Chapter 27
The next day at Jorendale University, Monica and Wendy were sitting across from each other in the bustling campus café. Around them, students filled the place, lining up for iced coffees and sandwiches. The low hum of chatter echoed through the space.
Monica took a sip of her iced latte and turned her gaze toward the floor–to–ceiling windows. Sunlight streamed in, casting a warm glow over her striking features–high cheekbones, flawless skin, and a hint of exotic beauty that turned heads wherever she went.
Wendy held her phone in both hands, a bright, satisfied smile spreading across her face.
Monica gave her a look. “So, you finally landed the student council president?”
“Not yet. Almost,” Wendy said with a smug smile. “Men are all animals. Vivian dated him for, what, two, three years? Yet she still wouldn’t let him sleep over. What guy can take that?”
“Men are all animals…” Monica echoed under her breath, sounding almost like she was talking to herself, “Not all of them, though.”
She had always been confident–painfully aware of the effect her looks and figure had on people. If all guys were that predictable, how could Thiago still be so completely unfazed by her?
Wendy didn’t seem to hear her. She was still venting. “Vivian’s been acting like she’s untouchable ever since she got voted the campus belle and became cheer captain. Please. She’s just Nigel’s girlfriend, not his wife. Why the hell can’t I go after him? She laid hands on me, and now? I’m gonna make sure she learns what a real blow feels like.”
Monica stayed quiet with her lips pressed together. Something about all of this left her feeling uneasy.
She glanced casually toward the front of the cafeteria, and there they were, right at the end of the line–Luciana and Vivian, standing side by side.
Even in a crowd, Luciana stood out.
She was all pale skin and soft curves, delicate but not frail. Long, straight hair fell down her back, and even with minimal makeup, her skin glowed with a healthy flush. Her face was the type that looked innocent but could still make your heart skip a beat.
Could it be… Did Thiago actually like her?
That thought made Monica set down her coffee and rise to her feet.
“Wendy, come with me.”
Wendy didn’t ask questions. She just stood up with a knowing smirk. “Got it.”
At the front counter, Luciana stood in line beside Vivian. She glanced up at the menu board and tugged gently at Vivian’s sleeve. “Hey, don’t get me anything. One of those tiny coffees costs like ten dollars. I could eat a whole meal for that.”
Vivian gave her a playful glare. “Don’t be like that. I’m in a crappy mood, and you can’t even drink a cup of coffee with me? I’m getting cake too. Every single kind in that case–I want them all.”
Since yesterday, Nigel had only sent a few half–hearted texts. Vivian hadn’t replied, and he hadn’t followed up. The cold war was still on. Luciana had spent most of the night tossing and turning, torn over whether to tell Vivian what she saw the night before. She had written out a dozen versions of the message–typing, deleting, typing again–and in the end, she never hit send.
She figured Vivian and Nigel hadn’t officially broken up yet. Maybe what happened was just some stupid mistake Nigel made while drunk. The last thing she wanted was for Vivian to think she was trying to sabotage their relationship.
Luciana bit her lip and stood quietly, the war in her head raging louder by the minute. It felt like two little voices were tugging her in opposite directions.
The line inched forward.
Out of nowhere, Vivian turned and asked, “Luci, do you think I should break up with Nigel?”
Luciana flinched “What?”
“I feel like he’s different lately, like he doesn’t love me the way he used to. And I don’t know… Maybe it’s because I’ve always said no whenever he tried to push things too far. But if that’s the kind of guy he is, then honestly? I don’t want him anymore.”
