He Hates Me (Hate & Love Duet 1)

I try a different search.

Lucio, the man Jas was talking to in front of my building. Maybe I can dig up some dirt on him.

I try searching for Lucio and the city's name, but there's a billion results. Next, I narrow my search down to Lucio and rich. A list of the richest people in the city pops up, and I begin scouring the pages.

There's one entry that catches my interest, a man named Emilio Costa. He's not the guy that was in front of my building, but there's a definite family resemblance.

Searching for Emilio Costa, I learn of his recent passing and the fact that his successors are two sons – and one of them is named Lucio.

Got you.

I search for Lucio Costa next, learning more and more about Jas' employer. He's a business magnate, but there are some articles about shady dealings in his company, some ties to mafia. Nothing proven yet, but the hint of suspicion is enough to send my heart racing.

I search for Lucio Costa again, adding Jasper's name. A picture pops up, it must be at least ten years old, because Jasper looks different in it, younger, more troubled.

I inspect the photo, in which he's protecting the Lucio guy like a bodyguard. So, the debt he spoke about must go years back, if he was already protecting this guy a decade ago.

Jasper's last name is right there in print – Jasper Cain.

Knowing this about him sends shivers down my spine, and when I search for him, my fingers shake above the keyboard.

There are articles about him, but they’re mostly shaded, speculative, all filled with rumors. Then, in article, a place I know too well pops up.

Vita Boarding School.

Goosebumps erupt all over my skin when I read that name, repeating it out loud.

I know Vita Boarding School, if only from faint memories and what others have told me.

My doorbell buzzes and I ignore the pounding of my own heart, pushing away the laptop and heading to the intercom.

"Who is it?"

"Hey, um, Georgie?"

"Yeah?"

"It's Bill. From, um, the hospital?"

"Oh," I manage. "Hey, Bill. What are you doing here?"

Please, please, don't let him be here because he's into me. I cannot handle turning him down.

"I brought you your wallet. You left it at the hospital on the lunch table today."

"What? Oh, thank you so much. Please come up." I buzz him through and check my purse. Sure enough, my wallet isn't there.

Shoving my laptop under the sofa pillows, I quickly check my phone as well, but there's still nothing from Jasper.

By the time I'm done, the doorbell rings, and I open the door to find Bill looking nervous.

"Thank you so much," I rush to say, ushering him in. "I had no idea I left it behind, I swear, I'm so scatter-brained sometimes..."

I notice him staring and only then remembering my shirt is barely long enough to cover my butt.

"Shit," I mutter. "Let me just change really quick."

"Sure," Bill chuckles, and I tell him to sit down in the living room while I quickly put on some yoga pants.

I return a moment later, putting on the kettle and offering Bill some tea. He accepts, and I sigh inwardly. I don't really want him to stick around – I want Jas to come back. But it would be rude after he returned my wallet, so I just bite back my worries.

We settle on the sofa with our mugs, and Bill pets an indifferent Mrs. Hudson.

"So, I'm sorry to just drop by unannounced," Bill smiles while I blow on my tea. "But I figured you wouldn't want to drive without your license. And, I just wanted to check and see how you've been doing."

"I'm okay. Why?"

"Well..." He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, giving me an apologetic glance. "I’m worried, Georgie. What happened at the club was a mess.”

It's kind of weird that I'm not used to people calling me Georgie anymore, and with a start, I realize I prefer Petal or Pet.

"What about it?" I ask stiffly, taking a sip of my tea.

"Er, your friend, he punched me? I’m worried about you.” I can still see the bruise on his cheek. He reaches for my hand, but I snatch it away. "Look, I'm not here to interrogate you, Georgie. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Is this guy being weird?"

"Not at all," I reply crisply. "In fact, you're the one who's out of line here, Bill."

"Don't say that." He sets his cup down and I grimace when he reaches for me again. This seems to upset him. "I thought we were friends, Georgie. That we told each other things."

How am I supposed to explain everything changed in a matter of days? That all I think about now is Jasper, even with his history and mystery and killer ties.

He’s the only one that’s occupying my mind, and I have no idea what that says about me.