, a lesson that’ll remind her that I’m still the queen, no matter what.

I was still fuming as I left the police station. They held us for almost thirty minutes before releasing us, saying we needed to sober up.

But I hadn’t even touched alcohol. None of that mattered. What mattered was the humiliation, the way Damien had sided with her. I loved him…my secret crush!

My hands shook with rage. He actually chose her over me.

Fine. If that’s how he wants to play, then I’ll make sure I ruin them both. The love between a professor and his student? Scandalous. Disgusting. And I’ll make sure everyone knows. If I don’t get to the principal first, then I’ll expose them myself. I have ways. I will make sure of that!

Just then, something caught my eye through the window as I walked past.

Outside, under the pouring rain, I saw them. Clarissa’s hands looped around Damien’s neck, their foreheads pressed together. Their faces were too close and too intimate. My heart clenched with fury. I hate this bitch!

“This is perfect,” I whispered to myself, pulling out my phone. My lips curled into a cruel smile as I quietly pushed the door open, stepping closer for a better angle.

Click. I snapped both of them. Yes!

The picture was mine, and I will make sure I use it wisely and as proof of their dirty little secret.

I grinned, my pulse racing with malicious delight. “Now, let the game begin.”