Not only did she want her ex-boyfriend back, but her friends as well.

Kimberlee Morris was back in Kingston University as though she never left anyway. I saw students greet her here and there, complimenting her courage of coming out alive from such a ‘risk’, oblivious to what she had done to Kai Kingston. She didn’t bother to tell anyone the truth and enjoyed being in the spotlight.

She was lucky Kai was kind enough to dismiss the whole topic, or her popularity would turn into something nasty enough to ruin her educational path. I thought the Kingstons were too nice to her compared to what they did to me. I didn’t even hurt their son as much as she did.

I observed her back while she sat beside Massie in the lecture hall, where I usually sat beside the girl. I was one row behind, watching her shoulder-length ginger hair elegantly move in big curls around her shoulders. Her sleeveless seaweed-green top revealed seamless skin wrapped around her squared shoulders. I couldn’t understand how she was comfortable in that revealing top in the cold even if summer was approaching. She conversed with her… friend, I supposed. Although Massie looked uncomfortable and tense, Kim kept blabbing.

“What’s up?” Ryan piped from beside me.

I flinched then blinked at him, shifting in my seat. “Since when have you been sitting beside me?”

I wasn’t exactly comfortable around Ryan yet. Looking at him as my half-brother instead of a friend from then on felt odd. It wasn’t an easy change to realise someone from my own blood and flesh was there all along, but I never knew.

He chuckled. “Since you started cracking your fingers at the sight of these two.”

I gulped. He caught me red-handed in my habit of anxiousness. “I’ll… freshen up in the toilet. I feel sleepy,” I excused myself and mumbled for him to watch over my textbooks.

“Are you okay?” he asked, and I nodded, already walking away.

When I arrived at the toilet, I rushed to splash my face with chilly water. I leant on the counter, deep in thought and assumptions of how our next days would be like. Kim obviously brought trouble with her. She wouldn’t settle with leaving Kai and I alone. I had to think of ways to stay out of potential trouble. My life was already a mess.

The door opened, indicating the arrival of more girls. I didn’t give it much attention until the redhead stood right beside me.

“Melanie,” she pronounced my name slower than it should be.

I fixed myself and faced her with my best courageous demeanour. “What do you want?”

She folded her arms against her chest. Her manicured fingers tapped her forearm in rhythm. “Since when are you together?” she asked straightforwardly through gritted teeth. I took it she meant Kai and I. “And what have you done to Massie? Do you hold dirt on her to make her not tell me a thing?” Her brows knitted. “And Ryan —he doesn’t even wanna look my way! They’re my friends.”

One side of my lips tugged up. She was too full of herself, but I was about to pop her bubble. “Maybe it’s something you did, not me.”

Panic was evident in her dilating pupils. “That… That’s none of your business—none of a maid’s daughter, Melanie González.”

I figured the news about the suicidal maid would eventually reach her. I didn’t want her to get to me, resulting in me saying something I didn’t think I’d say too soon to prove myself. “Martinez,” I corrected. “You have yet to catch up with a lot, prankster.”

Her arms went down by her sides, and her jaw and fists clenched. “You can’t be like Ryan—”

I walked past her and didn’t give her the attention she sought, but something she added stopped me in my tracks without facing her again. “You’re going to hurt. You made him cheat. Kai and I have been together for years, so we’re not about to end this easily. While he hasn’t broken up with me yet, we are together.”

That wasn’t true—everyone knew it wasn’t. She was shameless. I didn’t reply. I continued my way out without showing her the worry on my face. Could she be right? Were they deemed together still even after her one-year coma and a prank that could cost him his life?

Oh, c’mon. Of course not.

“What have I just said?” I mumbled to myself, recalling my correction of my surname.

I was never ashamed of being mum’s daughter, even after discovering some shocking truths. I might not have forgiven her yet, but I could never deny she took a lot to raise me. Mum was a fighter, but that day, I dishonoured her and claimed myself a man’s who had never even looked my way.

I was walking through the hallways, lost without a destination. I went outside the building and rubbed at my sides, suddenly feeling colder than I used to. I bumped into someone, but before I could mumble an apology, his familiar scent wafted into my nostrils.

“Babe, there you are,” Kai said and hugged me.

I hugged back, grateful for the sense of safety he gave me.

He kissed my forehead. “Why aren’t you in class? Ryan told me you should be around here.”

I sighed. “I’m drowsy. Let’s have a coffee.”

Kai nodded and took me to the cafeteria. He got me my favourite latte. I stirred the ice and coffee together with the straw, the thoughts still racing in my head.

“Are you trying to melt the ice?” he mocked me.

I leant on the table, getting closer to him, who was on the other side. I was aware of the extra attention people were giving us and our relationship with Kim’s return. People were as confused as I was about how her return would change things.

“Kai…” I muttered across the table.

He leant closer too and held my hand. “Mellie, the apple of my eye.” He kissed my hand.

I blushed with a small smile. “Well… Kim told me you two are still together until you break up with her.”

His brows met, and he stared at me with utter confusion. “What does she mean? This girl loves humiliating herself, doesn’t she?” he spat, “Imagine if people knew what she did to me. Would she still claim a relationship? She is lucky I’m nice enough to shut up about it and receive judgement for not being by her side after her return!” Kai’s tone was rising, so I squeezed his hand to calm him down.

“Calm down.” I rubbed his palm. “You’re right. You don’t owe her anything, but don’t you think it’d be better for everyone if you two get the closure you need? Just to shut down suspicions.” I bit my lip, apprehensive.

Kai relaxed back in his seat. He looked into my eyes, which showed determination. Our relationship needed that talk. He exhaled a breath and palmed his face. “If that makes you comfortable, I’ll do it.”

I nodded, offering a warm smile. “Thank you.” I took a sip of my drink, letting some silence settle in for our comfort’s sake. However, I couldn’t hold myself from wondering further, “Kai… How was your relationship like?”

The guy flinched. “What do you mean?”

I swallowed. “Is she… Is she your first?” I dared to ask.

He cleared his throat. “Yeah.”

“Did you… love her?”

“I’m not sure of my feelings for an ex anymore, Mellie. I prefer I don’t try to remember whether I genuinely loved her, too.”

. . .

Hello, everyone!

Hmmm, do you think Kai will talk to Kim? What will he tell her?

How would you rate Melanie’s retorts?

What do you think Kim’s up to?

Feelings towards Ryan and Massie?

More drama is yet to come starting next chapter :) brace yourselves because my favourite parts of the book are coming!

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