Chapter 33

▫️Christian's POV...

This day couldn’t have started any worse. When I met Nick this morning, he casually dropped the bomb that he told Stella I like her. Seriously? Is he fucking kidding me? That explains why she was acting like a lunatic yesterday. But what the hell, Nick? I don’t like her! Why is he spreading this misleading bullshit?

I mean, okay, I might’ve said she makes me smile. And yeah, she’s pretty. Maybe even… lovable. But that doesn’t mean I like her! What the fuck will she think now? That when I pulled her closer last night, it was because I have some kind of unholy intentions? Damn it! No, no, no. I don’t like her. And now my mood is officially ruined.

Anyway, I dragged my ass down for breakfast, and guess what? Stella immediately started arguing with me. Like always. And what does she say? That I don’t know how to do romantic gestures. Excuse me?! The audacity of this woman! I simply stated facts, and she got all offended. Classic Stella. I don’t care, though. If I did like her, maybe I would’ve cared, but I don’t, so I don’t.

But of course, Nick just had to jump in. “Bro, at least think before you speak. That’s not how you behave with someone you like.”

“I don’t like her!” I snapped. Why the hell is everyone assuming I like her?

Liam, trying to play peacekeeper, cut in, “Fine, whatever. But Christian, you really shouldn’t have brought up that traumatic thing from her past. You know, the one where she almost died?”

...Oh. Shit.

That hit hard. Yeah, she could’ve died that day. And what have I done about it since then? Nothing. Absolutely fucking nothing. I’m such an asshole.

Nick added, “Bro, just apologize to her. At least try to fix this.”

“I’m not apologizing,” I said, crossing my arms like a stubborn five-year-old.

“You’re impossible,” Nick groaned. “If you keep treating her like this, she’s never going to develop feelings for you.”

“I don’t care because I don’t like her!” I repeated.

Nick just rolled his eyes. “Denial’s a bitch, Christian. And for the record, the reason everything goes to shit when Stella’s around is because she has the same chaotic, fiery attitude as you.”

Great. Now everyone’s a fucking relationship expert.

Eventually, Nick and Liam went to “pamper” Stella, leaving me to stew in my own thoughts. A few hours later, I noticed she wasn’t around. Her phone wasn’t there either. Oh, so now she’s giving me the silent treatment? Perfect. But whatever. Let her sulk.

At lunch, I ran into her on the way to the dining room. I thought, Okay, Christian, maybe try talking to her. Fix this. But the moment I opened my mouth, she raised her voice like I owed her something. I bit my tongue, feeling my irritation rise. Was this because she thinks I like her?

Before I could stop her, she stormed off to her room. I wanted to follow, but my pride said, Don’t even fucking think about it. So, I turned the other way and went downstairs to meet Nick and Liam.

“Fix this before it gets worse,” Nick said, patting my shoulder like some wise old guru. “She cried earlier. And you know what happens when Stella cries.”

Great. Now I feel like shit. And maybe… just maybe… I’m starting to realize she isn’t overreacting. She’s actually hurt. Damn it, Stella. Sweetheart, I’m sorry.

Wait. Sweetheart?

Fuck. I’m losing it.

I decided to suck it up and talk to her. Apologize. Explain. Something.

After dinner, I knocked on her door. When she opened it, she took one look at me and tried to slam it shut. But nope, not happening. I blocked it with my foot and forced my way in.

“Listen,” I said, plopping down on her sofa like I owned the place. “We need to talk.”

“Oh, how generous of you, Mr. Knight,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Jesus Christ. Why is she so damn difficult? Still, I took a deep breath and said, “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have said what I said.”

Her eyebrow shot up. “Wow you realised it?"

“I know I hurt you, Stella, and I’ll say sorry,” I told her, “but not now.”

Her eyes narrowed at me like I’d just insulted her entire existence. “You have serious issues, Christian.”I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

“I mean I’ll apologize properly when Nick and Liam come back. I said those hurtful things in front of them, so I feel like that’s the right way to fix it. Unless you’ve got a better idea. I’m not exactly experienced at… fixing things.”

She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. “I’ll think about it. But first, tell me why you even behaved like this. You were so… indifferent.”

I groaned internally. This conversation was already exhausting, but I knew she wouldn’t let it go. “Look, I know I acted like a jerk, but I wasn’t thinking straight, okay? I’m really sorry for all that shit.”

She didn’t look convinced, so I just blurted out the truth. “It’s Nick’s fault. He told me he told you that I… l-like you.” Damn, that word felt like nails on a chalkboard. “That’s why I was pissed off.”

Her expression shifted slightly. “So, was what Nick said true or not?”

I panicked. “No! Of course not! I don’t like you. He misunderstood. I just said she makes me smile and I enjoy her company. Nick, being Nick, twisted that into something else.”

Stella tilted her head and gave me that look, the one that made me feel like I was being dissected. “Oh, I see. So, it’s someone else, huh? And Nick thought it was me and told me that lie, which pissed you off.”

My brain screamed, Liar! Liar! Liar! But out loud, I said, “Correct.”

She leaned forward slightly, her curiosity practically dripping off her. “So… who’s this girl?”

“I can’t tell you.”

She crossed her arms, her expression smug. “Oh, so you do like her?”

“No!” I said quickly. “It’s just that… I find her… pretty.”

Her jaw dropped. “Christian, that’s literally the definition of liking someone, you idiot! So, you like someone else?”

I waved it off, desperate to escape this conversation. “Forget it, Stella. Is everything fine between us now?”

“Nope,” she said sharply. “Get out.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Go to that bitch of yours and get out!”

She marched toward me, shoving me toward the door with surprising strength. I stumbled, protesting, “But I don’t even like her!”

“Sure, Christian,” she shot back. “You don’t like her. Now fuck off!”

And with that, she pushed me out of the room and slammed the door so hard I was surprised it didn’t fall off its hinges.

I stood there for a moment, stunned. Where the hell does she get that kind of energy? Is she secretly lifting weights?

As I walked away, my mind was spinning. Was she… jealous? Did she think there was actually another girl? And if she was jealous, did that mean she… liked me? If she like me then after my statement I'm fucked for real.

I shook my head, trying to clear the confusion. No, Christian. She was just mad. That’s all. It doesn’t mean anything.

But then again… she was furious when I mentioned someone else. She literally dragged me out of her room over it. Maybe it does mean something.

I sighed. Great job, Knight. You just made things ten times worse.

The only solution I could think of was to keep my distance. At least until Nick and Liam were back to deal with this mess. It’s safer that way—for both of us. Otherwise my head might be parted in two or more halves.