Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Isabelle
Dad and I just got back to Raventhorn.
He went into in the kitchen to make me hot chocolate while I came upstairs to my room.
I quickly change out of my clothes into a baggy sweatshirt and yoga pants, then sit on the bed and sink into my fluffy stack of pillows.
I still feel like hell. My vision is still scratchy, my stomach still queasy, and my mind is still lopsided like I’m walking around backwards in a Picasso painting.
But it’s good to be back. It’s even better to be home knowing I survived last night. I’ve never experienced anything like that before— being drugged .
Every time I think of what Michael was going to do to me, bile rises into my throat like a lake of acid and scorches my insides.
My body felt like it was fighting itself, even when I was unconscious. My mind was a battlefield that I couldn’t escape. The world still hasn’t righted itself.
I can’t stop being thankful for Kade. He left a few minutes after Dad arrived at the hospital, but I could tell he didn’t want to leave me.
Of everyone in my life who’s shocked me, he has the most. And to think I thought Michael was nice and normal . I couldn’t have been more fooled.
I heard he’s at the Bratva compound and will most likely be expelled from Raventhorn. Good. I pray his hopes to play pro for the NBA are crushed, too.
I suppose, though, that in the grand scheme of things, Michael is the least of my worries.
I confided in Kade earlier.
He was the least likely person I thought I would ever tell that secret about the gallery because of his link to Parker.
Somehow, I found myself opening my soul. It was because we were talking about Mom, and I felt like I could trust Kade.
I didn’t tell him everything. I left Parker out to protect myself, but I told Kade enough.
Something is happening between us that is drawing me closer to him and making me trust him.
That hasn’t just come from what he did for me. Although it helped.
That same something is erasing my reservations about him, but my mind keeps going back to the thing that made us enemies in the first place.
The thing I did.
Not knowing what it is continues to weigh so heavily on my mind it’s taken on a life of its own. Kade and I have evolved over the last few weeks, but I want to ask him about it again.
I want to clear the air between us and press that reset button, but just on the bad parts.
I don’t think I can keep going like this without trying.
A little knock sounds on my door.
“Come in, Dad,” I call.
Dad walks in carrying a steaming mug of hot chocolate, and I straighten. He’s made his deluxe hot chocolate, so there’s whipped cream, marshmallows, and chocolate sprinkles adorning the top of the cup.
“Here you go, printsessa.”
As he hands it to me, I feel like a real princess. “Thank you, Dad. This is just what I needed.”
“I thought it might cheer you up.”
“You were right.” I sip on the chocolate and relish its sweetness. It definitely hits the spot, giving me a taste of home and happy memories of the countless times Dad has made this for me in the past.
Dad grins and sits opposite me on the edge of the bed. Although he’s smiling, worry ladens his expression. “Sweetheart, I’ve been thinking that perhaps you should come back to New York with me. Just for a little while. I’m sure you could get some emergency leave.”
“There’s so much to do. I’m not sure I can take a break.” Although I could definitely do with one.
“So much has happened to you in such a short space of time.”
I can’t argue with that. A lot has happened to me. There’s been something every single week, culminating into this big blowup this week. And it’s only Thursday. “What about a few days?”
“Can I think about it?”
“Isabelle.” His tone is almost chiding.
“Dad. I think I’d be sitting in New York worrying myself about everything.” Everything means Parker.
Now that I’ve had time to think, my little idea to keep an eye on him sounds even better. Life would certainly be easier for me if he weren't at Raventhorn. I’m sure having an affair with a student is enough grounds to get rid of his ass no matter who he is. I still plan to do my work, but this will be a side quest.
He sighs, cocks his head, and gives me a weary look. “I can’t tell you how worried I was when I got the call from the hospital. I just left you here hours before. I was heading to L.A.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
“I am sorry, though. I feel like I should have exercised better judgment.”
“You weren’t to know what was going to happen. I’m just glad I was able to get back to you. I would have been here sooner if I could. But I’m grateful you weren’t alone.” He searches my eyes.
Dad was very surprised to find Kade at the hospital with me. He was cordial and grateful, but I knew we’d be having a conversation about him later.
Later seems to be now.
I set the cup down and hug my knees up to my chest. “Are you going to ask me about Kade?”
“Yes. Is he one reason you don’t want to come back to New York with me?”
“Maybe.” How the tables have turned. At one point, I would have run far away from Kade. Now I can’t wait to see him again.
“Are you two seeing each other?”
“It’s complicated.” Déjà vu. That’s what I said to Michael, too.
Dad raises his brows. “Okay. Why is it complicated?”
“It just is.”
He bites the side of his lip and takes in a slow, steady breath. “Were you careful?”
I know what he’s asking me. And I was right. He could tell I’d lost my virginity.
“Yes.” There’s no point dancing around and trying to make him think otherwise.
“Isabelle, I promised myself that if this day ever came, I’d respect your decisions, no matter how I felt.”
“You’re not okay with it?” My breath stills.
“Am I not okay with a boy who stopped you from being attacked, then took you to the hospital and sat by your side for the entire night?” He smiles softly. “Kade Gurkovsky might have given me many of the gray hairs on my head, but I could never not be okay with you being with him if that’s what you choose.”
I smile back at him. “Thanks, Dad. But I’m not sure I have the choice.”
“Maybe you should see what happens. Although, I guess this all explains the craziness between you two at the start of the semester.” He lifts a questioning brow. “Perhaps you just liked each other.”
“Maybe.” I wish it were as simple as that, but it’s not.
Dad taps my head and cups my cheek. “I’m going to order pizza. Maybe we can watch a movie together and have a lazy day. How does that sound?”
“Perfect.”
“Great. See you in a minute.”
With a warm smile, Dad gets up and leaves.
I am about to retrieve my hot chocolate but my phone buzzes with a message vibrating in my bag. I get it out and note the messages and missed calls from my friends.
The new one is from Kade. Warm flutters stir the nest of butterflies in my stomach just for reading his name.
This is the first message I’ve ever gotten from him.
It says:
Rest up, Lolita, I’ll come by and see you tomorrow evening.
I quickly type back: I will. See you tomorrow.
I look forward to seeing him. I guess I should see everyone else tomorrow, too.
Everyone has been calling, but the majority of calls and messages have come from Mackenzie. I know she feels bad, but I need to rest today.
I’ll make my plans for Parker tomorrow, too.
He wants me to drop by his office when I’m feeling better and let him know how I am. That’s an opportunity I’ll definitely be taking .
I make my way down the corridor to Parker’s office.
It’s just after lunch.
I purposely didn’t check in with his secretary to let him know I was on my way because I know Lana is with him.
That’s why I’m dropping by now. It didn’t take much to find out from Lana’s airhead friends that she’d been summoned to see the lord chancellor. People tend to think that when your presence is requested by such a person, it’s either for something important or you’re in trouble. Fortunately for me, Lana’s friends thought she was that important the lord chancellor needed her.
My stomach is in knots, but my eagerness fuels me. Like when I was fifteen, I have no plan, but unlike back then, I have something to work with. Something that can’t get me or Dad in trouble if the truth comes out.
When I reach his door, I hear someone giggling inside.
This isn’t the kind of door with a keyhole that I can peek in, but I can certainly listen in.
I knew I wouldn’t be able to see anything. I just wanted to test the waters. People can act guilty in other ways.
More giggles filter through the door, so I press my ear to the smooth wood surface.
“Fuck, you are good. Now put that hot little mouth of yours to use and suck me like a good little slut,” Parker groans.
Eww, shit. I feel like I’m going to vomit everything I’ve ever eaten in my life. I wish I could bleach my ears.
But God… I’m right.
What the hell more confirmation do I need than that? Parker is totally fucking around with the students—with Lana.
The sucking sound I hear next confirms she’s giving him a blowjob. I wish I were brave enough to kick the door open and catch them in the act, but I’m not prepared.
What I need are pictures or a video. If I burst in, they’d jump apart and fix themselves. Unless they’re naked—which I have no way of knowing—they might not look as guilty as I need them to look. Then I’d have nothing and be in even more trouble.
There is no way I’m going to let him get away with this, though. Absolutely no way. Parker Federov and his holier-than-thou attitude telling me there’s nothing about me that stands out from the crowd. Fuck him . He can fuck himself. Or I’ll be sure to do it for him.
Starting now. I straighten and knock on the door.
Judging from the sounds inside, I can tell they’re scrambling around to fix themselves.
“Just a minute,” Parker calls out.
Bastard. I hope his dick falls out. Two minutes pass before he calls for me to come in.
Feigning shyness, I open the door and push it open slowly. I walk in past the bookshelves and find the two of them standing by the window.
Parker is holding a large accounting book, and Lana is balancing a stack of papers looking like she was helping him to sort out documents.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were busy,” I say in a meek, innocent voice.
“That’s okay. Lana was just helping me with some paperwork. It can wait.” He gives me a small smile, but I don’t miss the unmistakable wariness in his expression. “Come back later, Lana.”
“Of course, sir.” Lana sets the papers down and makes her way past me, cutting me a hard glance as she walks by.
She probably thinks I’m like her and he’s going to mess around with me next. No, Lana. I’m not a floozy skank like you.
I do, however, feel the stab of envy because I know Kade was with her. She’s pretty and has that model beauty and body that guys will always like. Hence why she was here.
When the door closes, I turn back to Parker, who is already staring back at me.
“You said I could drop by when I was feeling better, so here I am.” I maintain the meekness in my voice.
“Of course, come and sit.” He points to the hot seat I was in days ago.
I sit, and he lowers himself into his chair behind the desk.
“How are you feeling?” If nothing else, he’s one of the world’s best actors. He sure looks like he really cares about me. “I can’t imagine how horrible it was for you to go through something like that.”
“I’m still shaken, but I’m doing better.”
“Michael has been expelled from Raventhorn. I assume you will be pressing charges.”
“Yes, absolutely.”
“We will also be issuing our own punishment.”
“Thank you.”
I have a sick feeling that if Kade hadn’t gotten involved, nothing would have been done to Michael.
Michael is a Knight and a star athlete here. He’s what they call a prized possession. They wouldn’t have taken my word and punished him for the likes of me—an outcast.
Michael drugged and set out to rape me because he thought he’d get away with it. He also did it with ease, and I was none the wiser that I’d been drugged until it was too late. I wonder how many other girls he’s drugged and raped in the past.
“I’m adjusting your timetable for the rest of the month so you can have some counselling sessions with one of our trained counsellors. You may also see Eilish if you want to. I know you two are close.”
“Thank you. I’d like that.” I won’t refuse because counselling sessions will give me little breaks here and there whether I need them or not.
“Your father has also spoken to me about the possibility of some compassionate leave. I will authorize whatever time you need.”
Sure, he will because it means I won’t have time to do anything else. “Thanks. I’m staying, though. I wanted to assure you that I have every intention of doing all that you requested of me.”
He seems surprised to hear that. “Health comes first.”
“Art is my health. I also have some good news. I’ll be working with Gard DuPont at the Boston Gallery every weekend starting next month.” I got that news this morning, so that brightened me up.
Gard DuPont is a little like Christian Degas, but he specializes in landscape sculptures as opposed to people.
Parker looks even more taken aback. “My goodness. I’m quite impressed.”
“I started working things out straightaway. My English professors also said I could use the credits from last semester for the extra work I did toward this year, so I don’t have to worry so much about English.” Even with that, I still have a mountain load of work to do, but the deflated look on his face is worth telling him. Now he knows I have a chance.
“You seem to have things under control. I do want you to take things easy, though.”
“I appreciate that, and I will take it easy. At the same time, I won’t allow anything to come between me and my future.” I sound like I’m making a declaration of war. Because I am. I'm talking about him, and I think he knows.
“Very well.” He clears his throat, and his hawk eyes take me in with scrutiny. “Is there anything I can do?”
“No.”
“Okay, well, I’ll see you at our next meeting.”
“Sure thing.”
Maybe by then, I’ll have what I need to get rid of him.