Chapter 28

**SCARLET**

My best friends were at the restaurant with Anthony when I arrived. The Knights restaurant was a semi-casual-semi-formal restaurant bar with bright yellow string lights that hung on the windows. It wasn’t crowded, and soft jazz music was playing inside.

Fortunately, it wasn’t all awkward since I found my friends laughing about something. I knew Nate didn’t like Anthony, but he could be very understanding most of the time.

Honestly, I wanted to go home after my encounter with Luke, but I didn’t want to disappoint my friends by leaving them. It was rude. I waltzed towards their table, and they already had an iced cold tea.

“Oh, you’re here. What happened?” Katherine asked. “That was quick. This is for you.” She pushed one glass of red tea to my side.

“He left early,” I said with a quick smile.

“Hey, I heard your brother came, is everything alright?” Anthony asked, and he sounded sincere.

“I’m fine, thanks.” I smiled. “What’s up now?”

“We’re just talking about Professor Sanders,” he replied with a chuckle, then cleared his throat. “So, shall we place our orders? I’ve been here once this week, at the opening, and their burgers are good.”

“Yeah, sure. I’d like a burger, then.”

“But why don’t we just let the boys go to the counter for us?” Katherine grinned sweetly at her boyfriend.

“No problem,” Nate said. “Come on, man.” He patted Antony’s shoulder, then they stood up.

“I thought Nate didn’t like him?” I observed as we watched the two guys approach the counter.

“It seems like Anthony’s a good guy. Not to mention one of the top undergrads in the program.” Kath took a sip of her tea. “This is refreshing, and the place is nice.”

I glanced at the bar, and there stood a bartender in a gray long-sleeved shirt and a black vest.

“I think I want to try their club sodas.”

Katherine chuckled, then her mood suddenly changed. “So, I just want to tell you something.”

“Yeah?”

“Listen, I heard Luke Alejandro never stepped foot in Harvard for a long time despite being an alumnus. Your stepbrother was Summa Cum Laude years ago. They’ve been trying to invite him every year to be the graduation guest speaker, but he always refused.”

“Okay, so?”

“But he came just to see you. Can you imagine that?” Katherine whispered as if it were some kind of a secret that shouldn’t be disclosed.

“I don’t see the relevance of your statement.”

“Come on, Scar! Don’t you get it? He’s been trying to avoid coming here! But he came for you.”

“Why would he avoid coming here?”

She blinked. “I don’t know. It’s just… Nah. Never mind what I said. Your stepbrother has always been a mystery to people. You’ll often see him on front-page news, but you will never read anything about his private life.”

I agreed. He didn’t share too much about his personal life. It just happened that he was my stepbrother, so I knew a little. But he wasn’t very open when he was Jax, either. I hadn’t realized it until now. It was ridiculous to think that he came just to see me.

I decided to send a text message to Luke. If I did want to know something, I think I should ask him directly. I was still mad at him, but I wouldn’t let this mystery bug me all the time. I wasn’t going to assume that he might somehow feel something more for me. I secretly drew my phone out of my pocket under the table and typed a message.

I heard you don’t come to school anymore. I hit send.

His reply was fast. I don’t.

I slipped the phone back into my pocket and then took a deep breath. I did not reply because I was afraid to read more texts from him.

A few minutes later, the boys came back with two burgers, French fries, and club sandwiches. Anthony put one special plate in front of me, filled with colorful macarons.

“I heard you like sweets.”

“Oh, right. Thank you, Anthony.” I smiled genuinely at him this time.

Then again, I thought I could put Anthony in one of the categories. It’s probably the “safe ones,” so I guess I’d be fine.

My phone vibrated again from my pocket. I drew the phone out and opened another text from Luke.

Have you thought about coming tonight?

I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t believe he just won’t stop.

For another senseless fuck? No. I would never.

“Guys, I’m sorry, but I need to answer this text,” I told everyone. Katherine took a small bite of her sandwich as Nate’s arm hung on her shoulders.

“It’s okay. No worries,” Katherine said with food in her mouth.

“There are some texts you just can’t ignore,” Anthony commented, and my heart skipped a beat. Did he notice now?

“Yes, I think so.”

“Family, of course.” He grinned. “My mother gets paranoid if she doesn’t see a reply at least five times a day, even if I’m in class.”

“Right.” I agreed, then smiled. “Some people could be like that.”

“But I’m careful, of course. It could affect my grades.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, despite that, you’re still at the top,” I tried to keep up, but my eyes were still on my phone, thinking of what I should say to Luke.

“Extra effort, I guess.”

“I’m sorry I judged you, man,” Nate suddenly spoke. “I thought you just don’t get along well with people.”

“It’s okay. I get that all the time.” Anthony laughed; he picked up his burger and took a bite. “I hope we all get along.”

“Sure. How about a drink later?” Nate offered.

“Aww… that’s sweet,” I commented. “I think I’d like a club soda now.”

Another text came in as they went on with their conversation

We need to talk.

I typed a reply. We are talking now.

I don’t want to do this the hard way. Don’t make me force you.

What the hell did he mean with his text? I was the one who was supposed to be mad. He was just another cheating, lying bastard.

Or what? Let’s say we’re going to talk. Are you going to tell me who Stacy is?

No. His reply was faster than the speed of light.

Then I’m done talking to you.

I don’t share my private life with anyone, witch. But I can assure you that you don’t have to worry about Stacy. I’m not fucking her anymore.

My heart clenched. So he did fuck her. There really was something about Stacy. She was probably one of his fuck buddies before, and he decided to keep her as a friend, perhaps more. It meant she was more important than me. Damn it. I apparently meant nothing to him.

Anymore? Which means you did. I hit send with my fingers shaking.

Stop texting and just talk to me in person.

Then why do you keep on replying?

Because I need you to understand that our agreement has nothing to do with Stacy. Just come here, and we will talk.

Agreement? Right. It was only an agreement. We agreed to have sex with no strings attached for two months, so I should not be complaining. I shouldn’t care about his other affairs or flings because it was only an agreement. For Luke, it was simple as that, but for me, it would shatter me, break me. He didn’t know I had already fallen in love with him.

“Are you alright?” Anthony interrupted my thoughts. “Are you crying?”

I blinked my eyes. I hadn’t realized I was already crying. I wiped away the tears immediately.

“Scar, are you okay?” Katherine asked sincerely.

“I’m fine. I’m fine. This is what I get for spending long hours in front of the computer,” I reasoned. “I’m sorry, but I think I need to go home.”

“It’s alright. You need to rest your eyes. We can still come here some other time.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

I typed another response before I finally decided to turn off my phone.

Go fuck yourself, Luke. Don’t text me anymore.