Cruel Kings by Skye Knight

34

Camilla

A pained moan escaped me as I tenderly rubbed a dollop of aloe gel on my blistered hand and wrist. The cool jelly was soothing, relieving some of my pain.

I was finally back in my apartment. A sigh of relief escaped me as I thought of the moment when Mr. Jenkins walked in on me and Noah. The elderly lawyer was right on time before Noah could force an answer out of me.

His presence drove Noah out of the room. After making sure I was fine, he proceeded to get my signatures on some bank papers.

When we were done, I asked him if he could drive me to my apartment. Mr. Jenkins readily agreed without asking me any questions. Thanks to him, I was finally home without having to see Noah again.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. Taking it out, I checked the glowing screen.

“Luke?” I answered.

“Where are you right now?” his worried voice came through the phone.

“I’m home.”

“With Corey and Caleb?”

“No. I’m in my apartment.”

A relieved sigh escaped him. “I’m so glad to hear that. You have no idea how worried I’ve been since I couldn’t find you at the café this evening. The manager said you took an early leave.”

“Yeah,” I said, cradling the phone between my shoulder and ear while my other hand closed the lid of the aloe tub. “I needed to get out of there.”

“I understand,” he said in a grim tone. “By the way, I was wondering about something. If you don’t like the idea of seeing me outside school, please just let me know. I don’t want to impose on you.”

I wondered what he was talking about. “What is it?” I asked. “What are you hesitating about?”

“Err...”

“Luke?”

“Here’s the thing,” he said, still hesitating. “I asked Wyatt where you lived. He gave me your address and I’m kind of standing outside your building like a creeper.”

“What?! You’re here?”

“Yeah,” he said with a nervous chuckle.

I jumped to my feet and hurriedly donned a loose robe over my PJs before running out of my apartment with my phone. My feet descended the staircase until I reached the ground floor lobby.

Luke stood near the entrance, looking nervous as hell. A smile came on my lips when I spotted a pizza box in his hands.

“Hey!” I called.

Luke turned toward me and a look of relief crossed his handsome face.

“Do you mind me being here?” he asked in a hesitating tone.

“Of course, not,” I said. “Come on. Let’s not get that pizza cold.”

He smiled, following me down the lobby to reach the staircase. I felt kind of relieved to have him here. Without my roommate, it felt kind of lonely to be by myself tonight. I was glad Luke came to give me some company.

Reaching my apartment, I opened the door and let him in.

A sliver of embarrassment flashed through me. Luke’s home was as luxurious as Noah’s. I wondered if his attitude toward me would change if he knew how poor I really was.

I watched him carefully.

Luke looked around the tiny living room area that also functioned as a dining area. His gaze took in the photos taped to one of the walls. They were a jumble of memories made by both me and my roommate.

“Do you share the place with someone?” he asked after a while.

“Yeah. I live with an Arts major.” Gesturing toward the couch in the corner, I added, “Take a seat and tell me what you want to drink. I’ve got beer, orange juice, and coke.”

“Coke goes best with pizza,” he said, sitting down on the couch. Placing the pizza box on the coffee table before him, he opened the lid.

The smell of baked cheese and sauce wafted into my nostrils at once. My stomach groaned audibly.

Luke chuckled, turning his eyes on me. “I knew you’d be hungry.”

“I didn’t even realize I was hungry,” I said. “Thank you for coming to check in on me.”

“I was worried about my partner,” he said. “Total selfish move on my part.” He flashed a bright smile my way.

My lips morphed into a small grin. I couldn’t believe I was able to manage a smile after the day I’d had.

Moving into the kitchen which was just a few feet away, I opened the fridge and grabbed our drinks.

I sat down beside him on the couch and glanced at the pizza. The slices were loaded with toppings and covered in a thick layer of cheese.

My stomach grumbled again.

“Have a bite,” Luke said with a chuckle.

I picked up a slice gratefully and bit into the still warm pizza. “Mmm,” I moaned as my mouth filled with cheese, peppers, and pepperoni. “This is so good,” I said through a mouthful.

Luke grinned and picked up a slice.

For a while, we were both quiet as we ate the pizza.

“I’m glad you’re eating,” he said in a grim tone after a while.

I took a deep swig of my coke. “Starvation doesn’t solve any problems,” I said in an equally grave tone. “I’m going to eat and face them tomorrow again. Girls like me don’t have the luxury to hide. I’ve got to attend the revision classes as well as go to work.”

“Does your stepfather treat you the same way?” he asked.

“Nope. It’s just Noah.” I wanted to add Corey and Caleb’s names too but at least they’d taken care of me last night. There was at least a sliver of hope they regretted taking things too far.

“He’s ruthless. Why don’t you talk to Mr. Amhurst about what’s happening?”

I shook my head. “It’s complicated.”

“Too complicated to tell me?”

I gave a nod. “I’m sorry. You’ve been a great friend to me but some things are too complicated. Anyway, it won’t be long. Sometime soon, everything will end.”

The thought of losing Mom made my throat choke up at once. Squeezing my eyes tight, I blurted. “Let’s forget about it. It’s only a few more weeks until our finals and it’ll all be over.”

Luke looked like he wanted to say something but held back. Leaning against the couch, he sipped his coke with a thoughtful expression.

“Do you have plans for the future?” he asked after a while.

“I want to get a job and live my own life,” I said. “Hopefully, a degree will help or I can keep working at the café.”

He chuckled. “I’m sure someone like you will be scouted as soon as you graduate. If you want, I can get you a position in my dad’s company. We’re always looking for smart kids who’re good with numbers.”

Surprise flitted through me. “What kind of company does your family run?”

He gave me a strange look. “You don’t know about my family?”

His question reminded me of Noah at once. Why did these Elite members think people had nothing better to do than google about their families? A cold chill slithered down my spine.

This was a conversation I wanted to steer away from. “I’m so tired,” I said, feigning a yawn.

“Want me to tuck you into bed?” he asked with a glint in his light gray eyes.

“I’ll manage,” I said with a smile, glad that I’d been successful at changing the subject. “Thanks for bringing the pizza. I really needed that.”

“Happy to help,” he said. Leaning in, he laid a hand on my shoulder. “Let me know if you need anything. I’m here for you.”

“Thanks.”

“So, I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“You bet.”

Leaning further in, he kissed my cheek. “You’re one brave girl.”

I rubbed the spot he kissed, feeling strange. Luke grinned and got to his feet.

I followed him and walked him to the door.

“Goodnight, partner. Sleep tight.”

“You too.”

He gave a mock salute and turned around. I watched him hop down the stairs and disappear.

Closing the door, I breathed heavily.

Was Luke interested in being more than a friend?

I should’ve been happy about Luke’s interest in me. He was sweet and caring, always willing to help me. If Noah, Corey, and Caleb didn’t come into my life, I’d have been thrilled to have a guy like Luke as a boyfriend.

Noah, Corey, and Caleb changed who I was forever. They’d snatched my ability to trust anyone no matter how well they treated me.

I walked into my bedroom and threw myself on the bed.

I didn’t have the luxury to think about having a relationship with anyone right now. For the next few weeks, I just needed to survive and prepare for exams.

After that, I had my whole life to do what I wanted.