“All right. I’ll see you later,” I yelled back to her before hearing the door close.
I hated starting my mornings out like that. It really set the mood for the entire day and so far, it wasn’t looking promising.
Grabbing my compact, I brushed some powder on my face, then dabbed some mascara on before running some moisturizing balm over my lips.
There, I’m done.
I slipped on a pair of flats and checked the clock. I actually got ready in eight minutes. It was a new record for me, but my body felt sluggish. I was tired, and I needed caffeine. I’d just have to get a Coke on our break and hope I didn’t get a headache before then.
I packed the books and papers I’d left on the living room table then headed for the door. A smile formed on my lips as I made my way down the stairs. Today, I get to see Mason.
Twenty minutes later, I entered the school building and was quickly walking to the class when my phone chimed in my purse.
I rummaged through it and pulled my phone out.
Victoria: Let’s get together today. I miss your face.
I smiled. I hadn’t seen or really talked to Victoria or Becky since the day of the fundraiser. I’d told them a summary of what happened with Mason, but I didn’t go into full detail.
I’d just started to text her back when I turned the corner to the hallway of the classroom and ran into a hard chest, dropping my phone in the process.
Thank heavens for the thick case or I would have gone through four phones by now.
“Excuse me,” said a male voice as I leaned down to pick up my phone.
“I’m so sorry,” I replied in a hurry, finally looking up to see whom I’d run in to.
He was tall and very well dressed. I’d guess Italian by the tone of his skin and dark eyes. He was an older man, but very handsome.
“I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.”
“That’s quite all right,” he said with a smile. “You’re Emma, right?”
I took a step back and looked at him in confusion. How in the world did he know my name?
“And you are?”
He reached out a hand and I clasped it. “I’m Donicko. Donicko Black, a friend of Mason’s. I saw you at the fundraiser hosted by Mr. Cline, but wasn’t able to make your acquaintance.”
“Oh,” was all I said. It didn’t explain how he knew my name, but at the moment, I didn’t have time to ponder it. I needed to get to class. “Well, it was nice to meet you, Mr. Black, but I have to go before I’m late.”
I gave him a small smile and walked around him. He seemed nice, but he made me uncomfortable. I turned my head as I moved to see if he was still there and yep, he was watching me walk away.
I picked up my pace and finally made it to the room to see Mason wasn’t there yet even though it was two minutes after.
That was strange. He was never late for class.
Making my way to my seat, I sat down next to Brian.
“Hey! You’re lucky the professor is running late today or you would have been locked out.”
I sighed. “I stayed up too late and overslept.” I pulled out my laptop. “I hope everything is okay, because he’s never late,” I stated as I looked down at Mason’s desk.
Brian shrugged. “Maybe he’s sick and we can skip class today.”
I frowned as I got my things ready then pulled out my phone. Maybe I should send him a text. I mean, he had texted me the other day, which meant technically I could text him back. I just felt weird doing it.
Taking a deep breath, I sent him a quick message and continued getting my stuff ready. At least everyone would be able to join the lecture, if we were still having one.
Nine
Mason
I paced my office.
Who the fuck did he think he was?
Rage built in the pit of my stomach. He waltzed in here like he owned the place and for all I knew, he probably did. His hand reached into so many pockets, it was very possible.
The conversation played back in my head.
“Good morning, Mason,” I heard a familiar voice say.
I looked up to see Donicko walking into my office and closing the door.
I was hit with confusion, and then anger laced my body. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Oh, come on now, Mason. Is that any way to greet an old friend?” he said as he strolled to the middle of the office with his hands in his dress pants.
I scoffed. “You’re no friend of mine, Donicko. Why are you here?”
He stood there with a blank expression on his face, legs shoulder width apart. He was a powerful man, and he looked it. I shouldn’t challenge him at every turn, but I couldn’t stop myself. I hated the man, yet he insisted on planting himself in my life when I didn’t want him there.
“I called you yesterday, but you didn’t answer. I figured if I wanted to talk to you then I’d just have to make a visit to see you.”