Chapter eight
1412 Words
Diana's pov
Matt is standing right beside us. He stands tall, his shoulders back and his chest puffed out like he owns the whole cafeteria.
He slides his hands smoothly into his denim pockets and flashes me a warm, familiar smile—the exact smile he used to give me whenever he wanted to get his way.
“Hey, Ana,” Matt says softly, his voice dropping into that deep, gentle tone and nickname he always used when things were good between us. He steps closer, pulling out the empty chair right next to mine and sliding into it without even asking. “I've been looking everywhere for you. Can we talk? I really miss us.”
Chloe instantly freezes, her spoon halfway to her mouth, her eyes darting nervously between the two of us.
I roll my eyes at him, leaning back in my chair. “Matt, we're done. I don't want to talk to you.”
“Come on, Diana. Just give me a few minutes. I've been looking everywhere for you.”
“I said no.”
“You heard her, Matt,” Chloe cuts in, glaring at him. “She said no. Are you seriously not going to accept the fact that you have been dumped?”
Matt's expression hardens. “This is between Diana and me. Stay out of it, Chloe.”
He turns back to me. “If you don't come with me right now, I'll cause a scene right here,” he whispered, leaning down.
My stomach dropped.My stomach drops. I know he's not bluffing.
Matt comes from an extremely wealthy family, and I only realized how spoiled and reckless he was when we were dating.
He is handsome, popular, and used to getting any girl he wants without effort. I dated him because I genuinely loved him. I just never realized how entitled he was—or how far he'd go when he didn't get what he wanted.
“Fine,” I whisper. The last thing I want is to deal with his drama in front of everyone.
Chloe's eyes widen. “Diana, you don't have to go anywhere with him.”
“I'll be back,” I assure her, forcing my voice to stay steady.
Matt turns and walks away, expecting me to follow. I walk behind him until we reach an empty classroom down the hallway. He pushes the door open and steps inside.
“What do you want, Matt?” I snap the second the door clicks shut behind us.
“Calm down, Ana,” Matt says smoothly, turning around. “When did you suddenly get this bad temper?”
“That doesn't answer my question, Matt.”
Matt takes a deep breath, resting his hands on his hips. “I want us back, Ana. You know I love you so much.”
There is no us, Matt. It’s over.”
He doesn't step back. Instead, he steps right into my personal space. The familiar scent of his expensive cologne hits me, but it doesn't bring back warm memories—it makes my stomach churn.
“It’s not over,” he whispers, leaning down until his lips are inches from my ear.
“You’re just throwing a tantrum because you didn't get your way. You know you miss me.”
His hand reaches out, his fingers wrapping firmly around my wrist to trap me against the edge of the nearest desk.
The physical restraint snaps something inside me. The memories of the last night we were together—his weight pressing down, his refusal to listen when I said no, the sheer terror of having to fight him off—flood back all at once. Panic spikes through my chest, instantly morphing into blinding rage.
SMACK!
My hand flies across his face before I can even think. The sharp sound echoes off the empty classroom walls.
Matt’s head jerks to the side. His jaw tightens, and his hand slowly moves up to cup his reddened cheek.
“You hit me?” he snaps, taking a menacing step closer, looming over me. “After everything I gave you? If you hadn't been constantly refusing me like you were saving yourself for someone else, I wouldn't have had to force the issue!”
“Force the issue?” Tears burn behind my eyelids, but I refuse to let them fall. My voice cuts through the air like a knife. “You almost forced yourself on me, Matt! You nearly r***d me!”
He doesn't even flinch. “You pushed me to it! A real girlfriend doesn't withhold herself. If you were actually good to me, I wouldn't have had to look elsewhere!”
“Look elsewhere?” I let out a harsh, disbelieving laugh, taking a solid step back toward the door, keeping my eyes locked on his.
“You were sleeping with half the campus while telling me you loved me! You made our entire relationship about what you could take from me.”
“Look, Ana,” Matt says, softening his voice as if he is the victim. “I didn't plan to shout, okay?” He reaches out and grabs my hand. “I want us back.”
I yank my hand out of his grip instantly. “It's over, Matt. There is no us.”
He steps directly into my space, using his height to intimidate me.
“It's not over just because you decided it is,” he said, finally walking out.
My knees go weak. I remove my glasses with trembling fingers and let the tears fall.
I hate that he can still scare me.
After everything he did, after all the reasons I left him, somehow he still managed to make me feel small and helpless again.
I wipe my cheeks angrily and put my glasses back on.
No. I refuse to let him have that much power over me.
I leave the classroom, forcing myself to steady my legs. Matt doesn't get to decide how I feel anymore.
When I get back to the canteen, Chloe asks with a worried look, “How was it? He came out with that devilish smirk of his.”
“I'm fine, Chloe,” I say, taking a deep breath. “I got over Matt a long time ago.”
“I was scared he would still have an effect on you,” she mutters gently.
“Of course not.”
I eat my food hurriedly, and we go back to our various classes. Soon, the school closes for the day.
Chloe offers me a lift, but I politely decline and take an Uber home. I don't want Blake seeing her near the house—he might not like that.
*************
After a shower and dinner, I take out my laptop. The whole house is quiet, and the servants never even talk about Blake. I wonder when he will be back or if he even knows I am still here.
I let out a heavy breath, allowing the memories to flood back. I remember how close he stood. The smell of his expensive cologne. His deep voice near my ear.
I place my fingers on the keyboard and begin typing:
He stood in front of her, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body.
She should have stepped away.
Instead, she stayed.
For years, she had wondered what desire felt like. Now she finally understood it wasn't simply about wanting someone's touch. It was the terrifying realization that her body could respond to something her mind wasn't prepared to understand.
Two hours later, I finally lean back in my chair.
I read through the pages again. I can't believe I was able to write this.
I don't even know if it's good enough. What if they reject it?
I shake my head—there is no harm in trying. I submit it to my editor, hoping to get positive feedback soon.
I slide into bed, covering myself with the duvet.
I wonder when Blake will be back.
The thought comes so suddenly that I frown.
Why am I even wondering about him?
I turn onto my side and pull the duvet higher. I need to stop thinking about that man.
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