Ruthless Empire (Royal Elite #6)(6)

They think Aiden is slightly mischievous and Xander is the bad boy, but they don’t know that Cole is a first-class wanker.

I tried finding another special place other than this park, but I couldn’t. This is where I had my first picnic with my parents. Or maybe it wasn’t the first, but it’s my first happy memory, so it became my sanctuary. My escape from the world.

The wanker Cole won’t take that away from me.

Happy thoughts. Don’t think about Cole. Happy thoughts.

As soon as I return from Mum’s, Papa will hear me play the piano piece I’m practicing for an upcoming competition. Helen will teach me how to make cakes. For some reason, I never get it right. I’m better with preparing tea.

Someone pulls on a strand of my hair and I groan, my eyes snapping open.

Cole sits beside me, smiling. He does that a lot — staying silent and having that infuriating smile all over his face.

He’s not saying anything, but his expression feels like a taunt all on its own.

“What do you want?” I snap.

“This park is for everyone, Butterfly.”

Ugh. I hate it when he calls me that. It’s a reminder of that day I showed him my weakness when I shouldn’t have.

Though his advice worked. When I told the judge that I wanted to stay with Papa, he didn’t hesitate to give my father custody. Mum didn’t talk to me or Papa for a week and I had to go apologise to her about it before she would forgive me.

I’ll never tell Cole I’m thankful. That means showing weakness in front of him again and he’ll use that against me for years to come.

That day was black in both our lives. When I went home, my parents sat me down and announced they were getting a divorce. I cried myself to sleep that night.

The following morning, I found out that Uncle William, Cole’s father, tripped in his pool and hit his head against the edge. He died around the time Cole was talking to me in the park.

Cole’s life has never been the same since then. He doesn’t say it, but I kind of feel it.

Mum and her friends keep saying Helen became a rich widow who has so much money, she won’t be able to spend it in her lifetime.

Cole didn’t cry at his father’s funeral. He doesn’t cry in general, but I thought he would that day.

However, he didn’t even shed one tear.

He spent the entire ceremony clutching his mother’s hand as she sobbed. It was like she was crying both Cole’s and her share.

That day, I gave Cole my Snickers bar. I only get one every three days — Mum’s rules because I have to watch my diet — and I figured since he was sad, the chocolate would make him feel better.

He glared at it, then at me, before he told me to eat it in front of him. I did, secretly happy I could get my chocolate. While I was still eating, he told me I was selfish. I threw the rest of the chocolate bar on his chest and left.

He’s been a wanker ever since. He makes me think he wants to spend time with me, just to say mean things while smiling.

I hate it when he does that.

I hate his smiles and his chestnut hair that he keeps long enough to be ruffled by the wind. I also hate that his eyes are a green so rare, it’s mesmerising. It’s not foresty like Kim’s, no. It’s also not like the grass everyone can stomp on. It’s like the tip of the tall trees where it appears light but it’s in fact dark and deep. High and mighty and far.

So, so far, it’s almost impossible to climb up to it.

“Are you still mad because you lost in chess earlier?” He smiles. “You’re a newbie.”

“I’ll win next time. Whatever.”

“You can’t win against me, Butterfly.”

“Of course I can. I won in the piano competition. Hmph.”

“That’s because I let you.”

“That’s what losers say.”

“You don’t want to challenge me, or I’ll make you cry again.”

“Go to hell.”

His grin widens. “Whoa. Big words, Miss Prim and Proper.”

I narrow my eyes on him. “What would it take for you to leave me alone?”

He pauses for a second, seeming to seriously consider my offer. Then he taps his cheek. “Kiss me here.”

“I won’t!”

“Fine.” He lets his arm drop to his side before he sneakily pulls on my hair.

“Ow!”

“What?”

“I told you not to do that anymore.”

“You didn’t give me what I wanted. Why should I give you what you want?”

“You’re such a…a…”

“You can’t find the word?”

“A tosser!”

“I’m fine with that. Are you going to kiss me or should I bother you until Cynthia comes to pick you up?”

“Why do you want me to kiss your cheek?”

He lifts a shoulder. “Because.”

“Tell me why or I won’t do it.”

He pauses, his smile disappearing. Cole doesn’t like it when he’s cornered. Finally, he speaks quietly. “You haven’t done it to any other boys.”

It’s my turn to smile. “Because you want my firsts?”

He nods. “Now do it or I’ll pull your hair again.”