Chapter 7 Heed My Advice

"Why did you hang up on me, Miller?" Evangeline asked, her palms resting on the table in front of me.

"Are you talking about the last time I called you?" I asked nonchalantly. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm done typing the script."

I wanted to piss her more, but I know that her seeing me talk to Ash, and seeing how I excel in my academics was already enough to ruin her mood.

She just hates to see me thriving, doesn't she?

"I should be the one to hang up the call, Sapphire!" Evangeline exclaimed and slammed her hand on the table, causing my heart to skip a bit.

It wasn't because of what she did, but because of the student council laptop in front of me. If this was damaged, I don't know what I will do. I don't have the money to pay for it.

"Fine, fine," was all that I could say. "Calm down, will you?"

She scoffed, but I ignored her. I continued my work and finished all the tasks she assigned me earlier. I sent them to her email, saved them on my online drive, and even on my flash drive. I make multiple copies because I've experienced sabotage here before.

I won't let that happen again.

"I don't have any tasks to do here now, right?" I asked as I stood up. Finally, I can study now.

Or not.

"Stop acting like you belong here," Evangeline said, her tone low and intimidating, as she grabbed the collar of my blouse. "You don't belong here."

But instead of being intimidated, I smirked. Using influence to bring down people is an act born out of fear, and that's exactly what she's doing right now.

I was about to answer, but when I noticed that her gaze was on the student council room's door, I followed her gaze. My brows furrowed upon seeing Mason, one of Ash's friends.

"What are you doing, Evangeline?" Mason asked, seeing that Evangeline's hand was holding my collar.

"It's none of your business." Evangeline removed her hands, pushing me lightly, before getting his branded bag on the couch and leaving the student council room. "Move." She even intentionally bumped Mason in the shoulder before she got out of my sight.

Is there something going on between the two of them?

Anyway, I couldn't help but check Mason out. He was wearing his uniform neatly, making me think that he is one of the good guys-the silent and cold one.

"I need five minutes of your time," Mason suddenly talked to me, causing me to raise an eyebrow.

I was confused, but I nodded.

IT HAS been almost five minutes since Mason and I went to an empty hut. I waited for him to speak and explain, but he remained silent, although I was already glaring at him.

What I really hate is people ruining my plans and wasting my time... just like him.

Them, to be exact. Both he and Ash are wasting my time.

"You said five minutes, and it is almost time. Do you plan on speaking at all?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Still, I didn't get any answer from him. He just stared at me intently, his gaze getting darker in every second. I didn't know what he was thinking, but the way he stared wasn't even romantic.

It was more like... threatening.

But I wasn't threatened. More like, I was curious why he was throwing that kind of gaze.

"I hate my time getting wasted like this, and I know you hate it too," I stood up and slung my bag over my shoulder. "Please don't waste my time like this again. I have so many things to do. Don't make me the target of your games."

I was about to walk away when he spoke. "Stay away from Ash."

I blinked twice and turned my body in his direction, looking at him in disbelief. So... this was all he had to say to me?

"Are you..." I even made a random hand gesture as I placed my hand over my mouth, trying to calm myself down. "Are you serious about that?" I laughed a little to show him how ridiculous his statement was. "Why would I stay beside him in the first place?"

No matter how hard I tried to think about it, the more questions started to form in my mind.

"I don't have any plans on being a part of his life. I know it was too harsh, but that's the truth." I met his gaze... and unlike Ash, it was more expressive but there wasn't lust in his eyes.

I didn't know why, but I could look into Mason's eyes for a long time, whereas with Ash, I always wanted to retreat.

Mason didn't answer. Instead, he kept on staring. In fact, from the moment we arrived at the hut until I stood here at the entrance, he never took his eyes off me.

He's really a man of few words in their group, but I didn't expect him to remain silent even in this situation. He was the one who brought me here, so he should be the one talking, not me. I shook my head mentally as another idea came to mind.

"Perhaps... are you his secret lover?"

"What the fuck?" His eyes widened at my question. The boredom in his eyes immediately transformed into surprise... and disgust.

I wanted to laugh at that moment, but irritation overpowered my emotions. Who wouldn't be irritated if someone wasted their time when they had so many tasks to do?

Maybe I shouldn't have come with him in the first place.

"At last, you spoke." Sarcasm was evident in my voice as I said that. "I know you're really the silent type, but you brought me here. You might as well give me a proper explanation before I go."

"I know that you're a good woman, Sapphire," he instantly replied, his gaze shifting from my face down to my feet. "Your whole existence says that."

I automatically raised an eyebrow.

I knew where this conversation was going... but one thing that confused me was how they could say I was a good girl even though they didn't know me. Does being silent all the time make me a good girl? Does being unable to fight for something I wanted make them think I'm kind?

No, it doesn't. My inability to fight back and be vocal about my opinions wasn't an act of kindness. I was just oppressed by the cruel world we live in.

I shook my head at my thoughts as Mason continued to speak. "You're a good woman, and I don't want you to get hurt, so heed my advice before everything falls apart."

Those were the last words I heard from him before I left the hut.