"Let’s go, Olivia," he said softly. "If we stay here, people will keep gossiping. You don’t like that, right?"
Olivia hesitated for only a second before nodding. She slipped her hand into his without much thought.
His hand was warm, steady, and strong. Together, they walked out of the hallway, leaving Mateo’s weak cries behind them.
Mateo tried to call out, his voice cracking, but it was too faint. Even if Olivia heard it, she did not care. She was done. She was disgusted with both him and Eleanor.
For days, they had followed her around like buzzing flies, and she wanted nothing to do with them anymore.
When she and Louis finally stepped outside the university gates, the cool wind brushed against her face. The world suddenly felt quieter, lighter.
But Olivia quickly pulled her hand away from his and put so space between them.
She turned sharply to face him. "What do you think you’re doing, Louis? You kicked soone that hard inside school! You could get expelled because of that."
Louis chuckled, his tone light as if her words didn’t worry him at all. His lips curved into that playful smile she had grown used to. "Oh? Are you worried about ?"
Olivia rolled her eyes so hard it almost hurt. "I’m not worried about you. I’m worried you’ll drag down with you. If you get expelled, rumors will spread, and people will connect it to . That’s what I’m worried about."
Louis put on a pitiful expression, tilting his head slightly as if her words had stabbed him. "Ouch. That’s too harsh, Olivia. Really too harsh."
Olivia crossed her arms, unimpressed. "If you think that’s harsh, then maybe you should just leave alone."
Louis only laughed, his shoulders shaking a little as he gazed at her with warm eyes. "You’re still like a fire pepper. Sharp, spicy, burning hot. I can’t help it. I feel like a moth drawn to a fla."
Olivia’s lips curved into a mocking smile. "And in the end, moths always die when they fly into fire."
His answer ca without hesitation. "I don’t mind dying. Not if it ans flying toward you."
The sincerity in his tone caught Olivia off guard. She blinked, staring at him. His eyes were shining, not with arrogance, not with so hidden agenda, but with real, honest emotion.
It was so different from Mateo, who had always hidden behind fake confidence and shallow pride. Mateo pretended to be soone else to test people.
But Louis...Louis didn’t hide anything. He spoke his heart openly, without fear of being judged.
At first, Olivia thought this honesty was just another trick. Maybe he acted like this to attract girls more easily.
But the longer she knew him, the more she realized it wasn’t true. He didn’t pick up girls. He didn’t change girlfriends every week.
To say Olivia wasn’t touched would be a lie. After all, after being forced to deal with soone like Mateo, her heart had grown wary of wealthy young n. She knew too well how they acted.
They all said they wanted girls who didn’t chase after their money or power. But in truth, they only chased beauty. A pretty girl’s kindness was rembered forever, while a plain girl’s kindness was ignored or twisted into sothing bad. Society was cruel like that.
Olivia had watched it happen over and over. If a man was handso, people called him charming, rich, and desirable. But if a man was plain or ugly, he was mocked as desperate, disgusting, or creepy. It was hypocrisy, pure and simple.
So Olivia had learned to act hypocritically too. If the world disgusted her, then she would disgust it back.
Yet Louis... he didn’t follow those rules. He didn’t play the sa dirty gas. And for so reason, that made him pleasing to her eyes.
But the thought scared her a little. She quickly shook her head, pushing those feelings away.
"Enough," she said calmly. "You should leave now. I’m going too."
Louis pouted like a child who didn’t get what he wanted. "Leave? How could I leave when I promised to show you sothing good?"
Olivia paused, her curiosity imdiately sparking. "A good show? What are you talking about?"
Louis’s lips curved into a mischievous grin.
"That’s what I like about you. You never hide what you want. Even when you act cold or use clever tricks, at least you’re honest about your curiosity. Not like other girls who say no first and then yes later. You’re different."
Olivia rolled her eyes again, though a faint flush touched her cheeks.
"Don’t act like I’m so different. I’ve used that sa trick plenty of tis...saying no first and yes later. I’m not special and I am more like them in a way."
Louis leaned closer, his voice low and warm. "That’s what makes you special. You admit it. I love your honesty."
Olivia froze for a mont before realizing. He wasn’t classifying girls at all. He wasn’t talking about "other girls." He was flirting.
Her lips twitched, half annoyed and half amused. "You’re unbelievable. Fine, then. What is this so-called good show?"
Louis straightened up, his grin widening. "Co with and see. I promise you won’t be disappointed."
Olivia narrowed her eyes. "If this turns out to be sothing stupid, I’m leaving."
"Trust ," Louis said with a wink. "You’ll like it. And if you don’t, I’ll let you scold all you want."
She sighed, half irritated, half curious. Her mind told her she should walk away. But her heart, against her will, leaned toward staying. She hated to admit it, but she wanted to see what he had planned.
"Fine," she said at last, her voice reluctant. "Show , then. But don’t waste my ti."
Louis’s smile softened, his eyes glowing with that sa strange warmth. "I would never waste your ti, Olivia."
He reached out his hand again, this ti not demanding but offering. Olivia stared at it for a mont before sighing and placing her hand lightly in his.
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