All Chapters of Hated By The Bully King: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

CoraAs soon as Mom and Dad are done with their showers, I say, "Your turn.""It's fine. You can go.""I told you I would go last.""It's fine. I want to watch some TV.""I told you I would go last," I repeat."And I told you I want to watch this."He narrows his eyes. I narrow mine. We glare at each other, neither of us blinking.Alessandro mutters, "Why do you always argue with me?""Me? You're the one who's always arguing.""You're stubborn and impossible," he says. "I've never met anyone like you."I'm about to respond, but something shifts in his eyes. He looks like he wants to wring my neck, but there's something else in his eyes, too. Like even though he's annoyed as hell with me, he's intrigued, too.But maybe I'm just seeing things."I'm the guest, right?" he says. "And as the guest, I get certain privileges?"I fold my arms over my chest. "Where are you going with this?""I'm taking a shower last."I want to argue with him, because I sure as hell am not losing this battle, b

CoraI clear my throat. "So today's menu will be pan-seared salmon, followed by my mom's favorite vegetable soup, then sweet and sour beef, potato salad for a side, and chocolate and cherry two-layer cake for dessert.""You really know how to make all of that?" he asks."I've never attempted the sweet and sour beef before, but the recipe looks simple enough." I take out my phone and stand it on the counter. "Ready?"Alessandro's totally out of his element in the beginning, not knowing the function of some ingredients and appliances or the proper way to use them. He's stubborn and gets pissed when he can't do it right, but he seems to get the hang of it after a while. And once he lets go of his pride and ego and actually listens to me, he turns out to be the perfect sous chef. He's still sloppy and can't peel and cut a carrot correctly, but he's turning out to be a real asset right now. When we're halfway through, he's nearly a pro. Nearly."This isn't so bad," he says as he sprinkles

CoraI can't sleep.It's not because the sofa isn't comfortable, but because my mind is active with everything that happened today. From cooking with Alessandro, to him buying Mom that amazing and expensive cookware, to watching all those sappy movies...but what stands out most is Alessandro. He seems like such a different person from the guy I met at his birthday party, and then at the academy. I like the new him. Is that who he really is? Because if so, I wish he'd show it more often. But I'm sure he'll be back to his old self once we return to school, though I'm glad he's not like he was at the start of the school year—full-on asshole. No, he's definitely changed since...was it the pool incident?My phone buzzes with a text. I swipe it off the coffee table.Alessandro: You awake?Me: You can't sleep either?Alessandro: No.Me: Why not? Got too much on your mind?A few seconds pass.Alessandro: Yeah, I guess.Me: Do you want to talk about it?More than a few seconds pass this time.

CoraWe enter the shop. The bell above our head gives a small jingle, gathering the attention of a few diners. They stare at the three guys, some of the women gaping like they're the perfect male specimen they've ever seen. They kind of are.I lead them to a table in the back, away from all the stares and scrutiny. Colt and I sit side by side while Ethan and Alessandro sit across from us. Darla, a middle age woman who's been working here for years, hands us each a menu.Her eyes land on mine. "Cora! You're here visiting?""Yeah. It was my mom's birthday yesterday.""Of course. Please tell her happy birthday for me." She pins her eyes on each of the guys. "Who are your handsome friends? From that fancy school of yours?""Yep. Darla, meet Colt Montgomery, Ethan Aldridge, and Alessandro Beckham.""Beckham? As in thee Beckham?""Yeah.""Your family paid for my father's cancer treatment!" She gushes to Alessandro. "I'm forever thankful to you and your family. My dad is doing so well, all b

CoraAs I'm breaking my head over pre-calculus homework, I get a text.Alessandro: Meet me? Don't want to be alone right now.Me: Are you okay?Alessandro: Yeah. I'll wait for you outside the Tunnel.I put on a hoodie and slip into the Tunnel. Alessandro's leaning against the wall with his arms crossed."Everything okay?" I ask.His face was a mask of anger and loss, but it changes when he takes me in. His eyes light up and a sweet smile conquers his lips. He slides his hand into mine and leads me toward the forest."Where are we going?" I ask. I can barely see a thing, though my eyes are starting to adjust to the darkness."I want to show you something."I don't know how long we walk, but we're definitely far from the academy. "Are you sure it's okay to be out here?" I whisper. "There's still someone out there who wants to hurt you."Alessandro waves his free hand. "I don't care about that. I'm not going to live my life in fear because of some asshole who wants to take me down.""I'm