𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤 | 𝘙𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤 |
𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

"𝐒𝐎," 𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐍, leaning forward,
"how's it feel to have everyone wrapped around your little finger, Catalina?"

I blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of his words. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. "I've been here for all of five minutes, and it's pretty clear you're the one everyone's talking about. You've got this whole place on a leash, don't you?"

I raised an eyebrow, forcing myself to stay calm. "People like to talk.
Doesn't mean it's true."

"Oh, come on," Rafe pressed, his tone dripping with mockery. "You expect me to believe that all these people just happen to hang on your every word for no reason? You must love it."

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "Rafe, if you're trying to make some kind of point, just get to it."

Lucas, who had been silent up until now, leaned in slightly, his eyes locked on me as well. "I think what Rafe is saying is that it's obvious you're the center of attention here.
People respect you-maybe even fear you a little. But I wonder if they actually like you."

That stung, more than I wanted to admit. I felt a flicker of something— anger, maybe-start to burn inside me. But I wasn't about to let them see that.

"I don't really care what people think," I shot back, my voice cold.
"They can like me or not. It doesn't change anything."

Rafe leaned back, his smirk widening. "That's exactly what someone who's used to getting their way would say."

I narrowed my eyes, feeling my patience wear thin. "You don't know anything about me, Rafe. So why don't you stop pretending you do?"

"And you don't know anything about me," Rafe countered, his tone suddenly sharper. "But you're already acting like you've got me all figured out."

"I don't need to figure you out," I said coolly. "You're just another arrogant guy who thinks he can walk in and take over. Trust me, you're not the first."

Lucas's eyes flicked to Rafe, then back to me. "You're pretty quick to judge, aren't you?"

"Only when I see something worth judging," I replied, my gaze shifting between the two of them. "And right now, I'm seeing a lot of talk and not much else."

Sofia, ever the peacemaker, jumped in with a nervous laugh. "Come on, let's not start a fight. Rafe, Catalina's just a little tough on new people, that's all. She's actually really nice once you get to know her."

"I'm sure she is," Rafe replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm, though his eyes stayed locked on mine, sharp and challenging. "Her appearance makes her seem really nice"