CHAPTER 95: YOU SHOULD PULL OFF YOUR OUTFIT.

Tears welled in Jamaila’s eyes, blurring her vision. She spun back toward him, her voice cracking with desperation as the words tumbled out.

"Let me go! I’m not... I’m not in for whatever you’re thinking in that head of yours. I’ve been apologizing for everything these past days... just let me go!"

"Can you stop crying, young lady?" Auren scoffed, his tone sharp with impatience, as though her trembling voice grated on his nerves. With a swift motion, he tugged his shirt off his shoulders and tossed it carelessly aside. His fingers then went to the clasp of his trousers, unfastening them with casual ease.

Jamaila’s hands flew to her mouth, a horrified gasp slipping past her lips as he revealed the shorts beneath. Dread surged through her chest in suffocating waves, tangled with confusion that made her heart pound.

"I’m not here to have sex with you, if that’s what you’re imagining," Auren said bluntly, his tone dry and edged with mockery. His eyes flicked over her trembling figure, his words meant almost to sting. "You’re not my type anyway."

Jamaila blinked, her lashes wet with tears. A rush of shock and anger warred against the fear that knotted in her stomach. She managed to choke out, her voice rising before she could stop it,

"Then... then what are you planning, standing there half-naked?"

Her cheeks flushed at her own boldness, and she quickly averted her gaze, refusing to let her eyes linger on him. Her heart hammered, and her fingers dug into the fabric of her skirt in frustration.

"To train," Auren replied evenly, lowering himself onto the ground beside the pool in one fluid movement. He crossed his legs, posture rigid, his voice calm as though nothing about this was strange. "To meditate. To control your instincts, you need an environment like this. Water helps still the body and the mind. That’s why we’re here."

Jamaila stared at him, her hands trembling as she wiped furiously at her tears. Her lips parted, but no sound came. She could scarcely believe what she was hearing.

"Now sit, Jamaila. I don’t have the whole day to spend with you," Auren added, his tone carrying the weight of a command rather than a suggestion.

Hesitant and still confused, she moved closer and lowered herself beside the pool. Her movements were stiff, uncertain, as though she were stepping into a trap.

"You’re going to be meditating like that?" Auren asked at last, one eyebrow arching as his sharp gaze swept over her posture. His voice was calm, yet there was an unmistakable edge of disapproval.

Jamaila’s head snapped toward him, her voice rising slightly as she tried to explain herself.

"I don’t understand you. You told me to sit so that we can start meditating. Am I not sitting the right way or what?"

"You should pull off your outfit," Auren finally said, breaking the silence with a voice as smooth as stone. He pointed toward a small wooden door at the right-hand side of the pool. "There are tons of clean, new swimming clothes in that tiny room. Use one of them."

"I... I..." Jamaila stammered, the words dying in her throat as she looked from him to the door and back again. Her face burned, and she shook her head quickly, her voice cracking with disbelief. "You want me to put on that revealing outfit?"

Her protest came out half as a scoff, half as a plea, her entire body trembling at the thought of exposing herself in front of him.

"It’s a swimming wear, lady. Stop overthinking things." Auren’s voice cut through the silence as he released a heavy sigh. "Like I said... you’re not my type. You don’t have the ass or boobs I fancy. Hence, you should feel relaxed. I’m not going to touch you."

His crude honesty sent waves of shock and humiliation rippling through Jamaila’s chest.

"I... I’m sorry," she stammered, her voice breaking as she swallowed hard. Her eyes dropped to the floor, refusing to meet his. "But I can’t put that on. I prefer to make use of my school uniform."

"Fine then. It’s your choice, anyway."

Jamaila’s head jerked up, eyes wide in disbelief. He had accepted it so easily? Yet there he was, seated firmly in a lotus position, his posture regal and unyielding. His eyes were closed, his breathing calm, and his hands were clasped together as though in solemn prayer.

"Get down to business, lady," Auren said with authority, his voice deep yet composed. "I already told you....I don’t have the whole day to waste here. We have only a few days left before the training competition. And after that, the Second Moon Ceremony approaches... a time to recognize you new students."

Jamaila swallowed hard, forcing down the lump that threatened to choke her. Wordlessly, she obeyed, settling into a sitting position beside him. Her heart raced as though she had run miles, and she dared not ask him what he meant by training competition. She just wanted to get this over with, to survive this moment before she truly died of a heart attack.

Auren was not a man of many words....at least, not usually. Yet today, he was speaking more than ever, and though his tone carried its usual sharpness, Jamaila couldn’t ignore the subtle difference. He was not being outright harsh toward her. He was... communicating. That shift alone made her heart beat faster, though not with comfort....rather with a deeper, more suffocating fear.

"Get rid of any thoughts running through your head." His voice broke into her train of thought, startling her. The command was sharp yet measured, carrying an authority that brooked no argument. "To meditate, you must silence your mind. Relax. Focus only on your breathing."

Jamaila drew in a shaky breath and let it out slowly. Then another. She heaved a heavy sigh, trying to do as she was told. She shut her eyes tightly, determined to follow his instruction. But the effort was futile. Auren’s presence was a burning weight pressing on her mind. The fact that Nicole wasn’t with them only worsened her unease.

What if those two already planned against me? The thought struck her. What if they’re truly trying to get rid of me here?

Fear curled deep in her gut, and before she could push it away, before she could force herself to open her eyes....

A strong hand landed on her waist.

Jamaila’s eyes flew open instantly, her breath catching in her throat.

"You should relax," Auren’s voice murmured behind her, low and steady. His warm breath brushed against the shell of her ear, and the intimate nearness made her flinch violently. She shoved his hand away from her waist and shot to her feet, her body trembling.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?!" Jamaila screamed, her voice shrill with panic. She turned to flee, but Auren’s hand shot out, dragging her back by the wrist.

Before she could protest further, before she could even breathe....his lips crashed against hers.

Jamaila froze, her heart stopping in her chest. The kiss was searing, shocking her to her very core. Despite her frantic attempts to pull away, to twist free, she couldn’t. He was stronger, his grip iron, his mouth demanding.

The kiss stretched, lasting what felt like an eternity. The world blurred until there was only the heat of his lips, the crushing weight of his strength, and the thunderous pounding of her heart.

Bang!

The locked door burst open, slamming against the wall with a force that reverberated through the room.

Auren immediately tore his lips from hers, the kiss breaking as Jamaila staggered back, gasping for air. Her palm cracked against his cheek with a resounding slap before she even realized she’d moved. The sting of the blow echoed in the silence.

But there was no time to breathe.

"What the hell is going on here?!" Nicole’s voice thundered from the doorway, sharp with fury. She stormed inside, her eyes narrowing at the sight before her. A scoff tore from her lips, venom lacing her tone. "I’ve been calling your line, Auren, and you didn’t answer. I went to your office....empty. And here you are, locked away with this... this piece of trash."

"Don’t say that, Nicole." Auren’s reply came in a measured tone, though a heavy sigh followed, his expression unreadable. "I’m here with Jamaila because I need to train her. She’s my only student, after all. You should go and meet Darius."

Nicole’s eyes flared. "And since when do you care about your only student?" Her scoff was colder than ice, her voice dripping with contempt. "Is your only student suddenly more important than me, brother? I need you in your office more than ever, but you’re here wasting time with her?"

Jamaila’s chest tightened. Seizing the chance to slip away, she turned toward the door, her steps small, desperate. But before she could escape, Auren’s hand closed firmly around hers, halting her.

The grip sent a fresh wave of shock shooting through both Jamaila and Nicole.

"What the heck are you doing? Let go of me!" Jamaila shouted, yanking at her hand. Her panic rose in her throat....

Slap!

A sharp sting exploded across her cheek. She reeled back, her head snapping sideways. Raising her gaze in disbelief, she saw Nicole standing over her, fury twisting her features into something cruel.

Tears welled instantly, spilling down Jamaila’s face as she choked out, "And why... why did you hit me?"

First she had been kissed against her will. Now she had been struck.

She had been right all along. These two had planned this. She was a fool to have followed Auren here. The realization clawed at her chest, leaving her breathless. It was all a trap.

But before despair could consume her....

Slap!