Chapter 19

Drasa’s POV 

I stared at the message for what felt like three whole minutes, trying to make sense of what he was saying but I couldn’t. 

Yesterday, he stood in front of his friend and called me a slut, and now he suddenly wants to act like a saint? For what? Is that supposed to erase the humiliation, the sting of his words, the way my chest had felt like it was being torn open in front of Kai?

He made it clear, painfully clear that he didn’t want me. So why is he now trying to come up with some petty excuse to smooth it over?

No. I’m not going to let him do that. He doesn’t get to hurt me and then rewrite the story like he’s the one who’s sorry.

With my mood boiling in anger, I slid off his messages and shoved my phone deep into my bag before storming out of the room.

 I tried to let the thoughts go. I really did. I told myself to focus, to walk with purpose, to push everything out of my mind. But it didn’t work. The more I tried to forget what happened, the more it came crashing back like waves drowning me all over again.

By the time I got to class, I was relieved to find the lecturer hadn’t arrived yet. I walked in, and of course, the moment I entered, all eyes were on me. The whispers started again low, sharp and merciless. But I didn’t care. I didn’t flinch. Let them talk. 

I walked to the last row, knowing damn well that even if I sat at the front, no one would want to sit beside me. I curled into my seat, head lowered, hoping to let go of the thought that won’t leave my head. 

When the lecturer finally walked in, I was oddly grateful. Grateful that Cassian and Elara were nowhere to be seen. I could finally breathe. Finally listen. 

I grabbed my pen and started jotting things down, word for word, trying to let the lecture swallow me whole.

But then the door burst open.

And there he was.

Cassian stepped inside the room, and my head, without permission, turned to him. Our eyes met. He smiled. A slow, easy smile like nothing had happened between us yesterday. Like he hadn’t shattered me with one cruel sentence the night before.

My stomach twisted.

The lecturer told him to find a seat, and I watched with silent panic as Cassian nodded and began walking in my direction. He didn’t even hesitate. He came straight to the back and sat beside me. He smiled again, opened his notebook, and acted like everything was normal.

“Cassian,” the lecturer called, narrowing his eyes. “Are you sitting at the back?”

Cassian blinked, looking caught off guard, then shrugged. “Yes. Is there anything wrong with that?” he asked casually.

The lecturer gave a faint chuckle. “No, nothing. I just wasn’t expecting it, that’s all.”

Cassian nodded and turned away, brushing the moment off like dust from his shoulder.

I stared straight ahead, my pulse thudding in my ears. I couldn’t hear the lecture anymore. I couldn’t even hold my pen right. My body had started shaking again. I didn’t want to be near him. I didn’t want him beside me. Not after last night

“Drasa,” his voice came softly from beside me, his breath warm against my ear. My entire body jolted. I refused to look at him, my eyes pinned to the notes I could no longer understand.

“Are you ignoring me now?” he whispered again, almost amused. I clenched my fists on my desk, still not giving him the satisfaction of a glance.

He kept talking, quietly, persistently, until I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned my head to finally shut him up but before I could speak, the lecturer’s voice boomed across the room.

“Drasa! Are you talking in my class?” he barked.

I jumped in my seat.

Cassian said nothing. 

I panicked and quickly blurted, “No, sir, I’m not talking!”

The lecturer raised a brow at me. “So, you’re saying I’m lying now?”

“No, sir! I….I just meant that I wasn’t talking.”

He narrowed his eyes for a moment before nodding. “Don’t let me catch you again. Or that’s the end of you attending this class this semester.”

I swallowed hard and nodded quickly.

Cassian smirked and finally opened his book. But I couldn’t focus anymore. Not with him beside me. Not with his eyes flicking over to me every few minutes. It felt like he was holding himself back from touching me and that tension made my skin crawl.

As soon as the lecturer stepped out, I grabbed my bag, eager to leave, but Cassian’s hand shot out and grabbed mine. Before I could react, he pulled me down onto his lap.

A gasp escaped me, sharp and panicked, but his hand clamped over my mouth.

“Don’t call attention,” he whispered into my ear, his breath brushing my skin.

His other hand slid into my hair, and my whole body stiffened. I couldn’t breathe properly. Every nerve felt like it was catching fire. The hairs on my body stood up straight.

“Stay still,” he whispered again.

But how could I? I was on his lap, and I could feel his bulge pressing up beneath me. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. He was aroused and his cock kept knocking on my laps. 

What the fuck is he trying to do!