Chapter 27 - A smooth lie

    Athena

    The moment I step out of the exam hall, I release

    a long breath, stretching my fingers after hours of gripping my pen. It''s finally

    over.

    Since it was differed, we had to write all three papers missed in one

    sitting. It was exhausting but I know that I nailed it. I really

    want to be a great doctor. I feel like it''s the only

    thing that will keep me close to my parents.

    I just hope the results will be favorable too!

    I should

    be relieved, but the second I take another step forward, I stop dead in my tracks.

    Alex is standing there.

    He''s wearing a suit like he always does. Dressed to the nines with no wrinkle in sight And his hair perfectly done. Girls are

    swooning over him but no one dares to approach him.

    Leaning casually

    against his sleek ck SUV, his arms crossed over his chest, looking like he owns the damn ce.

    Of course, he does.

    Hispany probably sponsors the whole school.

    My mood sours instantly.

    Why is he here again?

    I look around

    but keep walking. Avoiding his gaze as I pretend we don''t know each other. I''ve heard enough rumours, I''m not

    going to stir the pot.

    Not if I want to start afresh.

    I join the main road heading to the bus station when I see a car slow

    down at my pace.

    I raise an eyebrow. "Do I know you?"

    His gaze flicks up to meet mine, unreadable as always. "Don''t fuck with me Athena."

    I roll my eyes and move to walk past his stupid shy car.

    Bad idea.

    The second I take another step, the SUV moves, cutting

    off my path and stops right in front of me.

    I stop, scowling. "Are you serious right now?"

    He doesn''t answer. Just rolls down the tinted window slightly, his eyes locking

    onto mine.

    "Get in."

    I fold my arms. "No. I don''t get rides from strangers."

    "Athena." His voice is low,ced with warning.

    I nce around. People are starting to stare, their curiosity growing. Students whisper to each other, eyes darting between me

    and the luxury car blocking my way.

    Any minute now, the brave ones will start taking pics and that''s not

    something I want.

    I re at him. "Move the car, Alex."

    He tilts his head slightly. "Should Ie out and drag you in?"

    My stomach twists. He would. He absolutely would.

    I''m pretty sure he was once diagnosed with insanity.

    My pulse spikes as I imagine the

    scene, Alex stepping out, grabbing me, and shoving

    me inside like I''m some helpless damsel.

    That would definitely make the news.

    Grinding my teeth, I yank the passenger door open and slip inside, mming it shut behind me.

    "Careful, this car is very expensive." He growls.

    The car locks with a soft click, like I''m so unstable I''d try to jump off a moving car.

    At this point I love living, thank you very much!

    I whip my head toward him. "You are so annoying.

    He barely reacts, simply shifting the car into drive.

    "If you''re done whining, put on your seatbelt."

    I buckle

    my

    seatbelt

    with more force than necessary, crossing my arms as Alex maneuvers the car smoothly onto the road.

    "Are you always this charming, or is it just me who gets the special treatment?" I mutter, leaning my head back against the seat.

    He doesn''t even nce at me. "You make it easy."

    I scoff. "Oh, I''m honored."

    Silence stretches between us. I focus on the passing

    streets, trying to ignore his presence, but of course, Alex doesn''t let me.

    "You''reing with me to dinner tonight." It''s amand.

    I blink and turn to him. "Excuse me?"

    "Mum has organized a family dinner," he rifies, eyes still on the road. "You''reing."

    I let out augh, shaking my head. "Yeah, no. I have ns."

    He finally nces at me, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the gear shift. "What ns?"

    I turn away, pressing my lips together. "ns."

    His jaw tightens. He doesn''t say anything for a

    long moment, just keeps driving, the tension thick between us.

    Then, in a cold annoyed voice, he says, "Luca will apany you."

    I snap my head toward him. "Excuse me?"

    "Is your hearing now a problem?."

    Oh I heard him just fine!

    I groan, throwing my head back against the headrest. "I don''t need a babysitter, Alex. And I definitely don''t need your uptight friend following me around like I''m some kind of chore."

    I''ve been

    around Luca and they make a perfect match. They''re both always in a bad mood. It baffles

    me how they''re friends.

    His fingers tighten on the steering wheel,

    his knuckles going white. “That''s the only option. Either Luca goes with you, or you don''t go

    at all."

    A lie

    slips through my tongue. So smooth I pat myself on the back. "Then I won''t go."

    His head turns

    slightly, his eyes dark and unreadable as they flick to me. "You sure about that?"

    I meet his gaze with a tilt of my chin. "Positive."

    His grip on the wheel tightens for a brief second before he exhales through his

    nose, his voice dropping into something low and

    dangerous.

    "If you go, I''ll drag you back by your hair."

    I stare at him for a beat, then burst outughing.

    "Oh my God, Alex, please." I clutch my stomach dramatically. "You sound like a caveman."

    His lips press into a thin line. "Try me, Athena."

    I wipe a fake tear from my eye, sighing. "Well, lucky for you, I''m exhausted. So I''ll be sleeping instead."

    His shoulders rx ever so slightly, but he doesn''t say anything.

    I lean back in my seat, as I add icing to the lie, "This is great. You

    don''t get to boss me around, and I get some beauty sleep. Win-win