Trixy's Pov
Dad's car drove leisurely through the tall gates of Austen University. The guards made a slight bow as they raised the bar, but with every passing second my chest was tightening. Since breakfast, my dad had been very quiet, his jaw clenched, and his fingers, which gripped the steering wheel so tightly that the veins on his hand protruded, unstressed.
Honestly, I thought that we were going somewhere else—maybe to the hacienda or maybe to a meeting. I mean, when the car was headed towards the university parking lot, I felt like my stomach fell to the ground. Why are we here?
Right next to the central building the car parked. Father then turned to me with a glance and said with his eyes, "You go first."
I nodded with difficulty and, forcing the car door open, I stirred the air with my movement. The morning was clear and hot, but I was still cold. The sound of my shoes on the slick tiles was almost like a drum. Students moving around stopped and stared. Whispers that floated like shadows were coming from their mouths...
Why has the Austen patriarch come here? Why is he with Trixy?
I did not dare to look around and kept looking at the floor as we went into the main building and boarded the lift. Dad stood beside me without making a sound, but his demeanor was impressive.
Ding.
The doors that opened led to a long hallway that went to the President's Office. My aunt Gwen. Sure.
Dad tried to open the door with a bang, but the secretary of Aunt Gwen was there to receive him shortly after. Lyka, a student in her second year and a scholarship recipient, gave him a polite smile. "Good morning, Sir Austen. Madam President is inside. Please come in."
When we entered the room, there she was—Aunt Gwen, sitting in her swivel chair and absorbed in typing on her laptop. She looked at us as a sign of a little surprise and the shock passed immediately over her face.
"Brother?" she said, putting herself in a position of more power by slightly rising. "Trixy? What has brought you here?"
Dad's voice was frayed. "Gwen, you know that I have no time for this. But when it comes to my daughter, nothing is more important."
Aunt Gwen's gaze shifted to me. "Is something wrong? Trixy, has someone bullied you?"
The blood rushed to my face and I rejected the idea by quickly shaking my head. "No, Aunt."
"Sit, please," she said kindly.
Dad and I took a seat that was opposite to hers, and the chairs groaned under our weight. Aunt Gwen propped her elbow on the table and with her keen, evaluating eyes studied us like a hawk.
"I can't fathom it, brother. Absolutely no bullying occurs in this school and I am the one who ensures that."
"Not bullying," Dad replied coldly. "To be more specific, one of your students has hurt my daughter emotionally."
Aunt Gwen tilted her head back. "So. Lover's affairs then." Her eyes quickly looked at me and then returned to Dad.
I said it under my breath, "Ex-boyfriend."
Father's hand became a fist. "Never will I permit her to be hurt, Gwen."
She breathed out and casually pulled her hair away from her face. "Brother, don't be so overprotective. It is only a matter of time before a broken heart becomes a part of growing up."
"Weren't you also protecting your kids?" Dad asked sharply.
"Yes, but not like this. Our kids must learn the hard way as well. We can't be their shield from every blow."
"Still," Dad replied strongly, "I would like to talk to that boy."
"What next? What do you intend to do?"
"Take him out of this college."
Aunt Gwen's glance sharpened. "That is not doable, you know. Jonas Valdoza is the star player of AU's basketball team. I cannot expel him because he broke my heart."
Dad gave a gloomy smile. "Oh, but you can."
He grabbed a brown envelope from his briefcase and let it slide across the polished mahogany desk. I frowned. When did he do that?
Aunt Gwen lifted her eye but went on to inspect the envelope. She sorted through the papers and the photos with her eyes that moved very quickly.
Her face contorted. "Brother, what is this? What do you mean with this?"
"Evidence," Dad said unfeelingly. "Jonas Valdoza at a bar, drinking with women, using and selling drugs. While you have been applauding him as a star player, he has been smearing your university's name."
My mouth hung open. Drugs?
Aunt Gwen's mouth tightened. "How did you get these?"
"I hired a private investigator to follow my daughter. I didn't know the truth and he proved me right. That lad is not a good one." Dad then looked at me and his gaze softened just a little. "I'm sorry, princess, but I never trusted him. And after he did to you, I was wrong not to."
I pressed my lips tightly together and tried to hold back my tears.
Aunt Gwen tilted back and let out a sharp sigh. "This… dissolves the doubts. Don't be distressed, brother. I will ring Mr. Valdoza and his parents instantly."
She hit the intercom button. "Lyka, get Mr. Jonas Valdoza to my office immediately."
"Yes, Madam President," Lyka's voice responded.
Her announcement over the university's speakers was:
"Calling the attention of Mr. Jonas Valdoza from Business Management 2. Please proceed to the President's Office immediately."
I stood like a block of ice. Now everyone is in on it.
And hours passed by but Jonas was still not there. Dad's patience was almost gone and his foot was tapping on the floor.
"That boy's behavior is absolutely rude," he said under his breath.
Aunt Gwen rang Lyka again. "Go to his class. Bring him here."
When Lyka came back, she looked apologetic. "Madam President, he was not in class today. His professor marked him absent."
My heart was breaking inside. Didn't he come to school?
---
Then, Dad and I were walking out of the office when my phone started to vibrate. It was my mom.
"Hello, Momma?"
"How are you, sweetheart?" Her voice was soft and interested.
"I am fine Momma. I am with Dad at Austen University."
"What Is Your Father Doing There? Wait—Don't Tell Me…"
"Yes, Momma," I sighed.
"Be patient with your father, Trixy. He is just worried about you and hence the reason why he is like this. He does not want that you be hurt by anyone."
"I know," I whispered.
While the elevator doors that led to the parking lot were opening, the call with my dad ended. Dad came outside with me, gave me a kiss on my forehead and smiled. "Take care, princess. I'll send the car for you later."
I returned the favour by giving him a warm hug. "Thank you, Dad."
While his car was driving away, a cold breeze touched my skin.
"Trixy!"
I turned, and the sight of Scarlett made my stomach seize. As always, with the two friends by her side, she marched towards me, her heels making a distinct clicking sound against the pavement.
She stopped right in front of me, eyes sharp with accusation. "Where is Jonas?"
I crossed my arms. "Why do you need to know? He is your boyfriend, not mine."
She took your hand, grabbed my arm hard enough to hurt. "Don't lie to me. I know you know where he is. Tell me!"
"I am not aware of."
"Liar!" she cried, eyes glowing.
Beep! Beep!
A red car pulled up nearby, and Luna stepped out. She saw Scarlett's hand on me and walked over.
"What are you doing to Trixy, huh?" Luna asked, her tone as sharp as a knife.
Scarlett laughed. "I was just asking if she knows where my boyfriend is."
"Then ask without acting like a thug," Luna said angrily. "If Jonas is missing, perhaps it is due to you trying to tie him down."
With a mixture of fury and disdain, she said to me, "Listen to me, Trixy, If I find out you had something to do with Jonas disappearing, you'll regret it."
Before I could say anything in reply, Luna stepped between us. "Maybe you forgot who you're threatening, Scarlett. Think carefully before you say anything."
Scarlett snorted but was going with her friends. She didn't look happy to leave but made no effort to stay. Her friends followed, their glares like daggers flying at me as they went.
Luna looked at me with concern. "Are you okay?"
I nodded, though my knees trembled.
However, inside, I was tormenting myself with the following thought more than anything else:
Why didn't Jonas come to school today?