Page 45 of Reckless Hate

Samantha raised an eyebrow. “And you call me wicked and violent.”

Rishi laughed. “Darling, I just watch. But you are hands-on. I love how some of the guys are giving you fearful looks.”

After the tennis ball and pepper-spray incident, so far no one had tried to taunt her again. Or maybe it was because her main tormentor had stopped bothering her. Since her enemy was considered God on campus along with his cousins, anyone who didn’t have his attention would automatically become invisible.

She was glad to remain invisible.

Liar.

A voice inside her whispered that while she preferred to be invisible to everyone else, she felt strangely off-balance when her enemy ignored her.

“Let’s order,” she said in a slightly irritable tone.

Luckily, Rishi was engrossed in the game. They both ordered burgers and fries which the restaurant was known for. Their food arrived surprisingly quickly and they began eating.

They were only halfway done when the place began filling up.

“Wait, isn’t that Avantika Patel?” Rishi whispered, pointing at a couple seated a few tables away.

She turned and saw that it was Avantika. And the guy she had come with was the creep, Neeraj Batra.

But unlike last time, Samantha didn’t think it was a cause for worry. From what Rishi had told her, Avantika Patel could handle herself fine, despite the sweet and innocent persona. Avantika had managed to have a showdown with Ved’s cousin Abhiram and had called him an entitled asshole in front of many people.

Samantha turned back with a small smile.

“I heard from the newsletter that Avantika Patel kissed Abhiram Simha during a drama practice session,” Rishi said in a whisper as he dug into the potato fries. “She even campaigned against him in the student presidential elections, even though he won today.”

Samantha rolled her eyes. “When will you stop reading that gossip?”

Rishi grinned. “It’s in the official newsletter, darling. That’s how I knew about you and Ved Simha. My favorite part of the newsletter so far is the masquerade kiss picture. It definitely deserved the best kiss award.”

Samantha’s heart jerked at the reminder. The damn photographer had caught the moment when she held her enemy’s tuxedo and kissed him back. The picture gave the impression of a couple locked in a passionate kiss rather than two enemies who hated each other.

“Whoever is in charge of the newsletter needs to get fired,” she said irritably. Most of it was gossip, and it always seemed to be about the three Simhas.

“Oh my God!” Rishi shrieked.

“What?”

He leaned closer with excitement brimming. “It’s him!”

“Who?”

“Ved Simha! He’s here with his cousins!”

Samantha’s heart jerked and began thudding.

Why is he here?

Is he here to cause a scene and start bothering me again?

Let him try.

She got worked up with anger and was prepared to face her enemy, but for long moments, nothing happened.

Unable to bear her curiosity, she turned back. The Simhas and their friends were seated at a big table where they created a big ruckus as they laughed and talked while watching the game. But her eyes were on her enemy. As though sensing her gaze, he looked her way.

Her heart jerked when their eyes met. She expected his mouth to twist into a mocking smile, flashing his dimples. But he only looked at her a moment longer before looking away and rejoining the conversation at his table.

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