Arrogant Billionaire: Love vs Hate

Chap. 17

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
-Martin Luther King Jr.

Andy's POV

"Cheer up, girl. What's going on with you?"

Clara's voice pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts. I looked up at her. Her tray sat untouched, her attention fully on me now, concern written all over her face.

We were sitting in the cafeteria, but I hadn't taken a single bite. My appetite had disappeared the moment his words resurfaced in my mind.

It'll be a punishment you couldn't even imagine in your worst nightmare. My fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the tray.

Just remembering it made something inside me tremble. The thought of going back there every day and being alone with him in that room, it felt like walking straight into danger with no way out. I felt trapped—like my life was slowly slipping out of my control, and I couldn't do anything to stop it.

And the worst part?

I couldn't tell anyone.

"It's nothing," I said, forcing a small smile.

She didn't look convinced.

"It doesn't look like nothing. You've been distant all morning," she said, studying me closely. Then suddenly, her expression shifted—shock flashing across her face as if something clicked.

"Oh my God... don't tell me this is because of Mark Winston." Her voice sharpened instantly. "What did he do? Did he hurt you? I swear—"

"Clara," I cut her off quickly. "No. It has nothing to do with him." The lie came out smoothly, but my chest tightened. "He hasn't done anything after that day. I think he's already forgotten what happened in the cafeteria."

She gave me a long, skeptical look.

"That doesn't sound like him," she said quietly. "And I know you were crying that day."

My breath caught for a second.

"You're my best friend, Andy," she continued, her voice softer now but firm. "You're the one who taught me never to leave a friend alone when something's wrong. So don't lie to me. If he's done anything—I'll handle it. I don't care who he is." Her hand rested over mine, warm and steady.

For a moment, I wanted to tell her everything. But the image of her getting involved... of her facing Mark... stopped me.

"No, Clara," I said gently. "He didn't hurt me. I promise."

She held my gaze for a few seconds, clearly not convinced, but she didn't push further. "I really hope that's true," she sighed.

"It is," I said, this time letting out a small laugh to lighten the mood. I slipped my arm around her shoulders. "Stop worrying so much."

Her expression softened slightly.

"Fine. Then you're coming over tonight. Sleepover. No excuses."

That caught me off guard. "Tonight?"

"Yes. And Gracy's back from London—she's joining too. We're having a proper girls' night."

That actually sounded... nice.

"Okay," I said, smiling for real this time. "That sounds perfect."

"Good. I'll pick you up after seven-thirty?"

"Yeah."

Her mood visibly lifted, and she went back to her fries just as Liam and Frederick approached our table. They slipped into their usual seats, and within seconds, they were already arguing.