No Scars Can Dull Her Shine

I was swamped with my thesis, studying for the bar exam, and interning. My days were a whirlwind of activity.

Visits to Alexander's studio grew rare, and I barely had time to brush my hair.

Whispers started to spread around campus.

"Alexander and her? They're an odd match. It looks like she snagged a male model."

"Totally. He looks way better next to that freshman."

However, if Alexander ever caught wind of the rumors, he would shut them down with a stern look.

Whenever she saw me, Camila would sweetly talk to me and often try to gift me fancy skincare products.

"No, really, you shouldn't." I declined the cream she offered for the third time. "I'm not used to these things."

"Alice!" she said with a playful pout, latching onto my arm. "Take it, please. I felt like you were a sister to me from the moment we met."

Slowly, I started to drop my guard.

Once we became friends, she even volunteered to help me keep an eye on Alexander.

"Alice, you should focus on your work!" she said with a twinkle in her big eyes. "If any girl tries to get close to Alexander, I'll be the first to shoo her away!"

Sometimes, Alexander would get so lost in painting that he forgot to answer my texts. She would send me pictures to let me know he was okay: [He's safe in the art studio.]

I used to feel bad about not liking her at first, so I decided to treat them to dinner on Alexander's birthday.

I planned a surprise and did not tell Alexander, just Camila.

"Wow!" Camila's eyes lit up as she pressed a finger to her lips. "Mum's the word! I'll blindfold him and bring him over for a huge surprise!"

I saved up for two whole months.

On his birthday, I booked a fancy restaurant that cost a thousand dollars per person and picked out the perfect gifts.

However, they never showed up, even when the restaurant was closing.

I sent more than ninety texts, but no one answered.

Worried they might be in trouble, I packed up the food and hurried home. I tripped on the stairs, spilling soup all over myself, and the gifts got dirty too.

When I got home, looking like a complete mess, I found Camila in my pajamas, lying on my bed with a smile.

Alexander was there too, putting ice on her ankle.

"Where did you go?" he asked me, sounding colder and blunter than ever.

"Camila came over to cook us dinner for my birthday, and you weren't home! She even hurt her ankle looking for you!"

I was shaking. "I sent you so many messages! I reserved..."

Camila held up Alexander's phone. "I didn't see any messages. I was busy playing games on it."

I lost my cool.

"Camila!" I pointed at her, my hand shaking. "You're nothing but a manipulator!"

Alexander stood up quickly. "Be quiet!"

Camila's eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to surprise Alice! I didn't know she disliked me so much."

She tried to get out of bed, but her legs gave out as soon as she stood up. Alexander quickly caught her, and she fell into his arms, her cheek against his chest.

I spun around and ran out of the apartment.

After a while, Alexander found me in a corner of the park, looking really upset. He said nothing and just took me back home.

Camila was gone, but I could still smell her perfume in the air.

I cried out, "I don't want to sleep in the bed she slept in!"

Without a word, he took the mattress out and threw it away. He got a new one that very night and put me in bed.

I was shocked. He was rough, and his eyes were dark. He kissed me like he was trying to claim me.

"You thought you could run? Weren't you so confident?

"How could you leave me and even want to run away?"

The next morning, I woke up feeling sore all over. Alexander was making breakfast like nothing had happened.

I wanted to talk about what happened, but when I mentioned Camila and the restaurant, he cut me off.

"That's enough. We're moving past what happened last night. Don't lie or say bad things about Camila. She's young and doesn't think too much about things."

I was speechless.

He looked at me, disappointed. "Have you changed after working so much? Do you think everyone has a hidden motive?

"I can't believe you've become someone I can't stand."