Chapter 11 - Her brother

I can still tolerate all their insults against me, but when they meddle with my brother, I can't take it anymore. I can't stand it. That's why I immediately stood up from my seat and started walking around to find Kai. I ran just to find him and see Kai.

"Aria!" I heard someone call me. When I turned around, it was Asher.

"What's going on? Why do you look so frantic?" Asher asked.

"Asher, the student who came in here… that's my brother. Please help me find him." I said, my voice trembling with tears.

"So that's your brother. What's he doing here? But don't worry, I'll help you." Asher said. And he looks worried too.

"Thank you." I replied gratefully.

"Aria, calm down, okay? Everything will be alright… don't worry, I'll help you." Asher said, trying to calm me down. I nodded.

"I'm scared he might get picked on here." I said.

"Don't worry, we'll find him. Trust me, okay? I'm here to help you." Asher added.

His words melted my heart. Asher is the person who calms me down. When he's by my side, everything seems to be alright.

"I'll look for him over there. You stay here. I'll go to the recording room to see if I can find him. That way, you'll hear from the speakers when I find him." Asher said.

"Alright, thank you so much for your help." I said, and we went our separate ways to find Kai.

"Kai, why did you come here?" I murmured to myself as I searched for him. I walked around the entire university. The school is so vast, making it difficult for me to find him.

Eventually, I saw Cairo, Sade, and Denzel in the Garden Area. They were facing away from me. There were a few other students around. I quickly approached them, hoping they might have seen my brother. But I was shocked to see Kai in front of the three of them. The most unexpected thing was Kai punching Cairo in the face.

"Kai!!!!!!" I shouted loudly, and everyone turned to look at me. I quickly pushed Cairo away and grabbed Kai. I was terrified of what Cairo might do to him.

"Cairo, I'll tolerate all your bullying against me, but not my brother." I threatened Cairo.

My emotions were a mix of fear, anxiety, and exhaustion. My hands were shaking.

"I never did anything to him." Cairo replied softly.

"Cairo's right. He didn't do anything to your brother, Aria." Denzel interjected.

"That's true." Sade added.

If that's the case, why did Kai punch Cairo?

"Kai, is what they're saying true?" I asked Kai.

"Yes, Sis, it's true. He didn't do anything to me. But he did something to you, right? Isn't this guy the one bullying you? I just got back at him!!! And it's still not enough!" Kai shouted angrily.

My eyes widened in shock. I didn't know how Kai found out that Cairo was bullying me at school. I didn't know what to say. I was scared and worried for my brother.

"Sis, why did you keep it a secret that you're being bullied here at this damn school? Why did you pretend to be happy here? Look at yourself, you have so many wounds. It's frustrating." Kai said through tears.

I couldn't stop my tears from falling.

"I didn't want you to worry. I wanted you to focus on your studies. I can handle myself," I replied, wiping away my tears.

"You thought I didn't know you were being bullied here." Kai said.

He took something out of his bag and handed me my torn uniform, the one that was almost shredded by a cutter when two male students bullied me.

"It was in your drawer. And your arm wounds. That wasn't an accident, was it?" Kai said, still crying.

I couldn't answer. I just wanted to take him home. I didn't want him to get involved here.

"And he was the one who did it to you, right?" Kai said, pointing at Cairo.

I wasn't sure, but I thought it was Cairo who ordered it because he was angry with me that day.

"Yes, I did that. So just leave. I'm annoyed seeing you." Cairo said.

"I won't forgive you. Be ready for me!" Kai shouted at Cairo.

"Go on, do whatever you want. Get revenge. I'll wait." Cairo said.

I was really angry at him. He is so heartless. He's worse than I thought. And what Hannah said about understanding him, I can't do that.

"Hey Cairo, remember, I won't forgive you! I swear, you have a rotten character and an empty heart. Just stay the way you are… after all, you're happy with your demonic behavior." I said and dragged my brother away from there.

We went to the dean's office to apologize for Kai entering the university without permission. Everything was settled as long as it wouldn't happen again. It's a rule in the school that outsiders are not allowed.

We were walking to the parking lot. I planned to take a half-day off.

"Why did you come here?" I asked him.

"I was worried about you. You didn't come home. Then when I went into your room, I saw your torn uniform in the drawer. I'm not stupid, Sis, to not get that you're being bullied. Even your wounds are suspicious." Kai said, still worried.

"If only you could transfer schools." Kai said.

"I can't do that." I said, getting on my bike.

"Ride with me." I said.

"Transfer already." Kai persisted.

"Stop being so annoying. I can't do that," I said.

We continued arguing until we reached home. He really wants me to transfer schools.

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Cairo's P.O.V

"Hey Cairo, remember, I won't forgive you! I swear, you have a rotten character and an empty heart. Just stay the way you are… after all, you're happy with your demonic behavior." Those words keep echoing in my mind.

I don't know, but it felt like a slap from those words. I don't understand why it hurts so much hearing that from her. It's infuriating.

"Hey dude, you're spacing out. Are you thinking about what happened earlier?" Sade asked.

We're at Hannah's bar now, with Sade and Denzel. Asher didn't join us; he's angry with me for what happened with Aria's brother.

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***Flashbacks****

"Dude, stop acting like a stupid child. Stop playing this stupid game of yours," Asher said angrily.

"And now I find out you were the one who ordered those two guys to mess with Aria and tear her uniform with a cutter. Dude, Aria is a woman. At least show some respect. Don't you feel sorry for her? Man up, dude!" Asher said angrily.

We were in the room exclusive for the four princes, one of the rooms at school. This is where we usually hang out.

I clenched my fist at what I heard. I almost wanted to punch him for his words.

"I'm leaving… and you two, you deal with it," Asher said angrily, leaving Sade and Denzel with me.

***End of flashback***

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"I'm pissed off at what she said." I replied.

"Is it true that you did that? Dude, you've gone too far. Why did you ruin Aria's uniform? It's torn to pieces." Sade said.

"I don't know." I replied.

"Are you drunk? What do you mean you don't know?" Denzel asked.

"I wasn't the one who did that! And I definitely didn't order it! I didn't even know it happened. I'm pissed off that I wasn't there at that time." I said, throwing the glass of alcohol I was holding.

"What?" Sade and Denzel asked in shock.

"I won't forgive whoever did that. They'll have to answer to me." I said, slamming my fist on the table.

"This is crazy. Someone hates Aria more than you do." Denzel said.

My blood was boiling with anger. Who could hate Aria more than I do? Damn it. I have no idea who it is.

"If so, why did you tell Aria's brother that you were the one who did it, and why is Aria so angry with you?" Sade asked.

"I said it to protect Aria's brother. I wanted him to think I did it. The person who hates Aria is still at the university. I just did it to prevent Aria's brother from getting involved. I don't know what the person who hates Aria might do to him if they find out. So, let him blame me for everything. I'll take the blame; after all, I'm the one who started the hate against Aria." I explained.

The two of them applauded. They looked at me as if they couldn't believe it.

"Dude, is that really you? Are you really Cairo? You're hiding your true self." Sade teased.

"Crazy!" I said angrily.

"We just can't believe it. When did you start caring about other people? Remember, you're Cairo Hayes, the king of arrogance." Denzel added.

"Shut up! I just don't want to see the drama.

That sibling duo is too dramatic. I hate it." I said.

"No… Aria is really different. I said that the moment I saw her stand up to you. She's truly unique." Sade said.

"Cheers! To Cairo! We should celebrate this new version of himself." Sade added.

I just laughed. But deep down, what Aria said is bothering me, it feels like it's cut deep into my heart. She really hates me and I think she'll always.