A hot mess

chapter 7

Aria

"Did you have to say that out loud?" Ivan questioned, his face scrunched in disgust.

"What? I am on my period. How is that a problem?" Nonchalantly, I asked. At least, my excuse got me off their case.

Even though it was embarrassing, I had to take the dip to keep them from pestering me with questions.

I am already drained from crying and frustrated by the course marks I lost a few minutes ago.

Ivan sighed, then turned his attention back to his friends. However, Evander had his eyes on me.

His piercing blue eyes ripped my skin, sending chills down my spine. I averted my gaze from him and tried to focus on my lunch.

But I felt uncomfortable under his stare. I pushed my tray forward, losing my appetite. Ivan noticed the frown on my face and turned his attention to me.

"Is there a problem? Do you not like the food? I can buy something else to eat or do you want to eat somewhere else?" He interrogated me with multiple questions.

I felt so bad that he would do anything to make me feel at ease. Especially after what I had done behind his back.

"No, I just don't feel like eating now," I answered with a low tone.

"Alright, let me drop you off at your dorm," he said, carrying my bag for me.

His action deepened my depression. I was tempted to tell him the truth, to come clean. But at the same time, I didn't want to hurt his feelings, make him look at me with the glare of betrayal.

I love him. I really do but revealing my sin to me tore me inside. I didn't want to lose his trust, never.

Maybe, I should just forget that something ever happened between I and Evander. But the bastard won't let me off his trail.

I moved closer to Ivan, linking my hand around his arm. He excused himself from his friends and left with me.

Once I was in his car, I felt a little bit less tensed. I was fully aware of Ivan's presence and the aura he emitted was intimidating. Yet, I prepared him to his psycho cousin.

The route to my dorm was not far from the campus, it was a twenty-five minute drive and forty if by foot.

"Thanks," I said, when his car came to a halt in front of my dorm.

"You are welcome." He smiled, leaning in for a reward.

Seeing his charming smile filed my stomach with butterflies, the only sensation he made me feel around him.

I placed a shy kiss on his cheek and he frowned, dissatisfied with the gesture. I tried to move away from him, but he grabbed the back of my head and smacked his lips on mine.

His kiss was harsh, like that of a person marking his territory.

"Is there something you are not telling me, Aria?" He asked immediately he broke the kiss. I could feel his possessiveness kicking in as he glazed straight into my eyes.

"No." I whispered and his eyes narrowed. He was skeptical of my answer.

"Let me rephrase the question again. Is there something going on between you and my cousin?" He questioned and my heart stopped for a few seconds and began to beat fast.

"W–what? I stuttered. My hands began to tremble and my face paled like I had seen a ghost.

"You heard me, Aria. Don't make me repeat myself!" He thundered.

I wanted to cry, to beg him to forgive me, but no word came out of my mouth. It was as if he knew about my betrayal and wanted an assurance of it being a lie.

But I was bad at masking my emotions.

"So there is something definitely going on between the two of you."

"I swear, Ivan. It was an accident."

"You lied to me, Aria!" He snarled at me, his face curling up with a sneer. He was furious.

"I...I... didn't know, Ivan..."

"Get out. Now!" He roared.

I fumbled with the handle of his car in fear but managed to open it. He didn't even let me get out properly before he roared his engine to life and zoomed in the street.

Tears rushed down my eyes as I watched his green mustang disappear into the distance.

Ivan hated me now. That I knew for sure and tomorrow, I shall face his wrath.