Chapter 529
The next morning, Charlotte woke to the shrill ring of her alarm. She reached over, half-asleep, and felt for the edge of the bed, her hand landing on nothing but cool sheets. That empty space made her frown. Her leave from school was up today. After she saw Stella, she’d have to be back in time for afternoon classes.
She dragged herself out of bed, washed her face, and slipped into a clean, long- sleeved school uniform. Back in her room, she rummaged through a drawer for her motorcycle keys. Her fingers brushed against a blue box tucked quietly inside, and just seeing it made her cheeks burn with a sudden warmth.
What a jerk, she thought, shaking her head.
After breakfast, Charlotte packed up the cake and snacks she’d bought the day before, slung her bag over her shoulder, and headed down to the underground garage. She swung her leg over her motorcycle and started the engine. The sound echoed off the walls as she sped away.
About forty minutes later, she pulled up to a quiet villa on the outskirts of town.
She took off her helmet and ran her fingers through her long hair. Before she could even get off the bike, two men were already walking her way.
“Charlotte,” they called out together.
Jackson and Adonis stood in front of her.
“Yeah,” she replied, cool and casual. She hung her helmet on the handlebars and walked past them with her bag.
“Charlotte, we just came from inside. Stella’s doing really well,” Adonis said, his excitement obvious as he fell in step beside her.
“Really?” Charlotte’s eyes softened, a genuine smile breaking through her usual calm.
“She’s recovering fast,” Jackson chimed in from her other side. “If she keeps this up, she’ll be ready for the entrance exams in two weeks.”
Stella had always been sharp, quick on her feet, the kind of girl who belonged in a bright classroom with other students, joking around and studying for exams. If only things had been different, if she hadn’t been sent away or gotten caught up in those accidents.
“Hey, Charlotte, have you thought about which university you want to go to?” Jackson asked, glancing over at her.
With her grades, any school would want her. The Cabinda University was the top pick around here. It seemed like the obvious choice for her.
“Haven’t decided,” Charlotte said, not missing a beat. She picked up her pace, heading straight for Stella’s room.
The door was open. From the
hallway, she saw Stella sitting at her desk, head down, totally focused on her homework. Sunlight streamed through the window and for a second, it reminded Charlotte of all those afternoons in a crowded classroom, everyone sneaking
books under their desks.
“Stella.”
Stella looked up when she heard her name. When she saw Charlotte, her face lit up and she tossed her pen aside.
“Charlotte!”
Charlotte grinned and set the cake on the table. “Brought your favorite.”
She flopped into a chair, propped her legs up, and started flipping through Stella’s workbook. The answers were mostly right, and the way Stella solved problems showed just how smart she was. St she had missed so many classes. The exams would be tough.
“Charlotte, the exams are coming up so soon. Are you nervous?” Stella asked, nibbling on her cake. Her brow furrowed with worry. “I’m kind of scared What ifl can’t get into the same school as you?”Content
“Don’t stress. You’ll make it,” Charlotte said, licking a crumb from her lip. Her words were steady and sure.
Really? Stella thought. Getting into The Cabinda University wasn’t exactly easy for someone with her grades.
Jackson and Adonis exchanged a glance, both trying to figure out what Charlotte meant.