When A Bully Falls In Love by Valerie Sax (good books to read for women TXT) 📖

~Aoife~

It's been a few days. Matt got a job in Future Magazine publication where he needs to write blogs on different topics. It's the beginning, but he's more than happy to get it. Well, this month's topic is the relationship between couples, and I am sure he will give his best as he's known as the love guru of the magazine.
I remember the day he came from the interview; he literally crushed me into his arms with love and appreciation for forcing him to get this job.
He was more than thankful to me for pushing him to pursue his dreams of writing. Honestly, I am lucky to have him as my friend.
He is ready to take the world.
Although not to forget, some new flower blossoms too in Matt's life.
Matt always tried to escape Neeral, and I tried my best to set him up with this beautiful girl.
 As a friend, it's my duty to find the best girl for him.
She liked him from the very first day, but my gentleman never used his charm on her. They spend most of the time together in the office, but Matt never opened up to her as she did. So I decided to take charge to bring them together.
We all are going out for dinner to celebrate Matt's new achievement.
Xander being Xander lost in his own world of bullying people except me. I didn't know why he behaved completely different when it comes to me. Once he started coming to the college, he started helping me in the library. Although Aunt Agnes never liked him talking to me, she was being protected for me.
She warned me to stay away from him, but how can a girl stay away from the biggest bully's charm.
Whenever Xander comes to the library to meet, Aunt uses to watch him from a distance as he was not allowed to touch me, but even that when she got distracted, Xander didn't miss a chance to tease me.
I started trusting him, believing him, and I love the way he protects me from everything. Although we never confessed we love each other as we were not sure, I know this love thing is a big word for him, and I didn't want to burden him with all my emotions.
Whatever I had with him made me happy. I was not sure if this love or just an attraction between us. At some point, I felt like I can't lose him even if he doesn't love me because I am in love with him, but at the same time, I was afraid he would break my heart.
I was scared to confess my love; I didn't want to drag him into a condition where he feels bounded with me.
I finished college, and now I am heading to the library to finish my work, and then I am all set for the beautiful evening ahead.
"Hello Aunty, how are you today?" I said as I entered the library.
She was busy fixing up old book covers.
"These books are old like me. I am trying to give them a makeover,"
She winked.
"Today, we are going out for dinner," I grabbed the glue and paper from her hand.
She smiled as she took another book as she listened to me.
"Who?" 
"Me, Matt, Neeral, and Xander," I excitedly answered.
She rolled her eyes when she heard Xander's name.
"I told you to stay away from him, but you..." 
"Aunty, I feel good with him," My eyes sparks when I talked about him.
"You are choosing the wrong man for you, Aoife. I know you are in love with him," She patted my hand.
I was quiet as I didn't know how to answer her.
"Are you sure he is the man for you? You are like a glass, my girl, be careful with him," She smiled.
I nodded my head; I know she was right.
"I wonder why you didn't choose Matt over him." She raised her brow.
"Aunt, why you hate Xander so much and, Matt is just a friend. And wish me luck; I am trying to set him up with Neeral. She is a nice girl." I winked.
"I didn't hate Xander. I know his kind of guy; he could be a good man, but he is not good for a girl like you." 
I rolled my eyes as I give up on convincing her.
"I need to finish my work. where's the big trolly?" I asked while looking in the library store.
"Ahhh... that idiot," she gruffed.
"Who?" 
"Your PE professor, he borrowed the trolly, and I am sure it's in the PE storeroom. He must have left it over there." Aunt's nostrils flared in anger.
It made me laugh, how on silly things, she gets herself stressed.
"No, worries, I will get it," I asked and left the library.
It's 4 PM I have to finish my work fast, keeping these thoughts in my mind I walked towards the PE storeroom.
Strange, the door latched from outside. I heard some voice, but I ignored it.
"Why would I care?" I rolled my eyes and opened the door.
Found the switch to on the light and the sight in front of me shook me.
Xander and Zareena together in an awkward position where Zarrena's top was on the floor, and their lips locked with each other.
My body was numb, and I couldn't breathe.
The only thing I sensed was the tears kept coming from my eyes. I slapped my mouth to stop the sound as I backed myself on the wall.
Xander pushed Zareena from him as he walked towards me.
"Aoife, it's nothing like that. I didn't do anything," he lied.
I felt a sharp pain in my chest as I was shocked after capturing those images in my eyes.
He touched my shoulder, and I pushed him to run away.
I had to punch myself on the chest to breathe.
Breathe Aoife, breathe... everything was blurry in front of me; somehow I reached the library with heavy breathing; I hugged Aunt Agnes.
"What happened? Aoife," She scanned my shivering body.
I didn't spill a word just closed my eyes and kept crying.
Suddenly Xander entered the library, and Aunt Agnes understood everything.
"No wonder, it's you," She screeched at him.
"I need to talk to her," he shouted.
"Out," she pushed him out of the library.
The sight kept coming into my mind, but it's not his fault. It's me.
It's all my fault.
I gulped my pain with a glass of water as my phone buzzed.
"Where are you?" It's Matt. 
I wiped my tears as I know he could recognize my choking voice.
"Hey, hi... I am finishing my work," I replied with an exciting voice.
"Our plan is still on? I am not sure..." He said.
"Matt, we are going out to celebrate your work, and I want this for you," I answered.
He agreed, "Ok, boss, do you want me to pick you?"
"Nah, you have to pick Neeral, remember?" I reminded him.
He snorted as he always avoids being alone with her.
"Fine, come with Xander then,"
"Will meet you at the restaurant, bye," I hung up the phone.
Aunt came and hugged me again.
"Don't go, tell him, he will understand everything," she whispered while patting my back.
"He is my friend, aunty, and he deserves to be happy," I hugged her.
I washed my face and mustered a fake smile to prepare myself for the evening, keeping Xander out of mind, but I knew My heart hurts when I think of that sight.
I picked up my bag as I passed my goodbyes to Aunt Agnes.
As I came out in the hallway, Xanders pulled me into the classroom.
"We need to talk," he darkened himself over me.
I kept my eyes shut and my expression blank.
"I didn't do anything, please trust me," he started blubbering something that I was not interested in listening to.
"Leave me," I said without looking at him.
"Aoife, please look at me," he begged.
"I am done with you. Just do me a last favor for the sake of our friend please come to the dinner party," I purred without looking at him.
"Aoife, I know what you are thinking, but I didn't do anything. Please punish me, slap me, beat me, curse me, say something," He screamed as he turned.
I left the room and came to my dorm.
For a few minutes, I cried, I wanted to believe him, but the way I saw him with Zareena made me feel worse for trusting him.