Chapter 14: The Unplanned Stay
792 Words
Lucia leaned back against the plush leather seat of Adrian’s car, staring at the ceiling as the situation fully sank in.
“We really just got locked out of our dorm,” she muttered.
Adrian glanced at his wrist watch in confusion.“It’s only 1am,why is the campus gate locked already?” and turning to the girls.“What time do you both get back from the bar?”
Mia, sitting next to Lucia, shrugged. “12am no more entry into the campus grounds.” as if suddenly realizing,she sat up“Wait,your family is like the major shareholder of this school,so you can command them to let us in,right?”
Lucia gave her a look.
Adrian heard but ignored
Hearing the awkward silence and perceiving that Adrian might not be willing to do all that so late,she sat back and chuckled awkwardly. “But hey, at least we’re not stuck outside in the cold.”
Ethan, sprawled out comfortably in the front seat, let out a dramatic sigh. “And to think, if Adrian wasn’t so whipped, he could have just let you suffer.”
Lucia scoffed. “He’s not whipped.”
Adrian, who had been quietly focused on driving, finally spoke. “I’m right here, you know.”
Ethan smirked. “And yet, you haven’t denied it.”
Lucia rolled her eyes. “Can we focus on the actual issue? Where exactly are we staying?”
Adrian didn’t even hesitate. “At my place.”
Lucia’s jaw nearly dropped. “That’s not happening.”
Mia, on the other hand, immediately perked up. “Oh, I love this idea.”
Ethan grinned. “Me too.”
Lucia turned to Adrian. “You are not serious.”
Adrian glanced at her. “It’s practical.”
Lucia huffed. “So is a motel.”
Ethan gasped dramatically. “Oh, the disrespect!” He turned to Adrian. “You hear that, mate? She’d rather sleep in a roach-infested motel than enjoy the luxury of your billionaire lair.”
Lucia glared at him. “First of all, not all motels have roaches.”
Ethan nodded. “Yeah, just the ones in your budget.”
Lucia lunged, but Mia held her back, laughing. “Okay, okay, let’s be real. Do you actually think Adrian is gonna let you sleep in a motel?”
Lucia exhaled sharply.
She knew the answer.
Adrian pulled into the long private driveway leading to his massive estate.
Lucia had seen rich people’s houses before.
But this?
This wasn’t a house.
It was a statement.
As Adrian parked, Ethan stretched his arms with a satisfied sigh. “Welp, I guess I’m sleeping over too.”
Adrian shot him a glare. “No, you’re not.”
Ethan grinned. “Try and stop me.”
Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose. “You have your own penthouse, Ethan.”
Ethan smirked. “Yeah, but this is more fun.”
Mia nudged Lucia. “Rich people are weird.”
Lucia sighed. “You’re just now figuring that out?”
—
The Call With Sarah
Sarah was pacing the dorm, her stomach twisting with unease.
It was past 1 AM.
Lucia and Mia weren’t back.
They hadn’t texted.
Hadn’t called.
Hadn’t even mentioned where they were going.
And Sarah was done waiting.
She grabbed her phone and dialed Lucia’s number.
Straight to voicemail.
Sarah cursed under her breath and immediately tried Mia.
Same result.
Her heart pounded.
She grabbed her jacket, ready to storm the entire campus if she had to—
Then her phone buzzed.
Lucia.
Sarah immediately picked up. “WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!”
There was a pause before Lucia answered, voice sheepish. “Uh… funny story.”
Sarah clenched her jaw. “I am not in the mood for funny.”
Mia’s voice popped up in the background. “Technically, it’s hilarious.”
Sarah’s eyes narrowed. “Explain. Now.”
Lucia hesitated. “Well… we kind of got locked out of the dorms.”
Sarah crossed her arms. “And where exactly are you right now?”
Lucia cleared her throat. “At Adrian’s place.”
Silence.
Sarah blinked. “I’m sorry. You’re where?”
Mia took over. “In a ridiculously large mansion with heated floors and a fridge stocked with imported chocolate. We’re living the dream, Sarah.”
Sarah exhaled slowly. “You—” She stopped herself. “Never mind. I don’t even have the energy to be mad right now.”
Lucia chuckled. “We’re fine, I promise. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow.”
Sarah sighed. “You better.”
Lucia smiled. “Goodnight, Sarah.”
Sarah exhaled, shaking her head. “You two never cease to amaze me,be safe girls,Goodnight.”
- Writer
