Chapter 35: Chapter 35

It's the middle of the week, and I'm so tired of the long-hour lab after multiple classes in the morning. It's almost ten when I reach home, my heart wants to unwind with a glass of wine and junk food but my brain is telling me to stay sane. I have to key in the data from my findings at the lab today so no alcohol, the last thing I want is to present an incorrect data population that can lead to a false result, getting me a bad grade for my final year project.

Being in final semester is hard.

Doing this Final Year Project is hardddd.

But graduating with a first class degree would be so worth it. Getting a good job will be easy breezy later on. So yeah, I'll just need to buckle up for this crazy ride. Just a few more months till I graduate.

'Elle

Elle

Elle

Elle

Elle

Elle'

Kimmie and Cleo have been calling my name from the group chat since hours ago, but I decided to ignore them since I'm occupied with my experiment at the lab. Now that I'm finally home, showered, and currently indulging my late dinner with the intention to do some work later, I reply her with a rude 'WHATTTTT'

'Kimmie: Where the hell are you?

Elle: WHATTTTTTTTT

Kimmie: Have you checked your Instagram?

Elle: Why

Cleo: Go

Cleo: Check it

Kimmie: NOWWWWWW'

Last time they did this, I had to scroll through my timeline to find the gossip they were talking about. Turns out it's about our classmates who had this love triangle drama and things blew out when they posted stuffs on their account, including some explicit details that should be kept in the bedroom. Idiots, I tell you.

'Elle: Just tell me

Elle: Who is it

Elle: I have too much work to do to scroll everything'

But I do it anyway, because I can't bear to wait for their replies. And I'm a sucker to gossips.

Once the app is launched on my phone, I realise I have a million notifications, so I click on the notification button only to gasp seeing my name is tagged in comments of a photo. All of them come from a single photo, and at the bottom of everything; Owen Harris tagged you in a picture.

The thumbnail has already made me stop breathing but after my finger clicked on it, the picture he posted is now in a clear view, filling my entire screen.

[I'm still gonna marry you even if you're mean to me ❤️‍]

It's a picture of me giving a toothless bite on his cheek, or at that particular time I was actually aiming for the dimple. It shows more of a playful, madly-in-love-with-each-other couple rather than a sugarbaby bullying her sugar daddy.

Shit. Why the hell did he post this for the world to see? And there are thousands of comments on this picture alone. He even tagged me in it! What was he thinking?

I'm mad.

I'm batshit mad.

But I know he's working at this hour so there's no way he'd take my call or reply my texts if I were to verbalise my anger.

And when I scroll down, there's actually another picture of us. Though this time he didn't tag me, that's why I didn't get any notification.

[Falling in love has now being activated :) ]

I can't believe I'm smiling reading this stupid caption he posted four days ago. And the picture? Well it's that one time when I decided to cook him breakfast while wearing his baggy boxer and hoodie, had this bird-nest of morning hair and puffy face with giant glasses, urgh. Why can't he post something that's flattering to his 2.9M followers? Damn it Owen!

And there it is, the picture below it that was posted five days ago. Our first date last Saturday. The one he asked the waiter to take a picture of us.

[Can't help it, you look too pretty when you're mine.]

It was that one shot when he stared at me while I smile to the camera, thinking he's giving the same pose. We weren't touching since we were sitting opposite to each other but the way he looked at me, and the caption, awwww.

Wait. I'm supposed to be angry! What else did he post?! It's only been a week since we signed that contract, what else did you post Owen!

[How are you so picky but still pick the wrong one?]

I laugh so hard I actually fall from the chair reading his caption. It was the day I sealed the deal, and the picture showed his face while mine stayed hidden; he was hugging me with the camera facing my back. I bet one of his colleagues took this when I was on our way to leave the restaurant after fucking him in the office. It was a goodbye hug.

And that was it. Four pictures in a week, only today he finally tagged me in the latest picture, introducing me to the world. As his girlfriend, or lover. Whichever fits.

[Is that wedding bells we're hearing? Congrats lovebirds!!!]

I managed to read that one comment under the latest picture he posted a few hours ago. My blood is boiling for being exposed like this without my permission. What the hell was he thinking?

I quickly eat my dinner so I can pack my stuff to leave for his place. I planned to visit him tomorrow after my last class since Thursday is the day I'm supposed to spend with him. But I can't wait to attack him regarding this reckless act he did, so I'm gonna wait like a boss and spook him at his own house.

***

Just like last week, around midnight, he finally comes home.

I purposely wait in the dark when he came in, walked straight to the fridge to get a drink without switching the light on. But the moment he notices my shadow, the bottle he was holding flied a foot away spilling the content on the floor.

"Elle?!" He looks at me in horror as I cross my hands on the chest. Serves you right. Mission accomplished.

"Why are in the dark?" He asks as he strides to the switch, "What are you doing here?"

"It's Thursday." I reply nonchalantly.

"Huh?" He's still in the shocked-confused stage. Shocked-confused-sexy stage. What did I do to deserve this man in my life?

"You're cute when you're about to die."

"What?" Still confused, he walks to me while removing his leather jacket. His hair swish-swash in that sexy move, oh God why are you so hot maybe I'll kill you after I fuck you while running my fingers through that sexy hair.

"Why didn't you tell me you'll be here?" He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me for a kiss. Fine, I'll kiss you before I kill you.

"I thought you'll be here tomorrow after class?" The soothing voice, with his lips lazily worshipping my neck, and his hands all over my body, oh God.

"Before I die, can you grant me my last wish?" He asks in that annoying baby voice. It's annoying, but also cute. Why, whyyy am I like this. Why do I like this annoying side of him?

"Do you even know why you're gonna die?"

"I plead guilty for loving you too much. Punish me, Judge Precious."

There he goes again. Spitting the word love as if it means nothing.

"Why did you put our pictures in your Instagram account? This is supposed to be just us."

His lips are still roaming around my neck, but then he murmurs, "That's the reason you're here?"

I push him to make a statement, "Yes."

"I thought we've agreed, you're my girlfriend when it comes to my crowd."

"But that's social media!" I shout at him while distancing myself further.

"That social media is my crowd."

"Social media is not a crowd. That's public. A crowd is your friends, your colleagues. Not the entire world!"

He sighs, "Are we gonna argue about this at one in the morning?"

"Yes!" I shout even louder, showing no sign of backing out. I need to make a stand. I need to make him delete those pictures, eventhough it seems a little too late.

"What do you want me to do, Precious?" He sounds defeated, "I've already posted them. Everybody saw them. You want me to delete those pictures?"

"You read my mind."

"Will that make you happy? And end this fight?"

"Yes." I answer firmly eventhough out of nowhere I'm starting to feel guilty.

"Okay. Okay baby I'll delete them." He sighs as he takes his phone from the pocket of his jeans, "All of them."

"Yes," I gulp, now starting to doubt myself, "All of them."

He slowly lifts his gaze with sorrow written all over his face, "I'm sorry I upset you. I thought this is my right. Clearly I misunderstood."

Then he looks at the phone again and taps his fingers on the screen. My heart feels heavy seeing his forlorn face, it's obvious he's reluctant to do it but does it anyway for me.

"No more," he approaches me while showing the screen of his phone; he has indeed deleted all four pictures.

"I'm sorry," he murmurs as he caresses my face, "I promise I won't do it again."