The Bad Boy's Dirty Little Secret BL Chapter 79: Pride and a Crown

Kai’s P.O.V

With the help of the volunteers and the student council members’ leadership, the set was ready right on time, just as the sun began to set. I quickly went to change into the outfit I was supposed to wear for the photoshoot.

Zach was still worried about Ruby’s absence, but I didn’t even fret. I knew already that she was doing this to torture the people around her by making them think she was going to be late or wouldn’t show up, but that was just her throwing a temper tantrum.

I knew her well enough to be assured that she would never, ever let go of her crown over something petty. Sure, she’d have her fun, but in the end, she’ll show up at the very last minute.

And true enough, my predictions were proven right because just as I was about to head to my place on the set, the witch strolled into the room like she owned it, all glamed up and ready to have her photos taken.

“What did I tell you?” I muttered to Zach, and he only looked at me with an unreadable expression that I wasn’t quite sure if it was meant for me or for her. “She has too much pride to give up her crown just like that.”

Zach walked away from me to greet her and orient her, though I could tell by the way his jaw was set that he was holding back a grimace.

I sighed as I leaned my back against the wall. During our breakup, when I had told her that we shouldn’t keep going like this anymore, Ruby had switched off her phone and stopped contacting me altogether in hopes that it would get me all worked up and rush to find her, just to see if she had done anything stupid. And the first time that had happened, I had actually done just that, only to find out that she had made a fool of me.

She had gone off about how it meant that I still cared about her and that we were meant to be together, but I hadn't fallen for her trick the next time around. After all…fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

Night strolled up to me with a relieved sigh, just as Saya came to stand beside me, on the other side. “Well, thank god she came. I was worried that I would be disqualified because of her.” He glanced at Saya. “I don't know what you and Tanya did to Ruby, but I really hope for all our sakes that you made sure that I could still compete in the show.”

Saya only laughed, leaving me secretly curious about what exactly they did. “You seem so excited about the Hot Shot Contest,” she commented. “Surprisingly. Despite the chaos that Ruby started the other night.”

Night shrugged and laced his fingers behind his head, elbows folded up. “What can I say? I want to see Kai win.”

“I’d rather see you win.” I told him, shrugging slightly. “Three times was enough for me.”

At that, Saya’s smile grew fonder in nature. “I’m really glad that your family accepted your relationship so wholeheartedly,” she told me, her eyes shining as they went back and forth between me and Night. “I really wish with all my heart that you two will have a smooth-sailing relationship from here onwards.”

I let out a small chuckle. “Amen to that,” I said. “I guess it goes without saying that that’s something Night and I want the most, but thank you still.”

She smiled a bit, shaking her head. She was about to say something when somebody called, “Kai, Saya. You’re up next.”

To say that this photoshoot was the most exhausting one I have ever been a part of would be an understatement—it went well into the night. And even then, Saya and I somehow managed to wrap up first.

It was kind of comedic how quickly the smiles slipped off our faces the second those cameras pointed away from us. Saya made a beeline to her changing room and was even out before I finished dressing.

“I should head out now,” she told me, stretching her arms above her head and I swear I heard her bones crack. “It’s getting late and the busses get fewer as night falls. I assume you’ll stay back to watch Night? And of course, since you’re vice president.”

I glanced at the sky. I didn’t want to leave yet, wanting to go home with Night, but I also couldn’t let Saya go alone. “Want me to walk you to the bus stop?” In a much lower voice, I added, “Your stalker could still be around.”

Saya had been about to protest as I put the offer on the table, but when I brought up the discussion about her stalker, she was easily convinced. “I haven’t seen him around lately,” she told me in a hushed voice. “And he hadn't really bothered me since that day… but I guess I’m still skeptical and somewhat paranoid that he's somewhere out there, somewhere near me, just watching and waiting.” She shivered at the thought.

“Then wait for me.” I quickly gathered my things before rejoining her by the door where she stood patiently. I looked towards the screen where Night and Ruby were still having their shoot and I hoped to catch his eye so I could tell him that I was just going out to drop Saya at the bus stop, but the lights were too glaring and I didn’t manage to get his attention, so I just decided to leave. After all, it was going to be a quick drop.

The walk to the bus stop was quick enough, and Saya and I made small talk as we went, so we wouldn’t get bored.

When we got there, it was empty, so I stayed with her until a bus pulled up. “Be careful on your way home, alright?” I said, in a mock-stern voice.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever, dad.” She waved a dismissive hand as she went up into the bus, laughing. “Thank you for waiting with me!”

I only left the place when the bus lurched forward and continued on until it was no longer within my line of sight.

Hands in my pockets, I whistled to myself as I headed back to the University premises, excited to see Night’s shoot. But as I neared the place, the smile I wore slowly slipped off my face.

A relatively young woman with brown hair and a flash of green eyes stood by the gates, walking in a close circle casually as if she was waiting for someone. I stood for a moment, observing her. It didn’t seem like I had seen her before, but the university was huge so she could be from any faculty possible. And besides, she could very well be related to any of the other contestants.

Shrugging my shoulders, I began to walk into the premise once again, but as I went to walk past her, she stopped me, by hastily stepping in front of me, almost causing me to bump into her.

“Hey…watch your step.” I frowned, but the girl didn’t even bother with what I said.

“Ah, excuse me, but was that girl you were with just now your girlfriend?” she asked, tilting her head to the side as she smiled at me widely.

I looked at her weirdly. “Uh, what?” was the only thing that came out of my mouth.

“I asked if that girl was your girlfriend,” she repeated, like that made it better. It didn’t, and it made me have this eerie sensation about this woman.

Was she drunk?

“Sorry, but I can’t answer that.” I told her sternly, but that did little to thwart her advances.

“Why not?” She pouted, puffing her cheeks and blinking her eyes up at me.

“Well…I don’t even know who you are, yet you’re asking me about such personal matters,” I said slowly, flabbergasted by her indifference. Was she being for real?

She laughed, and I was even more confused. Was I being pranked right now or was this woman seriously drunk and had somehow ended up here? Should I call the police or ask one of my friends for help?

But as I was stuck trying to decide what to do next, she put a hand on my arm, and I couldn’t help but take a step back. A flash of hurt made its way to her eyes, but she didn’t comment on it.

“Well, if we don’t know a thing about each other, then we can certainly start now,” she said, fluttering her lashes again.

I sighed deeply, understanding what was going on. “Ma’am…I have no interest in you,” I said, dropping the false niceties. “So please find someone else to bother.”

With that, I tried to walk past her again, but she put another hand out to stop me. I turned to face her once again, unable to mask my irritation any longer, but she seemed completely unbothered by my hostility.

She sighed. “My name is Rosalie Clearwater,” she said finally, “and I want to join this university, so you should give me a tour of the campus.”