Chapter 4

Of course I said yes. As long as he didn't push past my limits, there was nothing I wouldn't do to spoil him.

If he wanted fame and fortune, I'd make it happen for him.

When I went to Avalon University to talk business with the staff, I ran into Destinee by chance.

Destinee was walking with another girl her age, and when she crossed paths with me, her eyes flashed with arrogance.

"You're here to drop off a contract for Finlay, right? When you head out, just take my friend back to my place," Destinee ordered.

Her commanding attitude seriously rubbed me the wrong way. Just because she was throwing Finlay's name around didn't mean I had to treat her friends like my own. That was not how I rolled.

"I don't have time," I shot back.

Destinee didn't bother with pleasantries. "No time? You work for Finlay, so when I say something, it's as good as him saying it. Got it? Drop the attitude."

I arched an eyebrow, smirking. "What, your friend doesn't have a car and can't even pay for a ride?"

Destinee's face went dark with embarrassment. She shot her friend a look that was straight-up murderous.

"You're just Finlay's driver's kid. Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?" Destinee snapped.

I smirked. "Clinging to someone else's fame, trying to show off, but got slapped in the face instead, huh? Now you're all pissed?"

I just smiled and brushed past her, not bothering to respond. But out of nowhere, she grabbed my hand. I turned to look at her, never thought I'd need to watch out for a girl like her.

She suddenly stepped up and slapped me hard across the face.

She said, "With that attitude, I bet you've got your eye on Finlay! Do you even know your place? You're just some nobody working at the bottom. One word from me and your dad will be out of a job! You..."

Before she could finish, I raised my hand and slapped her right back.

When she slapped me, I totally didn't see it coming. It had been ages since anyone hit me in the face.

The shock flashed by, and my face went cold. Rage burned in my eyes, and for a moment, I seriously wanted to snap Destinee's neck right then and there.

My slap landed so hard it busted her lip and even split the inside of her mouth. Blood spilled from her mouth, and her eyes filled with tears, but I didn't feel a shred of sympathy.

I pressed my tongue against my cheek. The pain wasn't much, but the humiliation stung way more. If it weren't for the law and all these people around, I'd seriously consider ending her right here.

"Go on, go snitch to your precious Finlay," I tossed out.

With that, I walked away, leaving Destinee's hateful glare burning into my back.

After wrapping up the contract with the school, I didn't leave. Instead, I waited outside the school gate for Finlay to finish class.

When he finally came out, he slid into the back seat.

"Giovanna, come home for dinner tonight. I'll cook for you myself," he said.

I glanced at the passenger seat. "Finlay, doesn't it bother you?"

Finlay leaned in, his voice smooth and playful. "Of course I care about you. That's why I'm sitting in the back. There are too many people around. I don't want them gossiping about you."

I let out a soft laugh. "Finlay, why are you acting like this? You know exactly what I mean."

Finlay froze, not saying a word.

I pressed on, "Didn't it bother you seeing your girl get slapped by me? Why didn't you jump in and defend her back then?"

Even though Finlay was standing way off to the side, I only caught him out of the corner of my eye. Even swallowed up by the crowd, those brows and those eyes were unmistakable; the moment I saw him, I knew him at once.

Finlay forced a smile. "Why would I stick up for her? If I'm worried about anything, it's whether your hand's hurting, Giovanna."

I let my wrist rest on the steering wheel, drumming my fingers absently.

I said, "But honestly, I still don't think one slap was enough."

Finlay's flings had tried to get in my face before, but none of them ever dared to pull what Destinee just did.

Where did she get the guts to hit me?

Finlay reached out, gently pulling my hand off the steering wheel and lacing his fingers with mine. His thumb traced slow circles over the back of my hand.

"Giovanna, Destinee's always been spoiled. She's still just a kid, not really grown up yet. Please, don't take it to heart, okay?" he said softly.

He lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of my hand. "Please, Giovanna. If you're still upset, just take it out on me."

I pulled my hand away, and suddenly remembered a comment under Destinee's couple announcement video.

"Funny, you were the one chasing after her for once. That's a first," I said.

Finlay paused for a moment, brushing my hair back behind my ear. He leaned in close, his nose almost touching mine, eyes full of complicated emotions.

"Yeah, Giovanna. Our couple pairing is blowing up online right now. Followers are skyrocketing. So there's no way I'm dumping her now," he said.