Page 123 of Redeeming the Villain

“What is it?”

Biting his lip nervously, he murmurs, “Today is really hard for him. This date holds a lot of bad memories. Just … give him some space today. He’ll reach out when he’s ready.”

My chest aches. I wish I had known. I could have done something to help distract him.

Nodding, I flash a smile. “Thanks for letting me know.”

He and Blair walk out. Sunny and I follow them out of Ivy Hall.

My phone rings, and I pull it out, hoping it’s Malik. But it’s not; it’s Flora.

“Hello?”

“Hi, dear! We are so excited to see you this week!” she cheers in my ear, and my heart sinks.

“You’re coming for the gala?” I ask, clearly left out of the conversation between my family members.

“Well, we certainly can’t leave you to deal with your father alone. Especially after the last stunt he pulled.”

My throat burns.

“And we need our Sunny fix. It’s quiet without her prancing around.”

“Wait, when are you getting in?” I ask eagerly, an idea popping into my mind.

“Thursday! Why? What’s up, sweetie?” Her bubbly energy sounds through her words.

“I … I might have someone I want you guys to meet.” I fidget with Sunny’s leash as we walk back home.

She gasps audibly, the shock lasting seconds. “Oh my goodness. Who is it?”

“A boy.” I smile as his face appears in my mind.

“Fauna is going to lose her mind. She went to a tarot reading the other day; the lady said that her Prince Charming would come in an unexpected form and that love would be entering her life in one way or another. Maybe she was talking about yours.”

I’ll never tire of the uniqueness of my aunts. They are wholly themselves, and no one will tell them differently.

Chatting with Flora for the next fifteen minutes about any little thing, I distract myself on the dreary walk home before saying goodbye.

I’m going to do my best to give Malik the space he needs today even if the only thing I want to do is show up at his door and throw my arms around him.

But instead, I’m going to spend the next few hours playing piano in my room. It’s been too long since I had a lengthy practice session, and on a rainy day, it just feels right.

Time drifts away as I force myself to stay occupied so as not to bother Malik. Before I know it, it’s nearly ten o’clock, and I still haven’t heard back from him.

Rain splatters on the sliding glass door, creating the best pitter-patters, which I could listen to for hours.

I know Griffin told me to give Malik space, and I am, but knowing Malik needs it doesn’t make it any easier to stay away.

I wish I knew what this day meant for him, the weight it holds. I just want to know more about him—the good, the bad, and the twisted.

Hopefully, he’ll trust me with his secrets one day. I’d be honored to keep them.

Maybe if he’s feeling up to it, he’ll want to come to the gala with me on Friday. At the very least, it may be a nice distraction from whatever’s on his mind.

I pull my focus back to the present and line my fingers up on the keys. I begin to play “La Campanella” by Franz Liszt, the volume on my piano turned way down.

The head of the music department told me that they would be reviewing every student who had been invited to participate at the showcase, given Rupert Von London’sincident.

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