Arrogant Billionaire: Love vs Hate

Chap. 4

"Love me or hate me, both are in my favor. If you love me, I will always be in your heart, and if you hate me, I will be in your mind."
-Qandeel Baloch
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I was deep in conversation with Clara when, suddenly, a hush fell over the room. Soon after, whispers of the girls filled the air "Oh my god, he's here", "I wish he was my boyfriend", "Damn he's so hot", "I wish I could just kiss him once". Curiosity got the better of me. My eyes, like everyone else's, followed their gazes to the door, where the source of their admiration stood. He was tall and impossibly well-built, with the kind of face that could belong to a Greek god. His jet-black hair was styled to perfection, and his sharp, piercing eyes seemed to hold the room in a magnetic pull. Even I couldn't help but stare. There was something about him—his posture, the effortless confidence he radiated—that gave him an aura of power and authority. He didn't just walk into the room; he owned it.

I blinked, snapping out of my trance, only to find Clara smirking at me.

"He's handsome, isn't he?" she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Y-yeah." I stammered, heat rising to my face. I wasn't used to being caught ogling someone, but Clara seemed more entertained than judgmental.

She grinned knowingly. "That's Mark Winston. The most popular guy in college. Practically every girl here is infatuated with him, and they'd do anything to get his attention."

I glanced back at Mark, who had settled into his seat with two guys following him like shadows. They were clearly his lackeys, hanging on his every word.

His father's a billionaire, and the Winstons hold a major stake in this college," Clara said, her tone laced with caution. "At first glance, he has that brooding, irresistible charm, like he stepped out of a movie, but don't be deceived. He's incredibly arrogant. He treats everyone around him like pieces on a chessboard, and most of the guys here practically worship him, probably because the Winstons are equivalent to royalty. The only person he considers his equal is his best friend, Chase Parker.

"Believe me, I'm never going to be one of his followers," I said firmly, the resolve in my voice clear. "I hate arrogant people. His looks don't matter to me."

Clara nodded approvingly but quickly added, "That's good, but please, don't ever try to cross him. He's dangerous, Andy. I've seen him ruin people for even the smallest things. You have to be careful."

"Don't worry, Clara. Guys like him are the ones I detest the most. He might think he's mighty, but I'll never be the kind to bow down to someone just because they have money or looks. In fact," I added with a growing edge in my voice, "he's the last person I'd ever want to deal with unless it's to knock some sense into him."

Clara's face softened with a nervous smile, but she didn't press the issue. She knew I meant every word.

Just as I was settling into the idea of ignoring Mark Winston entirely, a commotion from across the room caught my attention. Mark was on his feet, towering over a guy who looked like the typical quiet, studious type—the kind who wouldn't hurt a fly. The nerdy student's face was pale as he stared up at Mark, clearly terrified.

"You bastard, how dare you?" Mark growled, grabbing the guy by the collar with a chillingly calm fury. His voice was low but filled with menace.

"I-I'm sorry," the guy stammered, his voice barely audible.

Mark's two lackeys stood beside him, arms crossed, glaring at the poor kid as if he'd committed some unspeakable crime. The class had fallen silent, save for a few snickers and whispers. Then, like vultures circling a helpless prey, the rest of the room burst into laughter, mocking the guy's fear. The poor student stood frozen, his face etched with humiliation.

It was as if something inside me snapped. My hands balled into fists under the desk. How pathetic—these people laughing at someone who couldn't defend himself. My heart pounded with anger, the injustice of it all making my blood boil.

"What an asshole," I muttered, my voice trembling with rage. "That Mark Winston is such a jerk, bullying people like that. Who does he think he is? I'm not going to just sit here and watch."

I began to stand, ready to confront him. But before I could move, Clara's hand landed on my shoulder, gently but firmly pulling me back.

"Andy, no," she whispered urgently, her eyes wide with fear. "He's dangerous. He'll ruin you completely. Please don't."

For a moment, I hesitated, torn between my instinct to defend the helpless and Clara's pleading warning.

With a deep breath, I forced myself to sit back down, clenching my fists so hard that my nails dug into my palms. The anger was still there, bubbling just beneath the surface, but I buried it. I couldn't let it out. Not now. Not here. But every fiber of my being rebelled against the idea of letting someone like Mark Winston get away with tormenting others. My conscience nagged at me, calling me a coward.

I stared at Mark as he released the poor guy. His lackeys muttered something to him which looked like a warning, poor guy looked scared out of his mind.

"Damn you, Mark Winston" my jaw clenched tight with fury. "If you ever bully someone in front of me again, I swear I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget. This is the first and last time of me keeping my mouth shut like cowards." I promised to myself.