Chapter 6

SERA'S POV.

The next morning, the academy had contacted me to be there as soon as possible.

According to the news, Anna's parents were going to be there too. They didn't say anything about bringing parents, what do they take me for? An orphan?

I got dressed in regular clothes— a shirt and a pair of jeans.

After clicking the door shut, I walked towards the elevator and headed down the apartment building.

The revving engine of Damien's motorcycle almost took my soul out of me.

He glanced at me before putting on his helmet.

"Good morning" I raised my face, barely.

He said nothing and just zoomed off. I watched him ride till he was out of sight then my eyes caught an object on the ground where he had just left.

A card.

I picked it up and saw that it was his apartment key card.

"Careless huh?".

I arrived at the academy, not long after, the students started exchanging glances as I made my way to the counsel room.

Before I stepped in, I took in a deep breath then pushed the door open.

All eyes shifted to me.

The Academy's Dean. Devin. Anna. Her parents and the person I least expected.

Damien.

What? Are just one kiss, he's suddenly everywhere in my life.

"Have a seat, Ms. Miller" The Dean said.

I took a seat away from Devin on the opposite side of Damien.

I stole a glance at Damien. The moment I met his eyes, I knew he really hated being involved.

The session began and Anna began.

Beautifully framed.

Devin claimed to have only gotten there after the incident happened

Damien kept saying "I don't know anything about it".

Just when I was about to speak, the doors barged open.

A familiar woman and two men in suit and shades were behind her.

I saw Anna's expression shift to a victimized one.

"Dean, what is this about?" She raised her voice.

The Dean rose to his feet

"Ma'am, have a seat" He gestured towards a reserved seat.

He knew about this.

"Is this the girl?" She glanced at me.

No one said anything. Then Damien got up to leave

"Where do you think you're going?"The dean asked

" I have important things to do" He said

"No one leaves till you conclude my daughter is innocent of this accusation" Anna's mother yelled.

Damien turned to her

"Who said your daughter's innocent?" He asked

"Excuse you, young man" She flared up.

Damien walked out of the counsel room leaving her in complete awe.

After a while of lots " she didn't do it" and "apologize to my daughter".

I lost it.

I got up mid sentence.

"No one's oblivious about what she did to my leg" I started " your daughter should be the one on her knees apologizing. If this injury cost me my dream, she won't have it either" I said.

She got up to me

"Is that a threat? Are you threatening me right now?" She yelled

I nodded

"Not just you. The whole of your family" I glanced at Anna "You're a public figure, you should know better" I said the turned to the Dean

"I have to be at the hospital" I said " excuse me then" I left.

I walked out of the building, my eyes narrowed, trying to adjust to the sunlight.

I was on my way out of the academy when I heard my name called.

Devin.

He rushed over to me, Anna tagged behind.

"I'll take you to the doctor" He said

"It's fine" I attempted to leave again then Anna jumped forward.

"Let's settle this Sera" She said

A Huff.

"There's nothing to settle." I tried to walk past.

"She's seriously apologizing, Sera. Don't you have a heart?" Madison said.

"Exactly. It's nothing serious, just let it go" A student said.

Anna stood there, in front of me. Head lowered.

"Stop it guys" Anna said "I understand Sera. I hurt you and I should pay for it" She fell on her knees.

Gasps erupted from the crowd.

I scoffed. She should really be an actress.

"You already got what you want. You got my place in class and you got Devin. But you won't get my forgiveness" I said and walked past her.

Anna let out a soft cry. A princess cry.

Devin held my wrist and spun me to face him.

But that grip on my wrist was more than just Devin.

"What are you doing?" Devin asked.

"If you're curious, watch" Damien replied, taking Devin's hand off me.

"You're not involved in this, move" Devin's expression shifted.

But that didn't faze Damien. He held me behind him.

"Says who?" He asked.

Devin took a step closer but Damien held his hand out. His hand held Devin back by his chest.

He pushed him backwards so that he could see Anna.

"Hey drama queen" He called to her.

She glared at him.

Of course, she did.

"You, you..." He pointed at Anna and Devin "...and everyone else witnessing this" He started "Starting now, this lens girl is my business" He said.

Excuse me?

"I have to make a choice right?" He looked down at Anna "You have it. Today is the last day anyone messes with any of my business."

"You saw the pictures already. I won't deny it" He said

"Damien!" Devin thundered.

Damien's gaze moved to Devin, lazily.

"Since when were we close enough to call my name?" He asked "This includes you too. Things have been usually quiet between us recently. Don't dare me Devin" He warned then took my hand.

He left, this time, with me.

He got on his motorcycle and offered me a helmet. Soon, we both left the academy, headed towards the hospital.

I sniffed, almost tearing up while holding on tight.

~Hospital.

While the doctor checked on my leg, I kept thinking about the confrontation at the academy.

"Have you?" The doctor asked.

"Huh?" I snapped back.

After the examination, I left the hospital. Apparently, Damien had left me there. At least it wasn't at the school.

I reached for my phone in my pocket then I found out his card was still with me.

Who cares? He's probably with the rest of the team.

At night, I arrived at the apartment while on a call with my older brother.

"I told you, nothing happened" I said but he kept insisting I hid things from him.

"Forget it, I have to go" I hung up and headed towards my apartment.

From a distance, I saw Damien at his door. He leaned on the wall next to it, on a call.

How am I supposed to explain how I have his key card?

I walked over while he was still on a call. I tried opening the door to my apartment, buying enough time for him to hang up.

He did, then I felt his head turn towards me. Before he could say anything, I spoke

"Thank you...for today" I said "But why did you do it?" I asked.

He continued with his phone then—

"What'd I say about disturbing other club activities?" He asked.

"So you didn't do it to help me?" My brows drew close.

" Don't get the wrong idea." He said.

I nodded and stepped into my house, then I walked out again, holding his key card to him.

He looked at me but I didn't

"Did you steal my card?" He asked, attempting to take it.

I retreated my hand immediately

"First off, I didn't steal it. Second, you could just say thank you, I could've left it on the streets" I said "But I didn't" I said, flaunting the card in his face.

"Hand it over" He spoke, calmer and more like a threat.

"Agree first" I said

"Agree to what?"

"Dating me" I said.

He raised a brow

"Just till graduation, just help me survive the academy" I said

"Do you know what you're asking for?"

My eyes widened, a little excited.

"Of course" I said

"I refuse" He said, reaching for the card again.

I stood by my door, threatening to shut the door

"Are you kidding me?" He scoffed with a little smile.

It wasn't an amused smile.

It was the kind of smile that suggested he was seconds away from losing his patience and possibly my head.

"And in return?" He asked

"Anything" I replied immediately.

He crossed his arms around his chest

"Fine" He held his hand out.

I hesitated for a while then

"Don't take back your word" I said

"Ten seconds"

Again with the countdown

"If you go back on your word, I'm releasing this recording to the school" I held up my phone to him.

"You—" He stepped forward but before he could reach, I tossed his card at him and shut the door.

I put my back against the door, a smile slowly crawling up my face.

He agreed. Finally.

Relief washed over me once again.