Chapter 9: Sick

The sun was high and fierce, and our path to the canteen offered no shade. Consequently, my skin quickly reddened and began to sting. I quickened my pace because the heat was truly unbearable.

Upon entering the canteen, we immediately attracted the students’ attention. I ignored them and silently took my chosen seat, allowing Kyle to order. I pulled out my Dutchmill Proyo from my backpack.

I also ignored the whispers I could hear from my seat. I calmly sipped my Dutchmill and allowed myself to overhear the whispers about Kyle and me.

“Yvonne apparently slapped Kyle in the parking lot, and they were obviously fighting, have they made up yet?”

“Perhaps. They entered the canteen together and were holding hands.”

“Did anyone hear why she slapped Kyle?”

“Not really. But Yvonne must have had a serious reason to slap Kyle. She’s usually so quiet and composed, and she seems kind.”

A secretive smirk curved my lips. People this day can't shut up their mouth. Is it that really hard to shut up even for a moment?

Everyone seems to see me that way, except for my mother and father. They know me well as their only child. They know that I’m not kind, and they know that I can be wrathful, inflicting pain that cuts to the core when I retaliate.

Every student knows how soft-hearted I am, how polite I am, and how calm and quiet I am. But they didn’t know that I am all the opposite of the words with which they described me.

I am not a soft-hearted person, I might be the worst among my cousins because of the things I do. I’m not polite, to those who deserve it, yes, but not to those who don’t deserve the slightest respect from me.

Only two words they described me with are accurate, and those are my being quiet and calm.

My gaze shifted to the canteen entrance as some engineering students based on their uniforms entered. My brow furrowed, I thought they had their own canteen there.

The canteen then erupted with suppressed shrieks due to the arrival of three unfamiliar men. They were wearing their uniforms. My eyes met with a man who had a lip piercing, and our eyes locked.

My eyes narrowed as I recognized him, but I couldn’t remember when and where. But I’m sure I’ve seen him before.

I heard the chattering students again, and their voices reached my spot.

“Zach is really handsome!”

There were three of them, so who was the Zach they were referring to?

All of them were tall and I knew their lifestyles were not ordinary. Just by their attire, you could tell they were wealthy.

My eyebrows raised as the corner of his lips lifted. Before our gaze could last any longer, I quickly averted my eyes, right when Kyle arrived.

He probably saw my staring contest with the guy from the college of engineering. His forehead creased, his eyebrows met in the middle, and his jaw tightened as he glanced at the man I was staring at.

“Do you know that man?” He asked with his low baritone voice.

I immediately shook my head because that was the truth. I didn’t know him. I was just looking at him because of the screams and was caught staring when I saw the corner of his lips lift as if teasing me.

He spread the food he had ordered.

My regard for him soared as he took a seat opposite me. His eyes held accusations against me, and he often glanced at the man from earlier.

“What’s with your stare?” I smirked.

His eyes squinted at me, full of accusations. I almost stopped eating but I didn't. Man don't tell me, he will give that an issue?

“Your eyes are accusing me, don’t start with me,” I immediately threatened.

“What? You’re guilty right away,” he smirked back at me.

I laughed inwardly. As if I’m the guilty one. We’re both law students, but this man knows how to turn the tables and make me the one who’s cheating. He wants to play this game? Fine, I’ll play along. I'm not into games but I will really let us play this damn ruined relationship.

Let’s play dumb, Kyle. I’ll let you use that card for today, but the moment I get proof of your infidelity, you won’t even get to touch the tips of my fingers.

They say, ‘do not play with fire,’ as it’s dangerous. Now, I will be that fire that nobody can simply toy with or extinguish. I’ll burn your reputation the moment you do something I don’t like.

I’ll play with your victim card, Kyle. I know that move already. I’ve encountered many who are far worse than you in twisting reality. I’ve had enough. For four years, I let people mess with me and tarnish my reputation.

I don’t have friends or even schoolmates I’m close to because I don’t like being surrounded and I hate being deceived and backstabbed in the end.

With my calm demeanour, I looked intensely into his eyes. I raised my eyebrow. If there were people seated near us, they would instantly feel the tension between us.

“Guilty of what, Kyle? Can you be more specific?” I tried to hide my smirk.

I reached for the chicken and burger he ordered and began eating, not bothering to invite him to join me. His life is his own business.

“Are you the one who’s really cheating? You keep accusing me—”

“When? As I remember, I just asked you if you were cheating on me yesterday, and that’s not an accusation, I asked you and you answered me, that’s it,” I retorted.

He took a deep breath in annoyance. He was squinting so hard that I thought his eyes would disappear. This annoying man. I’m just looking for the right time to break up with him because I really can’t stand it anymore. We both treat each other as enemies, and it doesn’t feel like we’re boyfriend and girlfriend with the way we treat each other. Our situations making me sick.