chapter 7

Maeve.

I let out a frustrated sigh.

Phillip gripped my wrist when I tried to walk past him.

Rue waved at me before continuing on her way.

"What is it, Phillip?" I asked, my voice laced with exhaustion.

"How do you know Professor Hale, Maeve?"

"He's my professor."

"He just resumed, Maeve. I'm not an idiot," he shot back, his expression hardening.

"Or maybe he thought you were harassing me... just like you are now," I muttered, slipping my wrist out of his grasp.

"I'm... I'm sorry. Look, why don't you come to a party with me tonight? At least if you're really telling the truth that you don't know him, you have to make it up to me." He shrugged, practically manipulating me into going to a silly party with him.

"I need to prove that I don't know him by following you to a party?" I asked.

"It's to make up for the time we haven't spent together. I missed you during the holidays too. I promise I don't know what came over me, but I'm willing to make things right. I'm trying," Phillip said.

For a moment, I didn't know what to do. He looked like he genuinely meant every word.

"Fine..." I answered after a brief hesitation.

He immediately pulled me into a hug before placing a kiss on my forehead.

"Thank you for giving me a chance," he said, and with that, he walked away.

I took a cab home. It wasn't that far anyway. When I got home and opened the door, the first person I saw was Nicholas. He was seated on the couch with his glasses on, going through some documents. Shit, he was so hot. I wouldn't deny it.

My heart had already started drumming again. I sighed deeply and tried to walk past him.

Besides, he didn't even spare me a glance. That rude jerk.

I stopped halfway up the stairs and turned back, anger surging through me. I still couldn't tell when he had become so cold, but it was definitely getting to me.

I missed him.

I raised my hand in the air as though I was going to hit him, but eventually lowered it and headed to my room.

A while later, Phillip texted me, reminding me to get ready for the party.

Apparently, the party started at 6 p.m. and went on until whenever people decided to leave. A silly idea crossed my mind, and I jumped off the bed excitedly. It wasn't supposed to mean anything, but deep down, I knew I wanted Nicholas's attention.

I would be lying if I said otherwise.

I rummaged through my wardrobe until I found the shortest skirt I owned and slipped it on. It barely covered my thighs, hugging my figure in all the right places. I mean, Nicholas had told me not to wear anything so short, but I didn't give a damn.

I took a quick shower, humming softly to myself. I couldn't even explain why I was so excited. Maybe it was the party... or maybe it was the thought of seeing Nicholas's reaction. The more I thought about it, the more a smile crept onto my lips.

I stood in front of the mirror and decided to do my makeup. Nothing too dramatic, just enough to make my features stand out. I blended a soft smoky eye with black eyeliner, making my eyes look sharper and more alluring. A little mascara, nude lipstick, and a touch of gloss later, I was done.

I searched through my wardrobe and paired the skirt with a fitted crop top that left a strip of my waist exposed. Then I slipped on my lace-up boots and gave myself one last look in the mirror.

I looked... bold.

If Nicholas had a problem with it, that was his business, not mine. After all, he was the one acting he didn't care about me so why should he care what I wore?

I came downstairs once I was done. By then, Nicholas was still there, studying or whatever he had been doing earlier.

I walked past him, heading to the fridge, and he didn't even spare me a glance.

Oh, really?

I walked past him again, pretending I had dropped something in front of him as I bent down to pick it up.

Still nothing.

I headed straight for the door when his voice finally came through.

Oops. I thought he wasn't going to notice me.

"Where are you going this late?" His voice cut through the silence.

He looked up, and I turned to face him.

"A party," I replied flatly, copying the same indifferent tone he always used with me.

"What party?"

"With Phillip."

"That psycho?" he asked.

A smug smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

"And how exactly is that your concern, brother?" I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"You are dressed like this to go to a party with who?" He inquired again but I couldn't tell the intention behind his tone.

"We're not even real siblings, so why are you so concerned?" I shot back, throwing the same words he had used against me yesterday.

Nicholas let out a scoff and simply looked away, as though I no longer existed.

I turned on my heels and walked out, slamming the door behind me.

The moment I stepped outside, I stopped and let out a frustrated sigh.

I mean... I was hoping he would come after me.

But he didn't seem to give a damn.

I hailed a cab and headed to the party venue