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| ❛ C H A P T E R . IV ❜ |
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That same day, Erik and I arrived late to school. As we hurried through the bustling hallways, I found Lin and Ruby waiting for me by my locker.

Ruby still looked shaken from yesterday's events; her emotions were always transparent. Lin noticed it too, her eyes narrowing with concern.

"You've been acting weird since talking to Beaufort," Lin said, her gaze shifting between Ruby and me. "What happened between you three?"

Ruby sighed, her discomfort evident. "Nothing," she replied, trying to sound casual but failing. "Absolutely nothing."

Lin must have noticed Ruby's discomfort, so she changed the subject.

"No one else has ever dared to ask Headmaster Lexington for a recommendation except for Iris here," she beamed.

"I'm counting on it," Ruby replied, managing a small smile. With that, the three of us went our separate ways.

As I walked past the library, I suddenly felt someone grab my arm and pull me into the tower door. My eyes widened in shock, but I decided to remain calm.

I looked behind me as the person closed the door. It was James. I sighed in relief, placing a hand on my chest.

"Oh, it was just you. Thank God," I said, trying to steady my breathing.

"Let's renegotiate," he spoke, stepping closer, his tone calculated.

I smirked playfully. "Is this going to be your daily ritual now?"

James dug into his suit pocket, looking for something. "If you try to—" I began, but he cut me off.

"Stop with the Mother Teresa act," he said sharply. "Since your friend didn't want anything from me, I got you this so you can make sure she keeps quiet for me." He pulled out a Cartier box, revealing a Love Bracelet.

I rolled my eyes at his gesture. "Your sister already told you I wouldn't say anything. And you don't have to worry about Ruby; she won't say a thing either," I replied, stepping closer to him. "Right now, I'd be happy with a restraining order."

I looked him straight in the eye, my smirk unwavering. His eyes flickered with frustration.

"You think this is funny?" he asked in disbelief.

We stayed silent, his eyes locked on mine, searching for something. Then, unexpectedly, he chuckled and began to remove his jacket.

"What's this now?" I asked, watching him with a raised eyebrow.

"A little adventure with the hottest single guy at school?" he replied, a playful grin spreading across his face.

I side-eyed him, realizing he wanted to play a game. Fine, I could play too.

"I'd say you'd be the fortunate one," I retorted, matching his grin. "A little adventure with the hottest girl in the region."

He smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Is this your first time prostituting yourself?" I asked, my eyes boring into his, daring him to respond.

His smirk faltered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of surprise. But he quickly regained his composure."I wouldn't call it that. Just leveraging my assets." Our noses inches away from touching.

"Go to hell, Beaufort," I glared at him, my patience wearing thin.

He feigned surprise, raising an eyebrow. "Is this your idea of dirty talk?" His gaze shifted between my eyes as he stepped closer.

"If you come one step closer..." I paused, letting the threat hang in the air. "I'll kick you in the balls." I smiled sweetly, enjoying the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

He quickly stepped back, his confidence momentarily shaken. "Then get to the point, Iris," he said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. Before I could reply, we heard something from the top stairs of the tower.

I grabbed both of his arms, pulling him into a secluded corner and pressing him against the wall where we wouldn't be seen.

"If you've changed your mind, I don't know if I'm still in the mood," he commented with a smirk.

"I don't know why you're doing this. You could've just told me you wanted to see me that badly," I teased, taking a step closer to him. I could feel his large hand on my back, his ocean eyes locking with mine.

"Sta—" I started to speak, but a voice interrupted us from behind. I quickly turned around, his hand still lingering on my back.

It was none other than my two brothers. "Shit," I muttered under my breath, a word that only James heard.

I glanced nervously at James, who gulped audibly at the sudden presence. Stepping forward towards my brothers, I subtly motioned for James to remove his hand from my back.

"What's going on here?" Sebastian asked, his tone sharp as he glared at James.

I met Sebastian's gaze with a forced calmness, trying to come up with a believable explanation. "Nothing, just a misunderstanding," I said, hoping my voice didn't betray the nerves swirling inside me.

Erik's eyes narrowed as he studied James, suspicion written all over his face. "Looks like more than just a misunderstanding," he remarked, his tone accusing.

James shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny, his usual confidence faltering for a moment. "I was just..." he started, but faltered, unable to find the right words.

Before James could finish his sentence, I interjected, stepping between him and my brothers. "We were just talking, that's all," I said, hoping to diffuse the tension. "James needed to ask me something about school."

Sebastian's expression softened slightly, but the skepticism lingered in his eyes. "Alright, well, I came to watch the game, so let's head to the Lacrosse Court" he said, his tone still wary.

I nodded, relieved that the situation seemed to be under control. As we walked away, I secretly took the Cartier box from James's hand without my brothers noticing.

Despite his attempt to bribe me with the Cartier bracelet, I couldn't deny its allure. So, I took it. It was pretty, after all.

I stole one last glance at James, who was watching us with a mixture of frustration and relief.

⌗ !! ꒰ 04 ꒱ 🪩