CHAPTER 8

"If your trump card is speaking to the twins about it, then forget it. Your dad already spoke to their mom," Lena said, smirking.

"Oh, fuck!" Logan exclaimed, throwing his hands up in frustration, while Nia snickered.

He had been hoping to convince the twins to reject her registration.

Nia had done her research on the twins while googling Logan.

Conor and Conan's father had founded Brunswick School and Brunswick Health Center, both considered the best in America. Each institution had at least two branches in every state. The twins, alongside Logan and Jared, attended Brunswick School Starbury in Las Vegas—the headquarters of all Brunswick Schools. Their mother ran the campus, but Conor and Conan, even as students, had significant influence over the school's operations.

"Alright, Nia, you can head to work when you're ready. Dianne and I have somewhere to be," Lena said, standing. Dianne rose with her.

"Okay, ma'am. Thank you so much. I'm truly grateful for your kindness," Nia said sincerely.

"It's nothing compared to what you've done for us, dear. And you should have this," Lena said, pulling $11,000 from the handbag and handing it to Nia.

Nia froze, her eyes widening.

Logan, who was still standing, scoffed, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"You don't need to act surprised, sweetheart. That's what you wanted all along," Logan said with a smirk, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Sweetheart.

Nia knew he was mocking her, but coming from him, the word sounded so nice to her ears. And she hated herself for it at that moment. She scowled at him while Lena took her hand and placed the money in her palm.

"You know better than to listen to Logan, right?" Lena asked gently. Nia nodded with a small smile.

Logan shook his head, his expression showing his disappointment as he watched his mother.

"Thank you, ma'am," Nia said softly.

"Franklin, have one of the guys drive her to work in one of the guest cars," Lena instructed Franklin, who Nia had totally forgotten was standing outside the sit-out securely.

"Sure thing, ma'am," Franklin replied, flashing Nia a friendly smile.

"Thank you again, ma'am. I really appreciate it," Nia said.

"Don't mention it. I've saved your number already, so we'll keep in touch, alright?" Lena said.

"Yes, ma'am." Nia nodded.

"Bye, Nia. Maybe next time I'm back from college, we'll have more time together," Dianne said with a warm smile.

Nia grinned. "Yea sure."

As Lena and Dianne walked away, Nia picked up her bag. She was about to leave when Logan stepped in her path, grabbing her hand and pulling her back.

A tingling sensation spread from where he touched her, catching her off guard. She fought to suppress the reaction but felt a surprising pang of loss when he let go.

"What do you want?" she demanded, glaring up at him.

"You think you can cope at Brunswick School? Seriously?" Logan asked, his smirk returning.

Nia shrugged. "Why not?"

Logan scoffed. "You think it's all about studies? Every fucking student there apart from the few that got in through the yearly scholarship program, are from crazy rich background. Financially average children can't even attend the school."

Nia gave him a bored look.

"I already know about that," she said.

"You wanna attend a school you can't even fit in? A place where you'll be mocked for coming to school in a cab?" Logan asked, snickering.

"Do I look like I care? Look, I'm just coming to study, I don't care a bit about anyone, especially you," Nia said, flatly.

Logan smirked. "Academically you must be a dunce as well, because the academic standards of Stenkreft can't be compared to that of Brunswick School," he mocked.

Nia gritted her teeth. "If you held me back to continue your childish banter, I'm not interested and besides I have somewhere to be."

She turned to leave, but he grabbed her wrist without taking off his hand this time. The tingling sensation intensified the longer he held her hand, making her stomach flutter.

"You seriously get on my nerves," Logan muttered, staring down at her.

"I feel the same way," Nia shot back, glaring.

"Then reject the offer to come to Brunswick School. There are other good schools around, I can suggest one for my mom," Logan said and Nia gave him a dirty look.

"I already told you, I can't. There's no reasonable reason to even begin with," Nia said in irritation.

"There is, reason being that I don't wanna see you again. You usually hurt my ego and make me angry. Damn, I hate you," Logan declared coldly.

His words stung her, to Nia's surprise.

"I hate you more," she retorted, her voice trembling slightly. "But I won't reject the offer. I'll just avoid you at school."

Logan leaned closer, his hazel eyes fixed so intently on her that Nia's heartbeat sped up.

He smelled so good, cedar with an underlying hint of citrus. Honestly, he should star in a cologne commercial.

"Stubborn, aren't you?" Logan murmured, his voice low and husky.

Nia didn't know why she thought it was sexy.

She opened her mouth to retort but she couldn't find her voice.

Why am I feeling this way? I can't even find my wits!

Nia thought furiously.

Her breathing quickened as his gaze heated, the smirk fading from his lips.

Nia watched him lean in further, their faces barely an inch apart, with his head tilting to the side, making his lips lineup to hers.

Goosebumps were all over her as she felt his hot breath on her face and neck. She tried to push him off but her body seemed frozen in place, refusing to obey her commands.

She stared at his perfect lips that promised bliss and her knees threatened to buckle.

Did he cast a spell over me?

Nia wondered.

No guy has ever had this effect on her.

She hasn't felt so helpless—and worse, so willing in her life.