WHAT HAPPENED LAST SUMMER?

Condition

Theodore’s POV

“On what?” I paused. “There is nothing hard about keeping your mouth shut,” I added, and he scoffed.

“I think it’s much easier and fun to talk about people who have a lot to lose,” he answered nonchalantly. “By the way, why would you want to keep it a secret? You could get a side gig from it. I mean, you look like you need the money,” he added, and he was right. His mother had already paid a good amount that I could live with, but getting more gigs could actually set me up in a bigger way. Still, I didn’t want to appear broke to him.

“I don’t need side gigs. Besides, your mum booked me for the whole summer, so I’m stuck with you.” I paused and stole a quick glance at him. His eyes remained on me as I continued, almost like he was staring at my lips. I imagined.

“Moreover, you’ve got a lot of crushes in school. I don’t want to be bullied.”

“Fine. For context, no one will dare bully whoever I am bullying unless I permit it,” he said with a faint smile on his face.

I felt disgusted after hearing those words. How can someone be so proud of bullying another person without a single remorse? So arrogant, but annoyingly cute at it.

“Whatever,” I answered and rolled my eyes. “What’s your condition?” I asked.

He sat up straight before responding. “You’ll do all my projects and group assignments, and you’ll run my errands while we’re in school.”

“That’s insane,” I snapped, my face curving into a frown. “Listen, I already have enough stress to add to it. I can cope with doing your projects, but running your errands? That’s like setting me up for mockery. Have you no conscience?” I blurted.

“For you? Nope. I have no f***s to give,” he answered. “Are you going to take it or not? Besides, I want what’s mine to be by my side at all times,” he added, and I scoffed before looking away.

Some part of me foolishly loved how he said the last part. It sounded hot and protective, but rude. What did he mean, what was his? Like I was some sort of object.

“I’ll think about it,” I answered.

“There’s literally nothing to think about.” He paused, stood up sharply, and walked closer to me. He leaned closer—our lips almost met. My heart palpitated like I was being chased. His cologne engulfed me, and I struggled not to say, Gosh, you smell so good. I could eat you up right now.

“What?” I muttered. I needed to be sure I hadn’t said that out loud.

“Just say yes or no. I’m sure you already know the consequences of saying no to me. Everyone gets to know what you do, and I’ll let them have you as their drags,” he said.

My breath increased as I glared into his eyes.

“I need to leave. It’s late.”

I quickly stood to my feet and pushed him off me. He staggered and smiled, his hand smoothing his hair back as he went back to his seat.

I grabbed my bag and stormed to the door.

“The driver will drop you off,” he said.

“No thanks. I can manage.”

I took an inch, and his words paused me.

“I wasn’t asking,” he said.

Just then, Audrey rushed down, dressed in a pink-striped mini skirt and a plain white crop top, her hair packed in a bun and her lips covered in pink lip gloss, like she was heading to a party. She rolled her eyes the moment she set her eyes on me.

“I was hoping you’d be gone by now. I didn’t want to see poverty today,” she hissed.

“Hi, Audrey,” I responded. “I was just leaving, actually,” I added.

“Great. I’ll have the janitors clean up your filthy side of the room thoroughly.”

She walked past me to the door and paused before turning to Alex, who was already serious on his phone.

“I’m gonna use your car, Alex,” she said.

“Theodore will be riding in it,” he answered without looking up from his phone.

“Hun?” Audrey exclaimed. “How? Why?” she snapped and turned to me with a disgusted look before turning back to Alex. “That can’t work,” she finished.

Alex finally laid down his phone and gazed at Audrey.

“You have your own car, your driver. Make use of him.”

“I don’t feel like it. I want yours just for tonight, and that’s what I’m gonna use. Else, I’ll tell Mum you drove a filthy stranger in your car,” she threatened.

“I don’t think she’s against that, so good luck,” he answered.

Audrey slammed her feet on the floor and groaned at me.

“You better watch your back from now on,” she added before walking out the door.

I let out a heavy sigh. What a tense atmosphere.

“You don’t have to, Alex. I can get a cab,” I said.

He ignored me and called his driver in.

“Drop her off,” he ordered.

Ugh—that was so hot, I thought.

“Yes, sir,” the driver answered and gestured for me to come with him.

“Thanks,” I whispered.

“I’m not doing this for you. It’s simply just late, okay?” he muttered.

I nodded and left, but somehow, I was sure he didn’t mean what he said.

The driver opened the door for me and closed it before going to the driver’s side. I felt like a rich woman for a moment, thanks to Alex.

Before he drove out, my eyes darted toward their door, and they caught Alex peeping through the window. I looked away, but my heart skipped a beat.

We arrived at the hospital in no time, and I bowed at the driver as he drove off. I rushed into my mum’s ward. She was awake and eating her dinner already.

“Mum,” I called as I pushed the door open and walked straight to her bedside.

“Hey, pumpkin,” she said.

Mum only calls me pumpkin when she’s happy.

“Okay, what’s the good news?”

“The doctor said I will be discharged by tomorrow. I’m just glad that I’m finally going to be out of here,” she said with a calm voice and a smile on her face.

“Oh, that’s great,” I answered, and she pulled me into a hug.

She eventually finished her dinner. I cleaned her up and sat beside her to talk. I helped her to lay down and massaged her feet.

“I feel nothing there, pumpkin,” she said in a low tone, but I kept on with it.

“Doesn’t matter, Mum. I’ll keep up with it until you start to feel it,” I answered, and we both chuckled.

“What took you so long to be back today?” she asked, starting the conversation.

“I told you I got a side gig that pays really well, and I might be staying late sometimes. I worry for you, Mum,” I answered. My face squeezed with worry.

“Don’t worry about me, pumpkin. I’ll be fine. The wheelchair has its own way of helping me get things done, and I have been taught how to use it. And we can get a lot of fast food, so I can eat that until you’re back to make dinner,” she said.

“By the way, your father sent me some money,” she added.

I froze.