Baited

Chapter 8: Baited

Rosie took a deep breath and look him in the eye and there was something in those eyes that made Ridger uncomfortable. It was as if she was going to say something he wasn't prepared for. At that moment, he just wanted to leave but he escaping seems not a good choice.

"I always wanted to tell you this but I couldn't find the right timing. Aside from that, I knew I would look desperate but I'm sick of it. I'm sick of always being at a loss," she paused and gulped while she was pinching the tip of her finger. Her heart was beating so fast, it's the only thing she can hear.

On the other hand, Ridger seemed confused about what she said. He had no idea what was going on so remained quiet and let her continue.

"You know that I liked you right? Since high school… And I still do, Ridger," she started with her eyes full of emotions. Meanwhile, Ridger wasn't surprised of her confession. He always knew but he would always deny it to himself. Ridger is not naive, he just chose to ignore it.

"And I've always been by your side. Even that time when you and Ysabel broke up," she added with a sad expression on her face. "And I thought we now have a mutual understanding but why… why do I feel like you're so far away?" Rosie's eyes glimmer as she bit her lower lip.

"What?" he thought to his head. Now he's really confused. "Mutual understanding?" he queried.

Rosie replied, "Why? Am I wrong?"

"I think you're mistaken," he stated and sighed.

"But what do those things that you do for me mean? You would send me home when my driver can't pick me up, you treat me so well, you gave me a heart necklace on my birthday, and you acted as if you cared for me!" she said while trying not to raise her voice.

"Rosie…" Ridger paused and took a deep sigh because of how stressful the situation was for him. He brushed his hair using her fingers as he tries to calm himself down.

Then he looked at Rosie again and said, "Look, I think you should know the difference between a man who's interested in you, and a man who's just trying to treat you with respect which you deserve. There is a thick line between the two. And if it is still not clear, I am the latter."

Ridger tried his best not to hurt her any further but he doesn't want to sugarcoat things because it might get worse. If he had only made it clear to her before, this might not have happened.

Rosie slowly looked down as she tries to hide her tears and her embarrassment. She put her hands behind her back and clenched it. She hated how she put herself in this humiliating situation.

"Rosie, I've always seen you as a sister–"

"Stop. Just stop. I don't want to hear it. I'm leaving so thanks for your time," Rosie cut him off, took her bag, and rushed to the door to leave.

Meanwhile, Ridger just stood there and watched her walk away. He didn't think he could have more problems than he already have. Ridger heaved a deep sigh as he hope that Rosie would just forget about him.

He was about to leave the office when his phone started ringing. It was Nathan.

[Bro, I got something for you. I'm just not sure if it would help you in your investigation,] he heard Nathan say from the other line.

"Good. Let's talk about that later after class. My class is going to start soon," he replied.

[Got it. See you at the hideout.]

—

"What a great turn of events…" Maxene mumbles to herself. Everything else is just falling into place but she doesn't want to think that everything will turn to her favor.

When they finished their lunch, Lianey and Maxene had to go to their separate classes. Since Maxene is a late enrollee, she had to take some of her course subjects in different sections. It's just a minor subject and even thought of ditching it until she found out from Lianey that it's near the Student Council's office.

She intended to enquire about joining an election party, but it appears that something more interesting was in store for her.

As she moved along the corridor, the number of pupils going through declined. When she got to the last room, which she knew was the student council, she heard a faint voice of a woman.

She looked outside the office and noticed that the lights were turned on, indicating that there was someone inside. The maroon draperies keep her from seeing who is inside or what is going on, but they also keep whoever's inside from discerning Maxene's presence.

When she walked closer to a slightly opened jalousie window of the office where the voice was coming from, the voice become clearer. With that, she realized who was talking.

Maxene recognized it was Rosalia and a man's voice she didn't know. She assumed it would be an average officer's meeting until she heard her sob. But she was intrigued when she realized that Rosie was speaking to Ridger and it wasn't a group meeting.

"You know that I liked you right? Since high school… And I still do, Ridger,"

The voice was faint but it was enough for Maxene to hear it. "So it was just a damn confession?" she pondered trying not to chuckle. She was unfamiliar with this kind of thing that it makes her cringe. To Maxene, anything mediocre is beneath her, and that includes romantic love.

"And I've always been by your side. Even that time when you and Ysabel broke up." Maxene paused when she heard a new name. Then she remembered that Lianey said that Rosie might've caused the breakup between Ridger and his ex but it's not her problem anymore.

Maxene thought that Lianey was right with her assumptions and she wanted to praise her for that. But now that she sees what's heard what's happening between the two, Rosie became more pathetic in her eyes.

In her years of being an assassin, she have a few rules and one of them was to not believe in things until it's proven. This is what Rosie was lacking at the moment and Maxene can't help but criticize her.

Maxene didn't finish the conversation and left to head to her class which is just two rooms apart from the office. She doesn't want to hear any more of it because it makes her shiver in disgust. "Students nowadays can't take their private matters out of school," she thought and slightly shook her head in disappointment.

During the class, all she thought about was how she was going to join Ridger's party. It would be best if she could join so it would be easier to get close to him. Her decision to run for the election became stronger when she found out that Ridger is closer to his father since he would help with the investigation.

Knowing that makes Maxene think that once Ridger finds something suspicious about her, he would not stop until he finds out the truth that would satisfy him.

While she was in the class, she heard her phone vibrate. It means she received a message. When she checked the screen, it was from a familiar number with no name.

Good thing Maxene was sitting at the back corner of the room allowing her to open her phone secretly.

Maxene read the message and it says: "You were right. It seems like he's onto you."

That nine-letter text put Maxene in a good mood though it could not be seen in her expression. After reading it, she put her phone back in her pocket and looked at the professor who was still discussing.

Maxene knew Ridger would not react positively to her presence after getting friends with his sister. There was a deep reason why Ridger is reacting this way and she knows why.

She pondered, "Now that he has taken the bait, I'm just going to wait for him to come to me."

–

End of Chapter 8