Felix and Faerie continued walking side by side, the sound of their footsteps mingling with the distant hum of the city. As they turned a corner, Faerie suddenly slowed her pace, her eyes narrowing at the sight of a familiar figure across the street.
Aaron Blackwood.
He stood near the entrance of the campus, his posture relaxed yet imposing, a casual air of wealth and privilege surrounding him. His tailored jacket fit him perfectly, and even in a simple stance, he commanded attention. Faerie's pulse quickened as she took him in, every memory she had of him flashing through her mind. There he was, the silver-tie billionaire, the son of the man who played a part in ruining her life.
Her lips curled into a cold smile, but she quickly masked it, turning to Felix as if in casual curiosity. "Felix, I've seen you with that boy before. Who is he?" she asked, her voice laced with feigned innocence.
Felix glanced in Aaron's direction, then back at her, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, him? That's Aaron. Aaron Blackwood. We've been friends since childhood. Our families go way back." There was a note of pride in his tone, as if being associated with Aaron added another layer to his status.
"That's amazing," Faerie replied, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. She kept her tone light, as if Aaron was just another face in the crowd, but inside, she could feel her resolve hardening. This was the moment she had been waiting for—an opportunity to get close to both of them.
Felix didn't notice the shift in her demeanor. Instead, he grinned and nudged her lightly. "You know what? Let me introduce you two. Aaron's a cool guy, and I'm sure you'll get along just fine."
Faerie's smile widened as she nodded. "Sure, Felix, lead the way." She hid the dark satisfaction creeping through her thoughts, knowing that her plan was slowly falling into place. It was time to take another step forward in this game.
As they approached, Aaron glanced up from his phone, his eyes narrowing slightly when he saw them. He didn't bother to hide his disdain as his gaze settled on Faerie, taking in her blue-tie uniform—a clear indicator of her scholarship status. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, cold and mocking.
"Felix," he said, barely glancing at his friend before fixing his attention on Faerie. "Didn't know you were making new friends among the charity cases." His tone was smooth, but the insult was clear.
Felix, sensing the tension, tried to laugh it off. "Come on, Aaron, don't be like that. Faerie's great. She's new here, and I thought you should meet."
Faerie met Aaron's gaze head-on, refusing to be intimidated. She extended a hand, her expression unwavering. "Nice to meet you, Aaron. Felix has told me a lot about you."
Aaron's smirk deepened, but he made no move to shake her hand. Instead, he slid his hands into his pockets, his posture radiating indifference. "I'm sure he has. Let me guess—you're the new scholarship girl who's managed to cause quite a stir already."
Faerie withdrew her hand, her smile sharpening. "I don't need anyone to cause a stir for me. I do that on my own."
Felix shifted uncomfortably, trying to diffuse the tension. "Alright, alright, no need to be at each other's throats. I just wanted to introduce you two."
Aaron's eyes stayed on Faerie, the smirk never leaving his face. "Well, consider us introduced. But I wouldn't get too comfortable if I were you, Faerie. Places like this tend to chew up and spit out those who don't belong."
Faerie's expression remained calm, but inside, her resolve only hardened. She knew Aaron's type well—people who thought they were untouchable because of their money and status. But she wasn't here to back down or be intimidated.
"Thanks for the advice, Aaron. I'll keep that in mind," she replied smoothly, turning her attention back to Felix, signaling that the conversation was over.
Felix shot her an apologetic look, but Faerie merely smiled at him, brushing off Aaron's words as if they hadn't affected her at all. Yet deep inside, she knew this was just the beginning. Aaron might think he was in control, but he had no idea what she had planned.
As they walked away, Faerie could feel Aaron's gaze lingering on her back, but she didn't turn around. She had a game to play, and Aaron Blackwood had just unwittingly become a central piece on her chessboard.
As Faerie and Felix walked away from Aaron, the tension lingered in the air. Felix, sensing the unease between them, glanced over at Faerie with an awkward smile.
"Sorry about Aaron. He's... well, he's got this way of thinking that not everyone likes," Felix offered, scratching the back of his head. He seemed genuinely embarrassed by his friend's behavior, trying to lighten the mood.
Faerie just shrugged, her expression cool and unaffected. "It's fine. I've dealt with worse." She maintained her composure, not letting on how she truly felt about the encounter.
Felix gave her a small, appreciative smile. "You're tough, Faerie. Most people would have just... you know, backed down."
"Yeah, well, I'm not most people," she replied, a hint of mischief in her tone as she glanced at him. It was the same playful air she often used with Felix, one that hinted at something more without ever giving too much away. She could see it intrigued him, the way his expression softened when she spoke to him like that.
They walked in silence for a few moments longer, Felix leading her through the campus grounds. Faerie kept her steps measured, her mind still processing the brief encounter with Aaron, but her face remained unreadable.
As they neared the parking lot, Felix stopped by his car, turning to face her. "Listen, if you ever need anything—help with classes, or just someone to talk to—I'm around, okay?" He seemed sincere, his concern genuine as he looked at her.
Faerie's smile was polite, but there was a firm edge in her voice when she responded. "Thanks, Felix. But I'm used to handling things on my own."
He hesitated, as if he wanted to say more, but then simply nodded, accepting her response. He opened the door of his sleek car, but before getting in, he gave her one last look. "Take care, Faerie. I'll see you tomorrow."
With that, he drove off, leaving Faerie standing in the dimming light of the evening. She watched as his car disappeared down the road, her smile fading as soon as he was out of sight. Her expression grew more serious as she turned away, heading back toward her small apartment.
She walked through the empty streets, her thoughts a whirlwind of past memories and new encounters. Aaron's face flashed in her mind once more, his dismissive attitude stinging in a way she hadn't expected. But she quickly pushed it away, focusing instead on the path ahead of her.
The city lights flickered above her, casting long shadows that stretched across the cracked pavement. Shadows that mirrored the complex emotions she kept hidden beneath her calm exterior. For now, she had to keep her focus. There was no room for distractions.