My Stepbrother Wants Me-Chapter 181: Come To Me

Catherine’s POV

The lecture hall emptied as soon as the lecture ended. The last few students trickled out, while Mrs. Lewis stood by the door, her arms crossed over her chest, waiting for the two girls at the center of the storm. Sasha looked like she wanted to tear someone’s throat out, while Lucy was busy smoothing her hair.

"Lucy, Sasha. My office. Now," the lecturer said, her voice leaving no room for negotiation.

Lucy let out a soft, feminine sigh and adjusted her designer bag on her shoulder. She turned a sweet, artificial smile toward the lecturer. "Honestly, Mrs. Lewis, I don’t think that’s necessary anymore. Sasha was clearly just having a moment of emotional instability. I’m willing to overlook it for the sake of the class’s peace. I don’t want to cause any more trouble."

Sasha’s head snapped toward her, her eyes flashing with anger. "Oh, you’re willing to overlook it? Are you scared the truth will actually come out once properly checked, Lucy?"

Lucy’s smile didn’t falter, but it sharpened into a sneer. "I was actually taking pity on you, Sasha. I know how hard it is to lose your status and become a nobody overnight. I wanted the lecturer to forget about the matter so you wouldn’t have another mark on your record, but since you want to be more humiliated, I will gladly follow her. Don’t say I didn’t try to help you."

"That is enough!" the lecturer snapped, her voice echoing off the empty seats. "Both of you. You are in college. Start acting like adults instead of throwing insults at each other like you’re back in high school. I will not have this behavior in my department. Move."

The lecturer turned and walked out into the hallway. For a brief moment, Lucy and Sasha remained frozen, locked in a raging look. They despised each other with passion. Finally, Lucy broke the contact with a dismissive roll of her eyes and strutted out. Sasha followed a second later, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

I stood by my desk, watching them go.

"Catherine?"

I turned to see Tessa standing beside me. She looked amused, her brow furrowed as she clutched her textbooks to her chest. We began walking toward the door.

"Those two are really at it with each other."

I nodded.

"Yeah. I’ve been meaning to ask... why did you do that?" Tessa asked, her voice low. "Why didn’t you let me speak the truth? The lecturer asked me directly, and you stopped me. Lucy lied to her face, and everyone just went along with it. Sasha is going to get in trouble for something she didn’t even start."

I sighed, looking straight ahead as we moved the crowded hallway toward our next class. "If you had told the truth, Tessa, you would have had to repeat what Lucy said. You would have had to talk about the ’crush’ on Julian. Once that’s in an official report, it becomes public. It becomes something that could affect the family name."

Tessa slowed her pace, processing my words.

"Ohh. Right and your mean stepdad might not take it easy on you."

I continued, my voice a whisper. "Yeah. If Richard hears rumors that I’m still hung up on Julian, or that there’s drama between me and his future daughter-in-law over his son, he’ll blow a fuse. He’ll think I’m sabotaging his merger. I can’t have the school records reflecting that kind of mess. It’s better to let Sasha take the hit for a fight. At least she deserves it."

Tessa nodded slowly, the realization dawning on her face. "True. Sasha does deserve everything she’s getting. She’s no different from Lucy."

"Exactly," I said. "As long as it involves someone with no conscience, we have no reason to help. You have to learn when to stay quiet, even when it feels wrong."

"I understand now," Tessa said, though she still looked uncomfortable. "I’m sorry. I just hate seeing people get away with lying."

"So do I," I replied. "But I hate fighting for an undeserving person."

We were approaching the stairs when my phone beeped in my pocket. I pulled it out.

It was a text from Gabriel.

I opened it.

Can you please come to Hall B-12? I need your help with something. Please hurry.

I stared at the screen, my curiosity piqued. Gabriel almost never asked me for anything. Since the dinner, he had been acting like a cornered animal. To have him reach out now was absurd.

"What is it?" Tessa asked, noticing my expression.

"It’s Gabriel," I said, showing her the screen. "He wants me to meet him in one of the halls. He says he needs my help."

Tessa checked her watch. "The next class starts in ten minutes. What could he possibly need help with here at the university?"

"I don’t know, but it sounds urgent," I said. Gabriel wasn’t the type to play games. If he was asking, it was likely serious. "Save me a seat. I’m going to see what he wants. I shouldn’t be long."

"Alright. You better hurry up."

"Sure," I promised, turning and heading in the opposite direction.

Hall B-12 was in an older wing of the campus, a section usually reserved for evening seminars or weekend workshops. During the day, it was mostly deserted. I walked quickly, my mind racing through the possibilities. Was he in trouble? What could have happened?

I reached the door marked B-12 and paused. The air was still. I pushed the door open, the door creaking slightly on its hinges.

"Gabriel?" I called out, my voice ringing off the rows of empty chairs and the large, blank projector screen at the front of the room.

The hall was empty.

I stepped inside, letting the door swing shut behind me. The rows of desks were neatly aligned, and the windows were shaded, casting the room in a grey, muted light. There was no sign of him.

Why would he ask me to come to an empty hall? Something about all this felt completely strange.

I pulled out my phone to check the message again, wondering if I had gotten the room number wrong. B-12. This was definitely the place.

"Gabriel, are you here?" I asked again, louder this time.

Still, there was no response. A cold prickle of unease started at the base of my neck. Gabriel had asked me to hurry. He had been specific. I walked down the center aisle, looking behind the podium and toward the back exit. Still there was no sign of him.

I stood in the center of the room, waiting for about five minutes, to see if he would show up. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

He didn’t. I had two options left; to call him or just leave.

I was annoyed at the fact that he kept me waiting, so I actually considered just leaving but a part of me kept wondering if he was okay.

I finally dialed his line, yet I got no answer.

There was nothing I could do. It felt creepy staying in here alone. I began to reach for the door, when it pulled open.

It wasn’t Gabriel that was standing in front of me.