42

Garber’s POV

The cafeteria was buzzing, filled with mindless chatter, the clatter of trays, and the occasional burst of laughter that grated on my nerves. None of it mattered as I turned to Mia, who was seated across from me, biting into an apple with complete disinterest.

"Would you like to come to dinner with me tonight?" I asked, keeping my voice even.

Mia paused mid-chew, her brows lifting in amusement. She swallowed, then smirked. "Why?"

Of course, she was suspicious. She knew damn well I didn’t want her—never did. But my sister had invited her, and for once, I was praying that they got along. Because if they didn’t… Mia might just expose my secret. The secret I hadn’t even dared to ask how she knew.

“Rina invited you,” I answered, watching her reaction closely.

Instead of questioning it, Mia’s smirk widened. “Oh? That’s cute. I’d love to meet your sister.”

She had no idea what she was walking into. No idea that my sister saw any and every female as competition—including our own mother, who had long since resigned herself to playing the submissive role just to stay alive. And the reason Rina had been sent to that prison-like school in the first place? Because she had killed someone—another female—out of pure, unfiltered jealousy.

But Mia? She was still oblivious, grinning like she had just won some sort of prize.

Then, as if reconsidering, she looked around the cafeteria, her gaze scanning the crowd. “Hmm… the audience isn’t complete. Ask me again in class,” she said. “You sounded a little desperate just now. People might get the wrong idea and think you actually need me there.”

She didn’t see any reason to be scared. She had gang ties—connections that made her feel untouchable.

I nodded without thinking, then turned back to my food. But before I could take a bite, she leaned in and murmured, “Don’t you want to know how I know?”

My grip on my fork tightened. I had been avoiding this. Dreading it. Still, I forced myself to shrug. “If you want to tell me.”

Mia let out a small laugh. “Damn, you’re learning.”

She twirled her apple core between her fingers before tossing it onto her tray. “I was suspicious from the moment I saw you at the club. You and Luis? There was something there. And since then, I’ve been watching you.”

I clenched my jaw.

“It was just a hunch at first, but your reaction every time I mention Luis? How you act when he’s around? You gave yourself away,” she taunted.

My stomach twisted. The realization that I had been so obvious made me feel sick.

She tilted her head, watching me like a predator playing with its prey. “Next time, try not to be so damn readable. You’re a fool, Garber.” Then she laughed in my face.

Something snapped inside me. Without a word, I stood up, my chair scraping against the floor. Ignoring the eyes that followed me, I strode out of the cafeteria, heading straight for the living room to clear my head.

As I walked, I thought about Luis standing up for himself earlier. The way he had looked—determined, unwavering. A small smile tugged at my lips despite my frustration.

Who wouldn’t be a fool for him?

I kept moving until I reached the restroom. When I pushed the door open, I froze.

Luis was there.

For a moment, I just stared at him, remembering the first time we were in this position. But this time, it felt like I was the one having a mental breakdown.

I walked in and washed my hands, waiting. I wanted him to notice me, to say something. My eyes darted around the restroom, ensuring we were alone.

When I turned back to him, I saw it—his lips were slightly parted, like he wanted to speak. Our eyes met.

Who wouldn’t be a fool for him?

Before I could think, I moved. My body acted before my mind could catch up, and I crashed my lips against his.

For a second, he resisted. His lips were tense, unyielding. But then, I murmured, “Luis, please.”

And just like that, he melted.

He kissed me back.

It was heaven.

But heaven was short-lived.

Luis shoved me away, panting. “Fuck you.”

“Luis—”

“First, you trap me in here, then you reminisce, then you accuse me of messing around? If anyone’s guilty of that, wouldn’t it be you? You have a fucking girlfriend, man!”

His glare was sharp, cutting through me like a blade.

“Or are you trying to get me into more trouble? Was it you behind the pictures?”

Accusation.

I flinched. How could he think that?

He didn’t look like the Luis I used to know—the one who shrank at any conflict. No, this Luis stood firm, unshaken.

I shook my head, desperate to erase the suspicion in his eyes. “No. I would never do that. And I didn’t mean it like that.”

I reached for his elbow, but he yanked his arm away. “Don’t touch me!”

My stomach twisted into knots.

“Look, I’m done with your mind games. You have a girlfriend, so what the fuck are you whoring around for? Have some pride, man!”

“You kissed me back, though,” I shot back, retreating into my defense mechanisms.

“So what?” His voice was bitter. “What, you’re gonna hold that over my head? Use it against me every chance you get? Fuck you.”

He stormed toward the door but stopped just before opening it.

“If you want me, stop sneaking around trying to get under my skin. Fucking come out because this is the last time I’ll do anything sneaky with you, you cheating bastard.”

Then he slammed the door behind him.

The sound echoed in my chest, as if sealing his words permanently into my heart.

I’d messed up before, but never like this.

Never had he reacted this strongly.

A small voice in my head whispered, But at least he admitted to wanting you.

I clung to that thought, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t enough.

I turned to the sink and washed my face, staring at my reflection.

I didn’t even ask how he was doing before pissing him off. I didn’t even know where he went.

My head ached.

“Ugh,” I groaned and pushed open the door—only to bump straight into Rolland.

The last person I wanted to see.

His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held something I couldn’t place.

“Give him some space,” Rolland said, his voice calm.

“Fuck you. Mind your fucking business,” I snapped, shoving him aside violently before storming off to class.

My mood was ruined.

I barely looked around before spotting Mia. If this was what she wanted, then fine.

“Should we go to dinner?” I asked, voice void of emotion.

Mia’s eyes widened in mock surprise. “I can’t believe you love me so much you’re introducing me to your family so soon.”

Around us, people started murmuring.

And just like that, the rumors took on a new life of their own.