Passion's Crossfire

Chapter 31

Adam

The campus parking lot is bustling with activity as I park my motorcycle, the sound of engines and chatter filling the air. s I swing my leg over the bike, I notice Rachel already waiting for me, a sickly-sweet smile playing on her lips.

"Hey, Adam," she greets with a subtle flick of her hair.

"Rachel," I reply, maintaining a friendly tone. "Which way to that cafe you mentioned?"

She points in the direction, and we begin walking. As we stroll across the campus, Rachel attempts to engage in small talk, her words laced with suggestive undertones. I play the oblivious card, responding with friendly banter but keeping a noticeable distance.

The cafe comes into view, and Rachel, still batting her eyelashes, gestures toward a table by the window. I shake my head, offering a polite smile.

"I prefer a table at the back," I say, already heading in that direction before she can protest.

She follows me to the chosen table, annoyance etched on her face. However, a simple smile from me seems to dissipate her irritation. I pull out a chair for her, and we both settle in.

"So, Rachel, tell me about yourself," I prompt, steering the conversation toward neutral territory.

She leans back in her chair, her demeanor shifting from annoyance to self-assured confidence. "Well, there's not much to tell. I'm a business major, you know, trying to navigate the complexities of the corporate world."

I nod, feigning interest. "That sounds challenging. What made you choose business?"

She smirks, as if the question validates her importance. "I've always been drawn to power and success. The business world seemed like the perfect arena for me."

I raise an eyebrow, the insincerity of her answer not lost on me. "Ambitious. I like that."

Rachel's smile widens, taking my compliment to heart. The conversation continues, with her detailing her supposed achievements and aspirations. I listen, offering occasional nods and smiles, all the while maintaining a certain distance.

Interrupting her mid-sentence, I steer the conversation toward her friends. "You've got quite an interesting life. What about your friends? Anyone remarkable in your circle?"

She glances at me, momentarily caught off guard by the shift in focus. "Oh, my friends? Well, they're mostly college friends, you know, people I've met around here. No one I'm close with, I'm more of a career woman," she says with a smug smile.

Playing dumb, I furrow my brows. "But what about Kylie? I met you at her party, so I assumed you two were close friends."

Rachel waves it off with a nonchalant gesture. "Kylie and I go way back, high school days. We're old friends, but we don't hang around as much now."

Nodding in understanding, I press further, "And what about Mallory? You didn't mention her."

Rachel's demeanor tightens, a subtle sign of irritation escaping her control. "Mallory? Oh, she's not worth your time, trust me."

At that very moment, Kylie and Sean make their entrance, and they both play their parts convincingly, acting surprised to see Rachel. They approach our table with polite smiles, pretending not to know me. Kylie, with a hint of confusion, addresses Rachel, "Hey, who's your friend? Introduce us."

Rachel obliges, "Kylie, Sean, meet Adam. Adam, this is Kylie, and that's Sean."

We exchange courteous smiles, pretending we're meeting for the first time. I seize the opportunity to drop a casual remark, "Oh, Kylie, I actually attended your party. I'm Logan's cousin."

Kylie feigns realization, "Oh, right! Now I remember. Nice to see you again, Adam."

As they head to a nearby table, the plan unfolds seamlessly. I maintain a facade of casual conversation with Rachel, subtly guiding it toward more probing questions about Mallory. Kylie and Sean, situated nearby, keep a watchful eye on us. A few minutes later, Kylie stands up and walks outside.

Returning my attention to Rachel, I press further, "So, why do you think Mallory isn't worth my time? Any particular reason?"

She scoffs, dismissing the question, "Trust me, Adam, you can do better. Mallory's a handful."

"Really? She seemed nice when we first met. What happened?"

Rachel rolls her eyes, a clear sign that her patience is wearing thin. "You just don't know her like I do. She's not as innocent as she seems."

I press on, "I've heard things about her and Matt. Is that what you're referring to?"

Her irritation reaches a tipping point, and she snaps, "Look, Adam, just steer clear of her. She's trouble."

My gaze drifts to Rachel's phone as it vibrates, an unknown number flashing on the screen. She glances at it, a momentary hesitation in her expression.

Without missing a beat, Rachel declares, "I'll call them back later. It's probably just a telemarketer or something."

I offer a casual shrug, "No worries, take the call if you need to. I don't mind."

Rachel hesitates for a moment, a conflicted expression crossing her face. However, she decides to answer, putting the phone to her ear. "Hello?" she says cautiously.

As she listens to the voice on the other end, her countenance undergoes a rapid transformation. The color drains from her face, leaving her visibly pale. Rachel glances back at me, a sense of urgency in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Adam. I need to take this. Can you excuse me for a moment?"

I offer a reassuring nod. "Of course, take your time."

Rachel rises from her chair and quickly strides out of the cafe, leaving me alone at the table.