004

ISABELLE

I rolled over my bed, trying to stretch my body but my hand instantly hit something.

No, a creature. Or?

I jumped out of the bed, fear clouding my face as I tried to know what was beside me.

A creature?

That was definitely Lucas Graham’s hair. His back, revealing a build up of fresh abs.

My eyes widened, my hand flying to cover my mouth in disbelief. Lucas was lying on my bed, half naked, his abs staring at me beautifully and his cock…

What the fuck?!

I tried to say something, staring at his huge manhood, but my voice failed me.

He rolled on the bed, groaning and massaging his cock before he finally opened his eyes.

His blue eyes fell on me, looking so calm. He didn’t shout, flinch, or act surprised. And to make matters worse, he brought out his cock from his shorts, was it crazy to explain how his cock looked?

Absolutely yes. It was crazy, and I was not going to deal with it.

I averted my eyes away from his shamelessness while he continued to stroke his cock.

“Who the fuck opened the damn curtains?!” His deep, husky voice vibrated into my ears, sending shivers down my spine.

I cleared my throat, irritation clawing in my chest as I grabbed my notepad, getting ready to write.

*Why are you here?*

He continued to stroke his cock, biting his lip and staring into my eyes. “Huh? What type of dumb question is that? Have you lost your memory the way you lost your voice?”

I gulped at his choice of words, but of course, it didn’t affect me anymore.

Maybe it did. Just a bit.

My mind drifted to the scene from yesterday. We had been trapped inside my room, and after hitting hard on the door with no response, I had given up and gone to lie on my bed.

I remembered warning him to stay far away from my bed, but there he was—gallivanting and even making a scene in front of me.

“This is unacceptable!” I scribbled on my notepad, a frown creasing my forehead.

“No.” He shook his head, staring at me in a flirty manner. “What’s unacceptable is you not helping me ease my morning pain.”

He continued to stroke his cock, groaning out loud with pleasure while I stood there, watching him.

I didn’t know why I was still there, watching as he sexually pleased himself, but I could feel myself getting wet under his huge cock.

Gosh.

This was crazy. I couldn’t. I couldn’t possibly be thinking about this with someone who rather enjoyed causing pain to my soul.

“I see someone wants some.” I jolted out of my trance. He was already out of my bed now, adjusting his shorts. “If you want to get a better view, I can give you the best se…”

I shook my head before he could finish, rushing to the door. I tried opening it, and it was already open.

I pulled it wide and stretched out my hand, signaling for him to get out. He smirked, his eyes fixated on mine.

“Don’t be so stubborn, Isabelle. That’s the only thing that can make me communicate with you better.”

I raised my brow at him, forced irritation settling on my face as I scribbled.

“Leave.”

When he finally stepped out of the room, I sighed out loud, trying to conceal the sexual urge to call him back. No matter how much I tried to hate him, staring at his physique only made things worse.

I admitted it. He was once my crush.

Was.

The first time I came into college, I had drooled over him and still hated his guts. And now… he was—’we’were living together.

~~~

I dressed quickly —a pleated skirt, oversized sweater, sneakers I could slip into without thinking, my backpack fixed on my back.

I stepped into the hallway, pulling my door shut quietly behind me.

That was when I heard it.

“…why did you lock the door yesterday, Mom?”

Lucas’s voice drifted from downstairs, and my body froze mid-step.

“I know it was you,” he continued. “That lock doesn’t just turn itself. I’ve had numerous parties inside that room and yet the door never locks from the inside.”

His mother sighed. “Lower your voice.”

“Answer the question,” Lucas pressed. “Why?”

There was a pause.

“For everyone’s peace,” Lily finally said. “This family is new. Tensions are high. I didn’t want misunderstandings.”

Misunderstandings?

My fingers curled around the strap of my bag.

Lucas let out a short laugh. “So you lock two people in a room? That’s your solution?”

“You’re exaggerating,” she snapped. “Nothing happened.”

“Maybe not yet,” Lucas muttered. “But you interrupted my morning moments. That’s unacceptable for you.”

That was enough.

I forced my feet to move, descending the stairs as if I hadn’t heard a word.

I stepped into the kitchen and my father came up from the basement, wiping his hands on a rag. When he saw me, his expression softened immediately. “Morning, Izzy.”

I nodded once, avoiding his gaze.

“Did you sleep okay?” he asked gently.

I hesitated, then pulled out my notebook.

“Fine.”

Lucas leaned against the counter with his arms crossed and his jaw tight. His eyes flicked briefly to me, then away.

Lily stood by the gas, humming softly as she flipped pancakes. She turned and smiled warmly at me. “Good morning, sweetheart. Breakfast is almost ready.”

The word ‘sweetheart’ made me roll my eyes with irritation.

I shook my head and wrote quickly.

“I’ll eat at school.”

“You sure?” my father asked. “You should…”

“She has college,” Lily cut in smoothly. “She probably doesn’t want to be late.”

Then she looked at me again. “Lucas will drive you.”

The pen slipped from my fingers.

Drive with him? What was she trying to prove? That she could actually bring peace?

I glanced instinctively at Lucas. His mouth tightened, irritation flashing across his face before he masked it with indifference.

“That’s fine,” he said stiffly. “I’m heading that way anyway.”

My father smiled faintly, relieved. “That’s great. Saves time.”

I nodded slowly.

The car ride to school was filled with unfiltered silence. No radio. No talking. Everything felt flat, silent, and suffocating.

My body stayed rigid, careful not to trespass into his space. Distance was the only thing I had left.

His hands gripped the steering wheel too tightly.

After a few minutes, he exhaled sharply. “Just so we’re clear,” he said without looking at me, “this changes nothing.”

I stared out the window.

“I don’t like this,” he continued. “I don’t like you. I don’t like your dad. And I don’t like my mom pretending this is some fairytale.”

I stayed still.

“I’m dropping you off early,” he added. “I don’t want anyone seeing us together.”

The car slowed before we even reached the main entrance. He pulled over a block away from campus.

“There,” he said, already reaching for the door handle. “Get out.”

Without protest, I got out of the car.

The door shut behind me with a thud. He drove off without another glance, leaving me standing on the sidewalk, the morning air cool against my face.

I squared my shoulders and walked.

The moment I stepped onto campus, something felt… wrong.

People were staring and it wasn't the usual kind of stare. This was the kind that made my steps falter, confusion washed over me as my pulse began to race.

Was there a rumor?

As I passed a group near the entrance, one girl snorted quietly. Another nudged her friend, eyes flicking toward me, then down to her phone.

My chest tightened.

What was happening?

I took a few more steps before I saw it, a small crowd gathered near the benches, phones out, laughing and whispering names.

I slowed.

Someone near me tilted their screen just enough for me to catch a glimpse of movement.

A video.

My stomach dropped instantly, and I stopped walking.

A guy beside me watched it openly, earbuds dangling uselessly around his neck. My breath came heavy as I stepped closer, dread crawling up my spine.

My face…and Lucas’s face.

“Is Ms. Mute lusting after the school’s star player?”