Chapter 2 - Julian

I was slightly out of it. Tired, bored, everything you could think of and I just wanted to be away from people.

Heck, the only reason I even decided to come to the bar was because Ethan wanted to go. Despite my annoyance though, it was better than going home. Or staying alone at my dorm room.

Then I saw her from across the room. There were too many people around me that wanted to get my attention, and she just looked like she wanted to leave this place.

I remembered her instantly. Regrettably, I didn't know her name. I never knew the name of the girls I slept with, and I never cared to know anything more. Though it's likely she told me and I just forgot.

After finally getting rid of everyone around, me I went to the balcony. Particularly to find her. There was really no reason for me to do that, but for some reason I just felt drawn to her.

I didn't know what led me to grabbing her and kissing her- definitely the drinks, but looking into her hazel eyes and her beautiful features, my brain couldn't help but remember that night. When we touched. And kissed. Through the look in her eyes, it was obvious that she didn't really remember what happened.

But that was fine because I didn't either. I did remember her face though.

Her lips tasted different this time. But it was still delicious. Soft, warm and welcoming … I felt a sting on my cheek.

I backed away, surprised. I reached for my cheek, massaging it as I looked back at her. Her eyes widened as she took a step back. “W- what are you doing?!" she yelled.

I opened my mouth to speak, but I had no words. I didn't have the time to apologize or say anything before she walked away from me.

I tried to chase after her, but I missed a few steps, the alcohol in my body trying to take effect. I walked back inside, hands in my pockets as I scanned the room for her.

Then my phone rang.

I grabbed it and paused when I saw the caller ID. I contemplated ignoring it, but I knew there'd be consequences if I did, so I walked back out to the balcony and picked up the call.

“ Hey, Dad," I said in a monotone voice, the breeze of the night clearing some of my dizziness.

“Where are you?" he asked gruffly. “Your mother has been trying to reach you for hours. She wanted us all to have dinner together, but I see you don't care about her. Or us as a family."

I wanted to groan out in annoyance, but I held my tongue, letting him finish.

“ I think it's quite ungrateful that now that you're in the university, you think it's unnecessary to call your parents, especially your mother who obviously cares about you," he continued, his voice high. "Then again, you can't runaway from us. You are a Blackwell, and my only child.

You're going to takeover from me so no matter what you do to avoid it, that is settled.” I sighed. “ Dad, I'm at the bar with my friend Ethan."

The other end of the line was momentarily quiet. “Oh. That's great that you're with Ethan. At least you're not stuck in bed doing nothing.” His voice got lower. "Have your fun, but make sure the grades are as high as they were in highschool, if not higher. You need to be the best of the best. Because if you can't do so well at school, how will you do well as CEO?”

“ I'll do well," I said. “Are you done? Is that all you wanted to talk about?" "Yes,” he responded. "Make sure to come visit next week.”

Then he hung up.

I placed my phone into my pocket and walked back inside again, showing no reaction. I really didn't care. But I was dreading visiting them.

Just when I'd gotten so far from them and have more freedom than ever.

My mind went back to the girl … I wished I remembered her name. I looked around for her, but I couldn't find a strand of her hair in the crowd.

Giving up, I sat on a chair. She was probably gone.

I grabbed another drink to sip. I was getting drunk, but I needed something to make me not think too much. Drugs were out of the question for me, and this was easier to get.

I watched with blurry eyes as people got down on the dancefloor.

I couldn't see my friend anywhere, but I knew he'd be alright. He was a big boy anyway.

I let out a breath as I watch beautiful people have fun with other beautiful people. At the moment I wasn't even sure if being at home would've been that mad.”

Someone sat next to me and I didn't bother to look at them. It was probably a woman. I was getting used to being the center of attention at my new school. And I had an inkling feeling on what they'd say.

“ Hi, I'm Stacey!" she whispered in my ear, over the noise.

I nodded, deciding to respond. “ I'm Julian." I took another sip of my drink.

Her hands went from touching my arm to grazing my chest and I remained silent. She pressed her body against mine by the side. "You having fun?”

"Are you?” I shot back.

"Not really … but I have a lot of ways to have fun tonight,” she said.

I raised a brow, understanding what exactly she was talking about. So I finally looked her over for the first time since she'd sat by me.

She was pretty. And sexy with her offering me a sultry look.

I tilted my head and leaned forward to whisper to her. “What did you have in mind?”

She bit her lip seductively and got up. “ Follow me." And I did.

***

The next day came quickly and I didn't waste anytime in going back to my penthouse. I took a warm shower and relaxed, deciding that I wouldn't go to class today with my aching head.

On the couch with no will to do anything, I replayed the unexciting events of the night before.

I really did want to apologize to that girl. But I was probably going to be seen as a dick to her now. Though I didn't know why I'd even care about what she thought; we're not friends.

I heard a knock on my door and opened my eyes. My phone buzzed and I picked it up.

“Open the door, bro," was all that was said, and I promptly got up and did as I was asked.

The door opened to reveal one of the very few people that had the right to arrive at my place unannounced.

Ethan had a grin on his face, with a few paper bags in his hands. “ Hey."

“Come in," I said, giving him space.

I closed the door behind me after he got in and watched him jump on my couch, tilting his head back.

“What are you doing here?" I asked, sitting beside him.

He shrugged. "Just wanted to make sure that you ate. I know you didn't cook and since you didn't come for morning class nor pick up my earlier calls, I had a feeling I had to do some form of intervention.”

I hummed, glancing at the paper bags to smelled of savory food. I had a feeling I knew what was inside. "Thanks for that then.”

"So you left the bar with Jessica Castle,” he called from the kitchen. I could hear sounds of cutlery and plates being removed.

My brows furrowed. “Who?"

“You're telling me you don't know who you left with?!" he screamed, his voice louder.

I winced, massaging my temple. “ I don't know. I'm not that good with names you know."

Ethan walked back out with a set of plates containing tortillas. He gave me one and sat beside me, placing his plate aside to look at me.

"This is what happened last time,” he said, a frown on his face. "You hooked up with a … I don't know her name and I don't think I remember her face. But you hooked up with her! When I asked you her name at least, you didn't know it!"

"I usually have more important things to do with my life. Also, I don't think those women care that I don't remember their names,” I said.

That was a lie. I'd had a few ladies walk up to me, complaining about how I called them another name or just plainly didn't know their names. It never really escalated because they liked me.

Ethan gave me a look of disbelief before reaching for his plate and taking a large bite of his tortilla.

He opened his mouth to speak, but had some spilling out, then closed it.

His eyes widened as he closed his mouth with a hand. “ Drink!" he spit out as he rushed back to the kitchen.

I shook my head at him as I took a bite of my food. It was so warm and delicious.

Ethan returned and offered me a drink. "The Whistleblower talked about you and the girl you left with."

I rolled my eyes. "What a shock. I never expected to be talked about again. It's not like they haven't spoken about me even before I became a student," I said sarcastically.

He knew I never cared.

He nodded. "That's fair."

The conversation went on for a while until hours later, Ethan convinced me to go to the last class of the day with him.

Walking into the school grounds felt like torture. It was all so big and cagey, and not at all how I liked my life.

It was all predictable to me as I strode through the crowd of students around beside Ethan. I was careful not to meet anyone's eyes. And I did so till I got to class.

My mind was elsewhere, thinking about that girl. And how much I wanted to know her name. Being hit should have deterred me from thinking about her, but it made me all the more intrigued.

Nobody's ever dared to fight back against me. Except my father, of course.

After class, I got up to leave, but then I got passed a note from a red cheeked girl who gave me shy glances as she ran over to her friends.

I simply nodded at them in acknowledgement, grabbing talkative Ethan by hand and left before anyone else could reach out.

I stared at the note.

[Hi, my name is Gail, and I like you! Here's my number anytime you need a girl around you: ***] I raised a brow. I gestured to Ethan. "What the hell kind of letter is this?"

He looked at it and laughed. "She doesn't have any confidence to speak to you and she's not the best at writing something legible. But hey, from the number she dropped, it seems she wants a booty call someday."

I groaned, squeezing the paper and dropped it in the bin as we got closer to the parking lot. Then I bumped into someone.

"S- sorry!"

My expression had turned into a frown, and from the corner of my eyes, I could see Ethan opening his mouth to fiercely say something.

Then the person raised their head, and I was pleasantly surprised. It was her.

She blinked her wide eyes at me, hair disheveled, standing in shock.

I didn't know why she was so close to my classes, and I didn't care. Because I felt a little spark in myself.

I locked eyes with her, wanting to get her attention as I finally asked the question I should have at the bar before forcefully kissing her.

I should introduce myself, I thought. "Hi. I'm Julian. What's your name?"