Page 19 of Saved By A Dark Billionaire
I watched Lucas grab Janessa by the arm. I knew this was a bad idea. My heart had been crushed again. This was supposed to be a one-night stand, and instead I let myself catch feelings. I focused on my rage instead of the hurt I was feeling. As I reached for the door, Lucas beat me to it. He opened it, only rubbing salt on my wounded heart. I kept my head held high as I went to step out. However, Lucas threw Janessa out instead. She stared at him, stunned. In fact, we both did.
"The trash is out now," Lucas said before closing the door on her face.
To say I was feeling triumphant was an understatement. The corners of my mouth turned up in joy. For some reason, he had picked me over the model of a woman who had thrown herself at him. The moment of elation only lasted for a second as I realized he had a naked woman in his chair a second ago. How did she even get in? How often does this happen to him? Am I another one of those girls?
There were too many questions floating in my head, and although I wanted to ask them all, I knew he wouldn't want to answer them. The hunger I had for him earlier had died, leaving me with insecurities. He turned to face me after he locked the door.
"I'm so sorry, Rose." He pinched the bridge of his nose like this was all too much of a headache.
"How about I go home?" I asked him, using a more demanding tone.
This showed me how vastly out of my league he was. I can't handle this roller coaster anymore, even though I'm the one doing it to myself. When he said he was my boyfriend at the warehouse, I had let myself daydream, but I shouldn't have. He had accepted me fully, even calling me perfect for being a fighter. Now I know it was all just words.
"Rose." His voice was almost pleading as he looked at me. He cupped my face with his hands. "Are you sure you want to go?"
"You're a busy man. Maybe having another woman to handle isn't the best idea for you. I'll see myself out. Thanks for an interesting night, Lucas." I took a step back, reaching for the door again.
Part of me hoped he would protest and ask me to stay, but as I opened the door, he said nothing. I left toward the elevator again, thinking maybe he'd chase after me, but he didn't. It proves to me how little he cares. I'm sure he's probably calling Janessa right now to get her back. He probably only kicked her out because he had started his night with me. At least he's loyal in the sense he stays with the girl he started the night out with.
The elevator doors opened, revealing Leo's sweet face. He had replaced his glasses with contacts. He styled his black hair beautifully, and he had piercings I'd never noticed before. For a more professional appearance, he must take them off while on campus, as he had a multitude of them.
He had his bottom lip pierced, a round ring around the corner of his mouth. He had a dangling cross earring on his right ear and a cuff in the cartilage. His left eyebrow had a piercing as well, ultimately giving sweet Leo a not so sweet look. He looked so different right now. I found myself staring at him. Leo furrowed his brow at me in surprise as he recognized me.
"What's wrong, Olive?" He pushed off the wall he'd been leaning on. I shook my head, not wanting to admit anything .
"Nothing's wrong." I gave him a sad attempt at a smile. He studied me for a moment before pulling me by the hand into the elevator.
"I'll take you home, and you can tell me what's actually bothering you." I noticed he wasn't asking when he said this, causing my heart to flutter for a moment.
He'd only seen me three times, and texted me throughout the week, but despite the short time frame, he could pick up on my sadness easily. Could Lucas see it too, and just not care? I sighed, but nodded my head at Leo. I figured Leo came from money as well, seeing as he got me the newest iPhone as a replacement for the one he broke. Besides, usually rich people flock together like birds. Lucas, coming from a rich background, meant his friend's probably would be too.
Leo didn't drive a Lambo, he drove an orange McLaren. Like Lucas, he held the door open for me to climb in. He closed it with a serious look on his face, making my stomach turn. I hadn't seen Leo look this way before. He was mad, but about what? I had no clue. He pulled out of the garage, driving at the speed limit.
"Tell me what Lucas did. I'll kick his ass," Leo finally broke the silence.
"He did nothing." I sighed.
"Then what happened, Olive? You looked like you could cry earlier." His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as he spoke.
“There was a girl waiting for him in his apartment. I'm pretty sureallshe was wearing was a trench coat,” I started.
"Did he kick you out for her?!" Leo raised his voice, making me flinch a bit. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell." I just shook my head again.
"You're fine, but no, he didn't kick me out. He kicked her out. It's just… I don't know. I'm stupid, and thought this could be more than it was. It's nothing, and I'll be fine. I need to keep my distance from Lucas. He's got other girls to play with, and I don't need to involve myself with him anymore than I already have." I chewed on my cheek as I finished confessing my inner thoughts. Leo nodded his head in understanding. I saw his piercing flick from side to side against his lip. He played with it as he was thinking about what to say.
"Lucas is my friend, my oldest and bestest friend. He's been around a lot of women this last year. He's not a serious relationship kind of guy anymore. Usually, he only ever sees a girl once and then never again. The fact he took you out again for a third time means something, but who knows what? I'm not sure. I know it's not like him." He continued to play with his lip piercing as he paused for a moment. "Janessa is the only person he's had around for a while, but she's more of a bed warmer. She goes in and out of town a lot on business. So when she's in town, she pays him a visit. Janessa is the closest thing he has to a serious relationship and if he kicked her out for you…well, he likes you more than I thought."
I let his words process in my mind a while longer. If that was the case, why didn't he say anything? Why didn't he ask me to stay? Why didn't he try to explain, or even chase after me when I left? It honestly wouldn't have taken a lot of convincing on his part. Yes, Leo may be his friend, but even he doesn't truly know how Lucas is feeling.
I won't do this to myself any longer. I don't need to be questioning myself or my worth. My focus should solely be on finishing this year of college, making it on the dean's list again, and not dating. Julius tore my heart out, and I honestly need to give it a break before I let Lucas pulverize it.
"Maybe, but I doubt it. Honestly, I need to focus on my studies. I just got out of a terrible relationship, and I don't need all this drama in my life." I rolled my eyes at it all.
I don't want to be this pathetic girl pining over some playboy, thinking I could be the one to change him. I am nothing to him but another girl he's slept with. Lisa's words made me think it was more than that. I was stupid to let my brain get carried away when he introduced himself as my boyfriend. I'd be extremely dumb right now to let Leo's words sway me again.I won't be seeing Lucas again.
"I understand." Leo nodded. "Just remember, I'm not Lucas, so don't stop seeing me, too." I smiled at his remark.
"Don't worry, Leo. I'll still reply to your texts and see you around campus."
