Chapter 186 Stop doing this to me

Chapter 186 Stop doing this to me
Valeria's POV 
"I was so scared when I saw all those reporters. Like... it was just crazy," I said to Tessa as we walked down to the parking lot after school.

"That was not journalism. That was an ambush," she said. "No, because why were they all up in your face like that? I would have totally lost my shit."

"I'm telling you, I almost got a panic attack. A heart attack even."

"Don't mind them." She let out a breath and glanced at me. "So... about your dad. Are you gonna see him?"

I sighed, my fingers digging into the strap of my bag. "I don't know. Mom said I shouldn't involve myself, but I feel like... I've got to see him."  

"You can still see him if that's what you want. I mean, he's still your father, anyway."

"Yeah." I released a slow breath. "Can we stop talking about my—"

The rest of the sentence got caught in my throat as I saw who was standing beside my car.

Zayne.

My heartbeat skyrocketed instantly.

His hands were tucked into the pockets of his pants as his gaze stayed fixed on the floor. It looked like he was waiting for me.

"Val," Tessa called slowly, more like an alarm as she reached for my arm.

"What's he doing there?" I asked. 

"I have no idea," she said. "Just stay calm, okay?"

I pulled in a deep breath and willed my hands to stop shaking. Then I tucked my hair behind my ear.

As I slowly began to approach my car, he looked up immediately, his eyes meeting mine. He straightened his posture while still staring at me.

This was the closest I'd gotten to seeing him.

When I got to my car, I walked past him and reached for the car door. Tessa walked to the other side.

"Hey," he said, his voice low.

I ignored him. I opened the car door and dropped my bag inside.

"Valeria," he called. 

My hand stilled on the door. I shut my eyes, inhaling deeply. Then I shut the door and slowly turned to face him.

"Are you here to mock me too?" I asked. 

His brows furrowed, his expression shifting into disbelief. "You know I'd never do that."

"I no longer know what you can and can not do, Zayne."

"Valie. I'm... I'm sorry."

"Stop calling me that," I snapped.

"Fine. Can we at least talk?"

"There's nothing to talk about," I hissed through my teeth.  

His throat bobbed. "It's about our breakup. I want to explain why I had to do it."

"You already explained," I said, squaring my shoulders. "You said you were tired of me."

"That's not what I meant," he said, shaking his head.

"Then what did you mean, Zayne?" I demanded. "Because from where I was standing, you suddenly decided that whatever we had wasn't worth fighting for."

He licked his lips. "That's not true."

"But you said it," I snapped. "Look, I don't want to hear anything from you. Just let me be, okay? Just let me heal in peace and stop intruding every time I think I'm finally getting over you."

He sighed, then took a step toward me, but I immediately stepped back.

I gave him a warning look. "Don't you dare come any closer."

He stopped. "I know I made a mistake. That's why I'm trying to fix it."

"And I'm trying to move on."

That silenced him. He stared at me, his jaw tightening. 

"I've spent so much time trying to get you out of my head," I said. "Do you have any idea how hard that has been?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't really want to hurt you."

"What's the apology for?" I scoffed. "You're just gonna be... good with your words. And then what? I somehow stupidly get back with you, and then the next time you get a chance, you break my heart into pieces again."  

He swallowed. "I'm not asking you to get back together with me. I know it's stupid. That decision is totally up to you." 

I pressed my lips together, shaking my head. "Zayne... I don't think I've ever trusted anyone the way I trusted you. I gave you my heart, and all you did was just return it shattered." I paused. "I don't know if I can ever trust again because of you."

"I'm sorry," he said in a low tone.

I scoffed, shaking my head. "I'm tired of hearing that."

His eyes softened. "Sincerely, I'm sorry."

"I don't want to hear your apologies!" My voice rose, the anger I'd been trying so hard to hold back finally breaking through. "I don't want to hear you say you're sorry like that's going to fix anything!"

"Valie..."

"Stop!" I yelled, tears already gathering in my eyes. "Just stop!"

I'm pretty sure my yell attracted the attention of other students.

"Val," Tessa called softly.

I covered my mouth, trying to hold back the sob that escaped anyway.

"Stop doing this to me," I said, my voice cracking as a tear ran down my cheek.

"I don't mean to." His words slipped out in a whisper.

"Zayne," someone called.

I looked behind him to see Mrs. Fischer standing there, staring at the both of us.

I shook my head and immediately rushed into my car, slamming the door behind me.