After packing up my things in the library, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. Dealing with Aiden was a job in itself, requiring an incredible amount of energy and patience. I sighed inwardly, grateful the day's work was finally done.
As I made my way through the hallway, searching for my friends, I spotted Rose and Jason standing together. Jason had his arm wrapped tightly around Rose, holding her close. I couldnât see Roseâs face, but Jason leaned down and whispered something in her ear before pulling away.
Curiosity and confusion tugged at me. It had been a long time since Iâd seen Jason, and the sight of him so close to Rose felt strange, almost out of place. I quickened my pace, heading towards them.
When I got closer, Rose looked up, her face flushed and her eyes depicting fear. She seemed startled, her entire demeanor radiating unease. I frowned, concern creeping into my thoughts.
"Rose?" I called out gently, hoping to not startle her further. "Are you okay?"
Rose forced a smile, but it didnât reach her eyes. "Amelia, hi. Yeah, Iâm fine."
Jason turned to face me, his expression unreadable. He nodded in acknowledgment but said nothing, his presence imposing and somewhat unsettling.
I looked back at Rose, not convinced by her reassurance. "Are you sure? You look a little... off."
Rose glanced nervously at Jason before nodding again. "Yeah, really. I just... need a moment."
Jason's eyes flicked between us, and then he stepped back, giving Rose some space. "I'll catch you later, Rose, don't be late for tonight's party." he said, his tone neutral but his eyes lingering on her for a moment too long before he walked away.
As soon as he was out of earshot, I turned to Rose, my concern deepening. "What was that about? You look terrified."
Rose shook her head, her eyes darting around as if she was still processing the interaction. "It's nothing, Amelia. Really."
"Rose," I pressed, lowering my voice. "You donât look okay. What did Jason say to you?"
As we walked, my mind raced with questions. I remembered seeing Rose and Jason together at parties and around campus, always in similarly intimate and unsettling scenarios. Jason's presence seemed to cast a shadow over Rose, making her nervous, hesitant, and frightened. I needed to know what was going on.
"Rose," I began, my voice gentle but firm, "I can't help but notice how Jason is always so intimately close to you. You always look so nervous, hesitant, and frightened near him. What's really going on between you two?"
Rose's eyes darted away, and she shrugged, her attempt to brush off my concern painfully transparent. "It's nothing, Amelia. Just some random conversation."
I stopped walking and turned to face her, blocking her path. "Rose, you always try to change the topic," I said, my tone insistent. "But now I think it's time to tell me exactly what's going on between you two."
She sighed, her shoulders slumping as if the weight of my question was too much to bear. "It's complicated," she whispered, avoiding my gaze.
"Complicated how?" I pressed, refusing to let her deflect this time. "Rose, I'm your friend. I care about you, and I can see that something is wrong. Please, just tell me."
"Look, Rose, you need to tell me what it is," I said, my voice firm with concern.
She hesitated, her eyes darting around as if looking for an escape. But under my persistent gaze, she finally sighed, giving in. "Um, as you remember, I've already told you that Jason is Aiden's friend, as well as our cousin," she began, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded, urging her to continue.
"And today," she continued, glancing around nervously, "he's hosting a party at his house. You're also invited. Come to the party, and I will tell you there."
I frowned, not entirely convinced. "Rose, why can't you just tell me now? What's so important that it has to wait until the party?"
She bit her lip, her eyes pleading with me to understand. "Please, Amelia. It's not something I can talk about here. Just come to the party. I promise I'll explain everything."
I sighed, still uneasy but willing to trust her judgment. "Alright, I'll be there. But you better tell me everything, Rose."
She nodded, relief washing over her face. "Thank you, Amelia. I promise, I'll explain everything at the party."
As we walked away, my mind was filled with questions and a sense of foreboding. Whatever was going on between Rose and Jason, it was clear that it was serious. And I was determined to get to the bottom of it, no matter what.
..............
When I got home, I tried to shake off the lingering unease from my conversation with Rose. I had a party to prepare for, and I needed to focus.
The house was filled with the comforting smells of lunch as I walked into the kitchen. My mother was setting the table, and my younger sister, Lily, was helping her. My father sat at the head of the table, glancing through some documents.
"Hey, Amelia," my mom greeted with a warm smile. "How was your morning?"
"Busy," I replied, trying to match her cheerfulness. "But I'm glad to be home."
We all sat down to eat, the usual chatter and laughter filling the room. My dad put his papers aside and joined the conversation.
"So, Amelia," he began, "anything interesting happening at the university?"
I hesitated, thinking about the tension with Aiden and the unsettling encounter with Jason. "Nothing too crazy," I said, opting for a neutral response. "Just a lot of work for this upcoming business competition."
"That's my girl," he said proudly. "Keep up the good work."
Lunch continued, the comforting routine of family time helping to ease my mind. Afterward, I excused myself and headed up to my room, eager to get ready for the party and hopefully get some answers from Rose.
In my room, I laid out my outfit for the evening: a sleek, dark dress that was both stylish and comfortable. I wanted to look good but also feel at ease in whatever situation might arise. I then turned my attention to my skincare routine, enjoying the ritual of cleansing and moisturizing my skin. It was a small, comforting routine that helped calm my nerves.
As I applied a light layer of makeup, I couldn't help but think about the party. What was Rose so afraid to tell me? And how would Aiden fit into all of this, given his connection to Jason?
By the time I finished getting ready, I felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever the evening might bring. It was time to face the music, and I was determined to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding Rose and Jason.
As I finished applying the final touches of my makeup, my phone buzzed on the dresser. I glanced at the screen to see a message from France and Maya.
France: Hey, we're on our way to pick you up!
Maya: Be ready in 10, girl!
I smiled, feeling a bit of my tension ease. Having my friends with me would make facing the partyâand whatever revelations awaitedâmuch easier. I quickly texted back.
Amelia: Perfect, I'll be ready!
I took one last look in the mirror, smoothing out any wrinkles in my dress and making sure my hair was just right. Satisfied, I grabbed my clutch and headed downstairs.
As I waited in the living room, my mother looked up from her book. "Heading out already?" she asked with a knowing smile.
"Yeah, France and Maya are picking me up," I replied, trying to sound casual. "We're going to a party at Jason's place."
She nodded, her smile widening. "Have fun, and be safe."
"Always," I promised.
The familiar honk of France's car outside signaled their arrival. I waved goodbye to my family and headed out the door, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
France's car pulled up, and I saw both France and Maya grinning at me from the front seats. I climbed into the back, and France immediately hit the gas, taking us towards Jason's house.
"You look amazing, Amelia!" Maya exclaimed, twisting in her seat to face me. "That dress is perfect."
"Thanks," I replied, feeling a bit more confident with their support. "You both look fantastic too."
France glanced at me in the rearview mirror. "So, ready for tonight? Any idea what this party is going to be like?"
I hesitated, thinking about Rose's cryptic invitation. "I'm not sure," I admitted. "But I have a feeling it's going to be interesting."
As we drove towards the party, I couldn't shake the feeling that tonight would bring more than just fun and dancing. There were answers I needed, and I was determined to get them.
..............
We entered the grand, familiar hallways, stepping out of France's car in front of the majestic fountain that added an air of enormity and royalty to the place. The last time I was here, Aiden had trapped me in a room and humiliated me with his so-called petâa panther. The memory was still vivid, the terror and humiliation lingering in my mind. This was the place where we had silently signed our vows to be enemies.
France and Maya stood on either side of me, gazing up at the fountain with awe. They turned to look at me, curiosity and concern evident in their eyes. I shrugged off my thoughts, forcing a smile.
"Let's go, guys!" I said, trying to infuse my voice with enthusiasm.
As we moved towards the grand house, the sound of loud music grew louder, the bass thumping in rhythm with my heartbeat. The mansion loomed ahead, its lights casting an inviting glow, but I couldnât shake off the undercurrent of tension that came with being here.
We reached the entrance, the music now a pulsating presence around us. I glanced at France and Maya, who seemed excited by the party's energy. I took a deep breath, determined to focus on finding out what Rose had to tell me.
Inside, the party was in full swing. People were dancing, laughing, and mingling, the atmosphere electric with youthful energy. I scanned the room, looking for any sign of Rose.
"Let's find Rose," I suggested, and France and Maya nodded in agreement.
We entered the grand hallway, the music pounding loudly and filling the air. As we made our way further inside, I became captivated by a painting hanging on the wall, its colors and details drawing me in. Lost in thought, I didn't notice someone coming my way until I collided with something hard.
Waitâsomeone, not something. I looked up, slightly dazed, and found myself staring into a familiar face. Aiden.
"Watch where you're going, Amelia," he said, his voice carrying that unmistakable edge of irritation.
I took a step back, my cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. "Maybe you should watch where you're standing," I snapped, trying to recover some of my dignity.
Aiden's eyes glinted with amusement, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Always quick with a comeback, aren't you?"
I opened my mouth to retort, but France and Maya appeared beside me, their concerned looks reminding me of where I was.
"Let's just go," France said, his hand gently holding my wrist.
Aiden swiftly snatched my hand away from France's grasp, his grip firm and possessive. "We're not finished yet," he declared, his gaze icy as he stared directly at France. "You can leave."
I felt a surge of anger at Aiden's arrogance, his dismissal of France so cruelly. How dare he be so rude?
I tried to pull my hand away from Aiden's grip, but he held on tightly, refusing to release me. His grip was like a vice, trapping me in place.
Frustration boiled inside me, and without thinking, I dug my nails into his hand, leaving angry red marks in their wake. The pain seemed to create no difference in his strength.
"Let go of me," I demanded, my voice trembling with anger and frustration.
Aiden looked at me with his expressions hardened. "Not until we finish our conversation," he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I glared at him, the intensity of my gaze matching the fury burning inside me. How dare he think he could control me like this? With a surge of determination, I tried to pull my hand away again, refusing to let him intimidate me any longer.
As France and Maya lunged forward, their expressions a mix of concern and anger, France's fist aimed directly at Aiden, Aiden halted them with a stern command.
France made a fist and trued to punch Aiden when he holds his wrist midway.
Aiden's voice, low and dangerous, sliced through the tension once more. "France, I can break this bone right now, but I'm not in the mood. So why don't you leave before my mood changes?"
France hesitated, his gaze flickering between Aiden's stern expression and the glint of the gun in his hand. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Maya subtly urged France to step back, her eyes filled with concern.
I met Aiden's gaze with seething hatred, unable to contain the bitterness that simmered within me. "So now how are you planning to hurt me again and add to that list?" I spat, my words dripping with sarcasm.
Aiden's expression remained impassive as he regarded me calmly. "Amelia, look at my wrist where you gave me marks just now," he said, gesturing towards the ground.
As Aiden glanced down at his hand, the deep gouges left by Amelia's nails were unmistakable, resembling the jagged marks of a wild animal's claws. The wounds ran deep, leaving behind raw, angry welts that marred his otherwise flawless skin. Despite the sharpness of the pain, Aiden's expression remained unchanged, his stoic demeanor unyielding in the face of such aggression.
"You know what's the difference between you and me? I forget what you do." He says
His words stung, hitting a nerve deep within me. "And I understand it's out of repulsion and anger," he continued, his tone matter-of-fact. "While you feel like I have plotted all that and it's been a motive. Not out of any feelings, but out of a proper plan."
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I struggled to contain the surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. Aiden's words cut through the air like a knife, exposing the stark contrast between us.
"I let go of things," Aiden went on, his voice steady. "I don't even react to them, just like I don't now. While you, you not only remember them for a lifetime, but also make sure to remind me in every single conversation."
His words hung in the air, a painful reminder of the deep-rooted animosity that existed between us. I felt a pang of frustration and resentment, knowing that no matter how hard I tried to escape it, the past would always haunt us, poisoning every interaction we had.
With a final, almost imperceptible glance, Aiden released his grip on my wrist, letting me go with a subtle flick of his fingers. The tension between us lingered in the air, palpable and thick, as I stepped back, rubbing my wrist where his grip had left its mark. His gaze held mine for a fleeting moment longer before he turned away, his demeanor unchanged, leaving me to grapple with the whirlwind of emotions that his words seemed to evoke.