Playing Villain on Purpose
A flicker on the screen caught Selene Aurevale’s eye mid-scroll. A tag from Mike Valquin froze her thumb in place.
"Why did he tag ?"
Blue eyes tightening, she felt a flicker of interest tangled with discomfort. Not friends, her and Mike only brushed past each other now and then, yet his sudden focus pricked at sothing wary inside. Suddenly watching too close, it stirred a quiet tension where there used to be nothing.
With a tap on the alert, his newest clip started up right away. The mont it loaded, Mike’s recent upload began to run without delay.
Selene froze.
Funny how light caught Julian D’Aurelius just then, those gold-flecked eyes sparking like struck flint. A laugh spilled out, loose and loud, while half a dozen girls clung close, drawn by sothing restless in his stance. Not quite still, never stiff - every line of him humming with quiet fire.
Funny how that question lands - Mike’s voice floated in, half grinning through the screen, tossing out the words like pebbles into still water. His tone danced between amusent and provocation, soft but pointed.
Julian’s smile widened, a hint of defiance in his voice. "Scummy? I’m not scummy... I just want to give all the girls in the world a ho."
He winked at the cara, voice teasing yet impossibly charming. "They all deserve a little attention, don’t they? Besides... a ho is always better than wandering alone."
Her breath caught as Selene’s fingers shook. From sowhere far off, Julian’s laughter rang through - sudden, sharp. A heaviness crashed into her ribs. The world softened at the edges when tears broke free. Then silence, thick and close.
Only when ti nearly ran out did she see what he ant. The truth arrived like a slap, sharp and sudden.
Yet when she wiped her eyes, sothing else hit hard. Not like him - this wildness on display. Never before had he acted out so boldly, nothing like what these images showed.
Frowning, doubt tightened her face.
"He went out... had Mike shoot a video... just so I would see it?"
Heartbeat jumped. Not right here. Could feel it in her bones.
Fierce resolve burned inside her. Wiping away wet streaks, she moved fast to the glass, fixing her face with steady hands. Tonight, one way or another, she’d lay eyes on him. Stillness broke only by her breath.
A mont passed before Selene reached for her phone. She punched in the number without hesitation. Her eyes stayed fixed on the door as the line connected.
Far off, a ring sliced through the quiet - Julian’s companion lifted the buzzing gadget without rush. Hey you, Young Master D’Aurelius, it’s yours, she said, arm stretching across the space between them.
Fingers brushing skin, Julian murmured thanks - foundation leaving a faint mark on his hand, unnoticed. His gaze jumped toward the phone as it rang.
"Selene?"
A grin crept up one side of his mouth when her na appeared on screen. All according to plan - the hook set deep without effort. Most likely, she’d dialed to unleash sharp words at what he’d done.
From sowhere far off ca his greeting. Julian spoke softly, like he didn’t care - though sothing bright flickered under the surface.
"What do you an by this? Do you hate so much?" Selene’s voice trembled with indignation and hurt.
"Huh? I can’t hear you; it’s too noisy here. Are you talking about breaking the engagent? Fine, let’s schedule a ti for tomorrow," Julian answered lightly, pretending to misunderstand, his smile widening at the tension in her voice.
"I know you can hear ! Wait, I’m coming to find you!"
Suddenly, Selene ended the call. The line went silent before a breath could follow.
Frowning slightly, Julian gripped the phone tight. The weight of it pressed into his palm like a warning.
This woman... is she possessed?
Doesn’t her sharp pride demand a storm of shouts instead? Maybe cold silence. Perhaps papers signed by morning light.
It hit him then. To shield Evan, she had to play a part, staying calm as plans ford behind her eyes. Not reckless. asured. Every step weighed. A mind always three moves ahead showed itself clearly now.
Funny how things turn up just when you need them. That one slipped by fast, almost too late.
"Big brother, what’s wrong? Did Selene call?" Mike asked, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Yeah," Julian replied, his smirk returning, a glint of mischief in his golden gaze. "She said she’s coming to find . Let’s make sure to piss her off together."
A quiet laugh slipped out, the ga’s rush quickening his heartbeat. The night wore Selene’s anger like a familiar coat - woven into moves made long before.
Thigh stung from Mike’s hand slapping it, that grin crawling across his face. "Would you believe it, big brother? Nearly let this slip - sothing pretty crucial."
A look of curiosity crossed Julian’s face. What really matters here? he wondered aloud.
"I have a date with a beautiful girl tonight. She’s top-tier - definitely on par with Selene." Mike gestured toward the girls lingering nearby, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Girls, you go have fun by yourselves first. Tonight’s expenses are on . My big brother and I have so... important business to attend to."
Excitent sparkled in the girls’ eyes. With grins tugging at their mouths, off they went - bags in hand, swirling through air heavy with giggles and flowing fabric.
After they departed, Mike leaned closer. "Big brother, I’m really sacrificing here. I’ll have that beauty co over to keep you company. She’ll definitely get under Selene’s skin."
"Is it really that good? On par with Selene?" Julian asked, skepticism flickering across his face.
Beauty filled Valemont in abundance, yet Selene’s presence stood apart. For the mont to feel real, it had to rest on truth. Without that, deception would crumble - her gaze sharp enough to spot every flaw. A performance built on lies wouldn’t last a second.
Soon enough, you will find out, Mike remarked, that quiet grin playing on his face while he tapped ssages to the girl through his screen.
His heart jumped. Hah, if he played the bad guy right, maybe not the main girls - but plenty of others? The options stretched on forever.
A mont passed before soone stepped into view - light on her feet, a bag in hand, eyes drawing every glance her way.
Fine day, Young Master Valquin," her voice arrived first, then the warm curve of her lips. Mike stood before her, t by that bright, careful cheer.
"Lina Ashford, you’re finally here. Let introduce you to my big brother, Julian D’Aurelius," Mike said, eyes twinkling as he presented the scene.
Her head dipped low when his amber stare held fast, one corner of her mouth lifting without warning. Only now did everything shift underfoot.
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