Chapter 189 WILL THERE BE A SHOW?
AURORA’S POINT OF VIEW.
The second I stepped out of the car, I felt and heard it. There was a shift in the air, and it was caused by the piercing gasp of everyone staring at me. The collection of the student body of Ravenscroft High, the very people who treated me as if I were gum underneath their shoes.
“Who….the hell is that?” I heard a girl gasp, her wide eyes taking me in with every step we took together. Kai had a hand firmly around my waist, a clear possessive claim to everyone watching, telling them two words;
‘She’s mine.’
Another remarked; “Is that….I think that’s Aurora De la Vista.” I heard the guy whistle. “Looking good, noblese oblige kid.” He said, and I froze. Noticng that, Kai glared at him, giving him such an icy glare, I shivered even though it was not directed at me.
“No way! That’s not Aurora…. isn't she really ugly….I saw her two weeks ago, and she didn't look like THAT.”
“That’s it, green. See how they choke on it… Imagine how Morgan feels.” Kai whispered, bringing a smile to my lips. “I imagine she might have a heart attack before the end of the night.” He chuckled, the thought of Morgan feeling a bit of what I had….it made me giggle.
“But how the hell is someone like her with Kai?” Anthonia, one of Morgan's cronies, said. “Isn’t she like….too plain for him?”
“Yeah….Morgan said Aurora stole Kai from her by fucking him while they were still dating….yeah…and apparently, she was with some guy named Toby as well.” Morgan was spewing lies…shocking. I had not known what to expect, but I knew I could not put anything past her.
For a moment, my smile faltered, but Kai’s grip tightened firmly on my waist brought it back. “Do not let them see you crumble, green. I’m here… they will never come close.” He whispered, his words bringing me ease.
We walked slowly until we stopped right where the horsemen and the girls hung around. Sloane had a pretty pink tiara on her head, dozens of presents lined up around her as she giggled in Lucien's arms. He was so focused on kissing his neck that it looked like the world ceased to exist to him. My heart coenched with envy….I wanted that.
To be loved in such a way that a guy would look at me the way he looked at her. To feel safe, seen, protected…to never get cheated on by your boyfriend with your step-sister, even after you told him everything she did to you.
To be seen.
AURORA’S POINT OF VIEW.
My mind wandered, picturing such a life with an unfaced guy. However, something weird happened. Every time the image of a guy appeared in my mind, the guy would have Kai’s face. I drove the thought out instantly. If Kai got a whiff of these weird thoughts…..I do not know how he would react.
“Brother!” Caspian yelled the moment he saw Kai, his hands lifted, probably for a hug. Just when I thought Kai would welcome it, he punched Caspian in the side harshly. Two of them squared off, their faces morphed into tension. My heart lurched….are they going to fight?
Caspian and Kai seemed to be the closest amongst the horsemen….Lucien had Theo and Ace, but Kai and Caspian were always together.
“Oh, you poor ladies.” Ace mocked. “Are you going to kiss now?” He chuckled, sipping his drink while his girlfriend, Amara, stuffed her face with the meat skewers. “Babe, slow down.” Ace chuckled, his tone soft as he caressed her cheek.
“You crazy fucker. What the hell are you doing so late?” Caspian and Kai stopped with the square off suddenly, a genuine smile breaking on their lips as they finally hugged.
“I’m here to celebrate Sloane…and cause some fun,” Kai smirked, still not letting go of me, so he led me over to where Sloane and Lucien were.
Upon seeing Kai, Lucien paused with his kissing, a stone expression crossing his features. “You’re late.” He hissed. “You kept my girl waiting. Any last words?”
"Late? Please.” He scoffed, but there was that genuine smile while he spoke. He looked…home. A Mercer is never late, Lucien," Kai drawled, his voice cutting through the bass of the music around us. "Everyone else is simply early. Besides, you know how long it takes to create a masterpiece… You have done one yourself, anyway."
Lucien’s stone-cold gaze shifted from Kai to me. For a second, his eyes narrowed, scanning the high-shine fabric of my dress and the sharp, obsidian cut of my hair. I swallowed, every pore of my skin open with each passing second, and he glared at me. The silence from the King of Ravenscroft High was almost deafening.
I waited for it….he would insult me, or laugh, or say something rude, and kick me out….fuck…I’m screwed. Then, slowly, his expression softened, not into a smile, but into a look of genuine approval.
"I see," Lucien murmured, his arm tightening around Sloane, the latter who rolled her eyes playfully at her boyfriend, mouthing, ‘He’s so dramatic’ at me. I smiled, her warmth easing the tension in my bones. "Well played, Kai. You finally found someone who can actually handle the spotlight."
Sloane beamed at me again, her tiara catching the neon lights. "Aurora! You look... oh my god, you look incredible! I almost didn't recognize you!"
"Happy Birthday, Sloane," I managed to say, my voice steady even though every elite in the room was still burning holes in my back… even though the eight richest students in school were looking at me. Theo and Seraphina were in a world of their own, but they smiled at me.
"Don't mind them," Sloane whispered after pulling away from Lucien’s hold, even though he clearly did not like it. She winked at me, leaning in so only I could hear. "They're just doing what they do best: try to intimidate the new girl in the group.” She giggled.
“Girls, look who’s here…Kai’s girl!” she waved them over. Amara’s eyes looked me up and down, a wide smile on her lips as she nodded. “Good job….you look so good. And that body! Remind me to style you later.”
“Of…”
“Please don’t say no.” She interrupted, her lips pulled in a pout. “Sloane and Seraphina already make things so diffufily for me. and I cannot keep forcing Ace to put on a bra and hip pads, so I can imagine he’s a woman…..well…I mostly do that to bully him.” She snickered..
“Babe…we promised that it’ll be our little secret,” Ace whined. The guys howled at once. “Please, tell me you have a picture… You must show us! Ace did what?!” Theo practically jumped over to Amara.
“Oh, I have so many images… he looked so cute,” Amara replied, pulling her phone out, but before she could show anything, Ace made for it, grabbing it from her hands before standing behind me, using my body as a shield.
“Ace! Give my phone back already.” Amara rushed after him, and they began a chase. The sound of everyone's laughter, the sight of it….I must have had the same smile Kai had earlier… because for some reason, I felt it too.
I felt at home.
“Please, tell me tonight will come with some entertainment.” Theo stared at Kai, wiggling his eyebrows, a chaotic glint in the eyes of the duke.
“Matter of fact, there will,” Kai smirked, nodding his head behind me. I turned to look. Morgan was headed my way, her crew behind her.
“Ready for the show?” Kai stepped up to me.
“Always.”