Chapter Three

KIMBERLY

I stand there staring at Ronan's home, he lives with his father because after the divorce, his mom left for her modeling contract in miami.

Ronan couldn't go because of school and his life here, the fact that he enjoys the glory and riches is the icing on the cake,he wouldn't leave that behind.

I ring the doorbell and the butler opens up.

"Miss, we weren't expecting you."

"Hello, I'm here for Ronan."

"Ahh," he nods. "Sir Ronan is upstairs,you can come in."

"Thank you."

I make my way up the stairs and hold the doorknob.

"Ronan? It's Kimberly, can I come in?" In a flash,the door opens wide.

"You came," he says it more to himself, seeming surprised.

"Hi," I say but he doesn't respond,he grabs my hand and pulls me inside his room then shuts the door. I sit on the edge of the bed while he sits in his study chair.

"Thanks for coming," I just nod in response.

"Where's Izzy?" I stare at the wall behind him.

"She's in Miami, am scared she might spiral out of control again Kim,what if she hurts herself?"

"She won't," I look him in the eyes.

Ronan is a very handsome guy, with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes,he's lean and tall with a gorgeous smile.

"She's a strong woman, whatever she went through during the divorce made her stronger."

He stares at me for long beats then stands from the chair, my eyes follow his movements as he comes to stand in front of me.

He crouches and wraps his hands around my chin.

"I was wrong, I won't blame it on the alcohol, i'll take full responsibility for my actions. When my mom found out about the cheating,she was depressed and heartbroken, I don't want anyone to go through what she did,but I did that to you."

He takes in a sharp breath, I can feel moisture building behind my eyelids.

"I'm so so sorry Kim, I love you and I don't want to lose you,please give me another chance. Give me a chance to be better than my father."

I'm about to say no when he does the unexpected, he kneels down and begs.

"You can do whatever you want,humiliate me at school or anything but please,don't leave me. Think of my mom,I want her to be proud of me,to see that I'm like her and not him,I want you to be proud of me,let me be a better man to you."

I wipe at the tear that just rolled down my cheek.

"Please..I can't be without you Kimberly," I just stare at him.a

"Yes?" He asks me with so much hope.

"Yes," I nod and he smiles.

"Thank you," Then he kisses me.

* * Blackwool Royal High* *

"You what?! Kim! You can't be serious right now," Sam stands in front of me,one hand hiked up on her hip.

"He deserves another chance Sam,he's going through a lot and maybe he's realized his mistakes."

"Kim, guys like Ronan will always cheat no matter what, he's a womanizer,a golden boy, why won't you see that?"

"He's not, Sam, the fact that he cheated once doesn't make him one, you've never liked him, just give him a chance okay."

"No, I won't and guess what? When he cheats on you again, remember I told you so."

She sighs and flips her hair then disappears down the hallway, I hug my books to my chest,she's not right about this right?

* *A Week Later* *

Ronan keeps doing small nice things to please me,we agreed to let our relationship be private.

"We talked about this Ron."

"I know beautiful, but please understand,I had to do it, i don't want to hide this."

"I wanted this to be between us, at least for now."

He takes my hand in his.

"Look, I've seen the stares and heard the secret whispering, there's a lot of guys out there wanting and lusting over you. They want you so bad it's difficult for them to hide it, I won't let that happen."

I bite the inside of my cheek then sigh.

"Okay."

He parks the car in the lot, a spot reserved for only the Elites, I rush from the lot and head straight for the school entrance.

"Hey.." a hand wraps around my arm.

"Why are you running?"

"I-i'm not," I stutter.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just remembered Sam asked me to help her with the hard parts of her homework before the teacher goes in."

"Oh, okay, but can't we just walk in together?" I'm about to say no when he pulls me by the hand dragging me inside.

Everyone stops whatever they were doing,their eyes widen and some stare with mouths agape.

Noah stares at me in disbelief then taps Sam on the shoulder, she mumbles something and drags him out of the hallway by the jersey. My face immediately falls.

"Hi Kimberly."

"Looking good Kim."

Huh! Unbelievable,these people would do anything to please Ron just so they could join the Elites circle. They'd even go as far as befriending me so they can use me, the same faces that threw nasty remarks at me not too long ago.

I sit next to Sam, who by all means clearly lets me see that she's mad at me, the teacher walks in and the classroom goes quiet.

During lunch, I try to catch up to Sam,I almost reach her when I get blocked by a tall frame.

"Hey beautiful, I've been looking for you, let's go eat."

Ronan smiles down at me,I stare in the direction Sam went,she's long gone so I face Ron.

"Okay," I force a smile.

"What is she doing here Ron?" Bree slams her smoothie cup on the table.

"I thought this bitch was long gone."

Naomi stares daggers at me.

"Shut the fuck up Nao, you will respect my girlfriend, unless you want to be thrown out of the group." Ronan braces his hands on the table, leaning down to hold Naomi's stare, her mouth hangs open.

"What?! You're back with her?" Bree screeches.

"That's none of your business Brianna."

He responds to her and she gasps. Well Queen b hates being called by her full name, she gets up and stomps her foot like the spoiled brat she is.

"But Ron, she can-"

"If anyone is uncomfortable with her presence then leave because she's not going anywhere,"

the whole table goes quiet.

"Good," he takes a seat and pulls me to sit next to him.

* *Hallway* *

"Sam!" I jog to her side. "Are you mad at me?"

"Yes," she sighs. "Kim,this is not a good idea, he's playing you, manipulating you by using his parents situation."

"Let that be Sam, I know you care about me,I don't want to lose you or Noah. Let's just stop talking about this please."

I grab both her hands in mine, she groans.

"Fine, but I still don't like him nor approve of this relationship."

"Soo...we good?"

"Like I have a choice," she rolls her eyes and smiles.

Three days later Ronan and I go on a date, life at school has become bearable,the bullying has lessened but it's still silently there,roaming around in dark shadows,in stares and bathroom walls when they think I'm not there.

"So, did you have fun?"

"Yeah I did," I smile up at him and he leans in to place a kiss on my lips,his phone rings and he frowns.

"It's my dad."

"Well? Pick up then."

"He doesn't call me,so why is he?"

"You won't find out unless you answer," I gesture at his phone with my head, he picks up.

"What?!" He roars making me flinch,I move closer to him and mouth,

"What is it?"

He places a finger to his lips, after a few minutes, he cuts the call and bangs his hand on top of his car.

"What's wrong?" I ask placing my palm on his back.

"It's my dad, he-he,fuck!"

"Ron, talk to me." I hug him from behind, I can feel the tension in his muscles.

"Talk to me," I whisper again and he turns in my hold to face me.

"He married that woman, he secretly married her today in a fucking county clerk office."

"What?" I ask dumbfounded. "A secret wedding?"

"Yes, she's moving in tonight with her son," he closes his eyes and I place my hand on his cheek.

"Am here for you Ron, I won't leave you to deal with this alone."

His face looks pained and when he opens his eyes, I see a lost boy and not the star Ronan.

"I Should go home," he brushes his hands through my hair.

"You want me to come with you?" I examine his face.

"You'd do that for me?"

"Of course I would," I place my hand on his chest.

"I love you," he says and plants kisses on my forehead.

"Me too."

* *Caicedo's House* *

I sit still in his bedroom,my hands fidgeting as Sera the fifty seven year old nanny places my favorite cookies on the bedside table, I've never found anyone who makes delicious cookies like hers.

"Oh sweetie, are you sure you're okay? You look so nervous,maybe you should get some air."

"No nanny it's ok-"

"You will respect my wife Ronan! If you don't, I won't have any choice but to strip you off your trust fund."

Ronan's father growls from the other room.

"You can't do that! I am your son!" A bang follows.

"Then start acting like one! You will respect me and you will respect Lydia and her son."

Silence, deafening silence.

"Well I hope you'll be happy with your new perfect little family dad."

"Ronan!" A door slams, making both me and Nanny Sera jump. I've always found mr Jonathan scary despite the warm smiles he gives me.

"Oh dear, this is bad," She places a hand on her chest and leaves.

A few seconds later, Ronan enters the room, his angry face makes me hesitate whether I should touch him or not. He sits on the bed,his shoulders tense and head hanging low.

"He's already choosing them over me," he says with a strained voice, I kneel beside him.

"Just give it some time, your dad loves you,maybe he just wants some sort of peaceful ground in this house."

"Peace?" He scoffs. "They will not be peace in this house, I'll see to it."

"What if they're nice?" I try to make him reason because that heated conversation just scared the shit out of me.

"Tha fuck? Are you seriously trying to defend them? Who's side are you on Kimberly?"

"No no. I'm on your side, I just want you to maybe..feel some sort of comfortability," he shakes his head, letting out a sarcastic laugh.

"Not gonna happen."

* *An Hour Later* *

I reach home exhausted, I throw my purse on the couch and take a seat, letting out a long breath, I reach for my phone and scroll through my messages, replying to Noah's from three days ago.

Noah: just be careful,He's bad news. I hope you know what you're doing.

Me: Noah, if it makes you feel better, ok I will. Thanks for being concerned about me xo.

I massage my feet and head up to my room,sleep takes over in no time.

* *Five Days Later* *

"Shit!" I lift from the bed and look at the time on my clock hanging on the wall, 7:36am.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" I rush to the bathroom and slip on the tiles.

"Ouchie...oho-ho."

I cry out, hurts like a bitch. It takes me a few tries to get up, I limp to the shower and it's the fastest I've ever taken. I rush into the closet and I hear Sam's car honking, I move to the window and peek down,

"crap! I overslept and it's a Monday..." I singsong the last part.

I pull on my stockings quickly,the motion sending me flying backwards.

"Whoa,whoa,whoa..!"

Thump.

"Kim honey are you okay up there?"

"I'm okay," I pant while putting on my shoes from my position on the floor,I get up and grab my backpack.

Rushing down the stairs I round the table and snatch an apple from the basket.

"Your food box honey."

"Oh!" I rush back and grab it.

"My kiss Kim!" Killian shouts.

Gosh! I rush back again and kiss him on the forehead.

"Bye!" I shut the door and run to the car, Sam groans.

"You're late,now I'm late too."

"Best friends Sam remember? Best friends no complaints," I slam the door shut.

"Easy there, this is my baby."

I roll my eyes.

We rush in the hallway,a few students linger there, mostly girls, giggling and whispering

"Did you see him? O.m.g!"