Unholy Affairs

Disclaimer!

1. This story will contain themes of abuse, addiction, violence, explicit sexual acts, and poly-relationships.

2. The storyline results from my imagination and exists strictly for entertainment purposes.

If you feel uncomfortable with any of the above do not proceed to read.

April's POV

Nella Coldwell: Do you believe in love?

Celine Fiorello: Why would anyone believe in something that exists only because of the bonds we choose to form?

Abena (Abbie) Aldridge: Are you saying that love doesn't exist?

Celine: Basically.

Abena: No, girls I am sorry but the fact it doesn't exist for you, doesn't mean it doesn't exist for anyone.

Nella: Of course, it means that! I mean look at us! If I can't find love, of course, it means it doesn't exist!

Nella smiled with a Cheshire cat like smile, leaning with her back against the wall. I knew she didn't mean it, at least not a hundred percent, but Abbie always took the bait.

Celine: What do you think April?

I close my locker door carefully before turning to my group of friends.

April Harding: I believe love as meaning is very fluid to be put in a box.

Celine: *shrugs* That's just a politically correct answer. We want your honest opinion.

April: I am sorry to disappoint you, but this is the only answer you'll take right now.

Abena: Well I don't know about you girls, but I have found love and he is walking our way right now!

The brightest of smiles flicker in Abbie's eyes as her boyfriend walks toward us.

Kenji Von James: Hello Gorgeous.

Kenji Von James is one of the most-known names in the whole universe right now! His father, Richard Von James, is old money. The man owns hotels that existed before the First World War. He has the most luxurious chain of hotels in the US, Four seasons be damned, the prince of South Arabia is staying at his hotels as we speak! And it's been gossip around his name in our circles that he can bring down the US Government if he liked. The name Von James, is one that everybody fears and stans at the same time, but Abbie? She simply loves it.

Kenji Von James. 23 year old genius. Because the guy is in fact a genius, one with manners that can put any other guy our age to shame.

Abena: Hey!

My friend wraps her arms around his neck and gives him a quite lingering kiss that is enough to make him pull her to him and Celine turns her gaze another way not feeling like witnessing the intensity. But with them, it's always like this.

Nella: Alright, guys we got it you love each other! We are in the hallway though, detach!

Abena: Right! Sorry!

Kenji: You are not going anywhere! There will be no detachment here!

Despite Abbie's willingness to move Kenji's grip on her waist is firm enough and when she looks at him with the same adoration and sureness he is looking at her I get why they can't keep away.

April: Heh, let them be Nells, it's no secret they are together.

Kenji: Who would keep Abena a secret? She is a treasure that I was lucky enough to get my hands on and I want everyone to know to whom she belongs.

Celine: That sounds kind of toxic and possessive and-

Abena: And shut up! I like it!

Nella: Oh god! Abbie just cussed!

I can't hold my smile back at the scene before my bare eyes. Kenji calling her Abena is something else! He is the only one who calls her that and I almost feel like it's their sacred thing. Abena...an African name, one that if I am correct has its roots in Ghana. Abena Aldridge is one of my oldest friends. We've known each other since we were 8 years old and the ship that's called friendship sailed with us as captains a long time ago.

Abbie's parents have been doing business in Africa since they took over their own parents. Some of it is legal some is not. But their main focus is Solar power. It's going to be a waste of time if I start to think how many influential people are hanging from their sleeve. Abbie was never really close with her parents, only to her older brother, though it's understandable considering how many obstacles they were willing to put in everything she'd do. Her relationship with Kenji included.

Abena Aldridge. 21 years old architecture student, great artist, obsessed with painting and my oldest best friend.

Nella: Well people know that me and Xander made out last year but that doesn't mean I have to fúck him in the middle of the hallway!

Celine: Nella!

Celine nudges her but it's too late before some students walk past us and momentarily look at our direction at the mentioning of their local "legend".

Nella: What?!

Kenji: Forgive me Nella but, I really don't understand why you so freely flaunt your affairs.

Nella: Flaunt? Really Ken? That's the word you'll use?!

Kenji takes a deep breath, pushes his glasses at the top of the bridge of his nose, and stares at her blankly before answering.

Kenji: It's Kenji. Not Ken.

Nella just smirks and I already know how this one will go!

Nella: Whatever you say...Ken!

Ah, the usual bickering. Nella Coldwell, third daughter of Melina Ricci and Kyle Coldwell. Melina is one of the most popular opera singers in the world and Kyle is the king of real estate in Manhattan. Rumors say Trump is going to be passed out once he makes his business on solid ground. Nella's sisters Bella and Katherine have a rumour for themselves as well. Katherine the oldest one took over her mother and she is one hell of a classical singer!

And Bella? She is a doctor. A cardiac surgeon and one of the best-rising minds in the medical world. As for Nella? Nella is...a force to be reckoned with. If I used three words to describe her they'd be; spontaneous, fashionable and oh-so extra! In everything she does! Which is anything really! She can't settle down for one thing and apart from her rising "influencer" career that she adopted during and after the pandemic thanks to her fashion sense, she doesn't stick to one thing.

She simply can't do that!

Celine: Please don't start this arguing thing now, it's never gonna end!

Kenji: I apologize.

Nella: As you should!

Abena: Nella! I am watching you.

Abbie growls looking at our friend before she leans closer to her boyfriend and I smile before grabbing my bag.

April: Alright people, focus! What time is it?

Celine: Time to eat! That's where we were heading.

April: Exactly! I'm glad someone has their priorities straight!

Nella: The restaurant again?

April: The food is amazing, why not?

Nella: Meh, we can change place from time to time.

Celine: Meaning; I have posted all the main dishes the restaurant has and I want to post something different!

Nella: Well, that too!

Kenji: *mumbles* Superficial as always.

Nella: I heard you Ken Ken!

Celine grabs Nella's arm and literally drags them away from Abbie and Kenji. But that's always Celine...the savior of the day. Our little champion. Her father is a retired football player and by football, I mean soccer since as she says "The English invented football. It's a ball in your feet, it makes sense to be called football, American football is just... stupid!". And please don't blame me! Her words...not mine.

Born and raised in London she has that thick British accent that you either love or hate. I personally love it because I love her.

21-year-old athlete that I met three years ago and we immediately hit it off. She came to New York to study and it felt like a meant to be. Celine is a swimmer, a professional at that, she has a bunch of metals in her house, a reputation that many would be jealous of, a very proud father, and two younger brothers who try to follow their father's steps in everything they do!

April: Do you think Nella is going to complain about the food?

Kenji: And the dessert.

Abena: *chuckles* You know her, we'll survive!

I really did. And I think I would survive. Because I had them. Abbie that I've known basically all my life and I saw her growing into the woman she is today. Nella, that girl that I met the first day of high school and instantly became the third party in our little conspiracy with Abbie and Celine, who completed our little girl group by sticking with me the first semester and helping me manage my assignments on time.

What brought us together? Nothing else but Norton University. Hidden havoc in the suburbs of New York, near the richest neighborhoods. A place that very few knew about, not because it was a secret, no! But because to enter it you'd have to eat with golden spoons, literally! Only the elite of the richest people around the world had the pockets to afford a place like this. It gave no scholarships and it bent no rules. Money, influence, and connections were the Holy Trinity of the rules.

And the majority of the people coming here followed those rules with care and respect as if they were their Bible of choice.

Fortunately though, not my friends. Not me.

Celine: Have you settled on anything?

April: Probably the chicken parmigiana, safe choice.

I look at Celine who seems like she's struggling.

Celine: I'll probably go with some pasta. I have training in two hours...I have to digest that thing.

April: That thing is called food.

Celine: Do you feel smart now?!

April: Nope! I feel like I need to use the bathroom. I'll even have time for a shower before you choose!

Celine: Oh, get lost!

I chuckle standing up at her actual frustration. Abbie is sitting on Kenji's lap who's shamelessly whispering something in her ear while caressing her thigh over her clothes and I swear her cheeks must be burning right now. I don't know how I feel sometimes about that public affection they show but I'd be damned if I wasn't happy for my girl. That man worships the ground she walks and if he's smart he'll continue doing that or he'll have to face a very enraged April. One that I doubt even my friends would survive.

April: Keep an eye on my things.

Celine: Since nobody else will?

She crossed her arms and glanced at Nella who's been taking photos of literally everything as if she came here for the first time in her life.

Nella: What? The angle and the lighting are different every time! There is science behind that stuff.

Celine: Yeah, sure!

I leave them at their bickering and walk to the bathroom. Ignoring the eyes that follow me as I walk. It's been a habit that I was finally getting accustomed to. Eyes were always following me, from the day I was born...I was the hot topic of many magazines and gossip websites even before I was born so someone would say I was used to all that unwanted attention, but really I wasn't...I thrived in silence and that was the last thing a girl like me, a Harding, could wish for.

Deep breaths April, deep breaths!

I touch the handle of the door to the bathroom but it doesn't open. I have to shake the door handle around a few times for it to swing open and for my eyes to get shut closed.

April: Are you fucking kidding me?!

Jessica Keighley: Oh my god!

My eyes widen, my cheeks burning hot with embarrassment and my palms get sweaty at the sight in front of me. Jessica Keighley, one of the most popular girls my age was bend over the bathroom sink half naked as Xander fúcking Black was as balls deep buried inside her as her father was in politics! And that meant DEEP!

Xander Black: Don't worry love, we are just finishing!

Jessica: Xan- OH MY GOD!

The scream of fright that I heard a second ago is replaced with one of pleasure and a wave of moans that makes me open my eyes in the hope that I'll find something else than what my ears are giving away but of course, I was wrong!

Xander: Cum, baby, or Miss Harding won't leave us alone.

Jessica: Mmh!

Jessica moans shamelessly arching her back as Xander wraps a careful hand around her neck. His lips partly open in a smirk, his eyes blazing with a fire that kept me in place as he wasn't looking at the woman he was pleasuring but me. Dark brown orbs burned into me as he moved for a moment longer. He was wearing a black turtleneck sweater and pants of the same color and style, he had just unbuttoned enough to do his...job and there was barely any skin showing.

But it was still enough to make me want to crawl out in shame!

Xander: Miss Harding *pants* Would you mind turning around? I think we are finished here.

My jaw drops at his calm tone. Both of them are softly panting. Jessica has her eyes closed as she rests her body against the sink and Xander...well he has his eyes on me. Xander Black.

April: I had no intention of prying, Black!

I keep my voice from going high pitch before turning around. I hear the rustle of clothes and a deep throaty chuckle that sounds more like a grumble from where I'm standing. Xander fúcking Black! A name that no matter how many times I repeat it leaves the same bitterness in my mouth. We started off on the wrong foot three years ago and that void between us only grew bigger. For good reasons as it turned out! He was a player, bigger than Nella, maybe that's why they never really hit it off, but that was a damn problem! It meant the man had no hold backs, at all!

Xander: Sure it looked that way.

The mocking in his voice makes me abruptly turn around to come face-to-face with Jessica.

Jessica: Say that to anyone and you'll regret ever choosing the path of education!

The girl that was moaning like her life was depending on it was now at my throat literally threatening me as if she was not just getting fúcked in a public bathroom!

April: I oppose no threat to you, Jessica. But maybe next time you should consider locking the door.

I notice how her jaw clenches and she gives me a fake smile.

Jessica: Noted.

She turns to Xander and winks wittily before she mouths him something I don't catch and disappears back to the restaurant.

Fucking animals!

April: Are you going to stare at me for long?

I wanted to use the bathroom, at least that was my intention when I stood up from my table. Because if I was being honest that desire has left long ago but I wouldn't let that six-foot blonde fucker bully me into leaving!

Xander: It depends.

Xander blocks the entrance looking down at me and I cross my arms across my chest.

April: On what? Because as I said to Jessica I'm not going to drag your name or anything. Even though you are doing that yourself. Fúcking any woman at your way.

Xander: If that was true love you wouldn't be standing before me right now.

April: Right I would probably be displayed somewhere public like the girls that sleep with you.

Xander: The women who sleep with me don't do it for the sleeping part, that I assure you of.

That self-righteous smile he wore was enough to drive me nuts. That man had the ultimate ability to anger me by solemnly existing! And right now he was doing more than that!

April: Move, Black!

Xander: Oh I've heard that before under a different context.

Fucking piece of-

"Excuse me!"

A girl walks past me and to my surprise, Xander makes way for her to walk further into the bathroom unfortunately by taking a step closer to me. Which I didn't appreciate at all. The heavy scent of a woody cologne combined with a floral fragrance that I suppose was from Jessica hit me and the combination asked for my body to activate the throwing-up instinct that I had to suppress!

Xander: See what you did by keeping me here? You are causing trouble, Harding.

April: Oh fuck off!

I make a move to walk around him but his hand wraps around my arm and I turn around so fast I almost break my neck...an electric current hit all the nerves in my body where he touched my exposed flesh and I swear when I met his eyes for a moment I felt dizzy.

Xander: Next time when a door is not opening, take it as a sign.

April: A sign of what? Because I'm pretty sure if you wanted to lock it you would have.

Xander: Where would the fun be in that? Besides, I'm pretty sure you enjoyed it.

Stupid cheeks! Stupid body! Stupid head that decides now is a good time for blushing!

April: For a shit show it was pretty decent.

He grins and before I can react he pulls me closer against him. His hold on me tight enough I can't so easily escape and his face so close to mine I can feel his breath on me. His eyes are a shade darker as if they decided to reflect the color of his sweater and his voice lower, deeper as he speaks... something that for some reason causes my knees to want to buckle and I have to keep myself together not to lose it.

Xander: Watch your steps when it comes to me Harding, we wouldn't want you to slip.

April: If that was meant to be a threat it didn't work Black.

Or maybe it did a little because I feel like shaking all over.

Xander: I haven't fucked you. But maybe if you ask nicely I'll see what I can do.

Now it's my turn to smile! I give him a sly smirk that I so much enjoy!

April: You'll have to kill me first.

He frowns at my answer but only for a brief second.

Xander: That's not really my style. I prefer my women alive and vocal.

April: You see Harding, the thing is... nobody asked.

He opens his mouth to answer but the girl who has entered the bathroom walks out again. I find that moment of surprise as leverage and pull away from him with one quick step.

April: Next time keep it in your pants!

Xander: Why? Afraid of me geexpelled and you won't see my pretty face around?

How is he so fucking ARGH!

April: It would be nice for that to happen but I guess a girl can only dream.

That's the last thing I say before I literally retreat behind a bathroom door. I only hear his faint humourless chuckle as I exhale leaning against the closed door. A university without Xander Black would be a blessing. And an unrealistic expectation, since his father is the owner of Norton University and one of the most influential people in the finance world. He is untouchable and unfortunately so is his son...in that way at least.

But if you ask me I'll tell you Xander Black is a stupid 22-year-old asshole who never once in his life heard the word no. He is the type of guy who never got over his frat boy/ prom king phase and now he is here among us, with his money and wits acting as if he owns everything and everyone.

And he is the one person who I know is never going to settle until he makes my life a living hell! And judging by his implication of a threat our untold truce was over.

Our vendetta was to continue and the game was yet again on!

The thing was... I didn't know if I wanted to play, not anymore...

A/N

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