DO OVER 100

CHAPTER 4

DANIEL'S POV

I sat in the dimly lit study of my family's sprawling mansion , leaning back in the leather armchair that had been my grandfather's favourite . The faint glow from the city skyline outside the window provided the only light in the room. I should have been focusing on anything but her, but my mind kept circling back to the encounter with her. earlier that day. I wonder what her name is anyway, I said finding myself searching through the student database on my computer. Mackenzie  SaintClaire , an average student huh, I said clenching teeth from the thought of a mere average student running rampant in my mind .

It wasn't just that she had rejected me . Rejection wasn't something I experienced often. I was used to people-especially woman- fawning over me or doing whatever I asked just to get closer to my wealth or family name. But she had looked me straight in the eye , unflinching , and turned me down without hesitation. 

It wasn't the rejection itself that intrigued me; it was the way she had done it. There had been no fear , no hesitation-only defiance. My jaw clenched as I stared out the window . What was it about her? She was....ordinary, wasn't she ? Yet , there was something about her that I couldn't shake . The way she stood tall, despite my wealth and power  knowing fully well I could make her disappear in an instant if i wanted to, as if those things meant nothing to her. Nothing. That was new.

A soft knock at the door broke through my thoughts. I glanced over my shoulder as my cousin William strode into the room , a carefree grin on his face. Of course , William never knocked twice . He was always breezing in and out of rooms and countries , always with a smile that suggested he never took anything seriously.

"Still brooding , are we ?" William teased as he flopped onto the couch across from me. "You've been in here all evening . What's got you in such a mood Danny boy ? Someone dent your favourite car or something ?"

I didn't answer , just turned my gaze back to the window . But William wasn't one to be easily ignored . "I heard about the whole situation, whats her name again , Mackenzie right?" William paused , his tone casual but knowing . "Word travels fast around campus , you know."

I narrowed my eyes , annoyed that my stupid cousin had already gotten wind of the incident . "It's nothing," I said , my voice cool and dismissive . William leaned back , crossing his arms behind his head. "Oh, come on , it's not 'nothing'. That girl embarrassed you in front of everyone . I'd be sulking too if I were you. 

I shot him a sharp look , but William just shrugged , unfazed. "You know , it's been a while since anyone dared to talk back to the infamous Daniel Bright . I can see why it's gotten under your skin." "It hasn't," I said flatly , though the lie felt weak even to my own ears.

William smirked , clearly not buying it. "Right. Look ,I get it . You're not used to people saying no to you . It's throwing you off, and now you can't stop thinking about her." "I'm not ,'thinking' about her," I snapped, feeling irritation crawl under my skin. I hated how well William could read me sometimes .

"Sure, sure," William said with a casual wave of his hand."Well , whether you're 'thinking' about her not , I have a solution for your little.....distraction." I frowned . "I don't need a solution." "Trust me, you do," William said , sitting up now , his  expression serious for once. "And I'm not talking about revenge or whatever else is going through that twisted mind of yours."

I raised an eyebrow. "Then what?" "The summer party, man!" William grinned , spreading his arms wide as if it were the most obvious thing in the world."It's going to be the event of the year A.K.A the party you're hosting . We've got half the campus coming , a killer DJ , and more drinks than anyone could handle . You throw the best parties , and it's time to remind everyone of that -including a little birdy name Mackenzie. 

I sighed, leaning back in my chair , but William wasn't done . "You need to stop brooding about this girl and go back to being you. You're Daniel fucking Bright, heir the Bright enterprises. Who cares what some girl says or thinks? Let loose at party , show everyone-including her-that nothing gets under your skin."

I considered my cousin's words in silence . Maybe William had a point . Why was I letting one girl, of all people, occupy my mind? I was Daniel Bright . No one had ever been able to shake him like this before . Maybe the party was what what I needed - to remind myself of who I was and what I stood for - power.

William must have sensed my internal debate because he stood up with a grin, clapping my shoulder. "There we go. That's the spirit . Trust me, by the time Saturday rolls around , you'll be back on top your game . She'll be a distant memory."

But William turned to leave the room, my thoughts betrayed me. I knew Mackenzie wasn't going to be a distant memory, not yet . Something about her-her refusal to bow to me , her quiet strength- had unsettled me in a way no one had before. And now that I felt that spark of defiance, part of me was intrigued. I wasn't used to challenges , and Mackenzie was starting to feel like a challenge I couldn't resist.

As William left, I leaned forward , resting my elbows on my knees , lost in thought once more. Maybe I would enjoy the party. But something told me that, no matter how much I tired to forget about Mackenzie , she wouldn't be so easy to push out of my mind.

Saturday couldn't come soon enough.