Chapter 5- Vivienne's Threat

ALEENA'S POV

The next morning, I woke up, still replaying the feeling of his lips on the side of my face. Then the buzzing of my phone jolted me from my thoughts.

It was a text from an unknown number.

"Hope you slept well, Aleena." And I immediately knew it was from Lorcan.

I stared at the screen for a long moment, my heart pounding against my ribs. He had texted me at seven in the morning. He was thinking about me while I was still in bed.

I typed back, "Better than you, professor."

After I sent it, in less than a minute, he was already typing back. Then his text came through, "Good. Because today is going to be a long day. I hope you're ready."

I didn't respond after that. I just deleted the text and set my phone back on the nightstand. But I was smiling. And I hated the fact that he had done this to me with nothing more than just a kiss and a text—and I couldn't stop smiling.

I looked over and Mira was still asleep beside me, her face buried in her pillow, her breathing slow and even. I watched her for a moment and I couldn't help but feel a familiar sense of warmth. She was my best friend, and she had been with me through everything. The Xavier betrayal, the video, the weeks of hiding in the dorm while the whole campus whispered.

She was the only person I had trusted completely, and yet I was still hiding things from her. But I would definitely tell her when the time was right.

I got out of bed and went to the mirror. My reflection stared back at me, my hair messy, and I looked at the spot Lorcan kissed on the side of my lips. I touched them again, remembering the pressure of his mouth on the side of my lips, and the way he had pulled me closer and rubbed my back. I remembered the frustration thereafter.

I had started this whole thing as a revenge plan. I was the one that was supposed to be seducing him. I was supposed to be in control. But I had stood there like an idiot, longing for his kiss.

I dressed carefully that morning, wearing a simple gown, and I pulled my hair up in the normal ponytail.

Mira and I walked to class together, and took our seat in the third row. Xavier was already in class, with his girlfriend draped on his arm. I felt his burning gaze on my back, but I didn't turn around.

Professor Lorcan walked in exactly on time. He was wearing a white shirt and black pants. His hair was slightly disheveled, and he looked like he had just stepped out of a magazine.

He set his books on the podium and his eyes swept the room. His gaze locked on me for half a second, before he moved on.

"Today, we are discussing liability and consent," he said, stepping forward. "The distinction between genuine agreement and coerced compliance."

My stomach tightened. Of course that had to be the topic.

He began the lecture with his usual precision. Then he stopped by Xavier's desk and asked him a question. But Xavier couldn't answer.

"You dated an academic prodigy for years, Xavier. I was thinking some of her habits might have rubbed off," he said without even looking at me. "But I guess not. I really hope this one works out," he said mockingly and turned back to the podium.

The class erupted in laughter and I could see Xavier's jaw tightened.

Ha! Serves him right.

Mira and I bent our heads and laughed together.

"Ouch," Mira said, still giggling.

"It must definitely hurt to see your idol not even supporting you," I said and rolled my eyes.

—

Lorcan finished his lecture, but he stayed back in class.

I didn't know why he stayed back, but I waited for the class to be empty before I packed my things, stood up and wanted to leave.

"Hey girl, why are you in a hurry?" Mira asked, raising a brow.

I glanced at Lorcan who was still sitting by the table beside the podium. "Uhm, nothing. Just feeling tired."

"You don't look tired to me though," she tilted her head. "Are you sure this has nothing to do with Professor Lorcan?"

"What? No." I furrowed my brows. "I—"

Someone tapped my shoulder from behind. "Aleena, I need to talk to you."

I turned around to look, and it was Vivienne Draycott.

Everyone on campus knew Vivienne, she was campus royalty. The richest female student at Westhaven, heiress to the Draycott foundation. She was the kind of girl who had never had to worry about anything in her entire life. She was effortlessly beautiful, with honey-blonde hair and designer clothes that probably cost more than my entire tuition. 

Her eyes were sharp and assessing. They swept over my face, my simple gown, my ponytail. She was measuring me, comparing herself to me.

"Yes?" I said.

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I’m Vivienne Draycott. We have class together."

"I know who you are. What do you want?" I crossed my arm.

She glanced at Mira, then back at me. "Privately."

I looked at Mira, then back at Vivienne. "Give me a minute," I told Mira.

Mira's eyed flickered between us, ann I could see the suspicion on her face. She would definintely ask questions later.

I followed Vivienne and we walked out of the classroom. Before I stepped out, I met Professor Lorcan's gaze but he quickly looked away.

The door clicked shut behind us.

Vivienne stepped closer. "I saw what happened in class today."

"Which part?"

"All of it." She crossed her arms. "Professor Lorcan has been teaching here for years. I've taken his class before. He has never once stayed after a lecture. He has never once looked at anyone the way he looks at you. You're not special. You're just new."

I lifted my chin. "Is there a point to this?"

"Do you think he would genuinely fall for you?” She scoffed. “He just wants to have sex with you.” Her eyes hardened. “You're a scholarship gurl who thinks she's different until he eventually gets bored and moves on.” 

I stared at her. She was warning me—but it was laced with something more bitter. Jealousy.”

“I don't need your advice, Vivienne.” I said, my voice flat.

“Yeah, I guess. “ she agreed. “You're wearing a cheap brandless gown and a bland ponytail while I'm wearing Chanel. He will get bored and realisze his mistake soon enough.” 

Then she walked away without another word.

I stood there for a moment, her words setlting into my chest, then I walked back into the clasroom.

Mira was waiting in her seat, and I approached her.

Before I could cross the first row, Professor Lorcan's voice bellowed through the almost empty classroom. “Miss Marsh, please come.”

I closed my eyes and pressed my lips together as I walked towards his desk beside the podium.

“Yes, Professor?” I said, my voice steady.

“What's going on between you and Vivienne?”

My expression was blank. “It's nothing.” 

“Are you sure?” He narrowed his eyes.

“Yes Professor.” I faked a smile and turned to leave because the butterflies in my tummy almost gave me away.

“Hold on Aleena.” He stood up, packed his books and stepped closer to me. “Make sure you don't disobey.” He whispered in my ears as he placed a piece of paper in my hands.

I looked at what was scribbled on the paper and my cheeks heated up immediately.

“Make sure you wear nothing underneath that robe.”

I raised my head and looked at him, my eyes wide.

“I anticipate.” He mouthed as he smirked and walked out.