Chapter 4 A Demand And A Favor

“Well, since Mr. Vaughn is taking matters into his own hands. I suppose this issue is handled.” Principal Heidi smiled at each one of us and stood up from his seat. 

The rest of us followed suit. Jamiel and Angela made their way to the door, until Calix’s voice made them stop in their tracks.

“Wait for me outside.” Calix leaned into my ear and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.

I turned my head and realized how bad my decision was. My lips grazed his cheek, a slight touch that sent shivers down my spine and heat to my cheeks.

I sucked in my breath and moved away. Jamiel’s eyes locked on his uncle and me, brows furrowed. He had made my heart jump and create chaos in my mind before, but it was different this time. I couldn't feel the ticklish feeling in my stomach, and none of the urge to pull myself together and look good just to please him.

“Let’s go,” Angela said and tugged at his arm.

Her hands coiled on him naturally like it was a reflex. Like I wasn't the one holding on to him two weeks ago. But I ignored the gesture and slipped out of the door. It closed after a few seconds, and I got pulled back to where I stood like a spring.

“What the fuck was that?” Jamiel’s face stood inches away from mine. 

“What the fuck is what, Jamiel?” I asked back.

“You and Uncle Calix?” His grip tightened around my arm and made me hiss.

“You tell me! What do you think we are? Your uncle that I’ve only met twice, and me, the ex you cheated on?!”

“Ex? Zhavira, we’re not over yet—”

“Jamiel! Can we just go, baby? We’re still in front of Principal Heidi’s office.” Angela pulled on him more.

But I heard him right. Even after Angela had cut him off.

“Jamiel Vaughn, do you hear yourself?” I scoffed. 

Angela turned to me, her eyes meant to kill. But I didn’t care. Not after hearing something absolutely absurd. 

“We are over. You ended whatever was between us in that message. During our call in the middle of your unholy calisthenics with this girl!” I raised my voice, making sure my words would sink into his brain and end the self-pity he’s putting himself in.

The door opened, and Calix came out of the office. He wore the same stoic expression as he stood between me and the two.

“Our meeting just ended. Don’t create a reason for another one.” 

My heartbeat slowed and finally settled. I couldn’t see any of their expressions. I was glad that Calix’s back covered my view of them both because I regained the composure I lost.

“And Jamiel, your father will hear of this.” He added, his big and warm hand wrapped around my wrist.

He pulled me out of that place, and the whole time all I could look at was his back. I didn't care about the eyes following us with each turn, or the blur of hallways changing around us.

By the time he stopped, we stood beneath the old tree in the abandoned quadrangle.

“How do you know this place?” I asked.

“I graduated here.”

Silence enveloped both of us for a few seconds before I broke it. “Two offenses.”

He turned and looked me in the eyes. He knew what I meant, and he looked almost guilty.

“I’ll be damned if Jamiel still doesn’t suspect a thing. But after those questions he asked…” I chuckled, sarcasm spilling in the cracks of my voice. “He sure is piecing the puzzle.”

“I know.” He whispered.

“I could’ve handled it myself.”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he held my gaze. And this time, I couldn’t read anything behind those icy blues.

“I know.” He stated, his voice raspy and slow. 

“Mr. Vaughn, I hope you remember our deal. You’ll break him for me, silently. And I’ll help secure your position at your father’s company.”

He was quiet for a beat too long before he answered. “And design my cabin for me.”

“This isn’t the time for jokes.”

“I’m not. Zhavira, our deal was for you to design my cabin. Securing a seat at a table where I belonged was just a bonus you added yourself.” 

He took one step closer. “Putting Jamiel in his place is easy.”

“It seems you do things explosively, Mr. Vaughn. I told you, handle him silently. Our deal was only for the both of us to know. You weren’t supposed to be throwing a campaign of an agreement that is meant to bring us both down.”

One more step, and he was a foot away, close enough that his body heat radiated toward me. He raised his hand; his fingers slid up from the center of my collarbones to my chin. He tipped my head back, letting our eyes meet properly.

“Ms. Russo, I've been drowning in something for years, Zhavira. I won't be the reason you go under with me.”

I smacked his hand away and jumped back. My pulse was loud in my ears, drowning all sounds for a while.

“Then do your part,” I demanded.

“Gladly.” A small smile played around his lips as he slipped his hands into his pockets.

I held his gaze; heat surged inside of me. Something I never thought I had blazed like wildfire. And I hoped I made the right decision.

I wished the choice I'd made that dusk had been calculated, not a half-assed plan conjured blind with hatred and agony.

I turned on my heels to leave. 

“Your father—”

I flinched and looked back. Something flickered through his eyes, gone so fast that I fooled myself into thinking it was nothing. 

“What about my father?”

He studied me for a second, then shook his head. “Nothing. I’ve been invited to a private business party this Saturday. It’s a plus-one event.” He paused.

“Could you do me the favor of being my partner?”