Ch. 64
The sudden ringing of her phone broke the thick, awkward silence inside the clinic. Selene froze for a second. The sound was coming from inside her bag on the side table. She was about to reach for it when Raze's voice cut in smoothly.
"I'll get it. Where is it exactly?" he asked, already stepping toward the table.
Since he was the closest, it made sense for him to volunteer. Selene nodded slightly.
"Front pocket. It should be there."
Raze unzipped her bag and retrieved the phone just as it stopped ringing only to light up again a second later. He handed it to her.
Adrian scoffed quietly from where he stood.
Why is this guy still here? Didn't he already find what he was looking for? It's just a medical kit. He crossed his arms, irritation flashing across his face.
Selene glanced at the screen.
It was her, Father.
"Hi, Dad." She immediately answered.
"Are you on your way home?" her father asked.
"I was about to. Why? Is something wrong?" she replied, adjusting herself slightly on the clinic bed.
"We just need your opinion on a project. If you don't mind, can you come to this address?"
Selene paused. It wasn't unusual for her father to ask for her perspective, but the suddenness caught her off guard.
"Is it urgent?" she asked.
"Kinda. But if you're busy, we can schedule it another time."
She checked her watch. It was already past three in the afternoon.
"I can go," she finally said. "Just send me the address."
"Good. I'll have my secretary text it to you."
The call ended, and almost immediately, a message came through with the location. Since it was her father personally asking, Selene couldn't really refuse.
After lowering her phone, she glanced across the room.
Adrian and Raze were both crouched near the storage cabinets, checking boxes probably still searching for the missing medical kit.
Neither of them noticed she was watching.
Quietly, Selene peeled the tape securing her IV line and carefully removed it.
She pressed a piece of cotton over the small puncture mark and swung her legs off the bed, preparing to stand.
Just then, the clinic door opened.
The nurse stepped inside and froze upon seeing three people in the room.
"Oh?"
Her eyes briefly scanned the two men but she chose to ignore them, focusing immediately on Selene.
"Ms. Valen, how are you feeling?" the nurse asked, walking toward her.
"I'm fine now," Selene answered politely. "I was actually hoping I could leave."
The nurse examined her for a moment, checking her complexion and posture.
"Your vitals are stable. But you experienced fatigue earlier. You need proper rest, hydration, and avoid overexertion. No skipping meals, and please— manage your stress."
Selene gave a small nod. "I understand."
"I'll prepare a brief medical report for you," the nurse added. "If you feel dizzy again, seek medical attention immediately."
"I will. Thank you."
Behind her, Adrian straightened up, his expression unreadable. Raze quietly closed one of the boxes. Once the nurse stepped out, Selene gathered her things and prepared to leave. She honestly expected Adrian to walk her out after all, he was the one who brought her to the clinic in the first place.
What she didn't expect was for Raze to follow them outside as well, completely abandoning the medical kit he had originally come for.
The three of them stepped into the hallway.
Selene glanced at Raze with a teasing smile.
"Are you done with your agenda at the clinic?"
Raze stiffened. The tips of his ears turned noticeably red.
"I'll just buy one outside," he muttered. "Maybe it's time for our student council president to request additional medical supplies from the head principal. The clinic clearly needs more medical kits."
Adrian shot him a sharp glare. "Medical supplies are not part of my duties."
Raze shrugged lazily. "Too bad."
Selene sighed softly, already sensing the unknown hostility from the two.
As they walked toward the university entrance, Selene slowed her pace slightly.
"Thank you... for earlier," she said, glancing at Adrian. "For bringing me to the clinic."
Adrian didn't look at her right away.
"It's my duty," he replied flatly. "It wasn't a big deal."
It clearly was but Selene decided not to argue. After a few more steps, she cleared her throat.
"By the way... which one of you brought a car?"
Both Adrian and Raze looked at her.
Selene felt a tiny bit shameless asking, but she decided to push through it.
It's not like this happens all the time.
And it would save her money. She hadn't asked anyone to drive her to school earlier because she hadn't been in the mood that morning.
In fact, she commuted. Yes, she actually took public transportation just to avoid dealing with anything or anyone.
Now she was slightly regretting that decision.
"Why? Planning to hitch a ride?" Raze raised a brow.
"Maybe." She gave him a sheepish smile.
"You didn't bring your car?"Adrian studied her for a second.
"I commuted," she admitted. "I wasn't really in the mood this morning."
There was a brief silence.
Raze let out a low whistle.
"The famous Selene Valen commuting? That's new."
"It's not illegal." Selene shot him a look.
"I brought mine." Adrian exhaled quietly, then spoke.
Raze clicked his tongue.
"Unfortunately, so did I."
"...So?" Selene blinked.
Both men looked at her.
And suddenly, the simple question of who would drive her became something much more complicated. Before Selene could even decide who to go with, Adrian's phone suddenly rang.
He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening slightly.
"It's from the student council," he muttered.
"Important?" Selene raised a brow.
He hesitated for half a second.
"Looks like it."
From the way his expression shifted, it was obvious he was needed immediately. Probably something urgent. Being student council president wasn't exactly a light responsibility. Adrian looked like he wanted to refuse but he couldn't.
"...I have to go," he said flatly.
Raze didn't miss the subtle irritation in his tone.
"Duty calls, President," Raze commented casually, though the faint smirk forming on his lips said everything.
Adrian shot him a warning look before turning back to Selene.
"I hope he makes sure you get home safely."
Selene smiled lightly. "I'll be okay. He's reliable."
Adrian nodded once. "Then... I should go."
"Hm," Selene hummed in response.
His farewell sounded nonchalant, almost indifferent but the brief pause before he turned away told a different story.
He didn't really want to leave.
Once Adrian disappeared from view, Raze's smirk widened.
"Well," he said lightly, "looks like I win."
Selene crossed her arms. "This isn't a competition."
"Sure it isn't," he replied.
He gestured toward the entrance.
"Wait here. I'll get my ride."
Selene sighed but stayed where she was.
A few minutes later...
The loud roar of an engine echoed across the university entrance.
Heads turned.
Selene's eyes widened.
Raze pulled up in front of her on a massive bike, the engine rumbling aggressively as he removed his helmet. The sound was ridiculously loud.
Selene groaned under her breath.
"You've got to be kidding me."
The motorcycle vibrated beneath him, loud enough to draw curious looks from passing students.
"Problem?" Raze grinned, completely unapologetic.
She stared at the bike. Then at him.
"I thought you had a car."
Raze tilted his head, feigning innocence.
"I did."
"I'm not dumb, Raze Ryver," she shot back. "That is not a car."
"Yeah," he said easily, "but you didn't say what kind of vehicle. Besides, a bike is still a vehicle."
The engine revved again, louder this time. Selene pinched the bridge of her nose.
I forgot how unpredictable this guy is, she thought.
A walking red flag wrapped in a bad-boy persona.