Hailey
It was lunch break, and I sat in the cafeteria, sipping on a cup of coffee. The caffeine was my only lifeline today, considering I hadn’t gotten a proper night’s sleep-thanks to my stepbrother.
I couldn’t understand him. Why did Damien go to such lengths to mess with me? Did he find it fun? Did it give him some twisted thrill? Maybe it did. Maybe if I admitted that I wanted him more than anything else in this world, he’d feel victorious.
I didn’t know Damien well, but from what I’d seen, he thrived on challenges and he was the kind who’d only prefer to win. And the way he looked at me, it was clear he saw me as exactly that-a challenge.
“Hey, Hailey,” a familiar voice broke through my spiraling thoughts.
I glanced up to see Ricky standing nearby, a warm smile on his face.
“Oh, hi, Ricky,” I said, forcing a smile. “How are you?”
“I’m good, but what about you?” he asked, his brows knitting in concern. “You hung up the other day so suddenly, and when I tried calling back, you didn’t pick up. Is everything okay?”
A pang of guilt twisted in my stomach.
He wasn’t wrong-I had ignored his calls. But between the stress of dealing with Damien and my own messy feelings, I hadn’t had the energy to deal with Ricky. Besides, I didn’t feel the same spark for him anymore. Not like the fire Damien ignited in me. Ricky didn’t make me feel like I’d fall apart if he didn’t touch me. But Damien? He made me feel like I’d die without his touch.
“I’m fine,” I lied, keeping my tone light. “I’ve just been a bit busy this week. Mom’s out of town, so I’ve had to handle everything myself. It’s hectic for someone who’s so used to relying on her mom,” I added with a chuckle, hoping to downplay the situation. “Sorry for ignoring your calls. I didn’t mean to.”
“You don’t need to apologize. It’s totally fine,” he said, his smile reassuring and genuine. “Just promise to take care of my friend, okay?”
His words made me smile for real this time. “I will, don’t worry.”
“Alright then. See you around,” Ricky said, giving a small wave before walking off.
And just like that, I was alone again.
I barely had time to slip back into my thoughts when the sound of approaching footsteps snapped me out of my trance. My gaze shifted, landing on three girls heading straight for me.
I recognized them-classmates whose eyes always seemed to linger on me during lectures. But they’d never bothered to speak to me. Until now.
They stood around my table, their presence looming. I looked up at them, doe-eyed and confused, my coffee cup still clutched in my hands.
“Hey there, Hailey,” the redhead began, her tone dripping with mock sweetness. “So, how does it feel being Damien Black’s sister and getting a free ticket to such a renowned college?”
I blinked, stunned by her audacity. It took a moment for her words to sink in before I stood, squaring my shoulders. “What are you trying to say?” I asked, my voice steady but laced with disbelief.
“Oh, she doesn’t get it, does she?” one of the brunettes chimed in, her laugh sharp and grating. “Too dumb. Just like we thought.” She laughed harder as the other brunette high-fived her.
I clenched my jaw, my patience thinning. “Look, I don’t know any of you, and I have zero interest in talking to you. So why don’t you just leave me alone?”
“But we’re very interested in talking to you, Hailey,” the redhead said, her lips curling into a smirk. “Tell us-how does it feel living with the most renowned man in the city? Well, not just the city, but let’s start there. Since your mom married into the Black family, you must be loving the benefits, right?”
I opened my mouth to retort, but the second brunette, the skinnier one, cut me off with venomous ease. “Oh, her mom definitely married into that family for the money. And our Hailey here isn’t much different, is she? Enjoying all the perks, aren’t you?” Her voice dripped with disdain as she continued. “You’re Damien Black’s stepsister now-the most eligible bachelor’s sister. I bet life in that mansion is all designer bags, exclusive parties, and free handouts. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?”
“My life is none of your fucking business,” I spat, my anger finally boiling over.
“Actually, it’s everyone’s business these days,” the redhead shot back, her tone sharp and unapologetic. “Haven’t you noticed? People are always talking about you-your designer clothes, the places you go, the perks you get, like free courses and extra classes. But don’t get it twisted, Hailey. No one cares about you. They care about Damien Black’s stepsister. That’s who you are-a tag, a title. You don’t have an identity of your own.”
Her words hit me like a slap, each one stripping away my composure. My skin burned with humiliation, and I could feel the sting of unshed tears threatening to spill.
But just as I was about to crumble, a firm grip closed around my hand. I froze, startled, and saw the girls’ eyes widen in shock.
I turned around to find Damien standing behind me, his grip firm around my hand. He didn’t need to say a word. One look from his piercing gray eyes froze the girls in their spots, their smugness evaporating instantly.
“Let’s go,” he said curtly. Without waiting for my response, he led me out of the cafeteria. Whispers erupted around us like wildfire, but Damien didn’t seem to care.
“Let go of my hand, Damien,” I hissed under my breath, trying to yank my hand free. He ignored me completely, his grip unrelenting as he dragged me through the halls.
My cheeks burned under the stares of the other students, the girls’ cruel words echoing in my mind like a broken record. I was nothing… Only known for my stepbrother.
Finally, we reached his office. Damien shoved the door open, pulled me inside, and slammed it shut behind us. I yanked my hand free the moment he let go, spinning around to face him with a fury I could no longer contain.
“What the fuck was that?!” I snapped, my voice trembling with anger.
“What the fuck was that?” he shot back, scoffing as if I’d said something absurd. “As if you don’t know why I dragged you out of there! I save you from those bullies and this is what attitude I get?”
“You didn’t need to play the savior!” I shouted, my words dripping with sarcasm. “They were your fans, Damien. Crazy about the famous Damien Black-the most eligible bachelor, the rich guy who can have any girl he wants at the snap of his fingers. Isn’t that what you want? For women to fawn over you? Congratulations, you’ve got exactly that! All of them wanted a piece of you.”
Damien’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as I continued.
“And don’t forget, it’s thanks to you that I’m even here. Your name, your money-it’s all because of you, right? I’m just the shadow of Damien Black, the one everyone gossips about because of you! So thanks for the rescue, but I didn’t need it. I don’t need you!”
I turned to leave, my vision blurred with the heat of my rage and embarrassment. But before I could reach the door, Damien grabbed my wrist and pulled me back with a force that sent a jolt through my body.
“Let me go, Damien-”
Before I could finish, he tugged me closer, his face mere inches from mine. My protests caught in my throat as he hoisted me effortlessly onto his desk, trapping me with his presence.
“What the hell are you-”
The rest of my sentence was swallowed by his lips crashing against mine.