Rebirth: Love me Again

[BONUS Chapter for reaching 200PS! Thank you all! 🤍]

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[IRAYA]

The words lingered in the air, a sharp contrast to the underlying tension between us.

I watched as the color drained from Kylie's face, a flicker of something like jealousy. Her grip on Jason's arm tightened almost imperceptibly, as if holding onto him harder would make him hers.

It was then that I realized just how blind I had been. For so long, I had convinced myself that the relationship between Jason and Kylie was nothing more than a friendship.

But looking at her now, I saw the truth clearly—how she clung to him in every way, her eyes always seeking him, her movements always aligning with his. It was clear who was the true priority in his life, and it certainly wasn't me.

But that didn't matter anymore. I would make sure they ended up together, tangled in the web of their own lies.

I took one last glance at them, the faintest of smiles pulling at my lips before I addressed Mr. Benson.

"Mr. Benson, please don't fetch me after school anymore," I said, my tone calm but pointed as I addressed the older man. "I already have a ride, as you can see." I gestured toward the sleek McLaren parked just a few feet away.

Mr. Benson's expression grew tense as his eyes darted between Jason and me. Leaning in slightly, he lowered his voice so only the two of us could hear. "My dear, did you and my son have a disagreement? Is that what this is all about? Perhaps you should talk things through," he suggested.

Jason stepped forward, his expression darkening. "Iraya, don't push it too far," he said, his voice low and warning.

I could see the worry flicker in his eyes, and I knew exactly what he was thinking. Without the Rolls-Royce, he'd have no car to parade around in later.

I crossed my arms and tilted my head, letting my amusement show. "What? Didn't you give it to me, Jason? I can do whatever I want with it, right?"

Kylie, standing beside him, frowned in confusion. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice edged with irritation as her gaze shifted to Jason and me. "Jason, if the Rolls-Royce isn't available, why not just call for another car? Have Mr. Benson drive you something else."

Jason froze, the color draining from his face. His confident facade began to crumble as he shot me a pleading look, his usual arrogance replaced with a flicker of panic.

I couldn't help the grin that curled my lips as I leaned against the McLaren. "That's a brilliant idea, Kylie," I said sweetly, my voice carrying just enough venom to sting.

"Jason, why don't you ask Mr. Benson to drive you another car? I'm sure you have plenty to spare for a wealthy son such as yourself."

Jason's jaw tightened, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. He looked at Mr. Benson, who suddenly seemed far too interested in the ground. The silence was deafening.

Kylie's confusion deepened as she glanced between us, sensing something wasn't quite right. "Jason?" she asked again, her tone sharper now. "What's going on here?"

I straightened up, brushing a speck of imaginary dust off my sleeve as I walked past Jason. "Oh, don't worry, Kylie," I said lightly. "Jason can handle it. After all, he always does, doesn't he?"

I was referring, of course, to Jason's web of lies and the excuses he had woven so effortlessly over time. He was a master manipulator, skilled at twisting the narrative to suit his needs. I was certain he'd find a way to wriggle out of this situation too.

Sure enough, I heard his voice, smooth as ever, addressing Kylie. "Sorry, Kylie. Iraya and I just had a little fight. It was small, but she's making a big deal out of it."

The words stung, not because they were true, but because of the ease with which he spun them, painting me as the unreasonable one while he played the victim. His lies had become second nature to him, but this time, I wasn't going to let him get away with it.

Jason's expression darkened as he turned to me. His smile didn't falter in front of the other students, but the tension in his jaw gave him away. He reached out, gripping my wrist firmly—not enough to draw attention, but enough to make it clear he wasn't asking.

"Iraya, can we talk?" His tone was low and controlled, but it wasn't a question. Before I could respond, he pulled me toward a quieter corner of the school grounds, away from the prying eyes of our classmates. Find your next read on empire

Once we were alone, his mask slipped. "What's wrong with you?" he hissed, his eyes darting around to ensure no one was listening. "Do you want me to get caught?"

I met his glare with a calmness that only seemed to infuriate him more. "Whatever do you mean, Jason?" I asked, feigning confusion. "I only wanted to drive my own car today. After all, I'm quite familiar with the streets now. I don't think I need your father's services anymore. It's time for me to dismiss him."

His confusion was written all over his face. His mouth opened as if to retort, but no words came out. He was clearly grappling with the shift in me, the confidence and defiance I now carried. The old me—the one who bent to his every whim—was gone.

"You can't just fire him," Jason said, his voice rising slightly, though he caught himself and lowered it again. "Do you want me exposed? Do you want everyone to find out? Do you want them laughing at you for dating a—" He stopped himself, but the venom in his tone was unmistakable. "A poor guy? Is that what you want? For my reputation to be destroyed? For everyone to mock me? And you?"

I raised an eyebrow, refusing to let his words affect me. "Oh, Jason," I said coolly, "if that's your concern, I'll simply have your father drive you in another car. Problem solved."

His jaw tightened, his frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. "I want the Royce," he demanded, his voice firm, as if he had any authority left to give orders.