Chapter 43 - Alone

Almost three weeks passed and only a few days more, Andrew would be coming back. Nina told Andrew about what happened in school and understood that they needed to lessen their communication.

Andrew made an adjustment with his schedule and would make time for her. He would call her after her class or during break time. Nina was happy about it and her grades were getting better as well.

"Wow. I didn't expect to see a sudden change in your grades. I thought it would take some time, I guess I'm wrong." Rev said.

She was in his office for an after class activity as part of her extra curricular when her grades went down. She became Rev's assistant, organizing student's files.

"Andrew helped me. I told him about what happened. He didn't want my grades to go down. He was sorry, saying he's so irresponsible so we made some arrangements." Nina said proudly.

Rev felt something pierced his heart but ignored it. Although he fell in love with her, he had to control himself. She's a student engaged to a powerful guy. He could tell that she was really happy with Andrew so it was enough for him.

He stood and walked towards Nina. He patted her head and sincerely smiled at her.

"I'm glad you are happy." He whispered.

Nina didn't feel awkward with Rev's gestures. He would always pat her head or pinch her cheek as a way of his encouragement. She saw him as a big brother, nothing more, nothing less.

But this time when he pat her head, he was staring at her. She felt a little awkward when she saw his eyes. It was different. Was that affection? Desire? She thought to herself.

Rev turned around before he lost control. He sighed and went back to his swivel chair, making himself busy. 

"I-I'll just go to the restroom." Nina said before rushing outside.

Nina took a deep breath, holding her chest. She suddenly felt nervous in front of Rev. His eyes weren't like that before or she just didn't notice. When she looked at herself in the mirror, her face was flushed. She shook her head, turned on the faucet and washed her face.

"Look who's here!" She heard someone from behind.

When Nina looked in the mirror, she saw a group of girls enter the bathroom. She turned around and felt her heart beating loudly. She suddenly felt scared. It was the voice of the girl she heard last time.

"You really are something. From the bronze class to the platinum class, from a nobody to one of the most popular girls in school, from a trash to the fiance of one of the most sought out bachelors in the country. Now, you are being a bitch again. You were trying to seduce the school counselor." The girl said.

Nina didn't know any of them. But from their looks, she was sure they were from the platinum class.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about. I'm sorry I need to go back, I have things to do." She stammered.

She walked towards the door, only to be pushed back inside. She was slammed by the door and before she knew it someone already poured water to her.

Her body shivered from the cold and fear that she felt towards the girls. When she looked at them, she thought she saw some evil faces in them

Then horrible things happened, the girls started beating her. Slapping her on the face, scratching her arms, pulling her hair and kicking her. She couldn't fight back since there were six of them. Andrew told her to not think of the Cross family name but she couldn't afford to ruin it.

She fell on the floor bruised and injured. The girl who seemed to be the mastermind, squeezed her face by holding her cheeks, tilting her head to level hers.

"I'm looking forward to your friends' reaction when you tell them about this. Nobody could mess up with me." She smirked.

Then they turned around and left her. Nina mustered her strength to go inside one of the cubicles. She took her phone from her pocket and dialed Andrew's number. Her hands were shaking and tears were falling from her eyes. She wanted to talk to him badly. She wanted him to console him. She missed him, his voice, his touch, everything about him.

But to her disappointment, the line was busy. She tried dialing a few times but her calls didn't push through. Then she saw a text message from him that was sent half an hour ago.

'Baby, I'm sorry. Father asked me to attend a business conference after France. I will be flying to England in a week. I will be gone for another two weeks.'

Nina's heart was broken. She was in physical, emotional and mental pain. She cried her heart out alone in the bathroom. She suddenly the loneliness in her heart.

"Nina, are you there?" It was Rev's voice.

He was knocking non-stop so she decided to open the door for him. Rev was devastated seeing Nina all bruised and soaked. Her lower lip had a cut and her left cheek was swollen. Her knees were red from the cuts and her right arm turned purple.

Rev gritted his teeth and clenched his fist from anger. He couldn't believe that bullying in this school was still happening until now. Without a word, he carried Nina princess style and rushed her to the infirmary.

Nina didn't protest. She was so weak and all she could do was cry in Rev's arms. Her vision became blurry and she didn't realize that she lost consciousness.

Andrew was on the phone talking to his father. They were arguing about his trip to England. He didn't know that his father had already booked him a flight after his trip to France so he called him to argue with him.

He sighed when he didn't receive a reply from Nina. He wanted to fly back to see her, he missed her so much. He felt guilty for leaving her alone after their engagement and he was worried that she might encounter some bullies in school.

He heard a beep sound on his phone and he was so excited to see who it was. He expected it was from Nina but he frowned when he saw an anonymous number.

Andrew's face turned dark when he saw the message.. It was a photo of Rev, the school counselor, and in his arms was his fiance, Nina.