Chapter 31
It’s been almost two days since I struck that deal with Adrian. Surprisingly he is actually keeping his word.
I thought he’d use this as an opportunity to mess with me again or cause more problems for me, especially with Draven being on the other side of the training grounds, training.
But nope, he’s weirdly focused on helping me train and he’s taking our tutoring sessions seriously too.
We just started his second lesson in the library and he is laser focused. I’m sitting here quietly watching him go over a practice sheet I drew up for our Business Ethics class.
I don’t know what to think to be honest. Granted we haven’t known each other long but ever since we first met, it's been one big mess.
From our drunken night together, to finding out he’s Draven’s brother and my new step brother, everything went from zero to a hundred in minutes.
Top that off with him using me to piss off Draven and our already messed up acquaintance crumbled to dust.
Once he finishes up the last question I can’t help but ask what’s been bugging me since yesterday when he proposed this deal.
“What’s your endgame here?”
He turns to me, brows furrowed slightly, “What do you mean?”
“I mean, there has to be some kind of angle you're working here,” I said, crossing my arms, “everytime you involve me in something, usually against my will, I might add, it’s part of some plot you’ve cooked up.”
“So, I want to know what angle you’re working at now.”
His face actually darkens, instead of his smirk gliding onto his face it’s more of a scowl. He’s clearly not happy with what I just said.
But hey, can you blame me for doubting him and his motives. I’d be stupid to just blindly believe him after everything.
“God, I already said that not everything has to do with Draven,” he said, annoyed, falling back against his chair, “can’t we just leave it at that and focus on the lesson."
“Um, no,” I said, staring him down, “sorry, but after everything I can’t just take your word.”
Running a hand over his face he groans, frustrated. Sitting up he faces me fully, “fine, if you must know so we can get back to work then I tell you.”
I feel a bit proud of myself, I knew he was up to something and I called him out. I won’t be fooled by a handsome face ever again, I vow inside my head
“I knew it,” I said leaning back in my chair, “spill.”
Adrian sighs, “my dad, or I guess our dad, has always been pretty strict and expects near perfect results in everything he does.”
“So, growing up, once our mom had us, he expected Draven and I to follow in his footsteps. You know, be perfect, at everything.”
I nod, confused at where he’s going with this. I thought he was going to just reveal his newest scheme to get at Draven, not talk to me about his childhood.
“Everything was okay before our mother passed, hell even Draven and I got along,” he said, falling back in the chair again, crossing his arms like he wanted to close himself off from the world.
“But once she passed, I struggled to “bounce back” so my grades and stuff struggled. I couldn’t focus like before, so I quickly fell behind while Draven didn’t falter once.”
“How old were you when she passed?” I asked softly, a small tug in my heart reminds me of when my own father passed.
“I was six at the time, Draven was seven,” Adrian said, fidgeting with his ring, “I was grieving, you know but that didn’t matter.”
“Within a day of the funeral I was expected to start my lessons again, but I just couldn’t. So, I quickly fell behind in my studies and my dad’s disappointment only grew. But Draven…”
Sighing, Adrian clenches his fist, his anger and hurt are easy to see on his face, “Draven just kept going, like he wasn’t fazed by losing our mom.”
“He quickly became dads golden child and then every time he accomplished something, our dad made it a point to show me just how much better Draven was than me. So, by the time I’d finished grieving I didn’t even bother to try anymore, instead I just did what I wanted and acted how I pleased.”
As I listen to him talk I can help but feel like we aren't that different from one another. Granted we grew up in vastly different environments but we both had to deal with being overlooked.
Though mine were because people didn't think that a woman could achieve half the stuff I did growing up. It was strangers who looked down on me and treated me like I was invincible.
I can’t imagine what it would feel like to have your own father, your blood, treat you like that for most of your life.
I lean forward, resting my hand on his arm, “so what changed, that’s got you wanting me to tutor you?”
“I don’t know,” he admits, “I’m not stupid, the only reason I’m failing is because I haven’t even put in the effort, so maybe I just want to do it for myself.”
“I think also a big part of it might be that If I don’t actually graduate, then it’s just another failure of mine that man Dad can rub in my face.”
“Could it also be that if Draven graduates and you don’t you’ll feel worse about yourself as well?” I asked curious, but ultimately I can understand where he’s coming from.
He lets out a big breath, sagging into the chair like all the wind is knocked out of him, “yeah that's a big part of it. Though I honestly want to improve my grades, so I’m not messing with you.”
“But, to be fully transparent,” Adrian quickly adds, “ I do want to take down Draven during the competition, just not using underhanded methods this time.”
I take a closer look at him and I can tell that even after all his lies and manipulations, there is some true honesty in his words right now.
“I might not know what it feels like to be looked down on and suppressed by family, but I do know what it feels like and I wouldn’t want to be someone who adds to that so, I’ll help you.”
“Really?” Adrian asked, surprise clear in his voice, he probably wasn’t expecting me to stick around after he told me everything.
“Really,” I said, smiling, “but just so you know, I plan on kicking everyone's ass during the competition so, don’t go easy on training me just because we’re in competition.”
Adrian laughs, his laughter filling the air, the previous tense, melancholy atmosphere fading away.
“I don’t care about winning the whole thing, hell if even you beat Draven then I’ll consider it a success. So, I’ll train with you so you can snatch first from everyone.”
“How’s that sound?” Adiran asked, holding out his hand, his cocky, amused smirk back on full blast as he looked at me.
“Sounds like a plan,” I agree, shaking his hand, grinning, “Let’s kick all their asses.”
