The Unexpected Offer

Brielle's Pov 

My backpack was strapped over as I walked through The Redlands college where I study was being greeted by the usual stares and whispers, judging eyes followed but I paid no attention to them. But the incident from last night kept replaying in my mind…..

“What happened to him?”  Caleb gasped when I dragged Killian inside and dropped him on the tiled floor, struggling to catch my breath.. 

“Why is he bleeding?”  He pointed at Killian's soaked shirt beneath the leather jacket.

“I don't know, he walked in like this and collapsed on the porch.”

“You were outside…..this late?”  My brother gave me a suspicious look. Darting his terrified filled gaze to me. “What were you doing out there?”

I had no answer. I didn't know why I was pacing the porch— only that I felt this ominous tug in my gut. I parted my lips for an answer—

“Killian!”  The butler's voice caught through the sitting room. He rushed to Killian, dropping to his knees beside Killian. His hands hovered the bloodstained fabric, his face unreadable but I could tell he was clearly shaken.

His eyes bore into mine— accusing. Like I knew what happened had to him.

“What happened to him? Why is he in this state?”  His hands was smeared with the sticky blood from Killian's shirt.

“I—- found him like this.”  My voice trembled. “He collapsed on the porch.”

The butler muttered something incoherent under his breath then lifted Killian over his shoulder. He started to walk away—

“Shouldn't we take him to the hospital?”  I questioned, alarmed. “He could be seriously hurt…..”

“He's….fine,”  Mr Vincent said flatly, his back facing me. “I will take care of him, his wound isn't deep……”

He disappeared with Killian, and suddenly the room felt cold. His tone, his eyes— something about him unsettled me. Why wasn't he taking him to the hospital?

“Sorry—”  I apologized immediately, bumping into someone— Jake. I crouched to pick up the scripts he dropped. “I'm sorry, I didn't….see…..”

“Of course not, you were somewhere else entirely-—”  He grabbed the papers from me, then gave a slow once– over look, judgment in his eyes. I was instantly reminded of the incident three days ago.

When Killian dropped me at the school gate, I didn't enter. I was too afraid to go inside— afraid of what students would think, how they'd view after Killian had kissed me on that stage. I skipped school again..

“You skipped school for four days— Why? Couldn't face the school after that little performance?”  His smile was cold, his voice laced with scorn. “From confessing to me to being kissed by him? What was that— revenge? Did you seduce him to do it? Plan it all?”

I couldn’t speak. My mouth was completely shut. Even though he rejected me, I still….felt things for him, whenever he was in sight. Stupid fluttering feelings I couldn't control. 

“Killian, huh?”  He huffed. His voice mocking. “You think that kiss meant something—- you'd be another fling of his.”

He started to walk away but paused— to give me one last condemning look. “And someone like you can't be my female lead— the theater department needs to fix that.”

He stalked off. 

He was right, that kiss meant nothing. I read too much into it. Killian hadn't brought it up since, it meant nothing to him. I sniffed back the tears building in my eyes, trying not to fall apart when someone's arm draped over my shoulder—-

“Brielle,”  June's vibrant voice caught through the ache growing in my chest. “Hey, are you crying?”  She leaned in to peer on my face. 

As if knowing the cause, she hissed under her breath. “Did he make you cry, again? That jerk—”

“I'm fine—”   I forced a smile and moved away from her, her arm slipping off my shoulders.

“Hey,”  she stopped me. “You and Killian— is something going between you?”

I shook my head. 

“Because rumors has it that you two are dating…..”

I froze.

You're all over the student forum after he kissed you on stage.”  Her gaze flicked to my body, subtle but cutting. “I mean why did he do that? Why did he suddenly kiss you……”

“Look, she turned her phone to me, showing pictures of Killian kissing me, and a video as well. A chill ran down my spine. This was what I was scared of, scared of the rumors, scared of being picked again. 

The comments made my stomach drop.

‘Did she just bag the school's baddest boy?’

‘She must have blackmailed him into it, there's no other explanation.’

‘Bro, I thought Killian didn't do feelings?’

‘Ugh! She looked so awkward. He probably pitied her.’

‘Must be a dare…..’

‘Someone check if hell just froze over—’

‘Are they dating—-?’

“And you skipped school for four days, why?”  June asked.

“I was sick—”   I lied.

Her gaze lingered on me like she saw through my lie, but played along. “Oh. I thought it was because of the whole….kiss drama. But since you two aren't a thing, that's good. Just stupid rumors then.”

If all these reactions and rumors were generated from a kiss, I wondered what'd happen when they learn I'm living at his place. I swallowed hard at that thought.

Her smile widened— seeming relieved. “Careful, Bri. Girls who fly too close to the sun getted burned.”

I frowned, unsure what she meant.

“June?”  I started, hesitating to voice out what was weighing on my mind. “I can't be the female lead. Look for someone else.”

She blinked at me. “Are you kidding? You can't quit now— the theater department believes you're perfect for the role. They say you got a raw talent.”

“But Jake doesn't want me as his female lead.”

“That's his problem, he'd have to accept you, nevertheless, and if he refuses….. the theater department will look for someone's else. Probably—- Killian?”

That last line sent a chill down my spine.

●●●●●●●●

Surprisingly, the rest of the day was peaceful. For once, I felt calm…..peace. I hadn't seen Killian all morning, not that it bothered me, but I did wonder— was he okay? Was he present in school?

I headed my way to the library.

“Whoa, watch out!”  A strong arm caught me before I collided into him. He held a basketball in one hand, the other lightly pressing me against him. 

My heart skipped as I looked up.. 

My gaze fell on a handsome face. Chiseled jaw. Intense eyes like they held secrets. They smiled at me.. 

Ronan— the school's famous basketball trophy king. Tall and equally handsome as Killian.

“Hey, I know you,”  he steadied me to my feet. “You're the infamous girl everyone's talking about. The one Killian kissed.” He eyed me up and down. I braced myself for mockery, but his eyes were warm.

“Didn't know you had it in you to get Killian's attention,”  he paused, then smiled. “You're beautiful. No wonder he's drawn to you.”

Beautiful?. 

My breath caught. No one had called me that. And no way Killian is drawn to me, he was just blabbing.

“I'm actually late for my practice— I hate to leave so soon.”  He winked. “I hope we run into each other next time, beautiful.”  He bounced his ball as he strode off.

I stood, frozen to a beat, then kept walking— still processing but why do I feel like someone is watching me?

Speak of the devil— 

I turned— and there he was.

Killian Lancaster.

His gaze was already fixed on me, intense and unwavering. Like he'd been watching me for a while. Like he'd been waiting.

Had he been standing there this whole time?

My footsteps faltered, but my worry overpowered my hesitation. Before I could stop myself, I hurried to him, my hands instinctively reaching out to check him over.

“Killian, are you okay?”  I blurted out in a rush. “How are you feeling? What happened to you? You were—”

“With how close you're, people will believe the rumor of us dating is true, little rabbit.”   He said.

Little rabbit? 

Where did that nickname come from? Why was he calling me that? And why did he sound so soft on his lips?

“What happened to you?”  I asked again, scanning his body. “You were bleeding last night, Killian. You looked— like you were dying.”

“I told you, no one should know you're living at my place,”   his voice was low.

“Sorry—”   I apologized. I glanced at the side where I'd seen blood last night. It was spotless now, as if nothing had ever happened. He looked perfectly fine.

“Relax, I'm fine,”   he prompted as if he could hear the panic ricocheting in my chest. “Just a small accident. Not serious.”

Phew—- My shoulders sagged with relief.

“I can help—--”  He said suddenly, catching me off guard. I gaped at him inquisitively.

“With your role, he continued. “Transform you into a female lead everyone wants to watch.”

I stared at him, stunned. What was he talking about?

Why would he want to help me? Why would someone like Killian Lancaster even care?

“Y–You want to help me?”  I asked, baffled.

You like Jake, don't you? Let's transform you into a woman Jake can't resist but can't have…… not only Jake, but no man can have….,

Huh?

“Build your confidence and self worth….”  He added, stepping closer. “Let them all eat their words when they see what you become.”

My breath hitched.

His fingers curled gently under my chin, tilting it up. His thumb brushed against my skin. Featherlight but devastating. My heart pounded, my body short— circulating under his touch. Heat exploded across my cheeks. His breath fanned over my face— warm, intoxicating.

His eyes dipped to my lips.

For a split second I thought he'd kiss me again.

“And of course, kiss rehearsals.”

I blinked. “W-What?”

“You'll need to know how to kiss for the play, won't you? Or you'd be made into a joke— again.