Arrogant Billionaire: Love vs Hate

Chap. 11

"One measure of friendship consists not in the number of things friends can discuss, but in the number of things they need no longer mention."
-Clifton Fadiman
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Mr. Hopkins' office smelled faintly of old books and freshly printed paper. Sunlight streamed through the tall window behind his desk, casting long shadows across the room. I stood awkwardly in front of him while he calmly arranged a pile of papers into a neat stack, as if he had all the time in the world and I wasn't standing there with my heart nervously thumping in my chest.

Finally, he looked up at me over the rim of his glasses.

"So, Miss Andy," he said thoughtfully, folding his hands together on the desk, "what exactly made you curse in the middle of my lecture?"

The question was delivered calmly—almost curiously—but it still made my stomach tighten. I shifted slightly before explaining the situation as clearly as I could. I told him about the constant poking from the seat behind me, how I had tried to ignore it at first, convincing myself it would stop if I didn't react. But it hadn't stopped. If anything, it had only grown more persistent until my patience slowly wore thin. By the time I snapped, frustration had already taken control of my mouth before my brain could stop it.

As I spoke, the stern expression on Mr. Hopkins' face gradually softened. By the time I finished, he leaned back slightly in his chair, studying me thoughtfully.

"I see," he said after a short pause.

For a moment the office fell completely silent except for the faint ticking of a clock somewhere behind me.

"In that case," he continued calmly, "I won't punish you since you were clearly provoked."

A quiet wave of relief passed through me, loosening the tight knot in my chest.

"But," he added, his tone turning more serious, "you should be careful around Mark Winston."

The moment his name left the professor's lips, my shoulders stiffened instinctively. I tried to keep my expression neutral, but inside something twisted uncomfortably. The unwanted memory flashed through my mind for a brief second before I forced it down.

"His family is one of the most powerful families connected to this college," Mr. Hopkins continued. "They have influence in places you probably wouldn't even imagine. People here tend to avoid getting on his bad side for a reason."

His words hung heavily in the air.

"I understand," I said quietly.

He gave a small nod before returning his attention to the papers on his desk. That was my cue to leave.

The moment I stepped out of his office and closed the door behind me, I released a slow breath I hadn't realized I had been holding. The hallway felt quieter, calmer. Some of the tension in my shoulders eased as I began walking toward the cafeteria. At least that part of the day was over.

By the time I reached the cafeteria, the place had already filled with the usual lunchtime chaos. Conversations overlapped with the clatter of trays and chairs, and the smell of fried food drifted through the large hall. I scanned the room until I spotted Clara sitting near the window. Just as I started walking toward her table, I noticed someone else approaching from the opposite side.

Liam.

He seemed to notice me at the same moment because he paused briefly before continuing toward the table.

Clara looked up the moment I reached the table, her expression softening with relief.

"There you are," she said, setting her drink down. "I was starting to think you got lost again."