His Crode Clutches

Pathetic!

Author Pov

“Failed.”

Rosa’s heart dropped into her stomach. Failed?

How could she fail Social Studies? She remembered clearly how well she had done on the paper, the confidence she felt as she answered each question. This couldn’t be right.

Rosa stared at Mr. Kang, dumbfounded. Was there any mistake? Her mind raced, but she couldn’t find an explanation. Her exam had gone perfectly.

Mr. Kang didn’t elaborate. He just moved on, calling out names with a detached tone. Rosa slowly sat back in her seat, still in a daze, lost and confused.

“You told me your exam went well. How come you failed?” Aria asked in a whisper.

Rosa’s lips curved down into a pout and she mumbled, “I don’t know.” her voice unconvinced.

“I think there’s some mistake. These teachers!” Aria huffed.

The class soon ended, and Mr. Kang prepared to leave, but then he looked up. Rosa, distracted, was already gazing at her classmates.

“You, Miss Sinclair. Come with me.” he declared.

Rosa frowned. What does he want now?

Are they really this desperate to scold me for my bad results? she thought.

Aria huffed, clearly irritated. Rosa stood up and made her way to the front desk. Mr. Kang briefly glanced at her before gathering his things and started to walk. Rosa followed quietly, her small lips pouted.

She halted behind him when she noticed Mr. Kang standing still, his back facing her. Rosa looked up, and her eyes immediately met with the pair of piercing blue eyes.

Mr. Kang’s gaze was cold, locked on Killian. For some reason, his eyes carried a challenge, laced with something mischievous.

Killian returned the cold stare before glancing behind him, eventually meeting hers. Rosa watched him with her soft, round eyes, unaware of the silent tension between the two men.

Rosa pressed her lips together, but Killian instantly shifted his gaze back to Mr. Kang. Both looked like pillars.

“Excuse me, Mr. Salvatore.” Mr. Kang uttered, his gaze unwavering.

Killian shot a cold glance at Rosa before stepping into the classroom, unbothered.

Mr. Kang chuckled darkly and started walking. Rosa swallowed hard, clutching the fabric of her dress and she nervously followed him out. Her heart pounded in her chest.

She followed until they reached his cabin. Stepping inside, she hesitated. A strange nervousness settled in her chest. Without a word, he gestured toward the chair. She swallowed and quietly sat down.

Mr. Kang stood in front of the desk, opposite her, and pulled out her exam paper. Rosa’s hands trembled when he placed it in front of her.

Rosa didn’t want to stay longer; the air felt suffocating. With shaky hands, she flipped through the pages, her eyes tracing the low marks, each one slashed with red ink.

Everything seemed correct. Then why?

Her fingers hesitated over the paper. Slowly, she looked up.

Mr. Kang’s eyes were on her, mischievous and unnerving. His hands rested on the desk as he leaned in slightly, exuding dominance.

“What is this?!”

His voice interrupted her thoughts. “This is an easy subject, Miss Sinclair! How could you fail?” His words were sharp and firm, full of anger.

Rosa flinched, unable to respond.

Kang’s lips curled briefly before masking it with a scowl. “I didn’t expect this from you! Do you even study at home, or do you just roam around?!” he shouted all of a sudden.

Rosa’s heartbeat raced; fear consumed her.

Mr. Kang scoffed, shaking his head. “Pathetic! A student like you should be ashamed. You can’t even pass a simple subject? Tell me, miss Sinclair, are you naturally this incompetent, or do you enjoy embarrassing yourself?”

Her breath hitched.

“What a waste of a seat!” he continued coldly.

Rosa bit her lip hard, vision blurring with unshed tears. Her throat ached, but she refused to let the tears fall.

Mr. Kang clicked his tongue, shaking his head. “Do you even take your studies seriously? Or do you think life is a fairytale where things will magically fall into place?” His voice sounded like shouts. His gaze darkened as stood up “Pathetic! Maybe if you spent less time daydreaming and more time studying, you wouldn’t be sitting here like a failure.”

Rosa’s eyes welled with tears as his words continued to echo in her mind, each one deeper than the last.

“You can’t even manage the basics. I thought you had potential. But now I see you’re just another lazy, irresponsible student who can’t even be bothered to try!”

Rosa’s chest rose and fell rapidly as a tear finally slipped down her cheek.

Mr. Kang’s eyes gleamed as he watched. A mischievous glint flickered, as if her vulnerability sparked something darker within him.

“Do better next time. You can leave now.” His voice was cold and firm, hiding something Rosa couldn’t catch.

Her heart shattered, and Rosa didn’t want to stay a second longer. Slowly, she stood up, keeping her eyes on the floor, wiping the tears as she made her way out of the cabin.

Mr. Kang’s gaze lingered on her small figure as she walked away. His eyes darkened, glinting with something that made his lips curl into a faint, dangerous smile.

Lust!

Rosa ran toward the washroom, her heart racing. She stood in front of the mirror, her eyes red and puffy. She gulped, splashing cold water on her face, trying to wash away the sting of his words. But no matter what, his harsh voice replayed in her mind. She sniffed, feeling the weight of his judgment pressing against her chest.

Few minutes later, Rosa came out and walked towards her class. She was still sniffing as she reached her class door. She stood and looked ahead.

Killian was writing something on the whiteboard.

“May I come in?”

The room fell silent at her shaky voice. She stood at the door, small and trembling.

Killian paused, eyes flicking to the door, catching sight of her fragile form. The tension was thick, but he didn’t immediately speak.

Max, who had been waiting for her, shot a concerned glance in her direction, but Rosa’s eyes stayed on the ground, unable to meet anyone’s gaze.

Finally, Killian set the marker down. “Come in.”

As she entered, Killian’s gaze shifted to her, his blues caught the sight of her puffy eyes and flushed face. His expression remained cold before he turned around to continue.

Max glanced at her worriedly, but Rosa avoided eye contact, moving stiffly to her seat beside Aria.

Aria grew worried when she saw Rosa. Rosa was looking like she just cried. “What happened, Rosa?”

Rosa swallowed hard and shook her head. Aria didn’t press further, knowing it was better to stay silent. If she pushed, Killian would surely scold them both, and she didn’t want to risk that.

She sighed knowing something must have happened. Maybe the teacher scolded her. She stayed quiet and decided to ask later.

| Time skip |

Rosa stepped out of the building, her steps slow, hesitant. Her mind swirled with thoughts, each one a dagger twisting deeper.

Everything hurt. He was right. She was pathetic!

Her throat tightened. She sighed, then caught sight of the familiar car parked ahead.

Chris stood beside it, posture straight. The moment his gaze landed on Rosa, he bowed slightly.

Rosa’s fingers twitched. Awkwardness crept over her. Why did he do that? He was older, composed, someone who shouldn’t have to bow to her.

Rosa swallowed and stepped into the car. Chris held the door, and she settled into the seat, quiet and fidgety. Chris got into the front, and the car drove smoothly.

Meanwhile, a pair of sharp feminine eyes watched from a distance. The girl crossed her arms, tilting her head as she observed Rosa slip into the luxurious car.

“Huh, since when did she start riding in fancy cars?” she muttered, hint of suspicion lacing her voice as the vehicle disappeared from view.

A quick smirk curled on her lips as her mischievous eyes darted around, her mind cooking up something interesting.

“Nora!”

The girl glanced back at her friends calling her name. Nora looked at the road one last time before turning around and walking back to them.