While the lecture was going on, Klaus continued researching whoever had sent those goons to hurt Morticia. He was coming up with nothing.
“Young man at the back, do you mind putting your phone down?” the female lecturer, Mrs. Sally, asked.
Klaus, unaware she was addressing him, continued using his phone.
“Young man, I’m speaking to you,” she said again.
Klaus finally looked up, locking eyes with the lecturer. The room became tense.
“Why?” His nasal voice rang out from the back.
Some girls bit their lips. This was Klaus’s first appearance in class this semester. They had all missed his good looks and voice.
“Because it isn’t proper to be on your phone while I’m teaching,” Mrs. Sally replied. She was clearly a new lecturer, unfamiliar with who Klaus was.
“Then why are you teaching? Since it isn’t proper, maybe you should stop while I’m on my phone.”
Mrs. Sally exhaled, struggling to contain her anger.
“This is a lecture room. I suggest you leave if you really need to use your phone”
“Leave? Am I doing something wrong? I’m not having sex in class, distracting everyone with a girl’s moans. Mrs. Sally, I’m a nice person… if you want me to be.”
The room fell silent, so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
Dimitri smiled, feeling impressed by Klaus’s boldness, while Nica shook her head.
Klaus was stubborn and intimidating, even the lecturers didn’t mess with him.
Despite that, he was the best student in his year. Nica could only hope Mrs. Sally would let this slide.
Mrs. Sally turned to the board to continue, while Klaus returned his cold gaze to his phone.
“Klaus, you alright? You seem to be in a bad mood,” Dimitri asked as they left the class.
“I’m fine.”
“Let’s go get lunch. Nica, are you coming?” Dimitri asked.
“Uh… no. I have to go home right after class,” Nica replied. Her father had her class schedule and promised to punish her if she got home late.
Worst, by beating her or throwing her out on the street.
This made her heart clenched so hard.
—
Jamie looked a bit nervous, and Morticia noticed. She was nervous too, wondering what was going through his mind.
“Uhmm… I was wondering if… if you could go out with me,” he finally said, and Morticia froze.
She had expected this but still felt her heart race.
Before she could respond, Klaus’s voice rang from behind.
“Bunnie.”
Morticia turned to see Klaus, Dimitri, and the purple-haired girl from the party approaching. Why were they here all of a sudden?
Klaus sat beside her, his cold eyes locking onto Jamie, who looked confused as to what he had done.
“Long time no see, Jamie,” Klaus smiled, and Morticia sighed, glancing at Dimitri, who smirked.
“Not really, Klaus, but it’s good to see you.”
“Are you two boyfriend and girlfriend?” Dimitri asked.
“Uh…” Morticia looked at Jamie, who seemed curious too. “Yeah, actually, he just asked me out, and I’ve said yes.”
Klaus’s head snapped toward her. “What?”
“Yeah, we’re officially dating and have somewhere to be right now.” She stood to leave with a knowing smile.
“Excuse me,” Jamie said as he stood and left with her, leaving Klaus staring into space.
“That’s great news, right, Sin?” Dimitri asked, but Klaus didn’t reply and just continued staring into space.
—
“Are you sure you’re okay going out? I mean, you’re not fully healed yet,” Vincent said as Sienna prepared for work tomorrow.
“I’m fine. Besides, you’re missing class because of me, and I don’t feel good about it.”
“That’s nothing to worry about…”
“What about your dance practice? You missed it yesterday because of me,” Sienna said.
“But-” Vincent began, but Sienna kissed him.
“Stop it, Vincent. I don’t want to hold you back from what’s important. You said your mom called for your help at a night event. Please, babe, I’ll be fine. I promise.”
She was right; he had barely been around lately because of her health. He loved her.
Vincent finally gave in. “Alright then.”
“Thank you, babe. I love you.” She kissed him and watched him leave.
As soon as the door closed, Sienna’s expression changed.
“Gosh, he’s always around,” she hissed, pulling out her phone to text someone.
The reply came almost instantly.
Sienna bit her lip with a smile.
—
Later that night, Klaus stepped into Morticia’s apartment. Vincent had asked him to check on her since he was busy helping Ava with her evening event.
Vincent had tried calling Morticia, but she wasn’t picking up.
Why was he always around Morticia lately? He had planned to stay away from her but kept failing.
The door was open, so she was likely home. Was she too busy messing around with her new boyfriend to answer the phone?
The thought made him grit his teeth. One kiss, and she considered the guy her boyfriend? Was she that desperate?
“Bunnie?” he called, but there was no response.
Had someone attacked her again?
He rushed upstairs and slammed her door open.
The sight that met him was completely different.
Her face was red, her hair a mess, and she was holding a bottle.
“What are you doing? Are you drinking?” he asked, snatching the bottle away from her. He then noticed her tears.
“Are you crying?” His voice softened. “What’s wrong? Did someone hurt you?”
“I… I lied,” she croaked, her eyes welling up. “I lied at school. I can still feel their hands on me. I’m not okay.”
Klaus’s expression fell. She wasn’t over the attack. Damn, how could he have been so stupid to think she was fine?
Morticia was soft, sometimes crazy, but she was really good at hiding her pain.
Right now, he felt like going and killing those goons. He had them in custody, and they’d both confessed to being sent by an unknown person.
That person’s identity was still a mystery, which is why he kept searching for the culprit.
He had a suspect, but he didn’t want to jump to conclusions.
“It’s okay, Bunnie. It’s alright,” he said, wiping her tears with his thumb.
“No, it’s not. I’m frustrated… I… I miss my dad,” she sobbed. “Today marks five years since he’s been gone. Mom and Vincent aren’t here, and they probably don’t even care… I miss him so much, Klaus. It haunts me. The fire and-”
“Hey, don’t think about it.”
“I want to drink some more… just a little. It distracts me from my crazy thoughts… please,” she said, standing up and trying to grab the bottle from him.
“No, you can’t drink. Where did you even get this?”
“Please, just give it to me.”
“No.”
“No? Why not? Stop acting like my brother, which you’re not. You’re just a bonehead who keeps hurting me without even realizing it!” she snapped, and Klaus looked confused.
“What?”
“I hate that you’re always in my head. It hurts!”
She sniffled and swept her hair back, her eyes drowsy as she almost fell. Klaus was quick to catch her, but they both lost balance and fell onto the bed.
Their chests pressed together, faces inches apart, breath mingling as their eyes locked. Silence fell between them.
“Bunnie…”
“You’re so handsome when you’re close,” she whispered, reaching for his face.
‘Get up, Klaus!’ his instinct screamed, but he remained still, waiting for what she would do next.
Her fingers trailed down to his lips. Before he knew it, she drew closer and crashed her lips onto his.
She kissed him!