Ice & Prejudice

Chapter 57

Ria's POV:

Sitting in the campus cafeteria with Layla, I tried to focus on my lunch, but my mind kept wandering. Last week had been intense. Stacy was finally dealt with, and word was spreading that Vlad was going through the trials. Layla kept me updated, but I'd done my best to stay out of it. The last thing I wanted was to get tangled up in that mess again. All I had to do was send in a testimony about what happened three years ago, and I was free to live my life. Minimal involvement, just like I wanted.

Last week, I'd run into Kathryn. We talked for a bit. I remembered our conversation vividly.

"How did you know?" I had finally asked her, wondering how she saw through everything that happened three years ago. How she knew my fear and sadness were real.

Kathryn had smiled softly, her eyes filled with understanding. "Let's just say I observe and analyze people and their behavior for a living."

She was being hella vague, as usual.

Even with all that behind me, there was still the matter of Nikolai. Ever since he found out the truth about what happened, he'd been going out of his way to make it up to me. But I wasn't making it easy. We hadn't really talked except when necessary because of the plan. Honestly, I was barely acknowledging his existence. Sure, he'd helped me a lot recently, but it didn't erase the past. If Kathryn hadn't dug up the truth, Nikolai probably would've never spoken to me again. That last argument we had before he found out stung, and the wound was still fresh.

In the past week, he'd gone full-on romantic, showering me with gifts-a big bouquet of burgundy roses (my favorite), a box filled with my favorite snacks, a giant teddy bear, and daily letters in the mailbox. And now, I could sense he was about to try something else.

Layla was mid-sentence when I felt the air in the cafeteria shift. Nikolai had just walked in with his hockey friends, all wearing their jerseys. As soon as he saw me, his gaze locked onto mine. His face lit up, and I could almost see the gears turning in his head. He said something to Noah, patted his back, and then made a beeline straight for me. I braced myself. He was going to try something again-he always did. Layla smirked, catching the direction of my stare. "Here we go," she muttered, eyes twinkling with amusement.

I sighed, preparing myself for whatever he had planned this time. Layla noticed and smiled, clearly enjoying the show. Nikolai reached our table, that cocky, playful grin plastered on his face, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Victoria," he drawled, leaning against the table with an effortless charm that made my stomach flutter despite myself. "Fancy running into you here. Are you avoiding me? Because I swear, I've been sending all these gifts, and I haven't heard a single thank you."

I kept my expressoion neutral, glancing up at him. "Maybe because I didn't ask for them?"

"Ouch." He clutched his chest, feigning hurt. "You're killing me here. I thought we were making progress. I mean, the roses were pretty spectacular, right?"

"Over-the-top," I corrected, keeping my tone flat.

"Over-the-top is my specialty," he shot back, leaning in closer. "But if it's too much, I could always tone it down. How about dinner? Just the two of us. No giant teddy bears, I promise."

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Not interested."

"Victoria, I just can't stop thinking about you, you know? Just couldn't stay away," he said smoothly, his voice low and teasing.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the slight smile tugging at my lips. "Is that supposed to be flattering, Nik? Or just annoying?"

He placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "I'm wounded! I come bearing my heart, and this is what I get?"