Chapter 52 Waiting
Isabella’s POV
Campus had a different rhythm in the afternoon.
The rush of morning classes had faded, replaced by quieter pockets of students scattered across benches, lawns, and shaded walkways. The sun hung low enough to soften the edges of the buildings, casting long golden streaks across the quad.
I sat on one of the stone benches near the fountain, my backpack at my feet, waiting for Sarah to finish her last class so we could head home together.
At least… that had been the plan.
My phone buzzed again in my hand.
Alexander.
For what felt like the twentieth time today.
I couldn’t stop the smile tugging at the corner of my mouth as I opened the message.
Alexander:
Did you eat?
I typed back quickly.
Me:
Yes.
Three seconds later—
Alexander:
What did you eat?
I laughed quietly to myself.
He had been like this all day.
Text.
Call.
Text again.
Another message popped up before I could answer.
Alexander:
I could have picked you up already.
Here we go again.
I sighed and typed back.
Me:
“Alexander…”
The phone rang before I could even finish the text.
Of course it did.
I sighed and answered, pressing the phone to my ear.
“Hello, control freak.”
His voice came through the line immediately—low, calm, and far too familiar.
“Why are you sitting outside alone?”
I blinked.
“…How do you know I’m outside?”
There was a brief pause.
“Alright. I’m not going to lie to you,” he said. “I have my bodyguards keeping an eye on you.”
I sat up straighter on the bench.
“Alexander.”
“I know,” he cut in quickly. “You’re about to yell at me. But I’d rather you scream at me than risk something happening to you.”
I rubbed my forehead.
“Nothing is going to happen to me. I’ve been riding the bus and the train my entire life. And I already told you—no matter how hard you try to convince me, I am not getting dropped off or picked up by you or your drivers.”
“But you said I could drop you off.”
“Yes,” I said patiently. “Sometimes. And only when I ask you. Don’t automatically assume that means every day.”
He went quiet.
“This matters to me,” I continued. “Taking the bus and train is something Sarah and I have done for years. It’s our thing. If you start sending drivers or showing up every day, that disappears.”
“That’s not fair, Isabella,” he replied. “You’d rather ride a dirty bus and train instead of driving safely with the love of your life?”
The way he said it—half teasing, half serious—made me laugh.
“Hold on,” I said. “Who said you’re the love of my life?”
“You know I am,” he said immediately. “And you better not deny it.”
I shook my head, smiling.
“You’re such a control freak.”
“And you love it.”
“…Unfortunately, that might be true.”
His voice dropped slightly.
“Then let me come pick you up.”
“Not a chance,” I said. “I’m taking the train. I’ll see you later.”
“And the bodyguards stay.”
“Alexander, stop telling them to follow me everywhere. I don’t even understand why I need them.”
“You know I’m not going to stop,” he replied calmly. “You’re lucky I didn’t register them for your classes too.”
I laughed.
“You wouldn’t.”
“Try me, Isabella.”
There was a beat of silence.
Then he added quietly,
“You’re mine.”
“You’re crazy.”
“No,” he said softly. “I’m crazy about you.”
Heat rushed into my cheeks instantly.
And I knew exactly where this conversation was heading next.
Every time we talked long enough, his voice would drop… the teasing would turn darker… and the dirty talk would start.
Which meant my body would start reacting.
Which meant I would end up asking him to come get me.
And that would completely ruin my entire bus and train independence speech.
So before that could happen—
“I have to go,” I said quickly.
He laughed on the other end of the line.
He knew exactly why.
“See you soon, Isabella.”
I hung up fast before he could say anything else.
Because if he kept talking like that for another thirty seconds…
I would absolutely ask him to come get me.
And Alexander Kingsley knew it.