Rise Of The Disrespected Trillionaire Heir

EIGHT – MEETING THE ENEMY

Nina stepped into the car, confusion written all over her features. The last time she saw Luke, she had bought him a plate of food from the school’s cafeteria because he was unable to afford even the least item sold there.

Where the hell did he get a Tesla?

She decided to keep silent so as not to appear rude. Maybe he had borrowed it or something.

Luke put the cat in “drive” and continued down the lane.

“So…how are you, Nina?”

She forced a smile.

“Very well, thank you.”

Awkward silence reigned in the car after that. Something was wrong with Nina. Luke could feel it. Her normal bright and smiling countenance was stiff and dull.

Has someone hurt her? Luke felt his blood boil at the thought.

When the silence began to get uncomfortable, he decided to broach the subject.

“Uh…Nina, are you okay?”

She turned her big blue eyes in his direction.

“What? Yes, of course. I’m fine.” A forced laugh escaped her.

Now Luke was sure something was wrong.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You can tell me, you know. I won’t make fun of you or anything.”

“I’m fine, Luke.”

Luke reached across the console and took her hand in his. Surprised, she looked from their joined hands to him.

“Something’s troubling you. I can see that. You can tell me whatever it is.”

Nina looked out the window for a while, contemplating his words. Finally, she heaved a breath and turned to him once more.

“It’s just that…a lot has been going on with my family lately.”

Luke’s gaze turned thoughtful.

“I’m listening…”

“There’s this guy. His name is William. He’s…one of the numerous guys who are interested in having something serious with me.”

“Did he hurt you?” Luke inquired .

Nina’s eyes widened with shock.

“No! No, of course not. He’ll be resuming Bridgeville with us soon and I’m just worried because my parents really like him but I’m not interested in starting anything with him. I’m tired of them forcing suitors down my throat. It’s been like this since I turned eighteen. One responsible, well raised guy after the other. It’s exhausting.”

“That’s…sad. I’m sorry about all of this.” Luke apologised.

“You know what? It’s fine. Bridgeville was a means of escape for me. I wanted a university in a different state from my parents because I wanted to be free from all the suitor drama. Now William’s coming here. I have no idea what to do.”

Luke stared at her thoughtfully.

“Do you think he might be a bother to you?”

“I know he will. He even wanted us to share a dorm and my parents are in full support of it.”

Luke’s gaze became determined.

“If William ever becomes a bother to you or if he ever tries to hurt you, you can come to me and I’ll deal with him. Got it?”

Surprised and touched at his words, Nina smiled at him.

“You would do that for me?”

“Nina…I cannot count the number of times you’ve come through for me when David and his gang tried to bully me. You’ve always stood up for me so I guess it’s my turn to do something for you.

I will never be able to pay you back for all your protection, of course, but I’m willing to personally take up this case.

Trust me, William will never hurt a hair on your head, okay?”

Luke exuded a confidence that instantly calmed Nina’s spirit. She didn’t know what happened to transform him from the poor, timid guy who he once was, but she was grateful for this new Luke.

“Thank you so much.”

He gave her a smile.

“Anytime, baby girl.”

They drove in comfortable silence until they arrived at the main campus. The campus grounds were bustling with students all heading to one lecture venue or the other.

Luke drove around the packed parking lot, looking for an empty spot. When he finally found one, he eased the Tesla into the spot and switched off the engine.

Just as they were about to come down, Nina caught sight of David and Fiona alighting their own car.

She turned to Luke, her face creased with worry.

“Ugh. We just parked beside the snobbish King and Queen of Bridgeville.”

Luke looked out the tinted window and caught sight of Fiona hanging on to David’s arm. She smiled up at him, her eyes twinkling with delight.

Luke waited for the spark of hurt and anger he usually felt whenever he remembered his marriage to Fiona was over, but he felt nothing. Absolutely nothing

It was as if he was numb to everything concerning both of them.

Luke was about to pull his door open when Nina laid a hand on his arm. He stared at her worried expression.

“Shouldn’t you wait until they leave first? They might want to cause trouble.”

Luke shook his head.

“I am not that weak, helpless guy anymore, Nina. David can never hurt me now. Everything’s changed.”

Then he got down, slammed the car door and walked over to the passenger side to open Nina’s door. David saw him first. He tapped on Fiona and sneered.

“Look who finally decided to crawl out of his cave of shame, sweetheart. Luke wretched Bradford.”

Fiona gave him a disgusted up and down look.

“What the hell are you doing here, Luke? Can’t you stop following me for once? I told you it was over between us. Get a life for God’s sake.”

Luke walked past them, his face set in hard, straight lines. Just before he passed Fiona, he gave her a cold stare.

“I have better things to do than waste my time chasing someone who can never be mine.”

Fiona’s mouth dropped open in shock at Luke’s audacity. He’d never tried to speak that way to her when they were together.

“How dare you speak to me like that? Who the hell do you think you are?”

Luke ignored her and went ahead to pull open Nina’s door. Fiona and David stared at him in shock, wondering what he was doing with such an expensive looking car.

When Nina got down from the car, a streak of jealousy shot through Fiona. Without thinking, she walked towards the car and looked down her nose at Nina.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the Bridgeville saint.”

“Hey, Fiona.” Nina forced a smile.

Fiona’s eyes flashed with derision.

“Nina, baby girl,” she said with a sickly sweet tone, “I didn’t know you were so good at cleaning out the trash. I threw Luke out of my life and you were right there to take him into yours. Congratulations…”