Chapter 9 #2
I’m just glad I had a night to remember them by. Adrianna will never be able to take that from me, no matter how hard she may try.
It’s beautiful outside today. Slightly cloudy, but the sun is shining bright. It makes the campus feel alive.
Clearly, the birds love the hedges that line the walkways, many chirping and flying by as I head toward one of the quads to sketch for a bit after class.
I’m hoping I have time this afternoon to run to the fabric store and see if they have anything on clearance I might like.
A perk of being forced by my stepmother to work for the Kensingtons is the salary. On top of paying for their staff’s tuition, they pay us very well. But it’s not like they can’t afford it.
For my three part-time shifts this week, I’ll have earned around a little over a thousand dollars. Most of which I keep stashed away, just in case. But a small portion I put toward my work.
The large, enclosed gazebo at the center of the quad takes my breath away because for a split second, my vision fails me, replacing reality with the Kensingtons’ gazebo from this past weekend.
But I blink it away and continue on, tucking myself away inside the gazebo. The school's transformed the interior to have four private study stalls, separated by a divider that sits in the middle of the space.
Two of the stalls are taken, but I walk around and find an empty one. Vines are growing over the gap, and I have to duck beneath small leaves when I walk inside, settling into the stool and table.
Natural light shines through the vines and small gaps in the structure. I’ve used these a few times this semester already. It’s my favorite spot to be, even more so after my other recent gazebo experience.
Lifting my bag onto the table, I pull out my sketchbook and pencils. I need to finalize my concept for the collection for Fashion Illustration class It’s not due for another week or so, but I want to ensure it’s perfect.
My mind slowly drifts away when my pencil hits the paper. This is my happy place. No matter where I am physically, I’m home when I’m sketching, sewing, crafting. It’s like my soul comes alive.
A few minutes go by without my realizing it, and I fully become aware of what I’ve been drawing—masks, specifically Asher’s and Dean’s.
My heart skips a beat. It doesn’t matter how or what I feel for them right now. It can’t ever happen. For so many reasons.
For one, I’m technically their soon-to-be stepsister.
For two, Adrianna would burn my parents’ house down if she found out.
And three, I can’t date both of them. Right? Right! I can’t even date one of them, let alone pursue both brothers.
You have to forget about them, Cirella.
But the universe seems to have another idea because the sound of Asher’s voice behind me sends a shiver up my spine. He’s outside of the gazebo, just to my left.
I immediately remind myself that it wouldn’t matter if he saw me because it’s not like I’m wearing my mask or my extensions. I’m just plain ol’ Cirella right now.
And he’s not alone. Dean mutters something, and the depth of his voice steals my air.
Knowing I can’t be with them doesn’t ease the pain of that truth.
I haven’t been able to make out a word they guy have said, but Asher’s next sentence rings loudly in my ears, and my heart stops.
“I don’t know where else we can look. She vanished that night, and I’m losing my goddamn mind, D,” he groans. “I can’t get her out of my head.”
Oh my God … he’s talking about me?
No … there’s no way.
“We’ll find her,” Dean declares.
Taking a moment, I peek around to the other two people sitting in here, and thankfully, both are wearing headphones.
Although I’m not sure anything would change if they were eavesdropping. My paranoia may be getting the best of me right now.
“How?” Asher sounds frustrated.
Dean scoffs, “I’m already on it. I’m waiting for Maria to send the guest list over, and we’ll go from there.”
Asher claps. “Yes. Great start. Look at you, using your brain for once.”
I chuckle, slapping my hand over my mouth. Idiot.
My worry dissipates with their plan because I won’t be on the guest list, so they will be running in circles. My secret will stay safe for now.
But those two are smart, and there’s a chance—a small one—that they’ll actually be able to figure me out. Let’s just hope they give up before that happens.
I swear they can hear my thoughts because the next sentence to fall from Dean’s mouth has my heart in a knot.
“I won’t stop looking until we find her. She’s ours. And I’m not giving up until she’s between us again.”
Ours?
God, why is that the hottest thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life? They’re claiming me … me.
I want to jump out of here and right into their arms.
But I stay seated.
“What if she doesn’t want us? I mean, she literally ran away when she discovered who we were,” Asher argues.
Dean groans, “I don’t know. But she can tell us that herself. Even if we have to start putting up posters for her to come out of the shadows.”
What?
Spinning slightly in the stool, I peek up through the corner of my eye, finding the two of them looking way too goddamn hot. Jesus Christ.
They’re both in Legends T-shirts, showing off their muscular arms and Asher’s tattoos. They’re ripped … and drop-dead gorgeous.
I still can’t believe it was those two I was with that night …
Asher chuckles, the sound rapidly fading away. “Oh, you’re serious? You know that would cause mass chaos on campus, right? Every girl would be telling us she’s our mystery princess.”
Dean sighs and drags his hand down his face. “Look, I know. It’s just an idea. A last resort.”
“We’ll find her,” Asher mutters optimistically.
“There you guys are.” A tall, stocky brunette guy approaches them, with two others in tow. “Ready?”
Asher and Dean nod and say something back, but I can’t make it out. The group laughs and carries on their way, unaware that my heart is about to beat out of my chest.
They’re just being dramatic. They will stop eventually. I have to believe that. I’ll make sure of that.