Chapter Three — Welcome Senorita

SIENNA'S POV

I stood still, lost in the middle of the class with no clue how to cut out of my thoughts.

The topic the professor asked about wasn't new to me, in fact, it was like my favourite nursery rhyme, “Old Macdonald”— too familiar.

Yet, I couldn't say a word, not when Soren was there, seated like a king in his throne, his ocean eyes boring into my soul.

My knuckles were red from too much fisting and fidgeting. My head spun, my senses escaped me.

His lips— they curled up just like every other time he had scorned me, and when he flashed me that smile, I saw hell in his eyes.

Not ‘hell, hell’. Just me in his bed, my wrists handcuffed to the headboard, him between my thighs never promising to be gentle.

“Sienna Cruz.”

Mr Rogers called.

I blinked, my body jerking. My head snapped back at him.

“Y—yes, Prof.”

My voice sounded too low. Almost silent.

I gripped the edge of the desk tightly.

I felt it.

That warm thick liquid.

I clamped my legs together, stealing yet another glance at him.

Fuck you, Soren. A curse slurred through my lips in an inaudible voice.

He was always putting me at a tight end, getting me wet all the time, but never doing anything to help my crazy cravings.

“Distinguish tort law from criminal law—”

“I have no idea, sir.” I cut in, catching my breath as I splayed a hand across my chest.

I just came again. Oh Lord, I'm gonna die.

Mr Rogers squinted his brow, moving closer to me in slow steps.

“Sienna Cruz?”

I forced a smile. The stern look he gave made me fidget.

“Isn't that so simple? Why can't you answer it? How are you going to win the defense competition this way?”

“Mr Rogers—”

“—I must say I'm so disappointed, Sienna. I think you're spending more time playing around rather than studying.” He spat, pointing at me, “Why don't you take a break? I think you're losing it. You've been slacking behind a lot.”

“Anyone else to help her out?”

Soren brushed his fingers through his hair as he stood.

Everything around me took a pause as I watched his mouth move slowly, like he was chanting a spell.

My eyes were deaf to his words, all I had my eyes glued on was his lips. I wanted to feel them on mine as he claimed him as his own.

I rubbed my sweaty palms against my skirt. I shouldn't be going crazy over a hottie who doesn't give a damn about my feelings.

I should study. I should keep the excellent remarks on my report sheet.

I gulped as I came to a conclusion. I would fall for Soren no more, this was the last time I'd be ogling at his sexy body. This was—

My whole body went numb the moment he winked at me.

My heart stopped beating— not a pang, not a fucking beat.

Jesus.

The noise of applause from the class drew me out of my thoughts.

I had been so carried away that I didn't even notice or hear a thing earlier.

“I know I made the right choice by making you head of your team, Soren.” Mr Rogers patted him on the back. “Kudos.”

He turned to me, a pitiful look on his face. “Sienna Cruz.” He took a pause before speaking again, “I think you should create more time for study. You can only prove my thoughts about your nonchalance wrong by doing well at the competition.”

I shifted awkwardly, stealing a nervous glance in Soren’s way. A smug smile spread across his face as our eyes met.

He raised his middle finger, letting out a sinister smile like he had already won.

He certainly had, and I was the loser again.

“Fuck you.” I read his lips as he mouthed.

My throat tightened as I panicked, quickly looking away.

That monster!

I kept glancing around, anywhere away from Soren then I caught the gaze of Simon, sitting across the other end of the hall.

My heart pounded when he threw that reassuring smile at me.

I didn't know what to do.

I didn't move, not a smile did I flash back at him.

I just stood there, my fingers twitching as I tugged at the hem of my shirt.

My face was all rigid, yet he kept the grin on his lips still printed.

My hand moved to touch my chest and I swear it just skipped a beat.

His brother made my heartbeat stop earlier and Simon was making it skip a beat now.

Why were they both tugging at my heart?

One was bent on renting it and the other….. advancing on fixing the broken pieces.

Did Simon really care or was I the one imagining it to be so?

Quickly, I looked away, swallowing so hard that my hand was still on my chest.

What the hell is wrong with me?

Why is my heart so weak?

I snuck a quick glance at Soren, hoping he didn't notice, but the moment I peeked at him, I immediately regretted it.

I couldn't look away. It was hard.

There was that scary glint—one that sent goosebumps rippling across my skin.

So cocky.

But—

Why was that angry curl hanging at the corner of his lips?

I looked down at his hands and found them fisted, his veins flexing.

“Sienna!”

I jumped. My lips tightened. Shit!

Mr Rogers placed a hand on my shoulder, staring at me with that pitiful look like I had my head stuck in thorns.

He looked sorry, why?

“You blacked out. Again.” He added, now moving away.

Jesus. I thought I was seated.

I looked over my shoulder and caught Soren grimacing.

Bastard.

He did it again—making me distracted, making a fool out of me.

The class erupted with laughter as they jeered at my stupidity.

Turning away, I looked down, wiping the tear that slipped from my eye.

“This is getting out of hand, Sienna.” Mr Rogers' strict voice sliced in, “and if you don't handle it, you might lose control.”

His words wouldn't leave my head as I exited the school building.

I heaved a sigh, running a finger through my hair.

I'm running insane. He was right.

I stopped at the bus stop waiting for the campus bus, and when it eventually approached, halting right in front of me, I didn't even make an attempt to move.

His school bag hung lazily around his shoulder as he hopped in, hands dipped in his pockets, pulling that majestic walk like he owned the universe.

There was no way I was getting into that bus if Soren was there too.

If I was so sure I wanted to stop falling for him then I had to run away from him too, keeping myself out of sight completely.

Erasing him from my head wouldn't be easy. I had been lost in love with him for more than 3 years now.

It'd be hard, yes and I was ready to take the risk, if that would prevent me from losing myself to him any longer.

I heaved a sigh after the bus left.

Now, I can breathe.

I looked up, and the sun was still out and hot against my skin.

Sigh….

I needed a cold soda.

I stopped at a nearby shop, ordering two cans and gulping them down in two shots.

A hum escaped my lips as the bottom hit the table.

Nice. It worked. This was exactly what I needed.

Now, how do I make it home under this scorching sun? It's so hard to find a cab at this time. Not here in the University area, only a few buses stopped by.

Maybe I should keep myself busy with reading then I could find my way home when the sun goes down.

A small note slipped from my book as I flipped it open.

I gasped when my eyes read its content.

It was the schedule Simon scribbled that day.

Fuck.

I bit my lip, pulling my hair.

Why did I forget such an important event?

‘At my place.’ My heart sank when his words replayed in my head.

No way. I can't go to Simon's house.

I would surely bump into Soren then I might squirt again and get myself embarrassed.

I jerked when my phone beeped and checking it, a message from Simon popped up.

~I'll be expecting you. Please make it here.~

Cussing under my breath, I scrambled my books back into my bag and left the shop, taking hurried steps towards the entrance.

I have to return home. Plugging in my headphones and staring up at the ceiling would help.

I should study on my own.

Clasping my palms together, I hissed.

I'm sorry, Simon but I changed my mind already.

I didn't text him back to give an explanation as to why I had suddenly decided not to show up anymore. I just held the strap of my bag in a tight grip, marching away.

Something bubbled in me. I didn't know if it was eagerness or anger.

Maybe I really wanted to see him, maybe I missed him already. Maybe I missed the way he made me drop.

‘Return home, Sienna!’ That tiny voice in my head rang but I ignored it.

Soon, I found myself going west, which was obviously not the way to Maryland, where I lived.

It wasn't until I knocked on the door that my sanity returned.

“Where the fuck am I?” I gasped, looking around in shock like a lone wolf in the woods.

Shit, it wasn't even 5pm yet.

But it was too late. I had walked right into the den and the lions would surely prey on me.

I remained at the doorstep, my palms clasped together, chills running down my spine.

No answer came. No one answered the freaking door.

I moved closer, my hand on the doorknob. Squeaking it open, I walked in.

My legs carried me on.

The hallway was dark, only a streak of sun rays flickered through the slightly shoved curtains.

I wrapped my arms around myself.

Anxiety—I felt it. Yet, I never turned back. I kept my steps on, until I saw that black wooden door.

I wasn't sure whose room it was but something about it pulled me in.

One step. Two. Three. Fucking four and I was standing in front of the door already.

‘Sienna Cruz, what the hell are you doing?!’ The same tiny voice in my head screamed— it always did, it warned but I never listened—not for once, even when I knew I wasn't right.

I shouldn't be doing this. This isn't my house! Ain't I trespassing?

Tsk.

My hands ran faster than my brain did. I gripped the door handle already, even before I thought it was wrong.

Why did I want to go in? No clue.

B—but, isn't there something special behind this wooden door? I wanted to know, wanted to explore even though it was none of my business.

Just this once. Just this once, I'd walk in then I'd turn around and slam the door behind me and run away if I find nothing interesting.

Every breath flew from my lungs when I saw him.

He was naked. Cladded in nothing. Only covered in sweat that clung to his body like sin.

My chest thudded, my heart almost renting in pieces.

Why did I walk in? Only if I had listened to my damn instincts I wouldn't be here, witnessing a scene like this.

“Y—you! What are you doing?” The words escaped my lips low, almost like a whisper.

He looked up, a lopsided grin tugging at his lips. Then, he put his phone aside and walked closer to me, each step making me hiss in regret.

“What does it look like I'm doing, Sienna?” He stopped in front of me, inches apart, his hands gripping my waist firm and pinning me against the wall.

“S—Soren.”

He placed a finger on my lips, leaving my words hanging in my throat.

“I'm happy you came.” He said, leaning in.

“Welcome, Senorita.” He whispered in my ear, sending a jolt through me and with that he locked his lips with mine, claiming all of me.