Valentine stepped into the car, ready to slip into the back seat, but André stopped her with a smirk.
"You never learn, do you?" he said, his tone teasing yet commanding. "If you don't want more punishments, try sitting in the car the proper way."
Valentine blinked, internally sighing. Couldn't he have just told me to sit in the front? This is exactly the moment when he could've said a few normal words… but no, when it comes to punishing me, words flow from him like a river.
Grumbling silently, she walked to the front seat, placing her bag on her lap. André locked the door and drove off.
Curiosity pricked at her. Why tonight, of all nights? Why now? They had already spoken today, confirmed everything, yet he called her out under the dim streetlights. She tilted her head. "Where are we going?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
André didn't answer. His gaze, sharp and mesmerizing, stayed on the road.
Frustration bubbled in her chest. She blew a strand of hair from her face and stared at the window. The cool breeze carried the scent of night, and silence settled over them, thick and almost electric. Even in the darkness, their quiet beauty seemed to illuminate the car.
She could no longer bear the tension. "I have the right to know where we're going," she said, voice firm, eyes blazing. "Unless… this is kidnapping?"
André's dark eyes locked onto hers, sending chills down her spine. "You're the first person who dares talk to me like that," he said, his voice low and dangerously smooth. "And for that… you'll be rewarded with more punishments. Seems you never learn."
Valentine gasped, clenching her fists. Fury flared in her chest. How did someone like him get elected president? He's too domineering!
She sighed, muttering in a low tone, ''Just be fast. Dorm curfew is soon. I don't want to spend another hour with Alex buzzing around."
André chuckled, the sound low and teasing. "You'll learn more about the school hierarchy soon enough," he said cryptically.
Soon, they arrived. Her eyes widened slightly at the sign: Malcolm College Infirmary.
Why here? she wondered, stepping out carefully, wincing slightly from her limp. Her leg accidentally struck the iron of the car door, and pain shot up her thigh. She bit her lip, brow furrowed.
André's expression softened immediately. "Careful," he said, bending down to check her knee. His hand moved instinctively to lift her skirt slightly—but Valentine raised a hand in defense, glaring.
André's gaze sharpened, chilling her further. "Remove your hand. I'm not going to do anything inappropriate."
Blushing and flinching from pain, she let go. André carefully examined the injury. Her knee was badly cut, a deep gash from the collision with the car door—and possibly aggravated by the old injury.
He grunted, his hands clenched involuntarily, causing Valentine to flinch. "Why didn't you head straight here if it's this bad?" he asked coldly.
"I… I—" Valentine moaned in pain, tears pricking her eyes. "You should have just brought me here instead of… hurting me!"
André immediately softened, realizing he had gripped her knee too tightly. He released her, standing upright, and then, without warning, wrapped his arms around her waist. Valentine's eyes went wide.
Before she could protest, he lifted her princess-style, and her heartbeat raced with every step. She pressed close to his chest, feeling the calm rhythm of his heart and the spicy, woody scent that was so unmistakably him. Why is my heart doing this? she thought, mentally scolding herself. Rachel's romance novels are to blame.
Inside the infirmary, the room gleamed like something out of a magazine. Soft white curtains framed the large windows, polished floors reflected the ceiling lights, and neat beds lined the walls, each separated by clean curtains. A small table displayed carefully arranged fruits, magazines, and a few medical supplies.
André gently placed her on one of the beds. Her eyes caught a small figure near another bed—someone she recognized instantly. Abdre, the little girl she had met earlier today.
"André," she whispered under her breath. Realization hit. They're siblings.
André noticed her gaze and smirked slightly. "Remember her?"
Valentine nodded, cheeks heating. Why didn't I connect the dots earlier?
Abdre smiled. "Fate brought us together," she said lightly. "I'm André's younger sister."
"I'm going to call the nurse," he said, turning to leave. Valentine couldn't look away from his broad back and strong shoulders as he walked off.
Abdre giggled as she stared at Valentinewhose gaze followed her brother. "You're so cute and innocent," she teased, eyes sparkling mischievously.
Valentine raised a brow. Why does this little girl talk like Rachel sometimes?
They settled into a quiet conversation. Abdre explained that she had noticed Valentine wouldn't go to the infirmary herself, so she had told her brother. "He listens sometimes," she said, placing emphasis, "if you defend someone." Valentine waved it off.
Abdre then asked Valentine if she wanted to know how to control her brother when he's commanding and domineering, Valentine nodded her head instantly, her ears perked up.
Then Abdre leaned closer and whispered in her ear. Valentine's eyes widened, cheeks flaming. "I… I—" she stammered, but Abdre only giggled. "Don't be embarrassed. It works every time. Adults just know more."
Valentine's mind whirled. How does she know this? She's just a kid… or maybe not.
Before she could ask more, André returned with a nurse and doctor. Quick to hide their little conspiracy, Valentine picked up her iPad, pretending to focus, while Abdre's hands hovered over the fruit on the table.
André's sharp eyes immediately caught them. His lips curved into a smirk. "Since you two are so… inclined toward mischief together," he said, tone teasing yet firm, "you'll both receive punishments. Colleagues share everything, after all."
The girls snapped their heads toward each other, eyes wide—but in their hearts, they thought the same:
Game on.
Valentine's cheeks burned, Abdre's eyes twinkled, and André's smirk promised that tonight's "punishments" would be far from ordinary.
💬Authors note:
Hey, lovely readers! 🌸
Valentine's night just got a little… complicated. Between André's "punishments," Abdre's mischief, and a little heart-fluttering tension, things are definitely heating up. 😏
I hope you enjoyed the mix of comedy, romance, and a teeny bit of chaos. Don't worry—Valentine isn't in too much trouble… or is she?👀
As always, thank you for reading and supporting her adventures at Malcolm College. Your comments and thoughts make my day, so keep them coming! 💖
Until next time—stay curious, stay cheeky, and watch out for André's next move…
Padr_es16 🌹