Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

Is it really that hard to find... or is she just not doing her best?

"Hey, don't think like that. Tanner's just insanely good at what he does. That's why I insisted on hiring him, no matter what," Evangeline explained, lightly tapping my uninjured shoulder. "Kesha's still great at computer stuff, too." I nodded absentmindedly and returned to my thoughts, recalling the text message someone sent me earlier.

Should I meet with him? Should I ask what he wants? Should I confront him?

But deep down, I was scared of his answers. If it's really him... I'd understand why he'd want revenge.

He must think I tried to kill him, even though it was self-defense on my part.

"Do you have any idea who it might be?" Evangeline asked seriously.

I nodded. "I do. But he's supposed to be dead."

He should be dead. I saw him die that night.

She raised an eyebrow, staring at me, as if waiting for me to elaborate.

"I... I don't really know him," I admitted quietly, a memory from my past flashing in my mind-one I'd rather forget. "But every time I saw him, he'd tell me to call him 'Prince.""

I met him back in high school when people used to bully and ridicule me, even though I hadn't done anything to them.

That was when I was weak-when I tried to suppress my feelings and endure their cruelty.

"Aw, look at her! No lunch money again!"

"Not only are you unloved by your parents, but you're also broke. You're disgusting!"

"Don't befriend her, okay? If you talk to her, we'll ignore you too!"

I couldn't make friends. Anyone who tried to approach me was immediately targeted. I spent my junior high school years completely alone.

It made me sad at first, but over time, I got used to it. I accepted that no one would stand up for me but myself.

Even my mother couldn't defend herself, so how could she defend me?

But one day, things changed.

I was walking alone to the cafeteria, surrounded by people chatting and laughing with their friends.

"Sorry," I whispered when I accidentally bumped into a guy.

The guy was wearing our school uniform, but the top two buttons of his shirt were undone. He looked like he was in senior high, which made me frown since this cafeteria was for junior high students. They had their own cafeteria, so why was he here?

My eyes briefly flicked to his face but quickly returned to the floor when I saw the sharpness of his gaze.

I didn't know his name, but I could tell he was popular. Everyone in the room was staring at us.

That's when I noticed his shiny, expensive-looking shoes. Mine, by comparison, looked like trash.

"Do you not have eyes?" he asked coldly, his deep voice sending chills down my spine.

"I do," I replied curtly, still staring at his shoes.

Judging by their design, they must've cost thousands of dollars. Why would someone like him be attending a public school?

"Then look at me." His icy hands grabbed my jaw, tilting my face toward him. "I'm talking to you. Look me in the eyes, lady." "W-What the hell?!"

My body reacted on instinct. I slapped his hand away and took a step back, trembling. Why was this stranger grabbing my face? And why would someone who looked so wealthy bother with someone like me?

His lips curled into a smirk as he watched my reaction. My heart pounded in fear-not attraction.

There were no butterflies, only dread.

"You sure about this?" He stepped closer, gripping my wrist so I couldn't escape. "I'm the only one who can save you."

"I don't need saving," I shot back, but he shook his head, leaning close to my ear.

People gasped at our proximity, and some glared daggers at me. Couldn't they see I wasn't the one who approached him?

"You can call me 'Prince," he whispered, his voice low and threatening. "The prince who'll pull you out of this shitty life you're stuck in."

"Sapphire!"

My reflexes almost made me punch Evangeline, who was now standing in front of me. Thankfully, I caught myself in time, stopping my fist just before it hit her nose.

She didn't flinch. Instead, she smirked at my shocked expression. I lowered my hand, placing one leg over the other.

"Don't sneak up on me like that! What if I actually hit you?" I scolded her.

"And what if I break your bones, like you always do?" she retorted with a laugh. "Kidding aside, who were you talking about? Why should he be dead? Did you... kill him?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I stood and headed for the door. My thoughts were more chaotic now, thanks to Evangeline.

Why was she suddenly so talkative? Did the car explosion shake her brain loose?novelbin

"Wait, you did?" she asked, amused, covering her mouth with both hands. I opened the door to leave. "Oh my god, really? How?"

"I'm going home. Is someone available to drive me?" I asked, ignoring her excitement.

I thought she'd be disgusted, knowing I'd killed-or tried to kill-someone at such a young age.

But instead of judgment, she seemed thrilled.

"Who can drive me home, Evangeline?" I asked again because it seems like she was lost in her thoughts.

"Me."

It was Finnick. The last person I wanted to see.

I rolled my eyes. "Anyone but you."

"I'm the only one available," he replied, gesturing around us.

Sure enough, there was no one else but him and Evangeline.

"Should I call Ash? He's always available for you-"

Evangeline reached for her phone, but I cut her off.

"No need," I said quickly. She put her phone away.

If I didn't want to ride with Finnick, I definitely didn't want to ride with Ash. I couldn't stand anyone who sided with that psychopath. "Finnick, drive me home."

***

The silence was deafening as I sat in the passenger seat of my car, with Finnick behind the wheel.

He was just quietly staring at the road ahead. Despite the heavy traffic, it seemed like he had no intention of talking to me or even acknowledging my presence.

I cleared my throat, stealing a glance at him. His plain black polo shirt highlighted his fair, almost flawless skin. I couldn't help but notice how his muscles flexed as he turned the wheel.

Too bad, though. No matter how I look at him, he's just not my type. I never imagined us being anything more than friends.

But what I never thought possible was seeing him as a potential enemy.

"Where have you been all this time?" I asked, breaking the silence.

I caught him raising an eyebrow at me in the rearview mirror.

"I should be the one asking you that," he replied curtly, his voice cold. He didn't even spare me a glance.