CHAPTER 4

"Let me go," I demanded.

"You fought before. Are you going to fight now? Is that your hobby, huh?"

"None of your business!"

With his hard grip I did nothing when he pulled me away from there. We stopped in front of the parked cars and he just let me go. I could no longer see Klyde from there.

"You shouldn't be very impulsive," he said sternly.

"I don't need your opinion about my actions. I'll do what I want!"

"And where will your stubbornness pick you up? He was on the verge of hitting you!"

"I hope you just let it go, then. You think I'm too weak and I couldn't take it? Then you're wrong! I can handle myself!"

"Really, huh?" he challenged, there was a diminution in the way he looked at me.

"Why are you interfering? It's not because you're my friend's cousin that you can scold me! You're not my brother, Rustov!"

He closed his eyes tightly and wept bitterly. He sighed deeply after a short while and looked at me darkly.

"It's getting late, go home."

I glared and turned my back on him. I don't know what his stand on this is, but my brain is too full to think about.

I stayed late on Enzo's bistro that night. Because I didn't want to go home, Enzo forced me and he himself delivered me. I also drank a little too much so it didn't make sense. I planned to call Ate that night, but eventually I restrained myself. I can't afford breaking my sister's heart at the middle of a cold night. I just cried and was upset and angry.

I am right all along. You won't gain anything from romantic love but pain. Because that's not true. People just tend to believe about it because it's the ideal. There is always a cheater, there is always a cheat. There is always pain. And I will never consider the latter part for myself.

"Eat first, Audrey," Ate Delia said.

"Just at school," I said and left the mansion on my own.

My head was aching so bad. I didn't just drink cocktails last night. Fortunately, Enzo stopped me because he might have had to put me to sleep in the bistro. Coincidentally I can't get in now. We still have a presentation.

"Oh, ma’am!” Edu called.

"What?" I asked, slightly sniffing the sense.

"The tire got flat.”

"Fuck!" I jumped on my seat and got up. I lowered the window and looked outside. The school is a bit far to walk!

I woke up late so if we can stay here longer I won't reach the first subject. That was major and we even had a group presentation. I can't miss that!

"I hope you checked earlier, Brother! We don't expect anything else! I'll be late!"

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. I'll see if I can fix it first. If not, I'll find a way."

God! We had other vehicles but we only had two drivers. To Mommy and me. Who will deliver another vehicle here? It’s this driver’s fault for not bringing spare tire!

"Faster, Edu! I’d be late!”

And my head is damn aching! Will my head even match the situation?

I rushed out and slung the bag over my shoulder. My hair is still a bit wet and I haven't even combed it before because of the rush. I don't care about how I look, anyway. All I need to do is attend classes.

"Edu, isn’t it fixed yet?”

"I'll try, Ma'am!"

I looked at the watch. It's 7:14 AM and my first class is at 7:30!

I sighed and leaned into the SUV. The school is really far from here. If I walk I will not reach the first subject. I have no other ride!

I was about to shout at Edu again when I heard a strange noise. I turned and saw an old big bike coming. That's familiar. Eventually getting closer, I realized why. That is Rustov’s

I lost my drowsiness and hangover when the motor stopped in front of me. Rustov took off his black helmet, looking so fresh on his uniform.

He looked at me, only for a brief moment and drifted his eyes to Edu.

"Flat, Edu?”

"Yes, Rustov. I have a problem here.”

"I hope you looked at it before, Edu. It's not like we don’t have other car to use!”

"I'm really sorry, Ma'am. Next time."

Rustov handed me his helmet which surprised me. I raised an brow at him.

"What is that?" my sarcastic question.

"Helmet," he said the word seriously, his lips didn't even curve a bit when it moved.

"I know. What am I going to do with that?"

"Wear it. I'll take you with me."

I opened my mouth a little. My eyes went down on his old, dirty bike. It's not very dirty but there is a mud stain on the bottom and it's obviously really old.

"Are you serious? There?"

He sighed deeply and turned his engine on.

"I get it. You don't like dirty and old. But I'm only giving you a better choice, Audrey. But if you don't want help, it's okay. My helmet is mine."

I can't believe him! Didn't even insist! Is that really who wants to help?

"My helmet," he demanded impatiently.

"Wait!" I panicked. It's only ten minutes before 7:30. I do not have time anymore!

He craned his neck and watched me darkly. My heart was pounding, I didn’t know where more nervous. In the late or in his dark stare.

"I will come with you, okay!”

"Okay." He pursed his lips a little more.

"But... is that even reliable? I might be disgraced by that?"

"That's okay, Ma'am!" Edu replied.

"Wear the helmet," Rustov ordered.

I frowned wearing the helmet. I glanced at my pencil skirt and then to the big bike. How can I sit on that?

"You sit sidewards."

I closed my eyes sharply and sighed.

"Come here now, Audrey. We'll both be late if you stay there any longer."

He glanced over my skirt. His forehead furrowed.

"Your skirt is too short. Is that even allowed?"

"Why are you making rude comments about my uniform?”

He sighed and tapped his shoulder, gesturing me to hold on to it for support. That’s exactly what I did when I lifted myself up. I have never ridden a big bike before, this is my first experience!

Once seated I realized this was the first time we had been so close. I know him for years since I'm friends with Janice since grade seven but we've never been so close. Even now

And... he smelled so nice!

"Put your bag in your lap," he demanded again.

"It's okay with my bag in the back!"

"You'll be spotted if you don't do that. Your skirt is too short."

I stared at the emptiness.

"What now? E, they won't peek."

"What, Audrey?" he asked low but emphatically. He sounded calm yet so dangerous.

The engine roared loudly. I froze in shock.

"What the fuck, Rustov!"

"Follow my command."

God! Won't we end here? I'm late! Why can't he mind his own business?

"Fine! Here it is!" I said irritably.

He calmed down there.

"Now, hold on to me."

"Okay!" I grabbed her shoulders.

"On my waist."

What? Can it be that close? But then... I looked around. This is my first time and it's scary. I might ejaculate if I don't hold on properly. It would be okay if your branded motors, but it's still cool! Where did he buy it? During the dinosaurs?

"Fine! Fine!" I cursed softly.

I put the strap on the shoulders so my bag wouldn’t fall off. Then after, I put my arms around his waist unwillingly. The smell of him tightened on my nose. And he really smells good. Manly but not too strong.

I tensed when the engine roared. I tightened my grip on him when the motor started. His body was like a hot steel, hard but warm. Is that the body of all men? But he has the built and good physique. Maybe it doesn't apply to all?

When we stopped in front of the school I was still breathing easy. I was unmoving for the first seconds. I just realized when I remembered the class and quickly got off the motor.

"Your speed was too fast, Rustov!" I spat and put off the helmet angrily.

"You'd be late if I didn't do that. Besides, I had it under control."

I fixed my hair for a while because if before, it was messy, now it's more messy. It's like I'm being raped!

"Drink some warm drink later. You look sleepless," he said and grabbed his helmet.

He started his motorbike again, maybe he would park it properly. I didn't wait for him anymore and hurried inside.