Talia gently tugged at your arm, voice tense. "Ren, let's go. He's full of shit."
You could've just get the fuck out of there right then and there. But somehow, you couldn't move. Your body tense, mind racing. A small voice in the back of your mind whispered one terrifying thought..
He.. knows? Is it about this morning—or—or that night—
So, instead of pushing the door—slowly.. almost mechanically.. you turned back. And you can see his devilish smirk had only grown wider.
Cockily, he gestured his finger so you came closer—and you exhaled before moving forward, feeling the tips of your finger starting to feel a little colder than before. He stepped closer, meeting you in the middle as his eyes gleamed with satisfaction as if he had already won.
"Obedient all of a sudden, huh?" he smirked, his voice dropped to a low mocking whisper.
Your fists clenched, lips parted to snap back, "If you're wasting my time—"
But before you could finish, Dominic leaned in close, so close that his breath brushed against your ear. He whispered something inaudible to everyone else in the room—but loud enough to send a shiver down your spine. Finally leaning away slowly.. his eyes never leaving yours as his smirk deepened. Arching his brows, he bounced them suggestively, clearly pleased with whatever reaction he'd managed to pull from you.
And without another word, you turned on your heel, and dragged Talia with you.
As Dominic sauntered back toward his friends, they were already seething, waiting for him with arms crossed and expressions of frustration. Tyler was the first to speak, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Great, Hunt. You've successfully wrecked the reputation of this trio by raging a disaster, and offending an entire group of lesbians that I actually respect—"
"Oh, she is not a lesbian," Dominic said with absolute certainty, waving a hand dismissively.
"Well what makes you so sure—"
"Because I've had sex with one," Dominic bragged casually while leaning back in his seat, crossing his arms behind his head.
Tyler threw his hands in the air, exasperated. "Fucking hell—"
Liam rolled his head back, staring at the ceiling as if seeking divine intervention. "Ok that's too much information, Hunt—plus, she said she's turning into one. Not the other way around—"
"How did you become such an asshole, man?! You embarrassed her back there!" Tyler cut him off. Patience wearing thin as he glared at the other blonde.
Liam, more exasperated than angry, carefully leaned in, "Dom, listen. We're sorry for earlier, okay? We didn't mean to annoy you that much—"
"Nah, nah. It's fine, my man."
Hunt waved them off, and the two bros shared uneasy glances. But the second they caught his smug grin—his eyes still fixed on where you had been standing—and their expressions shifted to suspicion. His voice, disturbingly calm, was followed by a low chuckle and an almost unsettling "Thank you." instead.
Tyler's eyes widened, darting his eyes at miserable Liam like they were dealing with someone completely unhinged.. before finally muttering under his breath,
"No wonder he's surrounded by psychos."
In the parking lot, you and Talia hurried toward the car—when an annoying voice pierced through from behind.
"I see you've been getting close to Dominic."
"What now," Talia groaned as you both turned around to find the source of the voice.
Standing there.. was a girl. Her icy blonde hair falls perfectly straight, framing a face that could belong on a porcelain doll. Gorgeous. Too bad her mean girl energy radiated through. Then, with a slight smirk playing on her glossy pink lips, her green eyes hold a calculating stare.
Mincing your eyes, you asked, "I'm sorry—but who are you?"
"I'm just a girl who's going to make Dominic mine," the girl scoffed, tossing her hair like she was in some Netflix teen drama.
"Oh my fucking—"
You couldn't help but stifle a roaring snicker—immediately glancing over at Talia, who was also trying not to burst out. Not only did you get a mortifying evening with the guy, now you had to stumble upon his fucking minion. Great.
The girl crossed her arms, glaring. "I saw you up there! Getting your hands all over him! I've been working so hard to get him—but you just slid in without any effort! Slide your way back out of his life, bitch. I mean it."
"Girl, are you in sales?" Talia couldn't help but blurt out, causing the girl to retract her head in dumbo confusion. "There's no need to work so hard over some boy, girl. Where's your pride?"
The girl's face reddened. But before she could even snapback, you drew a hand to her face. "Hold up. Are you his girlfriend or something?"
"Not yet, but—"
"When you finally get some sense in your head, then you're allowed to talk to me."
Talia, barely containing her laughter, threw an arm around your shoulder as you kept shaking your head in mocking disbelief, causing the girl to shake with anger.
"Oh, it's on, bitch! You've messed with the wrong girl! Remember my name, alright?! It's Ana! And we'll see who will win!"
You nearly gagged. For a second, you were too stunned to react. People like her actually exist?
"Are you stupid?! Urgh—no way in hell I want him! Did you not see how we—" you turn to Talia—punching the air in uncontained frustration while she was already storming off. Massively annoyed by the silly encounter, you yelled after her, "Ugh—nevermind! No point talking to delulus! How the fuck this campus full of delusional people?!" you sighed, still processing the insanity. Turning your head in severe anxiety, the two of you start to move to your car once more.
Finally getting into the car at a staggering pace, Talia turned to you, "Ok now—spill. What did he say to you—"
"Fuck, Tal. He knows it's us." you revealed, scrambling to turn on the keys.
Talia blinked, confused. "What?"
Turning to her in panic, you shout, "The announcement!"
"Fuck!" she shouted as you desperately tried to start the car, "No no no no this can't happen. We're screwed if he knows!" Talia sat frozen, staring ahead in a daze.
Trying to calm down yourself, you took a moment, and exhaled. Until finally you opened your mouth, "Ok. I—have finally calmed down. No worries. Doesn't matter. He's irrelevant." With one last twist, the engine roared to life, and a relieved sigh escaped you.
However Talia stared at you with irritated disbelief, and by her sus silence, you reluctantly turned to her.. to find her already staring at you in disappointment.
"Girl?" Talia finally spoke, her voice strained. She looked at you helplessly, waving her hands in the air in exasperation. "You really don't know who he is?"
Only to be greeted with a stupid look on your face. You blinked, completely lost. Talia groaned in disbelief, rubbing her temples. "He's Dominic Hunt, Renataaaa!"
"Who?"
"Oh my God." Talia groaned, looking like she was going to lose her mind. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed your shoulders, eyes piercing you like an angry Labubu. "You might want to hold onto something right now."
Your hand immediately fumbled for something to hold onto—and ended up spreading a whole palm on the window awkwardly.
Talia raised an eyebrow at your ridiculous choice. "Out of all the things in this car you choose—"
"JUST TELL ME!"
You yelled, shaking your body with impatience, your curls flaunted everywhere. Talia closed her eyes, inhaling, preparing herself for you. Until she opened her eyes and decided to lay it bare on the ground.
"He basically owns the place."
Eyes narrowing in skepticism, you snapped, "Place—define the place why you—you mean the bar—"
"The campus, Ren. His family's the highest investor."
Your eyes widened—not too long before your jaw actually dropped on the car seat. Your soul plummeted as if you've been riding a Hysteria ride. Your body felt incredulously light, feeling as if you just fell right back to your seat.
For a moment, you couldn't speak, automatically stared back at the bar door, still trying to process what Talia had just told you—
Just as he exited the damned door.
And of course—as if from some Higher power, his gaze unintentionally locked with yours. Damn this clear windscreen. For a moment, he paused. Before that same.. devilish grin from earlier creeped across his face. And then, just like that.. he winked, leaving you limp in your car seat as Talia.. once again.. plummeted your soul out from your body.
"He owns the whole campus."
Thank you for reading! Don't forget to vote, comment, and add to your library!
Check out some additional content on social media:
Cecylia Costania @rcpcs
You can elevate your experience by also listening to songs I added to this story's playlist! I'll reveal the Playlist by the end of this story, so.. Stay Tuned!
The song that matches this Chapter's vibe: