CHAPTER 4

JAYDEN’S POV

“What the fuck is his problem?” Storming out of the class like the world was coming to an end.

“Not like it’s my problem though.” I couldn’t care any less about Zander and his little tantrums. Speaking of the devil, Zander returns looking so pale that one would think they drained away all color from his face.

“Hey golden boy” Marcus called, “What got you looking so pale? You seen a ghost”

Zander walks past him as if Marcus were nothing more than an actual brick wall. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Tristian trying to talk to him but I couldn’t exactly make out the words. Zander just stared straight ahead like a robot.

“Probably another stunt to get attention, as usual.” I tell Marcus.

“Why don’t you shut your mouth and pick up the phone?” Tristian says, “Pick up the phone like the puppet you are. Daddy’s calling.” I shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass.

“You don’t scare me, Sinclair.”

If there was something else I hated more than Zander and Marcus, It was my father.

My phone buzzed again.

I stared at his name until it stopped ringing.

A second later... It rang again.

I left the class without even asking for permission, scraping my seat loud enough that I was sure it was heard echoed through the entire hall. There was no way I was going to sit through the entire lesson with his voice coming through my phone.

The second I stopped in the empty hallway, I answered.

“What?”

“You wasted time in picking my calls.” my father said, his voice void of any emotion.

“I was in class”

“I don’t care about your whereabouts”

Of course he didn’t.

“Starting this Saturday, you’ll report to Sinclair Empire immediately after school.” I immediately frowned.

“What”

“You’re going to begin your training.”

“I’m still in school.”

“Did I stutter? You better start learning how to manage both.”

“You’ve got to be fucking shitting me.” I say as I let out a humorless laugh.

“Does it sound like I’m joking?”

Silence.

“You know you’re eventually going to inherit this company, Jayden. It’s time you started like it.

“Haven’t I made it clear to you and everyone else that I don’t want your company? I don’t want any stupid business Empire. I fucking love art, the same way mum used too.”

“You don’t get to have an opinion in this.”

My grip tightened around my phone and I wondered how it hadn’t already broken into pieces.”

“I’ve already signed the paperwork. You’ll begin as soon as you step feet into the building.”

“And one more thing,” he continued. “Don’t ever mention that woman when speaking to me.” Before I could say anything, the line went dead.

I stared at the screen for a few seconds before letting out a bitter scoff.

“Unfuckingbelievable.” I mutter to myself.

He never asked.

He decided.

He commanded.

And everyone was always expected to obey like dummies.

Putting my phone back into my pocket, I dragged my palm through my hair, “I need to attend a party before I actually lose my mind.”

 I headed back towards the classroom, convincing myself that there was no was the day could get any worse.

I was wrong.

Just as I was about to enter, the teacher looked up from the attendance sheet.

"Since this is your first week back, I'll be assigning partners for this terms project."

Please don't say my name.

"Mr. Hades, glad that you made it back in time to hear the announcement."

My stomach dropped.

“Zander Hades and Jayden Sinclair will be pairing up for the project this term.” I froze.

“SIR?! You’re kidding right?” Zander replied just before I could even say anything. Staring at me at the door like I was the one who personally ruined his life.

Funny.

Because I was thinking the exact same thing.

The teacher adjusted his glasses.

"Do I look like I'm joking, Mr. Hades?"

"With all due respect, sir," Zander began, "I'd rather work alone."

"So would I," I said at the same time.

Silence filled the whole room. I was sure if a pin dropped now, the whole class would hear it.

Marcus leaned over his desk, grinning at me like he'd just won the lottery. "I'd pay good money to watch this."

"Not now Marcus," I shot back.

"Oh, here we go," Tristian muttered from the back.

The teacher clapped his hands once, silencing the room.

"Unfortunately for both of you, this isn't a negotiation."

He walked to the whiteboard and wrote down the assignment. "Your project will take up thirty percent of your final grade. each pair will create an original piece inspired by the theme IDENTITY. Along with your artwork, you'll submit a written explanation of the meaning behind it.

Great.

"So unless one of you plans on failing my class, you'll learn to work together."

I glanced at Zander. He looked just as fed up as I felt.

The bell rang.

Students immediately stood, conversations erupting around the room.

Marcus slung an arm over my shoulder. "So..." he said, trying to hide his laughter, which he failed terribly to hide. "How's married life?"

I shoved his arm off.

"One more joke and I'm going to snap your hand off from its joint.”

“I’ll pass.”

Across the room, Tristian was already talking quietly to Zander. Zander nodded once before grabbing his backpack and walking toward the door.

He hadn't even turned around.

"The library. Four o'clock." He said it like an order.

A laugh escaped me. "I don't take orders."

"Then fail."

With that, he walked out of the classroom.

I watched him disappear into the hallway before shaking my head.

Cocky bastard.