"WATCH OUT!" The cry rang out just seconds before a ball came flying past my face.

"Brad, you ass!" A brunette with a friendly smile trotted over to retrieve the ball which had landed not too far from where I stood.

"Hey, sorry about that, I'm Liv," then she points behind me, "and that ass who almost brained you is my stepbrother, Brad."

The tall dark-haired guy who's built like a Marvel character sauntered over with a cheeky grin on his face. When he licks his lips suggestively while he looks me up and down, I knew that he's trouble.

"Sorry about that sweet cheeks," he says. He's literally towering over me. I have no doubt he could break me in half if he wanted to. It's intimidating. "You must be a freshman."

"Yeah." I replied, adjusting the backpack over my shoulder.

"Thought so. I'm sure I would have noticed you." His gaze roves across my face, taking its time.

"Which program are you in?" Liv asks, shifting to stand closer as a group of students swarmed around us.

"I'm taking up English Literature."

Her eyes widen, "Really? I'm in the same program." She held her hand out, both of us were grinning.

A couple of jocks calls out to Brad and he waves his hand at them. Turning to Liv, he said, "I gotta go. Meet me in the locker after." Then to me, "See you around, gorgeous." He winks, before jogging after his friends.

"Don't worry. He's a huge flirt but he's harmless." Liv said, beaming at me. "So, what's your schedule? I transferred in, so I don't know if we'll have the same classes."

I handed her the paper and she study it.

"Awesome. We'll have the first class and a few in the same building. Who's your academic advisor?"

I look down at my file. "It says Elizabeth Ricks."

She grimaced. "Same here. Heard she's a bitch though. Hope the rumor was wrong."

We walked through the arch field and towards Byrnes building where our first class will be.

I turn to her, "Which college did you transferred from?"

She shrugged. "Some community college in Minnesota. I'm guessing you're not a local as well. Where are you from?"

"Missouri."

She raised her eyebrow. "Were you able to get in their housing programs? I applied late so I wasn't able to get one."

"Uh, no. I'm living off campus."

She frowns, glancing at me. "Where are you staying? Brad found me this student housing apartment four blocks from campus. If you want, I can talk to my landlord to offer you the spare room."

I smiled at her. "Thank you. I really appreciate it. But I just settled in Corinthian Heights last week."

Liv suddenly stopped in the middle of the hall, her eyes boring into mine. She was looking at me like I've grown another head and I'm becoming self conscious.

I shifted awkwardly on my feet. "What?"

"Is your family like, some big hotshots in business? or were you a daughter of some super wealthy Russian Oligarch?"

I was frowning and shaking my head at her ridiculous questions. I eyed her curiously, "No, I'm not any of those. Why would you think so?"

Her eyebrows rose as she looked me over. "Honestly? You're staying in a sixty thousand monthly rental apartment, that's why."

My face heats at the new information. I had no idea the cost would be that high and Kade never really bothered to answer when I asked him about it.

At the thought of him, my heart grew heavy. He didn't return for the rest of the weekend. Saturday passed, then Sunday. I spent both days preparing for the start of classes. Aside from the call Saturday afternoon telling me that he wouldn't make it back and that he had a few things he needed to deal with, I never heard from him since. I sent a few text messages this morning, asking when he's coming back, but they went unanswered and I was back to moping around the apartment. I had no idea, but I tried to keep myself from becoming angry. I knew he was a busy man and I also knew he would have more pressing matters to attend to, but I missed him. And I worried about him.

However, as I rose on Monday morning and dressed for school, I felt my first rush of excitement wash over me. New school. New opportunities. It was good thought and my worries drifted away and was replaced by one of great expectations.

I plaster a smile on my face. "Um, my boyfriend chose it for me."

Dimples appeared on both cheeks as her smile spread. "Well, that's one hell of a guy you got girl." Then she linked her arm through mine and walked us to the door. "Come on, let's get over this first class."

The rest of the day was overwhelming. But finding out that Liv was in most of my classes, I felt a lot better. She's a cool and bubbly girl with as much enthusiasm about the program as me. We planned to meet for lunch after class the next day, and I was looking forward to the company.

Silas had the evening off so the new guard, Nate was the one waiting outside when my classes ends. I told him this morning that there's no need to drive me back and forth because the apartment was only half a block, but just like any of Kade's guards, he's also very adamant despite my protests.

Shoving my backpack higher on my arm, I let out a sigh as I stepped out of the building, knowing it's going to be another restless night for me.

As soon as I reach the last step, I felt the prickly sensation at the back of my neck as if I'm being watch. I looked around suspiciously, not sure of what I was searching for exactly. Shrugging off the weird feeling, I crossed the road and greet Nate who shifted on his feet when he saw me approaching.

"You didn't listen."

His lips twitch, "Not gonna happen, Miss."

My mouth pulled into a smirk as I slid inside the car. Nate was tall and Goliath-like same with Kade's right hand man, Vince. Although the latter often spoke with a blank expression on his face, Nate is more laid back. He's like a gentle giant. I snort at the thought.

I dig on my bag to pulled out my phone and check if I have a message from Kade but no such luck. When the car dipped down into the basement, I muttered a quick goodbye to Nate and didn't wait for him to open the door. I hopped out and hit the elevator button before he had his own door shut.

I opened the door and I was greeted by darkness. I didn't have the urge to switch the light. Through the glass patio doors, the moonlight shone inside as I made my way upstairs.

I was alone. There was no Kade.

I wasn't sure what to feel about his absence, and I refused to believe I was disappointed. Instead of dwelling on it, I showered and headed to bed, too tired to eat a meal.

I barely closed my eyes when my phone rang. My palms were sweaty and my pulse had started to race again. It was Kade.

"Hey,"

Hearing his voice on the other line sent my heart into a tailspin and seems to wipe away whatever worry or doubt has been plaguing me.

I murmured back, "Hey."

"How's your first day?"

"It's fine." I bit my lip and fought back the treacherous tears that seemed to pop up out of nowhere.

"Why are you sad, Butterfly?"

Because you left me and I feel like I've lost a limb. I didn't say that out loud of course, I didn't want him to think that I was a whiny little girl, so instead I answered, "I'm not."

He didn't say anything for the longest and I got the feeling he was listening to me breathe. I only then noticed that there was constant beeping sound in the background from his end.

"Where are you Kade?" I held my breath. Will he answer or will this too be another secret, something else that we couldn't discuss?

He let out a heavy sigh. "Lorenzo had a heart attack. I'm staying with him at the moment."

I bolted upright in bed. "Oh God, is he ok?"

Guilt sunk low in my gut. I can't believe I've been upset with his absence when his grandfather was currently in the hospital.

There's some rustling sound on his end, then a door closed, "He's still in monitor. I'll get back to you as soon as I can—"

I cut him off, shaking my head. "No, no. It's fine. Don't worry about me."

"I don't think it's that easy." He chuckled. "I'll never stop worrying about you. You're just too important to me." His smooth baritone came over the phone and sidled over me, like another caress from him. I closed my eyes and snuggled deeper into bed.

"Are you okay?" Concern filtered into his voice now. "Are you eating?"

"I'm fine. I grab a snack at the campus earlier," I whispered back.

"Ayla," my name came from him in a soft whisper. And I imagine him reaching out and sliding his arms to the back of my neck. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and pull him to me, but I couldn't. He's not here. So I hugged myself harder.

We stayed on the phone for what seemed like hours while he asked me about my day and everything that had happened. After a while, I clenched the phone tighter, willing my eyes to stay open as it grew heavier, but he told me to go to sleep after he heard my exhaustion. He whispered into the phone, "I will stay on the line until you fall asleep, baby."

I couldn't hold back a grin. "Good night, Kade."

"Good night. I'll see you soon."

**

WHEN I PUT the phone away, Declan glanced up from his seat. He asked, "Is she alright?"

"She feels frustrated and alone. There's nothing she hates more than uncertainty and doubts."

He frowned. "She told you all that?"

"She doesn't know she feels all of that."

"But you do?"

I smirked. "I always do. I know things about you too. Would you like me to enlighten you?"

He started to open his mouth again, but Declan groaned, "Please don't." He paused for a second. "You know Val is not going to let this go, right?"

My jaw clenched, and the storm began inside me again. My mind replayed the shitstorm that happened yesterday and the reason why we all here in a goddamn hospital.

Declan sighed. "I thought she already accepted it. But now that Lorenzo has given back his support—"

"It's not his fucking decision to make." I gritted through my teeth.

"You always knew it would be this way, though," Declan argues.

I glare at him, refusing to acknowledge his words. "Once he accepted the fact that what he wanted is not gonna happen, I'll accept to be his heir. Until then, he's my enemy."