Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

"Don't touch me. Your hands are dirty," she said, pointing her finger at me.

"But you can touch me?" I asked and chuckled, referring to the last time we were in the comfort room and she held my wrist.

"You were in the comfort room at that time. So, I knew you had just washed your hands."

"I always use alcohol." I wanted to massage my temples from the stress she was giving me just by having a conversation with her, but I didn't want her to misunderstand.

It wasn't that obvious, but I'm still thankful for the authority she gave me. Somehow, my life is peaceful because of it, and no one is bothering me. All they can give me right now are their deadly gazes.

I don't know why she's so disgusted with me. Is there another reason why?

"Alcohol will never be enough to clean the dirty life that you have, Sapphire." That's the last thing I heard from her before she left.

Hell, she will always be a bitch.

I know why she suddenly gave me protection. She didn't want me to be distracted when I took care of Freshmen Week. She knew that organizing here in the auditorium would be chaotic if people kept bullying me. That's why the protection she gave me will only last for a week. If that's the reason why she did it, it makes sense.

I sighed before heading to one side of the auditorium to help there. When I'm stressed about something, academics or the organization is my way to cope. It's been days since I last talked to my mom when Mason dropped me off, or more like, brought himself there.

She was always busy, so I buried myself in studying.

I never cried, but the pain was unbearable at that time. Knowing that your mother wanted to manipulate you... it breaks my heart into two.

I haven't even asked Mom again how she knew Mason and Ash because we're still not on good terms.

But, if I can't ask my mother about it, should I ask Mason instead?

Right. I should.

I waited until five in the afternoon to accomplish my goal for the day. I didn't know if I'd find Mason in the place he took me before, but I wouldn't know the answer if I didn't try.

When Evangeline said we could go home, I quickly walked out of the auditorium to head to Mason's mini-mansion in this school.

But, my mouth widened as I stared at the guy who was leaning against the door of the auditorium. He looked impatient but a grin appeared on his face when he saw me.

"Ash..." I called, my voice laced with confusion, and it made the smirk on his face widen even more. "What are you doing here?"

My head was slightly tilted as I stared at him. At this time, he shouldn't be allowed in here because he was still suspended. Did he do something about it? Maybe he used his influence to lift his suspension.

What else could I expect? Ash was just like that-heartless and manipulative. The grin on his face remained as he looked me up and down, seemingly scrutinizing what I was wearing.

"I just went to see you." He smirked, looking at me intently.

"As if." I rolled my eyes, and he laughed.

His laugh might be music to every girl in this school, but to me, it sounds like... torture, because I don't know what I should feel about him.

I am attracted to him, but I know that I shouldn't be. It was driving me insane, to be honest, but I was just glad that it was just attraction and not something else.

In the past two weeks, his appearance had changed significantly, but in a good way. I noticed that his fitted tank top showed off a more toned body. His skin had tanned slightly, but it suited his body build. It seemed like he wanted to be suspended first so he could have an excuse to go on a spree.

It felt like he used me to his advantage, and that pissed me off.

I rolled my eyes and started walking away, but I stopped when he suddenly grabbed my right arm.

"What?" I asked, irritated.

"I went here to see you. That's the truth," he said in a tone I couldn't distinguish. "But if you'll treat me like this, I'll just find someone else."

"Then go!" I exclaimed as I removed his hand from my arm.

Here I go again with my routine. He pushes himself towards me, and I push him away. It became quite a cycle, didn't it?

"Why are you still here if you're annoyed at how I treat you? Stop talking to me and go."

I didn't know why my head suddenly heated up when he said that. It annoyed me to the core.

Ah, maybe because he was always conflicting with my schedule. He always ruined the plans I made in my head. Yeah, right. Make your mind believe lies.

I walked away, but he followed me as if he wanted to see me get mad just because of his presence.

"You sounded like a jealous girlfriend, Sapphire," he told me as he tried to slow his pace. He had long legs, so he walked quickly, while mine were short. One step for him was two steps for me. "I would love that if it's true." "Which part? The jealous one, or the part that I'm your girlfriend?" I chuckled as I tried to comb my hair with my fingers while still walking.

He didn't answer, so I looked at him. My cheeks immediately heated when I saw him staring at my neck.

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Some people told me that my neck looks seductive. Because of that, I'm not surprised when people often stare at my neck.

But Ash's gaze was different... It sent something to my core, making me remember the dream I used to have with him.

And I hate myself for thinking that way.

"Both." Ash chuckled. "I would love you to be my girlfriend, but I won't let you get jealous because of other girls." He fixed his hair before glancing at me. "I am proud to say that I only have my flings, but I've never committed to a serious relationship. Not even once."

I stopped walking and faced him, hands on my hips because I didn't like what he just said. "It's not something to be proud of. You should be ashamed of the fact that you're playing with girls like they're just some Barbie dolls you can throw away when you're done with them."

"I don't play with their hearts, Sapphire. They voluntarily come to me."

My gaze remained sharp on him as he said that, causing his grin to widen.

"They may seem like good girls to someone else, but you should know by now that in the real world, there are no good or bad people," he added.

"That's just nonsense," I said coldly, trying not to internalize what he had just said.

I didn't want to let his words into my mind. I had long ingrained in my mind that everything Ash said was worthless because who was he? He was a rebellious billionaire who only knew how to fight under his parents' influence. "It wasn't nonsense, but a painful reality that people need to swallow even if they don't want to."

He stared at me intently as he pressed his palms together. I glanced at his hands for a moment, but my eyes widened because when I looked at him again, his face was too close.

A little closer and he would have kissed me.

"We are all just human, Sapphire. We aren't labeled as good or bad; we're labeled as humans."