Seraphina
I stared at Kael, and he stared back at me.
His sudden appearance startled me, but I didn’t want to engage with him. I turned to Magnus and said, “I need to get back to class.”
Magnus smiled gently and nodded. “Alright, go ahead, Seraphina.”
I turned and walked away.
Footsteps followed me, and soon, my hand was firmly grabbed. I struggled to free myself, but Kael’s grip was too strong.
“Let go of me!” I glared at him, speaking sharply.
“Seraphina, last night my father kept me at home. I couldn’t come to see you, and I’m sorry,” Kael said.
I looked into his eyes, full of sadness and guilt.
It didn’t sit well with me. Was this apology supposed to make up for how easily he could hurt me?
This morning, Vivienne had paraded in front of me like she was showing off a trophy, holding Kael’s shirt in her hands. She made me feel humiliated.
Vivienne knew all about Kael’s life, yet I knew nothing.
As she had said, their relationship was closer than mine with him. She could come and go at his place freely, while I didn’t even know what his house looked like.
I had been so foolish yesterday, waiting for him at his apartment. Sleeping with him might have been pleasurable, but it made me realize-our relationship would never be anything more than physical.
I would never be his partner.
“I waited for you all night,” I said coldly.
“I know, and I’m sorry, Seraphina,” Kael sighed.
“If apologies were enough, we wouldn’t need laws,” I sneered, shoving him away. “I’m going to class. Don’t block my way.”
“That’s fine. I’ll wait for you after class.”
“You’re the school’s golden boy. Waiting for me outside class? Are you crazy?” I sized him up. Thankfully, everyone was in class, and the hallway was empty.
If anyone saw us pulling at each other like this, it’d be a disaster. I didn’t want to become everyone’s focus again.
“Then I’ll wait at your apartment?”
“You’re insane!”
Seeing how angry I was, Kael quickly raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright, Seraphina. Don’t be mad. How about this? You’ll head to the boxing club after class, right? I’ll wait for you there. Deal?”
This time, I agreed.
There were things we needed to talk about.
I had sorted out my feelings-I did like Kael. But there were too many obstacles between us, and I hardly knew him.
Could we really be together?
At least Vivienne seemed to know him better than I did.
Because of my injured hand, I couldn’t fully participate in class. I helped out where I could, but my mind was elsewhere.
After class, I headed to the Eagle Club.
Evelyn noticed my hand and looked concerned. “You’re injured, and you’re still going to work? Missing a day won’t hurt.”
“It’s just a small injury,” I reassured her.
Evelyn nodded. “So, how are things with Kael? Does Lucian still bother you?”
“No, and as for Kael…” I hesitated. “He has so many admirers. I doubt I even have a chance.”
“I’ve always thought you and Magnus would be a great match. He’s so gentle and considerate. Why not give it a try?” Evelyn suggested.
Her words caught me off guard, but I laughed. “We’ll see. Honestly, I find relationships exhausting.”
Not just the one I had with Lucian, but even this thing with Kael-it was utterly draining.
Relationships seemed more trouble than they were worth.
“I don’t think relationships are exhausting,” Evelyn said with a smile. “Judy and I argue sometimes, but overall, being in love is a joy.”
Was it really?
“Then you’re lucky,” I replied.
Unlike me. None of my relationships ever went smoothly.
Thinking about meeting Kael later, I couldn’t stop my brows from furrowing.
But some things needed to be faced head-on.
At the Eagle Club, I changed into my work uniform and headed to the supply closet for cleaning tools.
The door opened behind me. I assumed it was Rebecca or another staff member, but it wasn’t.
It was Kael.
“Seraphina,” he said as he walked over and pulled me into a firm embrace.
Pressed against his chest, I couldn’t ignore the warmth of his solid, muscular body. His scent wrapped around me, as if trying to keep me from escaping his world.
I pushed at him, but he didn’t budge.
“Let me go. We need to talk,” I said.
“No,” he replied. “Seraphina, I can tell you’re still upset. Tell me-what do I need to do to make you stop being angry?”
He released me and looked into my eyes.
“Vivienne came to see me this morning,” I said, taking a deep breath.
Kael’s expression darkened immediately. “What?”
“How did she know I was at your apartment? It’s strange, isn’t it?” I pushed him away. My face must have looked awful, but I didn’t care to hide it.
“She made me feel like a cheap fool, waiting at your place all night. And you-where were you? With her?”
“I wasn’t!” Kael denied quickly. “I told you, I was with my father. He punished me and wouldn’t let me leave.”
“Then why was she there?”
“Her father is my father’s assistant. She might have known something and took the chance to create misunderstandings between us. Seraphina, you’ve got to believe me!” His voice rose, his tone almost pleading.
Was that true?
I looked into his deep brown eyes. They bore into mine, as if willing me to trust him.
I wanted to believe him. His words sounded sincere, his expression earnest.
But I hesitated.
Every time I trusted Kael, it ended in hurt.
“I believe you,” I said finally.
Kael sighed in relief.
“But I don’t think we can keep going like this.”
“We have to!” Kael interrupted. “Seraphina, don’t you realize how dangerous your situation is? I need to be by your side to protect you.”
“Marek can protect me,” I said flatly. I was tired of the endless entanglements with Kael.
It was exhausting.