Page 50 of Redeeming the Villain

I’m paying for all of her tuition for four years with some of my trust fund; in return, she’s Sunny’s sitter whenever I need. I’m flexible, of course, when I can be.

Sunny’s a good girl and very independent, but I don’t like leaving her alone for too long when I’m gone. It makes my heart hurt. Especially when I can pay for someone to be here and take her on nice, long walks and stimulate her.

I don’t reach out to June every single time I leave my room, but if I’m going to be gone for more than a few hours, I like to have her there. If not just for Sunny, then for my peace of mind.

Sunny is my best friend and the most important part of my life right now. I would be so lost without her. No money will ever be too much to keep her happy and safe.

Grabbing my purse and the itinerary from my desk, I look it over once more before nicely folding it up and tucking it in my purse.

9:00 a.m.—Meet with Jess outside of Hans hall.

9:10 a.m.—Breakfast with the dean and the president of HEAU, and Congressman Briarwood.

10:00 a.m.—Photo shoot with the dean and the president of HEAU and Congressman Briarwood.

2-hour break—MUST REMAIN ON CAMPUS.

12:15 p.m.—Meeting with congressman.

That only sums up the start of my day in hell.

Unlocking my door, I catch one last look at myself in the small hanging mirror on the wall. Every hair is in perfect order. No smudged makeup.

Lifting my lips up into a smile that I don’t feel, I force the energy to flourish into my eyes, making it as believable as possible. After letting my mouth fall and lift back up into a grin, I’ve achieved my goal—a flawless fake smile.

“Bye, Sunny. Love you, baby.” I close the door behind me, and the automatic lock clicks into place.

It’s like all the energy in my body shifts to my chest, welling up and expanding with every step I take down the hall toward the elevator. Pressing the button on the wall, I wait, hearing the mechanisms grind behind the double doors. The display screen above it changes, the light shifting from left to right as it gets closer to this floor.

It chimes softly, signaling its arrival, and I step forward toward the doors, patiently waiting.

The doors begin to slide open, and my heart jumps into my throat. My eyes fall directly onto his chest, the T-shirt drawn taut against his firm muscles.

Looking up, I lock eyes with Malik, sucking in a sharp breath.

I haven’t seen him since that night, and I was not mentally prepared to see him this morning.

I’m such a different version of myself right now. So prim and proper. So controlled. A puppet of my father’s.

His face is unreadable, his jaw tight. He looks at me with a blank stare.

Dean clears his throat, and I realize it’s not just Malik getting off on the floor. The Kensington brothers are here, too, staring at us like we have a secret and they are desperate to hear it.

“Oh. Hey, Alora,” Asher greets me with a smile.

Do they know that Malik came into my room that night? Did he tell them anything?

I don’t know what I expect Malik to do. He’s unpredictable on a good day. But after he came into my room and almost kissed me? I have no idea what he’s going to do next. Or what I want him to do …

“Hi,” I answer, glancing over at him as I step back and give the small group space to exit. But no one moves, aside from Dean blocking the doors from closing with his arm.

Awkward silence consumes all of us.

I want to move and get on the elevator, but I can’t. Malik’s stare pins me in place.

It hasn’t left me. I can feel it caressing my face. Hot and heavy, as if his fingers were right there on my skin.

Dean looks at Malik, clearly noticing something is off about this interaction, more so than usual.

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