Adrian Kingsley

With my nose buried deep in my books, I constantly jotted down the points on my notepad while avoiding the hullabaloo that was coming from the parking lot.

"The hell are they screaming for?! Irritating".

The sharp shrill of girls fangirling over the rich heartthrob had my ears bleeding. Unable to tolerate it anymore, I quickly collected my stuff and stood up to leave when my eyes caught sight of the celebrity for whom the whole chaos was about.

Adrian Kingsley

The most handsome, sexiest and richest bachelor of Chicago. His family is currently the ruling party of the county, so obviously, the boy sails in riches and has the world at his feet. Having such a powerful and dominant background will definitely reward you with fans, friendships and attitude, but also give you a massive and indestructible ego.

Like now, he parked his Harley right in the middle of the road and sauntered inside the university with his handful of cheerleaders singing praises for him. As soon as he left, a black SUV halted near the gate, and his bodyguards alighted. A few went behind him, while one went to park his bike. Perks of being a Kingsley.

Rolling my eyes, I headed to my destination. It's a daily thing. Our day starts with his grand entry because until the Richie Rich arrives, the classes don't start. Point to be noted: "His father is the owner of this university."

Entering the classroom, I, as usual, took my favourite seat, which is beside the window and started arranging my stuff. Well, I am Claire Benett, a 20-year-old girl with average looks but blessed with a brilliant mind. I am a prodigy, btw, but still come second in the class because obviously the university topper is Adrian. He doesn't own the rank one; it's gifted to him by the Dean, and I am helpless to defend my title.

It's not like I haven't tried. I have made numerous complaints, and once I even challenged the professors to arrange a one-on-one quiz battle with Adrian and see who's smart. But this idea was instantly rejected by the Dean, and soon the situation escalated and reached Mr Kingsley's ears. That's when the entire fiasco began.

I was threatened and blackmailed with getting blacklisted by all the universities of the city if I didn't hold back on the voice of justice. Since that day, I lost all my friends, all allies and turned into a bad guy who tried to tarnish the reputation of the mighty Adrian.

I used to hate it first and sometimes cry for the injustice I was being forced into, but with time, I got over it. But what I wasn't getting over was....

The table rattled, and so did my heart, as someone slammed his hand with full force right in front of me to gain my attention.

"Where's my assignment, nerd?"

And there he was, staring into my soul with a wicked smile playing on his lips.

As I was saying, since the day I made his complaint, I have been a subject to his constant bullying, and it was only turning more ruthless day by day.

Yes, the rich freak of the city was none other than my walking nightmare.

Adrian Kingsley.

"Hmmm?" He wiggled his thick eyebrows when he saw me zoning out. I slowly steadied my breath, calming myself down as I didn't expect him to suddenly appear in front of me.

"I didn't do it," I replied savagely and began picking up my stuff, which this jerk had thrown all over the ground. I could hear him scoff as he watched me keenly, ignoring his nasty existence.

"But I told you to do it, didn't I?" He spoke in an amusing tone. Well, that's what he does. He loves ordering me around, like telling me to complete his assignments, carry his bag, bring his food, prepare his favourite coffee, as I do a part-time job in the college's canteen and so on. And I, as usual, don't comply with the majesty's orders because I don't give a flying fuck about him.

I threw him a bored look. "You need to jog your memory, Adrian. Has there been a day in your life when I have actually listened to you?"

"And has there been a day in your life when I have let you live peacefully after you disobeyed me?" He countered and, in a flash, snatched my assignment.

My shock soon morphed into molten anger. I immediately sprang from my seat and tried to snatch it back, "Don't you dare."

I warned him with gritted teeth, but he only chuckled and raised his hands higher. I flailed my arms around, but he was way too tall.

Suddenly, a demonic glint entered his eyes as soon as Professor Lee's voice echoed in the room. I could see the wheels in his head turning.

It's definitely not going to end well.

"Don't you say I didn't warn you of the consequences of defying my orders," rasping in his deep voice, Adrian winked at me and turned to Professor Lee, whose eyes were already set on me, waiting for an answer.

"Professor, Adrian-"

"She stole my assignment, Professor."

THE ACTUAL FUCK!!!

My anger struck the rooftop at his blatant lie.

"THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING?? Professor, he's lying. That's my assignment. He, in fact, hasn't done his own and stole mine."

"Oh, really?" Adrian snorted as he turned his attention to me. "Guys, is that so?" Droning out, he called out to his minions, who immediately jumped to his aid.

"Yes, Professor. That's what she has been doing for the past twenty minutes." Lia, one of his friends, whom I am not sure he even considers as one, quickly defended him.

"Professor, you know how this girl is. It's nothing new for us." Roman, Adrian's closest friend butt in as he smirked at me.

I looked at him with full hatred, "Yeah, and it's nothing new for me also to see his puppies playing his advocates."

Roman's nostrils flared at my derision. He clenched his fists and charged towards me, but was stopped by the professor, who swiftly decided to take control of the situation.

"Mr Kingsley, being the captain of this university, it's your duty to maintain decorum. I shouldn't be teaching you this." He completely dodged the topic and scolded Adrian. I bit back my smile.

Though half of the teachers favoured Adrian, Lee was the only one who really liked me. Brewing troubles was Adrian's favourite job, but Professor Lee always managed somehow to pull me out of the mess by dirtying Adrian in the process.

Like today, he reminded Adrian of his authority as being the "university topper and best in all curricular activities"; he was titled the captain, which means he was the representative of our university.

Adrian's eyes flashed as he was highly offended by the professor's words. His face turned dark as he walked closer to him with a stern look marring his face.

"I think you didn't hear my words, Prof. She stole my assignment." He emphasised every word as he gnashed his molars in rage. With the authority in his fist, Adrian lived in his own delusional land where everyone was bound to obey him, and whenever he saw a spark of rebellion in someone's eyes, it would make him berserk.

But Professor Lee wasn't fazed by his intimidation.

"That doesn't give you the right to pick a fight with her. Let me decide what to do," saying that he said, extending his hand forward, "Hand over the assignment."

I smiled in victory as Professor glared at him. Adrian clenched his jaw tightly as he bristled with rage. He was on the verge of losing the battle since Professor would easily figure out by my handwriting that the work was mine. After all, I was his favourite student. But my smile slowly started waning when he didn't give the file to the Professor.

Mr Lee also started losing patience, so he tried to take the file from his hand when Adrian suddenly leaned forward and whispered something in his ear.

I furrowed my brows as I couldn't hear him, but I could see Professor tensing up. Putting up a triumphant smirk, Adrian then easily handed him the file and stepped back while Mr Lee watched him with an emotionless gaze.

I was confused as hell as to what was actually going on.

"Professor, see it. You can check it yourself. This assignment is mine-"

"Quit lying, Ms Bennett."

He suddenly hollered, leaving me startled. My eyes widened as I immediately opened my mouth to refute, but he beat me to it by throwing the file right in my face.

"Shut up. You are really the biggest troublemaker at the university. Ruining the campus's peace every day."

Tears flowed freely from my eyes as I didn't try to mask my sorrow. I could see his red face and piercing gaze through my blurry eyes as I shook my head in denial.

"I *sob* s-swear on my M-Mom, Professor... *sob* I... I didn't... Y-You... know *sob*... I..I didn't."

"Shut up. As a punishment for misleading your professor, you are going to write this assignment ten times, and I want it on my desk right in the morning, or else you will be debarred from my lectures for the whole semester. Understood!!!"

He practically screamed in my face, making me flinch in fear. I didn't even get time to defend myself as he stormed out of the classroom, leaving me alone in a pack of wolves who didn't even wait for his exit and burst into laughter.

"Aww, poor Claire."

"Runny nose, serves you well, sweety."

"That's what you get for messing with Ad."

Their hollow cackles and demeaning words stabbed into my soul as I wept inconsolably. What had I expected? Of course, Adrian holds the upper hand. I am sure he must have blackmailed Professor Lee because that's what he's best known for, but at least Mr Lee shouldn't have insulted me like this. He knew I wasn't at fault.

Unable to do anything, I picked up my books and bag with trembling hands while wiping my tears simultaneously. I could feel Adrian's heated gaze on me, watching my every move with satisfaction. That's what he gets after defeating me every time.

Contentment.

He fucking lives for it.

With slouched shoulders, I weasel out of the crowd to leave this hellhole when my eyes clashed with a pair of ebony ones that were gazing at me from afar. My steps suddenly halted as I stared at the only person present here whose eyes mirrored my pain. The past four years of silence still hadn't diminished the fragrance of the bond that once existed between us.

But was there any use in this?

Being a part of the crowd that was full of monsters, he always watched me getting bullied, slandered and insulted in the most brutal way with sealed lips. He never took part, but also never held my hand.

My gaze instantly hardened as I immediately averted my gaze and dashed out of the classroom while bumping into him. He immediately stepped back, giving me space, and I saw his hands reaching out for me as I stumbled. But I quickly balanced myself and ran away because I saw how his hands froze midway. Reminding him of the promise he made the day....

He ended his friendship with me.