Chapter 3 3.

The whole place falls silent, except the loud buzz of phone cameras snapping every action. The sting in my hand cannot be compared to the sting I want him to feel.

His head jerks to the side, his jaw tightening as if he cannot believe I slap him. And before he can even process anything, I reach into my bag, pull out the chilled juice taken earlier, pop it open and tip it over his head.

The liquid runs down his hair, dripping onto his shirt, and soaking every part of his body. He stands frozen, his expression shifting from shock to that of disbelief.

"Are you insane? Can't you at least listen to me? You slap me and now this?" He sputters, roughly wiping the juice off his eyes.

"You've got no damn excuse for cheating publicly. Even so, you have never kissed me the way you kissed her yesterday!"

He steps closer, increasing his voice just enough to allow a few people around us to hear it.

"Because you have never allowed me to get past just kissing." He laughs. "You've never let me touch you anywhere, ever. You are so sensitive about your body."

My stomach twists as fury burns hot under my skin. So that is it? The reason behind his infidelity comes as a refusal to access my body.

I turn around and walk away, feeling every pair of eyes burning into my back. Caleb is a motherfucker, and I am done with him.

Additionally, I am grateful for not giving him my virginity.

This is something I now vow never to give out to any man, come what may.

Inside the department, the gentle and cool breeze hit my face as I collapse into the nearest chair, trying hard to maintain my breathing.

I dip a hand bringing out a notebook when the empty seat beside me creaks as a figure slides near. I turn to see Nyx Carlos, the closest female companion I have in this school, staring at me with a blend of curiosity and restrained excitement.

"You know," she begins, sounding low. "The school's group chats have been on fire for a day. People can't stop talking about Caleb's public intense kiss."

She tilts her head and asks. "Do you know who the girl is?"

"No." I shake my head, seemingly uninterested.

"Cassie Rain." She says, watching my reaction closely. "The third-richest girl in the university. Her family owns the big Rain Textiles. It is that big fabric business group that sponsors a quarter of the school events."

The name clicks in my head like a puzzle falling into place. My memory flashes back to weeks ago when I read news about some rich girl visiting Caleb's apartment after lectures.

I had brushed it off, thinking it is merely a circulating rumor. Now I know, he's been following her because she is richer and better connected to assist his financial needs than me.

I am yet to think through that thought when the loud bang of the department door crashing open jolts everyone.

Caleb strides in furiously, his fists clench and eyes lock on me with a murderous glare enough to crack a glass.

"You fool, you think you can disgrace me and leave?" He thunders, making a few students nearby jump.

My heart skips. For a split second, I conclude he is actually going to harm me mercilessly. But then the door opens again, and a female lecturer walks in, her heels clicking noisily on the floor.

"Young man, sit down!" She snaps, thankfully cutting through the tension. "Get a seat or get lost. Choose any."

The rest of the lecture passes in a twinkle of an eye. My mind is split between my notes and the fear brewing in my chest.

Caleb is going to attack me, and I am helpless.

When the last lecturer leaves, I jump and pack up my belongings faster than I ever did, and head for the door without glancing sideways.

The exit is just ahead when I feel a sudden, callous grip clamp around my wrist.

I spun quickly, my breath catching. Caleb's face is twisted in something between desperation and fury.

"Where are you going? You think you can humiliate me that way and just disappear?" He demands, his voice lace with venom.

"Let go of me, Caleb." I tremble, my pulse shoots up, panic tightening my throat.

I try pushing him off, but he doesn't bulge.

Before he can do anything terrible, the same female lecturer, Ms. Courtney's voice rings out from a distance, particularly from the podium.

"Let go of that young woman, Caleb Hudson. We allow no harassment in this institution."

Her tone leaves no room for hesitation, so he releases me with a shove that makes me stumble back a step.

I bolt through the door, weaving in the midst of passing students until I see Frank's car parked by the gates. Without checking, I slid into the seat, slamming it shut right behind me.

The car doesn't move an inch for a while, so I look through the rearview mirror and freeze.