Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Around them, she could feel innumerable pairs of eyes darting towards her and Helios, could sense the way people tended to slow down when passing in front of them. The realization made MJ wince. She had a good idea about what they were thinking, especially after what Yuri had told her. Who the hell did she think she was, playing around with two of the hottest bikers in the racing world?
If only, she thought hysterically, that was true. If only she could play that kind of game, she would not be hurting so much now.
“My...my next class will start in ten minutes.” She could feel her cheeks flaming as she uttered the lie, but it was the only thing she could think of to keep things short between her and Helios.
His lips twisted as MJ mumbled the words without looking at him, her head bent down, her gaze trained on her sneakers with keen concentration. He knew MJ’s class schedule by heart, and because of that, he knew she was lying. Was it because she hated being with him that much?
He said abruptly, “I miss you.”
MJ’s teeth slowly sank into her lower lip.
Helios continued doggedly, “I’ve done my best to give you space, but I...I can’t stay away any longer.” Silence dragged on between them after his words, and a part of him wondered if MJ meant to ignore him completely. He said roughly, “Please look at me.”
He lifted his hand, intending to touch her—
MJ flinched.
At the sight of it, a vivid memory flashed through his mind.
MJ’s body twisted on the ground, blood running down the side of her forehead.
His hand fell to his side as guilt flamed his insides.
Knowing he had no right to touch MJ against her will, all he could say hoarsely was, “Please.” He knew that people around them might be able to hear him begging, but he didn’t give a fuck. Pride had lost its meaning to him in the face of losing MJ forever.
“Please look at me.”
The fact that he was begging her in public, that he was making no attempt to hide the fact that he was the one wanting to talk and not her...it hurt. Making it impossible for her to lie. She said in a small voice, “I can’t.”
Pain exploded in his chest. “Why not?”
“Because...” A choked, teary laugh escaped her. Oh God, there went her promise not to cry another tear for what she thought but never had. “My stupid heart...” Her hand moved, clutching her chest, an unconscious movement to protect herself from more hurt. “It doesn’t know how to stop racing when you’re around.”
It took a moment for Helios to understand what MJ was saying, a moment to appreciate how the girl he loved had not changed. She was still as disarmingly honest as ever, and the fact only served to prove how much he did not deserve to have someone like MJ in his life.
When his head snapped towards her, Helios was stunned to find that MJ was now looking at him.
And she was crying.
Theo, she was crying.
When the fuck would he stop making her cry?
He started to speak, but she shook her head, tears still running down her face.
She said unevenly, ““I know...it wasn’t your intention to hurt me. It wasn’t your fault I thought I was...different. I also know you’re not a bad guy...President.”
The catch in her voice made Helios flinch. He knew what it meant, knew she had been about to call him by his name, knew that this time she didn’t think she had any business using it.
“...which is why, I know you won’t say no if I ask you to...” Her voice broke.
“MJ—”
Her heart ripped into pieces at hearing his beautiful voice say her name. She choked out, “Please help me get over you? I just want a normal life. A normal guy to love me and for me to love back. Could you...could you help me do that, President?”
Chapter Three
“HEY, MR. SUNSHINE.” Jaike Hepburn’s tone was cheerful but puzzled at the same time when she realized who her unexpected visitor was. When Helios Andreadis didn’t even roll his eyes at the term she had used, Jaike had her first inkling that something was seriously wrong.
“I’m sorry for the mess,” she continued after a beat when her guest didn’t show any signs of speaking. She gestured to the half-painted walls of the kitchen with the paintbrush she was holding.
Closing the door behind him, Helios murmured, “I should be the one to apologize for the intrusion.” He followed Jaike into the room, and despite the emptiness that was steadily growing inside him, Helios still couldn’t help but be amused at the picture Jaike presented.
Jaike happened to be engaged to a man who was heir to not one but two billion-dollar fortunes and yet here she was, busy with DIY remodeling. It was just one of the many things that made Derek Christopoulos’ fiancée intriguing.