Destiny For Unlikely Vows

Chapter 24

I limped down the hall, still dripping wet from being pushed into the pool. My ankle throbbed with each step, but I held my head high. Just as I neared the stairwell, his door swung open, and he stepped out. Our eyes met, and his gaze drifted over me, lingering a moment too long on my soaked clothes, barely hiding his amusement.

“Hey!” I snapped, glaring at him. “My eyes are up here!”

He smirked, his gaze unbothered. “Nice look.”

I scowled, too furious to hold back. “Your girlfriend’s a maniac. She shoved me into the pool because I told her she deserves better than you. Guess she doesn’t mind being with a jerk who doesn’t respect anyone.”

Amused, he raised an eyebrow, stepping closer with a slow, taunting grin. “You actually think she needs your advice? Or is this jealousy talking?”

“Jealous?” I scoffed. “I’d rather stay alone for the rest of my life than have anything to do with you.”

His smirk widened, darkening as he closed the distance between us. “Oh, don’t flatter yourself. I’d date a buffalo before I’d choose you. Trust me, the buffalo would be a much better companion.”

My fists clenched as anger surged through me, but he just laughed, brushing past me as if I were nothing. Then, just as I was about to turn away, he spun back, grabbed me by the waist, and pressed me roughly against the wall. His hand captured both of my wrists, pinning them above my head. His face was inches from mine, and I could feel his breath on my cheek.

Before I could protest, his mouth was on mine—rough, insistent, as if he were determined to make me submit. One of his hands slid down, squeezing my bosom with an unapologetic grip. I gasped in shock, pulling my head back, but his smirk remained, his grip unyielding.

“Pathetic,” he murmured, his voice a low, mocking whisper. “You’re so desperate for attention, aren’t you?”

Furious, I wrenched my knee up, hitting him hard in the leg. He grunted, loosening his hold just enough for me to push him back. I quickly stepped away, adjusting my clothes and breathing hard, but his mocking gaze didn’t falter.

“I am not some ‘buffalo’ you can handle however you want,” I spat. “And if you ever touch me again, I swear I’ll chop your hands off and feed them to vultures.”

Just as I stumbled back, Karolina appeared in the hallway, her face twisted with concern. “Augy, are you okay?” she asked, glancing suspiciously between the two of us.

His expression shifted instantly, charm taking over. “Just a little misunderstanding, darling. Nothing to worry about.”

I threw him one last glare before storming back to my room, slamming the door shut. I was seething, the words he’d said echoing in my mind.

Just as I was peeling off my wet clothes, the door burst open. I froze, standing there in only my bra, as he strode in, his eyes cold and predatory. Before I could react, he shoved me onto the bed, pinning my arms and legs down with a frightening intensity.

He leaned close, his face twisted with disdain. “Do you think I’m desperate to kiss you? Do you think I wanted to kiss *you*?” His voice was laced with venom. “An ugly girl like you—no one would ever want you. You should feel grateful that I ever touched you. At least now, you have someone to say kissed you, even if it was charity.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let him see me break. Years of insecurities clawed at the surface, but I fought them down, glaring back at him as defiantly as I could manage.

He scoffed, his gaze raking over me with utter disdain. “Ugly and desperate—that’s all you are, and you know it.” His hand roughly lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his cold stare. “If you pull another stunt like that, I’ll make sure you understand your place.”

With that, he released me, standing up and heading toward the door. I lay there, humiliated and furious, shaking with a mix of anger and frustration as the door slammed behind him. Silently, I vowed he’d never see me break again.