After a few more classes, Emma couldn't have been happier — the lessons had finally ended.
The struggle of juggling her part-time job and school had taken a toll on her, but at least she felt unburdened. Temporarily, yes — temporarily, hehe…
Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice calling out in a tired yet determined tone.
"Emma!! Emma, wait up! Do you not love me anymore?!"
She sighed and turned back, spotting Regina jogging lazily to catch up.
"Stop being such a drama queen," Emma said, laughing.
Regina scowled, her eyes shooting daggers at Emma. But Emma couldn't care less, teasing her friend on and on.
"You couldn't even catch up! You should hit the gym sometime so you won't get so exhausted jogging such a short distance," Emma grinned foolishly.
"You just sprinted out of class like a lost hyena, and you're calling me lazy?" Regina shot back, feigning heartbreak.
"Huh huh," Emma grinned.
"Hmph! You're unbelievable!"
Emma burst into laughter, enjoying how Regina always took her jokes to heart. That was one thing she loved about Regina — she was as soft as a lamb but could be cunning and sweet too. The all-in-one package.
They soon reached the school gate and said their goodbyes.
Emma kept walking toward the bus station when a car drove past a puddle, splashing water all over her.
"Heyyy, you prick! What the hell?!" she shouted.
Still ranting, she noticed the car had stopped. She didn't care — she stormed up to the side, knocking on the window furiously.
The glass lowered, revealing the darkest set of eyes framed by a strikingly handsome face: a chiseled jaw, a perfectly carved nose.
He had the looks of a demigod. Beautiful was an understatement.
"Done drooling? Why not take a pic? It'll last longer — then your drool would be all over your phone instead of my car."
Unbelievable. His voice was as rich as his looks, his gaze dripping with mockery. It almost caught her in a chokehold — or maybe it did. Her subconscious told her so, but she'd admit it only when pigs flew. Still, she refused to back down.
It only angered her more that this stranger was not only insanely beautiful but cocky too, with his rich American accent.
"How dare you?! I see your eyes are tinted along with your windows — because you've got to be fucking insane if you think you can splash water all over my clothes and not utter an apology or show a hint of remorse, you prick!" Emma scowled, furious at his arrogance.
Not only was he rude, but he had to be handsome too. Sometimes God really did have jerks as favorites, she thought.
"Look, I don't have time for this. You should've walked on the sidewalk — or at least walked properly. It's not my fault you're drenched in a puddle," he said cockily.
A mischievous glint shimmered in Emma's eyes. "You know what, you're right. It was a mistake. I should have been more careful."
After seeing him looking a little less cocky and relieved, she burst out laughing like a psycho. "Is that what you wanted me to say, you dick?! You cocky, arrogant prick! Why don't you drive off a cliff — or tie a huge rock to that empty skull you call a head and drown?! How does that sound, huh?!"
"Sounds pretty stupid. Just like your face. Get the fuck off my car."
With that, the stranger revved his engine and sped away.
"Fuck you, jerk! Fuck you!" Emma screamed furiously.
"Jerk. What a dick," she muttered, dragging her feet angrily until the bus finally arrived. She hopped in.
⸻
20 minutes later…
"Hey, how was school and work?" Her mom's voice rang sweetly in the air as Emma stepped inside, still annoyed about the punk who had splashed her and then dared to call her names. How rude, she thought.
"Helloooo, back to earth, Emma," her mom giggled.
"Huh?" Emma said, unsurprised that she'd zoned out.
"Emma, hun, you don't look well," her mom said, concern lacing her voice.
"Ugh, it's nothing, Mom," Emma replied softly. "Just some dickhea— I mean, a rude guy who splashed water on me without saying sorry. He was so cocky… I don't want to talk about it."
"Okay, baby. Go freshen up and come eat. I made your favorite dish," her mom said, grinning knowingly, certain it would lift Emma's mood.
Emma's eyes lit up as fast as lightning. She grinned back and scurried upstairs to freshen up.
All these years since Dad's death, Mom still tries her best to hide her pain and be strong — even though she's breaking inside, Emma thought.
I'm so lucky to have her. And she can 1000% say the same — I'm her baby, of course. She shut her room door, smiling to herself.
⸻
Tyler's POV
"No, Mom. No, Dad. You don't get to decide who I marry or who I want. I will not give my consent to this," I said, my patience thinning by the second.
"Please, Tyler, I want to see my grandchildren before I die. I might die any moment from now," my mom cried hysterically, clutching at her chest.
I rolled my eyes, clenching my fists in frustration.
"Your mother is right, Tyler. You're 25 — the most successful CEO in all of New York. The least you could do is give us grandchildren," my father said sternly over the video call.
Every day it was the same speech. The Heathens' heiress, marriage, grandchildren — a script I could recite in my sleep.
"I've got to go. Too much work on my plate, dear parents," I muttered with a smirk.
"When I lay my hands on you, I'll make sure to—" my father began, but my mom cut him off.
"You'll do no such thing! Honey, language," she snapped, glaring at him.
My father's glare shot back at me through the screen, sharp enough to drill holes into my skull.
I chuckled. "Bye." And with that, I ended the call.
Anger simmered beneath my skin. Marriage was the last thing on my mind, yet it was all they ever wanted to talk about.
Maybe I needed a drive.
Leaving my office with long strides, I ignored the curious stares from my workers. Whispers rippled behind me, but I didn't care. Not until I was behind the wheel.
The second the engine roared, I pushed the accelerator, tearing out of the garage. My grip on the steering wheel was tight — too tight — as my thoughts spiraled.
That's when I heard her.
A girl's voice, shrill and furious, cursing me like she had a death wish.
I slowed down, irritated, and lowered the window.
Hazel-brown eyes. Wavy brunette hair. Pink lips trembling with rage. She looked fragile, but the fire in her glare said otherwise.
For a moment, she was speechless, caught off guard. Then her tongue loosened, and she came at me like a storm.
"Done drooling? Why not take a picture? It'll last longer — then your drool would be all over your phone instead of my car," I mocked, letting the sarcasm drip from every word.
Her jaw tightened. "How dare you—"
The more she raged, the more intrigued I became. She didn't know who I was. She didn't care who I was. Feisty. Reckless. Insane.
And for some reason… I liked it.
Still, my patience was thin. "Look, I don't have time for this. You should've walked on the sidewalk — or at least walked properly. It's not my fault you're drenched in a puddle."
Her eyes softened briefly, guilt flickering through. "You know what, you're right. It was a mistake. I should have been more careful."
Then — snap.
Her gaze hardened, a mischievous glint sparking before she burst into psychotic laughter.
"Is that what you wanted me to say? You dick! You cocky, arrogant prick! Why don't you drive off a cliff — or tie a huge rock to that empty skull you call a head and drown, huh?! How does that sound?!"
I blinked, stunned. She really was insane.
"Sounds pretty stupid. Just like your face. Now get the fuck off my car." I revved the engine.
"Fuck you, jerk! Fuck you!" she screamed as I sped away.
I smirked despite myself.
That psycho had actually managed to distract me… almost made me forget why I'd taken the drive in the first place.
By the time I got back to the office, it was 5:15. I drowned myself in work until exhaustion finally dragged me into the night.