Chapter 3
Smack! I grabbed Willow by the arm and, without hesitation, slapped her hard across the face.
"Do you have any idea what you're doing?" I yelled.
"Willow!" Allen couldn't hide the panic on his face as he shouted.
He rushed over and pulled her into his arms.
"Willow," he murmured, his voice shaking.
His fingers brushed softly over Willow's cheek before he looked up at me.
There was a strange, icy hatred hidden in his eyes. This was a side of Allen I'd never seen before.
So she really meant this much to him?
Even after how outrageous she'd been, he still won't let her suffer even a slap?
"Eden," Allen called out, his voice a low growl, sending a chill down my spine.
Our mutual friends instantly caught on and closed in around me, forming a tight circle.
I looked around at everyone.
Most of our mutual friends were guys, and some of them were built like linebackers, way bigger than me.
I jutted my chin out and stared right at Allen.
"So, what are you gonna do?" I challenged.
He hesitated for a moment.
I stepped right up to him. "You gonna kill me right here?"
The veins on Allen's hand bulged as he clenched his fists.
I stared him down, refusing to look away or give an inch.
"Let's go," Allen said. He clenched his jaw, then helped Willow to her feet.
Willow looked stunned.
"Allen, she hit me," Willow protested.
"Let's go," Allen repeated.
"Allen," Willow shouted.
She clenched her jaw so hard it looked like she would crush her teeth. Tears started streaming down her face.
But this time, Allen didn't give in to her. He just shot me a glare, grabbed her hand, and walked away.
I closed my eyes for a second, trying to pull myself together after everything that just happened.
I picked up my towel and swimsuit, then made my way down to the first floor, not looking back.
But I never expected that after my swim and shower, my clothes had vanished.
"Well, who do we have here?" a familiar voice called out.
I turned to see Willow's crew waving my clothes around, their faces twisted in smirks.
"Give them back," I yelled, reaching for my clothes.
But one of Willow's friends threw the door open and shoved me right out into the hall.
"Oh my god! She's totally naked."
"Damn, she's got no shame at all."
"Whoa, check out those curves. Did anyone snap a pic?"
"Already did. Sending it to the group now. Her skin is so smooth."
Leather shoes clicked on the marble as someone walked toward me, slow and deliberate.
All the chatter stopped dead.
"Wait. Is that Mr. Wright? What's he doing here?" someone blurted out.
I looked up and saw Allen holding Willow's hand.
They stopped right in front of me.
Willow, trailing behind Allen, had dropped her whole 'poor me' act. Now she was grinning, looking way too pleased with herself.
"So, does this punishment meet your standards?" Allen asked, glancing at Willow.
All that coldness he'd aimed at me before had melted away. Now every bit of warmth in his eyes was reserved for her.
Willow gave a smug snort.
She pouted at him. "Look at you, playing hard to get. I almost thought you were really going to stop listening to me."
"How could I ever?" Allen replied.
He tapped her nose playfully. "No cameras in the bathroom. Smart thinking, Willow."
Willow snorted again. "Obviously! I guess I'll forgive you this time, but..."
Willow shot me a smug look and added, "She still owes me an apology."
"Eden," Allen said loftily, his voice icy and full of disdain. "Apologize."
I bit down so hard on the inside of my cheek that I could taste the metallic tang of blood. Anger and humiliation burning in my chest.
Willow said, "What did you just say?" She crouched down in front of me.
In the next instant, I spat blood right at her.
Willow shrieked, recoiling in horror. Her white dress was splattered with blood. "How gross!" she cried.
"Eden," Allen barked, his voice sharp with anger.
Allen clamped his hand around my jaw, forcing me to look up at him. "I told you to apologize, not pour fuel on the fire. Why can't you ever be good?"
"Be good? You want me to just roll over?" I clenched my jaw and smirked. "I did nothing wrong. Why should I be the one to back down?"
Allen's eyes were blazing with rage, his anger practically radiating off him.
But then, that fire slowly burned out, and his gaze turned ice-cold.
"Since you insist on being so stubborn, I'll teach you a lesson," Allen said.
Suddenly, he yanked me up off the floor.
He grabbed my arm and practically dragged me through the hallway, right past the crowd.
Everyone was staring and whispering, totally shocked by what was happening.
"What's going on here? Why is she strutting around naked?"
"Seriously, how can anyone be this shameless?"
"Why can't women have a little self-respect? Hell, if my own kid did this, I'd break her legs."
"Tsk, check out her ass. Make sure you get a clear shot. Don't mess it up."
"Allen!" I struggled, but his grip only tightened, leaving angry red marks around my wrist.
"Let go of me! What the hell are you doing?" I yelled.