5. Rumours

Innessa was in the class when she heard the girl whispering while glancing at her. It was so obvious they were talking about her.

She ignored them and focused on the notes. A week has passed since Henry cornered her at the stairs. The wound on her neck itched sometimes, but it was healing. She was sure that it would leave a scar. For now, every day she covered it with Band-Aids.

Luckily, Henry and his goons hadn't bothered her since that day, and she believed they didn't talk to Issac or ask him anything because things were going fine and smoothly.

The only weird thing was the looks she was getting from the students for the past two days. Some looked at her in pure wonderment, while others seemed scared of her. She didn't pay much attention to it, but it was getting out of hand to the point where she thought there was something on her face all the time.

Elena stepped into the class, and her eyes darted to Innessa. She quickly hurried over to her and took the empty seat beside her.

Elena stared at Innessa with wide eyes as if trying to figure something out.

"What?"

"Did you hear the rumors?"

"What rumors?"

"Everyone is saying you're dating Issac Knight from the business department," Elena said.

Innessa stiffened; her eyes widened slightly before she masked her expression. How was this possible? Maybe Henry let the word out so he could confirm if it was true or not.

She lied because she didn't want Henry and his goons to come after her again.

"Yes," Innessa said, and Elena's eyes widened.

"For real?" she asked, shocked.

"Why do you look so shocked about it?" Innessa asked with a little frown.

Elena abruptly shut her mouth and cleared her throat.

"I'm not shocked. It's just that's pretty big news."

"Why?"

"You... You look so innocent to be his girlfriend-" Elena abruptly sealed her lips.

"What do you mean?" Innessa asked, muddled.

"It's nothing, I'm happy for you. Thanks to your boyfriend, Henry won't bother you again. How long have you guys been dating?"

"A... A week," She stuttered.

"Cool. Please don't mind, but I hope you do know what type of guy Issac is," Elena said.

"Of course, I know. He's very kind and caring. Such a gentleman," she said, and Elena gaped at her, dumbfounded.

"I... I see," Elena said.

The professor stepped into the class, and Innessa thanked God for it as Elena got distracted by the lecture.

Innessa couldn't help but worry about this whole ordeal. This explains why everyone gave her the looks, but why was it such big news? Can't they be dating? Was dating a taboo in this academy?

She just hoped these rumors wouldn't reach Mr. Knight because if he denied it, then not only Henry, but Issac Knight would also become her enemy.

After classes, she had her food in the cafeteria with Elena. She noticed Henry sitting in the corner, glaring at her. It was obvious he wanted to come over and bully her, but her fake boyfriend's fear was stopping him.

Innessa felt she should talk to her oblivious Knight in shining armor and let him in on what was happening. But she was scared. What if he had a girlfriend? If his girlfriend finds out about these rumors, there'll be a huge mess because of her lies.

After the classes, she was heading to work when her way was blocked by Henry. He wasn't wearing any mask this time, and thank God, there were students around them.

"It's been a week," he said as she stayed rooted to her spot, though her body wanted to step back.

"What do you want?" she asked calmly, hugging the books to her chest tightly. She was scared of him; just the sight of him made her wound throb in pain.

"To make your life hell. How many times am I supposed to tell you that?" he said, annoyed.

Innessa didn't say anything. The dude was insane. Why was he even majoring in psychology? So, he could make people crazy like him?

"I didn't see you with your boyfriend ever. Why is that?" Henry asked with narrowed eyes, and her heart dropped.

"I... It's because we decided to keep our relationship private," she said, averting her gaze from him.

Innessa wasn't a good liar. She was always taught to speak the truth, and lying was considered a sin. But she didn't have any other option.

"Private?" He chuckled darkly. Giving her once over, he quietly walked away from there.

Innessa hurried to the cafe where she worked. After work, she headed back to the dorm. She changed her clothes and freshened up when her phone dinged with a message from Darla.

'Come over, we are having pizza.'

Innessa went to their dorm, and the girls had pizza while watching a movie. Scarlett was working hard on her project, and she refused to take their help.

Darla told them about the party her friend was hosting in the club a few blocks away. Darla was invited, so she wanted to take Scarlett and Innessa with her.

She said she'd only go if both of them went with her, so they agreed.

The next day after work, she got ready. Innessa wore a beautiful dress that reached just above her knees. It was flowy below the waist and fitted on the upper body, it had full sleeves, and the burgundy color looked good on her.

She had a half-up-half-down ponytail hairstyle. Innessa did a little bit of her makeup, some tint on her cheeks, and lips, and some mascara.

Grabbing her bag, she put on her heels and stepped out of the dorm with the card key.

Scarlett and Darla stepped out looking gorgeous as ever.

Innessa noticed a tattoo on Scarlett's thigh, which was slightly visible when she raised her foot to adjust her heels.

"You look gorgeous," Darla complimented Innessa, who mumbled a small thank you.

Innessa booked a cab, and when it arrived, Darla said she had forgotten something at the dorm. She told them to go, saying she'd be right behind them. Innessa offered to wait for her, but she told them to go. The girls took the cab to the club, and they headed inside. Innessa was excited.

The place was blasting with music as they made their way to the sitting area near the bar. She recognized a few of the students from her department.

"Can't we just have a ladies' party where no men are present?" Scarlett grumbled, sitting on the couch beside her.

"You look so pretty, Innessa," Scarlett complimented her, making the girl smile.

"Thank you," she said. Innessa didn't consider herself the most beautiful person, but she did consider herself a little bit pretty.

Darla showed up after some time. They ordered juice and were having a good time in their own space.

A group of girls came over to them. They were Darla's friends. They took her away, so now it was just Scarlett and Innessa. "I want to dance so badly," Scarlett whined.

"Then go ahead," Innessa smiled.

"No. Not when there are so many men around," She grumbled, pulling to her feet and excusing herself as she went to the restroom.

Sometimes it felt like Scarlett hated men.

Innessa was enjoying herself. She felt a bit rebellious because she never went to a club. This was her first time. Her parents never allowed her back then. She wasn't proud to be in the club at the moment, but it wasn't like she was doing anything wrong. She was just having some fun sitting and watching the people dance while she was having her juice.

She wanted to dance, but the girl didn't want unwanted attention on her. She'll dance in her dorm alone to her favorite song.

"My. My. What a pretty surprise!" A hand on her shoulder had her flinching as she jumped to her feet to find Henry standing behind her.

He rounded the couch, standing in front of her.

"Where's your boyfriend, Innessa?" He taunted, smirking at her.

"H... He went to the restroom," She blurted.

"Lies. Lies. You were sitting here with two girls. Isaac was nowhere near you ever since you stepped here. Why are you lying? Do you remember what I told you? I'll make your life miserable," He spat and motioned at his friend, who smirked, walking over to her. Her heart dropped as she stumbled a few steps back, but when he charged at her, she didn't wait a single second before dashing out of there.

Tears pricked the back of her eyes when she ran out of the random back door and hobbled out into the alley.

Her eyes darted to a man standing at some distance. He was smoking. In the dimly lit place, her eyes met with the cognac brown hues that were already fixed on her.

It was him!

Without another thought, she scrambled in his direction, hoping that he'd save her like that night.

Just when she was about to reach him, her ankle sprained. A shriek of pain tore through her lips, and she crashed into him.

A strong arm wrapped around her waist, and the man pulled her to his sturdy chest, steadying her.

Innessa grabbed his jacket in her fists as her teary eyes met his dark gaze.

In that fleeting second, she noticed his scent. Rich Cologne mixed with the musky smell of leather and cigarettes.

"P... Please," She breathed shakily. The back door slammed open, and her eyes darted in that direction, finding Henry with his goons.

Her heart sank as she stepped closer, pressing herself into him unintentionally.

"C... Can you please pretend to be my boyfriend?" She pleaded, looking into his eyes.

Ever so smoothly, he brought the cigarette to his lips, inhaling and then letting out a drag of smoke up in the air as she stared at his adams apple.

In those fleeting seconds, even she was terrified of him. His aura. It was dark.

Innessa let go of his jacket and tried to step back, but his arm around her waist kept her flush to his chest.

Tipping his head down, he scrutinized her as a rogue strand adorned his forehead.

With his gaze still locked with hers. Using his middle finger and thumb, he shoved the cigarette in their direction, and they came to a screeching halt in front of her.

Henry stepped forward as he glared at Innessa.

"We don't want to fight. Just hand her over," Henry said, causing her heart to gallop to her mouth.

One wrong word from his mouth and she was done for.

"You want me to hand over my girl?"