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forty-four.
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2024-11-18 01:58:23
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Hated By The Bully King forty-five.
CoraEthan returns a few minutes later with a badass-looking laptop. It's black and red, and the keyboard has built-in red and green lights behind the keys. Pretty cool. Lifting it a bit, he says, "My gaming laptop."I remove everything from the desk and he sets it up."I wish I had more time to play games," I say as I sit down next to him. "The only ones I play are at the arcade. But it's no fun when you don't have someone to play with.""You can always come to our private game room." He attaches a matching red and black mouse."I doubt Alessandro would like that," I mutter.He signs into his account and loads the game."Which game is it?" I ask."One that'll be released in a few months.""Ooh, am I getting special access to a game before anyone else?"His lips rise a little. "Yeah. We're not really allowed to show the game to anyone yet, but since I am the owner, I think I can make an exception.""I feel really special right now," I joke. But I'm not joking at all."The game's almos
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King forty-six.
CoraI'm sitting in entrepreneurship, reading my novel and trying to blot out the guys throwing vulgar comments my way. I don't even know who they are, but I think they run with Jayson's crew. It's a little hard to concentrate on the book because they're so freakin' loud."Shut your damn mouths before I make you," a rough voice says. A second later, someone throws himself in the seat next to me.I blink when I see it's Alessandro, sitting there with his arms folded over his chest, glaring at the spot before him, russet hair disheveled perfectly.Jayson's friends watch us for a second, scowls on their faces, then preoccupy themselves with something else."Hey..." I say.He slightly inclines his head.We both sit there, me glancing at him and he still glaring at the spot in front of him.I return my attention to my book. Finally, it's quiet and I can read."You weren't at breakfast," he says.I look over at him. "What? Oh, I overslept a little."He reaches for his bookbag and rummages i
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King forty-seven.
CoraEthan doesn't stop by to offer to help me with homework. A part of me is a little disappointed, because I really like spending time with him and getting to know him. I don't understand why he showed me the game last night—I mean, he's not allowed to and he wanted to...share something with me? Maybe this was his way of letting some of the pain off his chest? I don't know if he has anyone to talk to about this stuff. I don't think the guys get all mushy gushy with each other. Though I can't forget the conversation I overhead last month in their private game room, where Alessandro told Ethan and Colt that his dad was auctioning his mom's clothes. Maybe Ethan doesn't feel comfortable opening up to them.I don't know if this means he'll open up to me or anything, but it was nice to get a small glimpse into his heart. Maybe he feels like he revealed too much, though, hence his absence. Not that he owes me anything. Still, should I text him? Nah, that'd be weird. I mean, I'm not sure we
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King forty-eight.
CoraAlessandro returns a few minutes later with a can of Coke."Thanks," I say as he hands it to me."I called the cleaning crew to clean up the spilled soda," he says. He doesn't sit back down near me, just stands before me. I pop the top and guzzle down nearly half the can. I didn't realize how thirsty I am. I guess nearly being punched in the face could do that to a person.He watches me as I chug, and my eyes are pasted on his. I can't read the expression in his eyes, but there's something there. Something I can't identify. The hardness is still there, though, just barely."That was good," I say when the can is empty. Alessandro takes it from me and tosses it into the trash bin."You didn't have to do that."He stands before me and crosses his arms over his chest. "Are your wounds okay?""Yeah, they're fine. I think. Charlotte..." I slide up my sleeve and study the wound on my arm. Thankfully, it's not bleeding."You're made of tough stuff," he says absentmindedly.I look at him.
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King forty-nine.
CoraMy phone rings, wrenching me out of my thoughts. Glancing at the screen, I see it's Elissa wanting to video chat."Bestie!" she says when I take the call."Bestie!" I try to return the greeting just as enthusiastically, but my head is still a jumbled mess."Feels like forever since we talked," she says with a pout. "Sorry, I've been so busy with the dance and everything."Pushing any Alessandro related thoughts out of my head, I focus my full attention on Elissa. "How's it going, by the way? Ooh, did Jesse Hills ask you out?"She sighs wistfully. "Not yet. I don't know if he ever will. But at least I'm putting all my focus on getting the dance on its feet. I can't believe it's this weekend.""Elissa, why don't you ask Jesse out?"She blinks at me. "What?"I shrug. "Girls do it all the time.""Yeah, but..." She shakes her head. "I like him too much. It'll hurt like hell if he says no.""At least you'll stop pining after him."She thinks about it for a few seconds. "Maybe you're ri
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King fifty.
CoraIt's been a few days and the mini fridge is still in my room. No matter how many times I call the staff to take it away, no one comes. Geez, did Alessandro give them specific instructions not to take it back?And I'm escorted to and from my dorm to school and to all my classes by one of the Princes, no matter how much I kick and scream. When Friday rolls around, I've given up. Alessandro Beckham always has his way.The truth is, a part of me is a little relieved by their company. I feel safer and a little powerful. No other student so much as sneezes in my direction, and some of them even look at me in fear. Okay, maybe they're looking at my escorts in fear, but it still makes me feel a little powerful.There's another party tonight, but I'm not attending. I don't know if I'll ever go to any more parties. Colt does, of course, and Ethan's busy with a conference call. That leaves only Alessandro. But before he can think of babysitting me all night, I text him to let him know I'll
Last Updated : 2024-11-18Hated By The Bully King fifty-one.
CoraAs we continue playing, a nasally voice says, "Colty!" and a girl far too skinny to be healthy flies into the room and wraps her arms around his middle from behind.Colt pays no attention to her, his focus on beating me."You promised you'd play with me." She pouts. Then her eyes flick to mine. Anger burns in them, but I pay no attention to her, either."Colty!" she whines."Another time, Melinda. I'm busy here."I'm too focused on the game to look at her, but I feel her shooting arrows at me. After a while, she marches out of the room and slams the door behind her."I think she's pissed," I joke. Then I beat him and raise my arms in victory. "Oh yeah! Who's your queen? Who's your queen?" I do a victory dance which probably makes me look like a total fool. Colt's laughing so hard he clutches his stomach.Ethan and Alessandro's gazes are pasted on me, Ethan with humor in his eyes and Alessandro's lips slightly raised."Good job." Colt holds out his hand for a fist bump and I bump
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Hated By The Bully King fifty-two.
CoraI sit down as Colt challenges a few other students. He whips their asses, throwing me a proud smile. After he's beaten every single one, he flops down near me, wiping some sweat off his forehead."I didn't know you were so competitive," I say."And you find it totally hot.""I never said that."He playfully digs his shoulder into mine.Alessandro stands there with his arms crossed over his chest and Ethan studies something on his phone. I can't believe how much fun I'm having with these guys, and I know they're having fun, too. Who would have thought something like this would ever happen?I don't want it to end.Jumping to my feet, I say, "I have the perfect thing to play."Colt raises his brows."Bowling!"They all frown."Come on, it'll be fun!""I don't bowl," Alessandro says.The other two don't look particularly excited, either."Have any of you ever bowled?" I ask."I have when I was a kid," Ethan says."I've had my share of bowling parties," Colt says.Alessandro flips som
Last Updated : 2024-11-29
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Hated By The Bully King 130
CoraFour years laterAlessandro, Ethan, Colt and I stare at the mansion that sits before us, our jaws practically hitting the ground.Colt whistles. "That's a little bigger than our last house."I throw him an incredulous look. "Major understatement of the year. This isn't a mansion—it's a palace."He throws an arm around me and grins. "A palace fit for the most beautiful queen in the world. Our queen." He brushes his lips across my cheek.I playfully swat him away. "You know I don't like when you guys call me your queen.""Too bad. Because you are our queen. Just get used to it, Cora. The guys and I want to spoil you rotten. You gotta learn to accept it."I smile and shake my head. "Never."Ethan slides his hand into mine. "Ready to see our new home?""I'm more than ready."The four of us march up the stairs, where staff members scurry around to help us with our bags and welcome us in. I'm still trying to get used to the whole staff thing. The guys insisted we have them at our old h
Hated By The Bully King 129
CoraBeckham watches his son for a very long time, the fury seeming to grow even more intense. Then he finally sits forward, placing his palms on his desk. "What a little boy you are," he hisses. "You think you're in a damn romance movie? This is real life, Alessandro. In real life, you don't get to live in fantasy worlds. You don't get to decide what happens. You do what it takes to jump over everyone else, or else they will be the ones on top and they will step on you. So stop with this childhood nonsense. You'll marry a girl whom I see fit, someone who will help you advance in your life and career."Alessandro folds his arms over his chest, his fury a match for his father's. "Someone like Heather Mclauren?""Yes. Heather Mclauren is the perfect match for you.""Match," Colt mutters under his breath. "Who the hell gets matched up these days?"Alessandro lowers his hands on the desk, leaning close to stare his dad down. "You sent her after me, didn't you?""Of course I did! Someone h
Hated By The Bully King 128
CoraThe limo stops before the Beckham Mansion. I stare up at it from the window, once again marveling at how stunning it is. I can't believe just four months ago, I came here for the first time working at Alessandro's party. I remember that day as though it happened yesterday: how there were so many people, but Alessandro was still alone. How I saved his life, which led me down the path that would become my dream future. It's funny how one small act can change your life forever."Cora?"Ethan is holding out his hand for me. Colt and Alessandro have already climbed out of the car, Alessandro looking a little anxious. He's not trying to hide his emotions anymore—none of the guys are. The three handsome young men who stand before me are the true souls I have come to love with every fiber of my being.I accept Ethan's hand and let him help me out of the car. Colt puts his hand on my shoulder while Alessandro slides his hand into mine and gives it a reassuring squeeze. "Whatever happens,
Hated By The Bully King 127
CoraEthan's just as happy to see me at his door as Alessandro was. There's a change in his face, and as I make my way inside, I try to figure out what it is. He seems...happier, maybe? No, it's more than that. It's like—"What?" he asks with a laugh as he sits down at his desk and motions for me to come over."Sorry, was I staring?" I head over to him, where he pulls me onto his lap, my back pressed tightly to his chest, and his arms wrapped around my stomach. "I don't mean to. There's just something different about you.""There is?"I stretch my neck to scrutinize his mesmerizing emerald eyes. "You look alive.""Alive?" A soft chuckle reverberates through his chest. "Yeah, I think I'm breathing.""You're laughing, Ethan. A real one. I can't remember the last time I saw you like this."He tucks some hair behind my ear. "I'm happy, Cora. I think for the first time since my family died, I feel genuinely happy. It's like up until today, I was just trudging through life, going through th
Hated By The Bully King 126
CoraAlessandro's eyes fill with surprise when he opens the door. "Cora, hi.""Hi. Can I come in?""Sure." He widens the door.His desk is cluttered with papers—business documents. "Am I bothering you?""You never bother me," he says with a smile, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.I take his hand and lead him to the bed, where we sit side by side. "Sandro, what's going on?""What?""I know something's bothering you. And I have a feeling it's not the three boyfriends thing."His cheeks puff up. "You know me really well, don't you?" He shakes his head. "It doesn't matter. I'm okay.""If we're going to be together, you need to be open and honest with me. You don't have to worry about protecting me. I want to be here for you. I want you to pour your heart out to me. I want to feel as close to you as I can.""I want that, too." He caresses my cheek, gazing at me with raw emotions. "I want that really badly."I press my lips to his palm. "Tell me what's going on."He turns away from me,
Hated By The Bully King 125
CoraThe four of us are quiet.Colt looks at Alessandro. "I'm sorry for being selfish. I guess I was a little jealous of how close you and Cora were getting. I've wanted something like that for a really long time. It was never my intention to steal her from you or anything. I want you to be happy, Sandro, really I do. But the more time I spent with you, Cora, the more I liked you. I didn't ask you to come to New York City for some romantic getaway. I wanted to escape my life for a few days, and I knew you would be the one to make me feel better. But it was never my intention to kiss you. It kind of just happened. I'm sorry for being so selfish, Sandro."Alessandro's quiet for a few seconds before shaking his head. "I'm the selfish one. A part of me suspected you and Ethan might like Cora, too. But I wanted her all to myself. We should have talked about it.""Like we're doing now?" Colt says with a wry smile. Then he faces me. "All I want is for the two of you to be happy. So if you an
Hated By The Bully King 124
CoraAnother week passes with Alessandro and Colt not speaking."That's it," I mutter Saturday morning. "It's time I take matters into my own hands."I'm sick of feeling confused and guilty. I'm sick of seeing three former best friends hardly saying a thing to each other.I send Ethan and Colt a text, telling them to meet me in the bowling alley in half an hour. Then I head over to Alessandro's room. I could send him a text, too, but I know he won't meet up with us. It's harder to refuse someone when they stand right in your face. Well, that's what I'm counting on, anyway.I knock a few times on his door, hoping he didn't go away for the weekend. A few seconds later, footsteps approach."Who is it?" his voice calls."Cora."I hold my breath. There's a good chance he'll ignore me.The air slowly leaves my mouth when I hear him turn the handle. He stands before me with an unreadable expression on his face. I look at him closely, making out the hint of emotion hiding behind his blank mas
Hated By The Bully King 123
CoraI try texting Ethan the rest of the night. He answers a few, usually one worded answers, assuring me he's okay, but that's about it. Colt and I text, too, talking about the silliest things in the world. I guess neither of us wants to broach the kiss, Alessandro, or even Ethan.Alessandro doesn't answer any of my texts. It's been a week already. Is he ever going to forgive me? Or at least talk to me?Somehow, I fall asleep. I wake up the next morning way too early, and the first thing to enter my mind is Ethan. I reach for my phone and send him a text.Me: Are you feeling better?He responds almost immediately.Ethan: A little.Me: I hate that you were alone yesterday.Ethan: I wouldn't have been the best company.Me: I don't care about that. I just didn't want you to feel so alone.He's quiet for a bit before he responds.Ethan: I am alone. The only one left in my family.That causes tears to prick my eyes.Me: Can I take you out today? I want to take your mind off things.Ethan:
Hated By The Bully King 122
CoraColt's talking to me, which is such a relief. Though he doesn't mention anything about New York or what happened right after. He, Ethan and I sit together during lunch, but Alessandro is nowhere to be found. I don't think he even eats lunch. And I can't voice my concerns with the guys because I don't want to cause any more drama.The fact that Alessandro and Colt are still not talking to each other is like a stab in the heart. I never meant to ruin their friendship. I don't think Alessandro talks to Ethan, either. He must feel so lonely.Friday morning, I'm woken up by a text from Alessandro. I'm so shocked and thrilled that I drop my phone. After quickly sweeping it off the floor, I read the text.Alessandro: Hard day for Ethan. You should make sure he's okay.My fingers fly across my phone screen.Me: What do you mean? Why is it a hard day?He looks at the text right away, but he doesn't respond.Me: Alessandro, why is today hard for Ethan?Finally, he responds.Alessandro: His
