nd taking a step away from the shelves

lled for about a week, and was here all of a sudden

my attenti

rtable, eyes everywhere

. "What's your major?" " E

e carried herself ... it all made me want to know more. It was such a shame I couldn't reme

d be a much better experience. But I couldn't do

d while I appreciated it whenever she did it to oth

inued. " I've seen you around Ava

r hands red from

ut Nadia stopped me with

ing at me. "Your father called me." I le

shoulder. "Do you want me

y and offered her an apologetic smi

dragged her outside before

ed out of the library and ignored it. Even in

of her, looking down at the blonde woman,

k or just keep pissing

you could still talk. He said he was having a dinner party with the VC of

st. There was no way for me to ref

itched off." She smiled mischievo

alone without him bothering me.

new girl. She's cute," she said, sitt

a few details other than the party. " Ethan's party. I thin

dly. "Are you sure? Ethan told me you wer

up naked in bed wi

unreadable. "What?" " Nothing," she said. "

that. I do want to get to know her

You've never actively tried to be an

people

sturing for h

he library?" I asked, walking

e he did,"

joying each other's company. Nadia eventually left for the gu

room, calmly staring off in

go. Sometimes I wished I wasn't the only son. I wished I h

words of

to embarrass

f you do, your future will be br

he rules, your li

es in this house. ' 'Nothing is illega

is money. Get money, mor

stly think they'll do anything? I have money. W

t up. You know you have no

hose words ingrained into

ss of whiskey on the stool be

e me. "You know, you've turned moodier than ever," he began

matter how close we were, I couldn't just say

sked, concerned. "You wouldn

you need anything, you can always reach out

st bump, and I reciprocated

've never been the open type, and I won't gi

ace to decide on an outfit for th

was said aloud,

ge?" my father asked in his u

I expect you to be at your best behavio

d. "Okay." Th

ed back t

oing to matchmake me

ming c

d and pi

a female

moment. " Hello, Mom." "

letting out air from my mouth. "

d to talk to you," she said p

u'll be able to see me then, what else do you

"You never call or text anymore. It's happened since highschool, but I assumed it was just you being stubborn ..

told you why. I don't know why you want to keep having this

w this is hard for me. I'm doing th

oice. " I'll see you next week. But we're not going to

of the line. Silence, but I could al

right before hanging up a

*

t like I expected.

rmed my way into everyone's heart. It was difficult forcing a

wine in my hand,

rm and just ... sweet.

not asking for her phone number back at the library

nterested in her and wanted to know

to her eyes, it gave

e. "Julian, my boy," he said enthusiastically. "You shouldn't be standing all alone. There's s

ke in that area, and I might

g because of his words. I was now

I said, which he readily accepted, laughing

just like your father." He patted me

by my father, of whom I hadn't se

n hard and eyes always showing disapproval.

e I had

e's always watching. Looking for something to post online. My father hated bad press, and me being

ere?" he asked, locking eyes with me.

e a bit overwhelming, but I wasn't unused to it. I

e because I want you to find your future wife." He continued, his grip on my shoulder starti

I couldn't muster the courage

at felt like a black hole, sucking you in, le

ing past us. "Angelina! Just

d dressed in black. She fluttered

he's the daughter of Adam Ross,

s trying to communicate to me ' Don't

I didn't have to say much for her to swoo

ve you to a

alked away, grazed the hands of a woman, and held her hand,

oman wa