The girl clutched her chest as she brushed past him. Rickeyâs hand shot out, gripping her wrist firmly.
She turned to look at him. His face was partially obscured by the shifting light. She would never forget the way he looked at that momentâhis expression cold, almost unfeeling, yet his hollow eyes glistened, betraying the tears he refused to let fall.
âHow much are you?â Rickeyâs voice was low, sharp, and cutting.
The girl swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to his hand wrapped around her wrist. Slowly, she seemed to piece together his intentions. âIt depends on what kind of service youâre asking for.â
Rickey let out a bitter sneer, his lips curling. âSo, I can do anything I want, huh?â She didnât dare respond.
âThey all say youâre excellent at making people happy,â he muttered darkly.
Without warning, he yanked her towards the bed.
Before she could process what was happening, the door slammed shut behind them. The girl stumbled and fell onto the edge of the bed, her breath hitching in her throat.
Rickeyâs voice, dripping with a sinister edge, resonated above her. âLetâs see just how âgreatâ you really are.â
Aurora had made an appointment with Lynda to go to Dugruayae University today. Actually, she had an ulterior motive. If she happened to run into Dunn, wouldnât that be a surprise for him?
Lynda had told her to wait at the entrance of the library, but finding it proved to be a challenge. Aurora had to stop and ask for directions several times. The university was so vast that she found herself out of breath before she even caught sight of Lynda.
Taking a seat on a bench near the library entrance, she tried to catch her breath. Nearby, a group of guys, fresh from a basketball game, strolled by, their laughter and chatter filling the air.
ð£ð¿ð²ð³ð²ð¿ð¿ð²ð± ð¿ð²ð¹ð²ð®ðð² ð½ð¼ð¶ð»ð: â³ð®ð ððνððð ð⸱ð¼ðð Auroraâs gaze roamed the area, searching for Lynda, completely unaware that one of the guys, a basketball tucked under his arm, had stopped to look at her.
âHey, beautiful, mind if I get your number?â
Startled, Aurora blinked and pointed to herself. âMe?â
The guy grinned confidently and nodded. âYeah, Iâve been watching you for a while.â
Aurora offered a polite, strained smile. âIâm sorry, but Iâd rather not.â
Unfazed, he leaned slightly closer. âCome on, letâs get to know each other. Are you from around here?â
His curiosity didnât wane. âOh, I see. Which university are you from?â
Aurora tightly clasped her hands in her lap, hesitant to reveal too much to a stranger. âIâm just visiting, looking for my boyfriend.â
The guyâs confidence faltered. âYou have a boyfriend?â
Aurora nodded firmly, her expression calm and unwavering.
Realizing he had no chance, the guy muttered an awkward apology and walked away, visibly embarrassed and dejected.
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