Chapter 5

Arielle Brooks

“I didn’t regret the kiss.”

That’s what his note said.

I must’ve read it ten times, trying to convince myself it was just another mind game. But every time I tried to ignore it, my heart beat faster.

This wasn’t part of the plan.

I was supposed to hate him. Avoid him. Escape him.

But now?

Now, I couldn’t even look at him without remembering the taste of that kiss. The way his fingers brushed my skin. The way his walls cracked — even just a little.

It wasn’t love. No.

It couldn’t be.

But it was something. And that scared me more than hate ever could.

Next Morning – At School

“You saw his note, didn’t you?” Mira asked, skipping beside me as we walked across the courtyard.

I tried not to smile. “What note?”

She gave me a look. “Girl. You’ve been floating all morning. Don’t play.”

“I’m not floating.”

“Right. You’re just gliding gracefully like a Disney princess.”

I rolled my eyes. “He probably didn’t mean it.”

“He did,” Mira said without hesitation. “You think Xavier Knight writes notes to just anyone?”

I shrugged, but my face was on fire.

Then, like magic, his car pulled into the school parking lot.

Xavier stepped out in his usual casual perfection, messy hair, loose tie, eyes scanning the crowd.

And then they landed on me.

For a second, we just stared.

And I felt it again — that pull. That stupid, dangerous gravity.

But I quickly looked away.

Because no matter what that kiss meant, or how soft his eyes had been, I had to remind myself of one very important rule:

You can’t fall for Xavier Knight.

Ever.

Cafeteria – Lunchtime

The whispers started the moment I stepped into the lunchroom.

“She’s glowing.”

“Bet they hooked up.”

“I heard they’re already living together.”

I tried to block it out as I joined Mira at our usual table.

“I’m thinking about applying for that scholarship competition,” I said, trying to change the subject.

“Is that the one in Seoul?” she asked.

“Yeah. If I win, I could get out of here… maybe even study abroad.”

Her eyes widened. “Wait, seriously? That would mean”

She didn’t finish. We both knew what it meant.

If I left, I’d be walking away from all of this. The fake marriage. The deal. Xavier.

Part of me ached at the thought.

The other part? Relieved.

Later That Day – Art Studio

I stayed behind after class to work on my piece — a portrait I wasn’t sure I’d finish. The eyes were too sharp. The mouth too familiar.

It looked too much like him.

I was so lost in it that I didn’t hear footsteps behind me.

“You're getting better,” Xavier’s voice said softly.

I jumped, nearly smearing the paint. “God, don’t sneak up on people.”

He smirked. “You looked like you were in another world.”

“I was.”

He stepped beside me, glancing down at the half-finished painting.

“Is that supposed to be me?”

“No.”

He gave me a slow, knowing look. “Liar.”

I picked up a rag and wiped my hands. “Why are you here?”

He leaned against the table, too close. “I wanted to talk.”

“About?”

He hesitated. “Last night.”

I crossed my arms. “The kiss or the note?”

“Both.”

I swallowed. “Xavier, this isn’t real. It can’t be.”

His gaze darkened. “Why not?”

“Because you’re you, and I’m… me. You said it yourself — this is all for show.”

His jaw tightened. “That’s what I thought. But then…”

“Then what?”

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he turned and walked out without a word, leaving me with my racing heart and unfinished painting.

Xavier Knight

I wasn’t used to being ignored.

I wasn’t used to chasing anyone.

But here I was — chasing a girl who barely looked at me twice a month ago.

What was wrong with me?

I’d kissed Arielle because it was smart. A distraction. A headline.

But it felt like more.

It was more.

And every time she pulled away, I wanted to pull her back in.

Later That Night – Knight Mansion

I was halfway through a call with my father’s PR team when I heard a loud knock downstairs.

Seconds later, a maid came up the stairs and whispered something about Bianca at the door.

“Let her in,” I said with a sigh.

Bianca stormed into the living room like she owned the place. Her heels clicked, her perfume too strong.

“I saw your little kissing stunt,” she snapped. “You’re embarrassing yourself.”

“Bianca”

“You think this fake marriage will save your dad’s image? It won’t. You’re destroying your reputation over a girl who doesn’t belong in our world.”

I stood. “That’s enough.”

She stepped closer. “I still love you, Xavier.”

I blinked. “You’re serious?”

“You and I are inevitable,” she whispered. “You’ll see that. She’s just temporary.”

I clenched my fists. “You don’t get to decide that.”

Then I turned and walked away, leaving her speechless.

Because in that moment, I realized something terrifying:

Arielle Brooks might not be temporary.

Next Morning – Xavier’s POV

I arrived at school earlier than usual. I needed space. Focus. But the second I stepped out of the car, my phone buzzed.

It was a message from Bianca.

“If you don’t end it soon, I’ll make sure the truth comes out.”

I stared at the screen, rage building.

she didn’t scare me.

But Arielle?

She could get hurt in all this.

And I didn’t know how to stop it.

Arielle Brooks

I was in the library when I got the message.

“Meet me on the rooftop. Alone.”

It was unsigned, but I knew who it was.

I shouldn’t have gone.

But I did.

Because I was tired of questions. Tired of confusion. Tired of pretending I didn’t feel what I felt.

Xavier was already there, pacing.

He turned when I stepped out.

“You came.”

“Obviously.”

He walked toward me, slow and tense.

“I need to know something,” he said. “And I want you to be honest.”

My stomach tightened. “Okay.”

He paused, then asked, “If this weren’t fake… would you still feel something between us?”

I didn’t answer right away.

I couldn’t.

Because the truth was tangled inside me like wires , sparking, messy, dangerous.

“I don’t know,” I whispered. “Maybe.”

He stepped closer. “Maybe isn’t enough.”

I looked up at him, breath caught in my

throat.

“I can’t fall for you, Xavier,” I said, voice trembling. “I can’t afford to.”

His jaw flexed. “Then don’t.”

He turned to leave, but just before disappearing down the stairs, he said the one thing that shattered me completely:

“But don’t expect me not to.”