Chapter 2
1114 Words
“Ember… Ember!” Mira called, shaking my shoulder. Her voice sliced through my dream.
My eyes fluttered open. I woke up with his lips still on mine.
Not literally, but… the ghost of them. The pressure. The taste. The fire.
Reality hit fast. The kiss was real. It happened. Killian Frost kissed me in front of an entire crowd and then rode away like it meant nothing. And now here I was — in my college dorm bed, tangled in sheets, hair a mess, and already late for class.
My heart thudded as I scrambled for my phone to check the time.
“You were moaning in your sleep,” Mira chuckled. My face heated,
“Shut up!”
It was 9 a.m.
Shit!
I rushed into the bathroom to freshen up. The thoughts of last night flooded into my head again, under the shower. My finger caressed my lower lip and I bit it slowly, just like he did me last night.
Killian Frost. Damn
“Hurry up, Ember. And stop daydreaming about Killian, or he would appear right here!” She spat with her head peeking inside the bathroom.
“I wasn't—”
“Whatever, Killian Frost. Get out of the shower. We are late”.
I threw on black trousers and a wrinkled blue blouse. I wore light makeup, as Mira reminded me,
“Your boys are outside.”
I rolled my eyes. My father's shadows. I literally thought this would end in high school. I was completely shocked when my father insisted they were coming with me to college.
They were everywhere.
“The daughter of a well-known politician like I am shouldn't have his daughter walking around without tight security. I have enemies everywhere.” his words every time I complained about it.
Enemies I have never seen. It's so annoying, I cannot do anything about it, and neither can Mother.
Mother is the submissive and obedient wife. She doesn't go against Father.
“Let's go!” Mira yelled.
We walked out of the dorm to see the two men just by my door. They didn't even disguise themselves, in black suits, black sunglasses, and unreadable expressions. Just annoying and still.
I walked past them like I didn't know who they were, and they followed like robots behind me.
As a pre-law student in Political science, a third year, I cannot have a peaceful walk without being watched like a hawk. I cannot wait to get out of my father's clutch.
Mira and I crossed toward the lecture building and made it quickly to class—snuck in through the back and sat down like we'd been there all morning.
Josh turned towards the door when we entered, and I saw him shake his head. Mira sneered. The lecturer didn't even notice.
As always.
****
“You guys were late!” Josh complained the moment we stepped out. He was outside, resting against the wall beside the door but pushed himself when he saw us.
“You even missed 8 a.m. class.”
“Oh come on. There was an important reason why” Mira stated with all seriousness.
Josh looked at us with furrowed brows, concern all over his expression, but before he could ask what it was, Mira squealed,
“She got kissed last night. In public. By Killain freaking Frost!”
Josh stopped.
My eyes widened, and I almost slapped my hand on her mouth. I turned around in speed, I exhaled when I noticed that my bodyguards were keeping their distance.
I glared at Mira, who slapped her mouth.
“Ember, you didn't. You snuck out again?” Josh asked, definitely not pleased.
I rolled my eyes, “Come on, Josh. It was beautiful. You should come with us one of these days.”
“No, thank you,” he replied.
Well, I cannot blame him. I was in this same position a few months ago. Mira just started dating Alan then. I thought it was dangerous as she explained it to me.
It sounded more like a cult and the races were just too dangerous, but she kept saying it was fun until the day she coaxed me to attend just one. And from just one, it became two and three and now, I cannot count.
Now, I have my superstar. A superstar who kissed me last night and just left.
Just left like he didn't even kiss someone. One of his fans.
Why the hell would he even do that? Does he know me?
We got to the campus canteen, grabbed lunch, and sat near the window, the noise of students and cutlery creating a wall of normalcy I didn’t feel inside.
“That place is dangerous, Ember. I've heard what they do there is illegal. You cannot be seen there.” Josh warned like he always does.
“Do not worry, Josh. It's safe. No one even knows this stuff's happening there”.
“Trust me, it's very safe,” Mira added.
“I don't believe that.” Josh said and leaned in and began in a hushed tone, “I heard the MC—-”
The tone of my phone interrupted his speech. I knew who was calling, since I was with the other two people who would call.
My father.
I answered, “Hi, Dad”
“How's my beloved daughter doing?” He asked.
“I am very fine, thank you.”
“And studies?” His voice was smooth, but I knew he was trying to get words from me.
“Busy. I read all night and woke up quite late to class this morning,” I lied.
I saw Josh roll his eyes while Mira giggled silently.
Of course, he called right when I sat down—his shadows must've reported my every move. And my lateness to class. He would only have a settled heart if he knew I was studying all night.
“Good. I won’t keep you, just checking in.”
“Thanks, Dad. Talk later.”
Call ended. Lie successful. Guilt minimal.
Except for the look in Josh's eyes.
“Ember, you need to stop,” He muttered.
“Or what?” Mira asked before I could speak. Josh was about to speak but didn't.
The air around us changed.
Mira’s face went blank.
I turned my head slowly, I didn't need to be told. The change in the air, the way Josh stiffened– it was enough,
“Fred,” I muttered.
“Ember,” he said, sliding into the seat beside me with that cocky, smug smile.
My stomach twisted in disgust.
I hated this guy.
- Writer
