Chapter 23 A SHOW.
\~~~SERENA.
“What are… What are you doing?”
I mumbled the words the moment I got to where he stood, my voice barely louder than the pounding of my heart. I looked around instinctively, and my chest tightened.
God, there were so many people.
Students had gathered in small clusters, pretending not to stare while very obviously staring. Some were whispering, some were smiling, some were shamelessly recording with their phones and it felt like the ground beneath my feet had shifted.
This was not helping at all.
My heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. I could feel the heat creeping up my neck, spreading to my cheeks.
I felt shy, awkward, and painfully aware of myself.
I have never been placed in the midst of such drama before.
No, I had never experienced such a public display of… affection or whatever this may be.
Damien, on the other hand, looked completely unfazed.
“I passed a floral store and thought of you, so I got you this,” he said calmly, extending the bouquet toward me like we were alone and not in the middle of a crowded campus.
My eyes dropped to the flowers, and then back to him.
Then to the flowers again.
He thought of me?
The thought alone made something flutter strangely in my chest.
“Is this a part… of the facade to make our relationship seem believable?” I asked, my voice low, almost lost in the noise around us.
“Take,” he urged gently, pushing the bouquet closer to me.
I hesitated for a second longer, then finally collected it. My fingers brushed against his, and I sucked in a breath before exhaling slowly.
The soft and familiar scent hit me immediately.
“You like flowers,” he stated.
My eyes snapped up to his face, and I tilted my head slightly. “How would you know that? I don’t remember telling you that.”
I looked back at the bouquet, and my breath hitched.
Iris flowers, my favorite.
Ryan had never gifted me one before. Not once. Even though he knew I liked them. I had told him countless times, casually, excitedly, like it mattered.
‘Flowers are useless, babe. I know what is better.’
His words echoed clearly in my head, like they had been waiting for this exact moment to resurface.
And instead of flowers, Ryan had gifted me customized necklaces. Every single year. Necklaces with his initials engraved boldly on them. Like I was something that belonged to him.
God.
How had I not seen it sooner?
How had I mistaken control for love?
“It is not so hard to study you, is it?” Damien said simply, watching my reaction closely.
I swallowed.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
I nodded before I even realized it, a smile forming on my lips without permission. “I love it.”
And I did. More than I wanted to admit.
“When will you be done with class?” he asked, glancing briefly at the crowd that had grown even larger. “Do you want me to take you away?”
I laughed softly, mostly out of nerves. “And where would you possibly take me to?”
“Anywhere you want.”
The ease with which he said it made my stomach flip.
“I have a lecture coming up,” I said after a moment. Then I turned around and pointed toward the cafeteria entrance. “And there…” I added, lowering my voice, “That is my best friend, Maya.”
Maya noticed the gesture almost immediately. She froze for half a second, then her face lit up like she had just witnessed magic. She waved at us enthusiastically, jumping slightly on her feet.
Damien followed my gaze and nodded once, acknowledging her presence.
We talked for a while after that.
He asked about my classes and I told him how stressful school had been lately. About nothing and everything at the same time. Despite the crowd, despite the noise, it felt strangely… easy.
“I will let you be,” he said eventually. “You should not be late for class.”
Relief and disappointment hit me at the same time, and I hated myself a little for it.
“Okay,” I nodded. “Thank you… for the flowers.”
I turned slightly, preparing to leave.
That was when it happened.
He closed the space between us so suddenly that I barely had time to react. One second, he was standing a step away. Next, his hand was on my waist, his body close, his presence overwhelming.
Before I could process it, his lips brushed against mine.
Soft, brief, and warm.
My mind blanked.
“W… what are you…” I nearly choked on nothing when he pulled away, my breath uneven.
“Giving the audience a show,” he said calmly, like he hadn’t just kissed me in front of half the school.
Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he leaned in again and kissed me once more. Slower this time and gentler, just enough to make my knees feel weak.
I stood there, frozen, my face burning, and my heart racing wildly.
“You’re as red as a tomato,” he commented with a slight chuckle. “You may be on your way now.”
I didn’t answer, I couldn’t.
I just stood there, clutching the bouquet, and watching as he stepped back and headed toward his car. He opened the door smoothly, then paused.
“See you at home, moonlight.”
My throat felt dry. “Y… yeah. S… sure,” I cleared my throat awkwardly.
He got into the car, and seconds later, it drove away, leaving behind stunned students, whispers, and me.
I didn’t know how long I remained rooted to that spot. Seconds? Minutes? I wasn’t sure.
Everything felt unreal.
Then someone slapped my back, hard.
I winced instantly. I didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was.
God.
That girl communicates with her palm.
“Ouch!” I yelped.
“Are you for real?!” Maya exclaimed, gripping my shoulders and forcing me to face her.
“What?” I frowned, still dazed.
“Tell me,” she said, eyes wide, voice urgent. “Just fucking tell me the truth about you two.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“Tell me the two of you are not fucking in love,” she said, throwing her hands in the air, “because… what the hell was that?!”
I opened my mouth, then closed it.
Oh, here comes Maya and her dramas.