Chapter 9

Drasa’s POV 

A sudden heaviness looped around my body as his cologne filled my nostrils.

My eyes darted around but landed on his face. My cheeks reddened even without him trying too much, and if care isn’t taken, my heart is going to explode from repeatedly breathing hard.

“You don’t want me as your man,” his voice breathed on my cheek, “but you won’t push me away even if I’m standing this close to you?”

The words felt like a blade to my body, and I shoved him away. He staggered back, just a little, before finding his footing again.

“I… I… I was…” I didn’t really know what to say to defend myself, but I hated this situation. I hated the way my heart beat for him. I mean, he was supposed to be my…

“You don’t even know what to say.” He took a step forward. “Just be my girlfriend. That’s not hard, is it?” He shrugged nonchalantly.

“As I said earlier, I’m not interested.”

I turned to leave. I expected him to stop me, but he only stared at me.

I stepped outside, the sunlight nullifying the shadows on my face, followed by a ripple of murmurs beside me.

“The white-haired girl just came out of Cassian’s building!”

“Don’t you think this is strange? He never allows any girl to step in, not even Elara.”

The fuck is happening?!

I tried not to dwell on the numerous comments, heading straight to my hostel, but the moment I got to the door, my legs became heavy.

My roommate would surely be inside the room, patiently waiting for me to come give her the explanation of how Cassian’s key got into my hand.

But I couldn’t stay outside either way.

I pushed the door open to meet its vacancy. She wasn’t inside. A relieved smile crept onto my lips as I dragged my body to the bed, slumping heavily on it.

I tried closing my eyes, but Cassian’s face kept drifting back. The way his lips ghosted over mine, his breath on my body, his smile. Everything lingered in my head and echoed into a loud gasp from me.

I tried hard, closing my eyes for sleep to take over. And soon, everything went blank.

—

I was woken up by the sound of my alarm, jolting me out of my body with force. My heart beat fast, and sweat drenched my body.

I picked up my phone to check the time, only to realize it was past 6 in the evening.

A loud noise fell from my lips as I grabbed my bag like I wanted to go to class, but I realized it was already late.

How could I miss class? It’s just my second day!

The sudden ringing of my phone brought my thoughts back to reality. I checked the caller to realize it was the manager from the club I worked at.

Oh shit, I was supposed to resume work by 6.

I inhaled loudly before sliding the green button and pressing the phone to my left ear.

“You better fucking get your ass here or else consider yourself fired!” His voice came out sharp, and he hung up without giving me a chance to explain myself.

Like I had something to say even if he gave me the chance.

I quickly stood up, darted to the bathroom, and splashed cold water on my face before changing into jeans and a simple top.

I grabbed my phone and bag before darting out of the house.

I headed to the junction and grabbed a taxi, giving the driver my direction.

The drive was silent. I just prayed inwardly for the manager not to yell at me in front of the customers. That would be embarrassing.

Soon, I was at the club’s front gate. I paid the driver and stormed inside, but the first scene I met made my legs halt.

Amelia was in the middle of collecting an envelope from Elara.

The two shifted their gaze to me, but neither seemed to care.

“Thanks,” Amelia murmured, shoving the envelope inside her apron.

Elara nodded before fully turning her gaze to me. She didn’t say anything. She just smirked and brushed past me.

“Amelia.” I called, taking a step forward. “What the hell did I just witness?”

“You came late and still making noise?” I turned to Clive to see the manager staring at me. “Get your ass together and start working. There are a lot of customers today!” he yelled before walking away.

I bit my lower lip, holding myself back from crying.

“Don’t feel too bad.” Amelia’s voice brought me back to look at her. I watched as she served a drink. “That’s his way of giving orders.” She smiled at me.

How dare she just smile?

“Can you explain the scene I saw earlier?” I asked. She seemed to be lost for a while, then smiled and dropped the tray from her hand onto the shelf.

“You mean Elara?” she asked, pushing the tray toward me. “Nothing much. She just wanted me to get a picture of you while serving the bald man in that corner.” She stretched her hand toward a corner, and my gaze followed to see a bald man with a white beard, his eyes mainly on me.

“What?” I raised an eyebrow. “How could you do that to me? I mean, how could you accept such a dirty job?”

Amelia seemed amused, then shoved her hand inside her apron, bringing out the envelope Elara had given her. “You call this dirty?” She raised the envelope. “Don’t dare say that when you can’t even afford a brand-new shoe!” Her voice was sharper, and my head dropped to look at my shoe, the front was already peeling.

I took a step back in embarrassment.

Amelia restored the envelope inside her pocket, taking back the tray. “She gave me money to do a simple task. Don’t hate me for that.” She smiled and stretched forward the drink. “Now take this and go give it to the man —he’s waiting for his order.” She smiled.

“No, I’m not going to take that! Never!” My voice half-yelled, and Amelia smiled.

“Come on, don’t be a fool. You just have to deliver this!”

“What’s going on here? Are you still standing there?” The manager’s voice roared behind me again, and I quickly snatched the tray from Amelia.

The last thing I wanted was to be sacked.

I turned toward the bald man, who kept smiling at me.

I walked toward him, then I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see Amelia holding out her phone, taking a picture.

Tears stained my lashes, but I tried to hold them back.

I placed the drink on the table, ready to raise my head when the man suddenly grabbed my hand.

“It’s nice having a pretty lady serve me,” he smiled, irritatingly. I shifted back, and the impact sent the tray and the drink crashing to the floor.

“I’m done,” Amelia smiled.

“The heck!” the bald man screamed, raising his hand to slap me, but Amelia caught his hand in mid-air.

“You’re not allowed to slap any of our employees… sir…” she smiled awkwardly.

“Can’t you see she just threw my drink away?”

“You caused it by grabbing her hand, so now respect yourself, sir…”

The man wanted to answer, but before he could, I ran out of the building, my footsteps echoing behind me like my heartbeat.

I ran until I was out of breath, placing my hand on my chest to breathe properly.

What the heck just happened?

Who is this Amelia girl? Why is she doing this to me, then supporting me later on?

I got no reply, but the sudden sound of heavy rain snapped my head up.

I couldn’t even think properly when the downpour started. I wondered what was happening.

My eyes searched around for a shield, but I saw nothing.

I turned to leave, but immediately I did, my head smashed into something, or maybe someone, and I suddenly stopped feeling the rain beating on my body.

I raised my head to see Cassian standing right there with a huge smile on his face holding an umbrella. 

Is he stalking me right now?

“The rain must be too much for you. I’m here to shield you from it.”