chapter 2
898 Words
Chapter 2: Cynthia
The execution of our plan started the very next morning.
I didn’t text Julian back. I didn’t block his number either. I wanted him to see everything in person.
At 7:45 AM, the main courtyard of Kingswood Academy was buzzing with students. This was the peak social hour, the exact time the athletes gathered by the fountain before morning bell.
I stood by the entrance gates, my heart hammering against my ribs. I wore my usual plain clothes, but my posture was different today. My chin was up.
A sleek black SUV pulled up to the curb. Marcus Vance stepped out.
He looked effortlessly striking in his black varsity jacket, his gym bag slung carelessly over one broad shoulder. When his eyes locked onto me, that familiar, arrogant smirk spread across his face.
He walked straight over, his long strides eating up the distance between us.
"Ready to start the show, scholarship girl?" Marcus murmured, his voice dropping low so only I could hear.
"Just don't make it obvious," I whispered back, my hands trembling slightly.
Marcus didn't reply with words. Instead, he reached down, his large, warm fingers sliding perfectly between mine. He gripped my hand firmly, locking our fingers together in a blatant, undeniable display of intimacy.
My breath hitched. His skin was warm, and his grip was tighter than I expected.
"Relax," Marcus muttered, his eyes scanning the courtyard. "Look natural."
We walked through the stone archway together.
The reaction was instantaneous. The laughter near the fountain died out. Heads snapped in our direction. Whispers erupted like wildfire as the basketball captain strolled into school holding the hand of the hockey captain's girlfriend.
Right in the center of the courtyard stood Julian. Chloe was right next to him, laughing at something on her phone.
Julian glanced up carelessly, expecting to see his regular crowd. Instead, his eyes landed on our joined hands.
His entire body went rigid. The smile vanished from his face so fast it was almost comical. His jaw dropped, his blue eyes flashing with pure, unadulterated shock.
Marcus didn't slow down. He guided me right past Julian's group, purposely cutting close.
"What the hell is this?" Julian barked, stepping directly into our path. His face was rapidly turning an angry shade of red.
Marcus stopped, pulling me slightly behind his shoulder in a protective gesture that felt completely real, even though I knew it was all theater.
"Morning, Cross," Marcus said smoothly, his tone dripping with mock politeness. "Is there a problem?"
Julian ignored Marcus entirely, his furious gaze snapping directly to me. "Cynthia, what are you doing? Why are you holding his hand? Get over here right now."
I stepped out from behind Marcus, looking Julian straight in the eye. For the first time in six months, I didn't feel small.
"No, Julian," I said, my voice remarkably steady. "I don't take orders from you anymore. We are done."
"Done?" Julian let out a harsh, disbelieving laugh, looking around at his friends who were watching the humiliation unfold. "You don't get to dump me. Especially not for him. You’re embarrassing yourself."
"The only one embarrassed here is you, man," Marcus cut in, his voice hardening as he took a half-step forward, using his height to completely crowd Julian. "She made her choice. Now move out of the way before I make you."
Julian’s fists clenched at his sides. He looked like he wanted to lunge at Marcus right there, but the presence of three teachers walking toward the main building stopped him.
"You're a dead man, Vance," Julian hissed, his eyes burning with absolute hatred. He gave me one last toxic look. "And you... you're going to regret this, Cynthia. You have nothing without my family."
Julian turned on his heel and stormed off, Chloe scurrying quickly behind him.
The crowd slowly dispersed, the whispers intensifying. We had achieved exactly what we wanted. Julian was publicly humiliated.
Marcus let out a low chuckle, finally loosening his grip on my hand. I pulled my fingers away instantly, suddenly feeling the cold morning air hit my skin.
"That was perfect," I muttered, rubbing my palms together. "He looked completely insane."
Marcus looked down at me, his dark eyes turning unreadable. The playful smirk was gone, replaced by a cold, calculating expression.
"That was just the warm-up," Marcus said, his voice completely stripping away the warmth he had faked in front of the crowd. "Julian isn't going to let this go. Which means you belong to this deal until I say we're finished."
I frowned, a sudden chill running down my spine. "What do you mean?"
Marcus leaned in closer, his shadow completely covering me against the brick wall. "I mean you're my girlfriend now, Cynthia. Publicly, you do what I say, when I say it. Don't think because we got a quick win that you call the shots."
I stared at him, the victorious feeling in my chest suddenly souring into a hard knot of apprehension.
Marcus wasn't doing this to help me. He was just as spoiled, just as controlling, and just as dangerous as the boy I had just left.
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