Deviant King (Royal Elite #1) - Rina Kent Page 0,50
in Xander.”
“So you just held his arm for show? You walked into the cafeteria for the first time in years with Xander for show, too?” Her lips tremble. “Wait. Did you… did you have feelings for him all this time?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then, what is it? You know he bullied me for years! I’m sure it’s written in some friendship code that you don’t date your best friend’s bully.”
I stare at her reddened cheeks, incredulous. Being the rational party right now is so freaking hard. “And does that friendship code say that you shouldn’t hug your best friend’s bully and cry in his chest? Does it allow you to act all friendly around him when it clearly makes me uncomfortable?”
Kim’s lips part as she hits the brakes, stopping the car on the side of the road. A driver yells and honks, but she ignores him and taps the steering wheel maniacally. “So this is what it’s all about? You’re taking revenge because of that?”
“I’m not taking revenge.”
“Then what?” Her eyes rim with tears. “It’s Xan, Ellie. You can’t be with him… please?”
“I’m not with him. It’s a pretence and a game to stop the bullying. Didn’t you tell me to use them while I can?”
“Oh.”
Silence takes claim in the car. I stare from the window at kindergarten kids crossing the street.
“King and I aren’t what you think.” Kim’s voice softens.
“Can’t you see he’s getting between us, Kim?” My voice is defeated.
“I won’t allow that. I’m not an idiot, once I get the information I need, I’ll step away from him.”
“What information?”
She goes back to tapping the steering wheel. “I’ll tell you when I’m sure. The point is, I promise to never hurt you, Ellie. You saw me when I was invisible, and I’ll never forget that.”
I face her, tears blurring my vision. “And I would never hurt you, Kim. You’re the best thing that happened to me since I got into this godforsaken school.”
Kim lunges at me in a bear hug. I wrap my arms around her, inhaling her soft, floral perfume. I didn’t know I needed a hug until she offered it.
When she pulls away, her eyes shift sideways before they meet mine. “Why did Xander ask you to be his pretend girlfriend?”
“I’m not sure, but I think it’s his revenge for Aiden hugging you the other week and all the attention he’s been giving you since.”
Her lips part and she bites back a smile. “Really?”
“Why do you sound happy?”
“I’m not!” She clamps her mouth shut.
“You totally are!” I jab a finger into her side.
She squirms and huffs, throwing a dismissive hand. “You and King, huh?”
My chest tugs at the mention of his name. “Me and King what?”
“Come on, Ellie. The ever so calm King started his first fight for you.”
I shake my head. “He just has some issues with Xander.”
“Yup. He had issues with Xander touching you. I’ve never seen him lose control, not even when his mother died.”
“You were there when his mother died?”
I know Mrs King is no more, but I never actually wondered how her absence can play in Aiden’s life.
How could I not have wondered about it before? People’s psychological issues always start with their parents. The world’s most notorious psychopathic killers usually had mum issues.
“Of course,” Kim says. “We’re neighbours, you know.”
Right. I forget that sometimes.
“How old were you then?” I ask.
“We were maybe seven? I was anyway. She died of illness but…”
“But what?”
Kim lowers her voice as if telling me a top-secret. “Rumour has it that her actual cause of death is suicide, but King Enterprises disguised it as illness.”
“Why?”
Kim shrugs. “I don’t know, but it could be because of stocks and stuff.”
“Was she suicidal?”
“I don’t think so? Aunt Alicia was so sweet and caring. I remember that she loved Aiden and was overprotective of him — something Uncle Jonathan didn’t appreciate. Poor Aiden wasn’t even there during her death.”
I lean forward in my seat. “What do you mean?”
“He went into a summer camp, and when he returned, his mum was dead. I still remember the hollow look in his eyes at the funeral. It still gives me chills… brr. You know, he didn’t cry that day. He stood beside his father in complete silence during the entire ceremony.”
Something tightens at the pit of my stomach. Losing his mother at such a young age while he was away must’ve been devastating. I don’t even remember my parents, but sometimes, I still feel the loss as if it happened yesterday.