pte

cond thought, he knows he has to act fast. Without hesitation, he pushes past Cara, determined to ma

, showering him with questions and demands. "Liza says you're on a break,

before Mr. Popular disappears. The seconds slip away, the

head-not the best, but Ca

how of desperation. No one pays her any attention at first, so she cri

ves under her mouth, and she holds back a smile, knowing it's her turn to shine. She considers herself Oscar-worthy, an

s the one she craves attention from, the one she wants to hurt. She wants him to pay for making her feel like a fool, for

kay? What

n..." She pauses for dramatic effect, the crowd hanging on her every word. "This douche got me p

. But all Cara can focus on is Alexander's frozen expression. He looks shocked, but more than

k it would go this far, didn't think that the cameras would swarm this quickly. It was supposed to be a simple distraction to get h

s eyes are cold, burning with rage, and every step he takes makes the air feel thicker.

her roughly by the arm. His grip is firm, but it's the look on his face that sends a chill

er escape is cut short. With terrifying ease, Alexander scoops her up and throws her over

abric of his jacket. She pounds her fists against his

oment. Cara kicks her legs and struggles, but he doesn't even flinch. She feels the heat of his body, the tension in his mu

ing thud, cutting them off from the chaos outside. Cara's anger boils over, but she knows it's too

s arms off her butt as he lets her down. She stands up quic

ression. His lips are pressed into a thin line, his eyes dark with

moment, she didn't consider how he might retaliate, how dangerous he might be. Now, standing in front of him,

. She acted impulsively, like the protagonist in a movie who rushes toward danger without thinking of the conse

like a ticking time bomb that's about to go off. Every word she said to the ca

a man who looks like he could crush her with a single blow. Her heart races in

y and full of disdain. He's clearly holding himself back, trying to maintain some le

s, trying to steady her breath, but the anger and regret mix in a toxic swirl in her gut. She wishes s

le. "You think you've got the upper hand, don't you?" he says, his vo

ut she doesn't have the courage to admit it aloud. Instead, she