CHAPTER 4: No Longer

EVELYN'S POV 

My mouth fell open, and for a second I just stood there, staring at him like he'd grown a second head.

"What?" I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

"You heard me," Damien said, his thumb still lingering near my cheek before he pulled it back. "You could stay with me until you find somewhere more comfortable.”

“And who says I'm not comfortable here?”

He glanced at me for a brief moment, then retracted his gaze. 

“You could take one of the vacant rooms at my private suite,” he said in a low voice. “You get your private kitchen, WI-FI, a door that locks. And literally no distractions.”

My mind went blank at first, then everything rushed in loud and clear.

Move in with Damien Knight… The same guy the whole school already thinks I’m dating? 

I’d literally be handing them gasoline and a match.

“I… I can’t,” I stammered, hugging my bag tighter. “People already think—”

“That you and I are a thing?” He finished for me, and a corner of his mouth lifted in an unbothered smirk. “Evelyn, people are always going to talk. You can either be miserable while they do it, or be somewhere quiet enough to actually study.”

Heat rushed to my face, and I let out a long sigh before lowering my head to the ground.

“I… I…” I stuttered, unable to find the right words.

“You know you could always think about it and get back to me,” he said with a small smile creeping at the corner of his lips. “You don't have to give an answer right now.”

What the…. This was the first time I'd ever seen him smile. Even after winning championships and lifting trophies, I'd never seen him smile.

Before I could give a response, he patted my shoulder and turned around. “See you later, Evelyn.”

“See you later…” I forced out, eyes tracing his every move before he finally disappeared from my sight. 

I headed towards the library, and I spent the whole time there unable to study. Damien's offer was too sweet to refuse, but I still couldn't help but think about how I'd be a spectacle for both schools. 

I was starting to pack my things to return to my dorm when Lilly suddenly burst in and squeezed onto the chair beside me, bumping her side against mine.

“What the fuck are you doing,” My brows furrowed at her. “We're in a library.”

She scoffed, raising a brow as she held my gaze. “And you think I don't know that?”

I couldn't deal with her craziness anymore, so I simply straightened and headed out of the library. Lilly galloped behind me, and when we finally got out in the open, she jumped on me and air gushed out of my chest.

“What the fuck?” I frowned, freeing myself from her grip.

“You know I'm never going to leave you alone until you tell me what's really going on between you and Damien,” she said.

“I've told you countless times already,” I snapped at her. “There's nothing to tell you.”

“Yeah…” she let out a low-pitched hum, then lowered her head with a smile. “You say that, but your face completely betrays you.”

“I'd like to go on my own from here,” I muttered, and she stopped without pushing further.

“See you in class tomorrow!”

“Yeah…” I waved without glancing at her. “See you in class.”

An unusual cold wrapped around me as soon as I set foot into the hallway leading to my room. I stood in front of my doorway for a few heartbeats before finally tilting the doorknob open as it felt like someone was inside already. When I stepped in, my room looked normal and my things were untouched, so I set my bags down and crashed into my bed.

I had just started to drift into sleep when the moaning started again. I clenched my jaws tightly, and I shut my eyes tightly, hoping to just block out the negativity.

Well… that didn't happen, I had no choice but to listen to my ex-boyfriend fucking my roommate. And here I was, lying on the bed totally helpless. 

I gritted my teeth as I finally concluded—if I continued to stay here, I'd definitely lose my scholarship, and that would definitely spell a wrap to my career. I shot to my feet, blatantly refusing that to happen. My hands shook as I picked my phone from the bed, and dialed Damien's number.

There was silence when the call went through, so I was forced to speak first.

“Hello…” my throat croaked, and my fingers curled tightly against my phone. “Am I speaking to Damien?”

“Yes, Evelyn.”

“I'm sorry about being indecisive earlier, but I'd really like to take on your offer, if it's still standing.”

He chuckled softly before finally speaking. “I told you earlier... the offer stands until you're ready.”

A sense of relief washed through me, but despite how much I couldn't help but think that he was just doing this to use me, I felt it would still be better than having to fail my exams once again.

“Then start packing,” he said calmly. “I'll be there in about thirty minutes.”

“What?” I blinked.

“You heard me,” he responded, his deep baritone voice reverberating in my ear. “Pack only the things you'll need for now. You can always come back for the rest later.”

“O... okay,” I whispered. “I'll call you when I'm outside.” Then the line went dead.

I stared at my phone for a long moment before finally letting out a shaky breath.

This was really happening.

I pushed myself off the bed and hurriedly pulled my travelling bag from beneath it. My clothes disappeared into it one after another, followed by my textbooks, laptop, notebooks, toiletries, and every other thing I considered important.

The loud moaning from Chloe's room never stopped once. And for the first time since everything happened, I didn't feel angry anymore. I just wanted to leave.

***

Almost thirty minutes later, my phone vibrated and Damien's name popped up on the screen.

“I've just arrived,” he said after I answered. “Take your time. I'm waiting outside.”

“Okay.”

I ended the call, grabbed my bags, and dragged them out of my room. Not once did I look toward Chloe's side. I wasn't interested anymore.

The evening breeze brushed against my face as I stepped outside the hostel and placed my bags beside me.

I folded my arms across my chest as I glanced at the street for any trace of Damien.

A few moments later, footsteps approached from behind. “Well... this is new.”

I didn't have to turn around to recognize Jason's voice.

“What exactly are you doing with your bags?” he asked.

I remained silent.

“Evelyn,” he tried again, but I still said nothing. 

He walked around until he was standing directly in front of me. “I'm talking to you.”

“And I'm choosing not to respond,” I replied flatly.

His eyes dropped to my suitcase before narrowing. “Where are you going?”

Before I could say anything, a sleek black SUV rolled to a stop a few feet away.

The driver's door opened, and Damien stepped out.

Jason's expression darkened instantly.

Damien barely spared him a glance before walking straight toward me.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” he said.

“You didn't,” I smiled, looking up at him.

His eyes shifted toward the luggage. “Is this everything?”

“For now,” I answered. 

“I'll get them.”

Before I could protest, he picked up my heavier suitcase with one hand and my backpack with the other as though neither weighed anything. He walked to the back of the SUV and neatly placed everything inside.

Jason let out a dry laugh.

“You're seriously not considering living with him, are you?”

I spared him a look just for a brief moment, then I turned away.

Damien closed the trunk, walked back, and opened the passenger door for me.

I climbed in without saying a single word to Jason.

A second later, Damien rounded the car, got into the driver's seat, and started the engine.

As we pulled away from the hostel, I caught one last glimpse of Jason through the side mirror.

He was still standing exactly where I'd left him, his fists clenched at his sides as he watched Damien drive me away, and I knew it right there—this was just the beginning.