01

r a i n

A loud moan bursts from my throat as my fingers dive deeper into my core . The water cascades down my body , my wet hair clinging to my skin and the steam floats around the shower .

My head falls forward against the tiles and my hand grips onto the faucet when my knees start to shake as I start picking up the pace of my fingers . Encircling my fingers , my eyes flutter closed from the immense pleasure running through my body .

"f**k ." I moan , my breathing uneven as the building sensation starts to overwhelm me . My knees shake as a wave of euphoria washes over me and I let go , my shoulders sag , a breath of relief leaving me .

I stand up straight , washing my hand before turning off the faucet, my strained limbs now relaxed and my mind at ease . Stepping out of the shower , I wrap a towel around my petite frame , padding toward the sink . I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and cringe , my charcoal black hair sits wet and disheveled on my head . Dark circles sit under my pale hazel eyes , my face is flushed and my bottom lip bleeding . Lovely.

My eyes fall down to the ink on my wrist , two butterflies tattooed on my skin and a small smile stretches on my face . I have various tattoos scattered all over my body , but the butterflies always brings a smile to my face .

Applying toothpaste to my toothbrush, I start lazily brushing my teeth , running through my plans for today . My best friend , Alison , has informed me that we'd be getting breakfast at the small café today . Which I'm happy about because if I have to endure another morning without a proper breakfast, I'd most definitely go mad .

"Rain !" A knock at my door startles me , I roll my eyes , spitting out the toothpaste before washing my toothbrush .

The bathroom door bursts open , I don't even glance up , knowing full well that a very angry Alison is standing in the doorway , glaring at me .

"I thought you drowned or something," She scolds . I glance up , rolling my eyes at her . Her honey brown hues are narrowed into slits , her lips pressed into a thin line and her auburn hair sits disheveled on her head , indicating that she just woke up .

"Drown in the shower ?" I mumble , raising a brow before washing my face with face wash, hearing her scoff . I bend forward , opening the faucet and rinse my face .

"With you anything is possible ." She grumbles , pushing a towel toward my outstretched hands . I chuckle into the towel , shaking my head . She's not wrong . With my luck , I’d most definitely be someone who drowned in the shower .

"Now , get out so I can get dressed," I gesture toward the door and she rolls her eyes , spinning around on her heel before exiting the bathroom then my room .

I sigh , walking out of my en-suite into my room . Alison and I have been living together for four years now , both our parents insisted on having us stay off-campus , for some unknown reason . Not that I mind at all , living together has always been our plan , seeing as neither of us are in a relationship and with being best friends . I've known Alison since a very young age , she's more like a sister and also the only person I tolerate , most of the time .

Pulling a blue high-wasted jean and white crop top from my closet , I slip into the clothes and throw on my white converse .  I throw my semi-wet hair up into a ponytail , not bothered to style it .

"Let's go ," Alison groans , leaning her shoulder against the doorway dressed in a yellow sundress and white sandals , her hair falls in beautiful curls down her shoulders and I resist the urge to gape at her . Less than twenty minutes ago she looked like the wicked witch of the west and now she appears to be f*****g cinderella .

"Alright, we can go ," I inform once I grab my phone , heaving my purse over my shoulder . Walking down the hall , my eyes latch onto the string of photos delicately hanging on the walls . Alison insisted on having photos scattered all over our apartment in hopes to make it feel more 'homey' .

Whereas I couldn't give two f***s about how 'homey' it feels to outsiders , plus , having portraits hang around your space of the person you despise , isn't a lovely sight . Yet she demanded that photos of everyone she cares for should be hanged , even if that included the devil himself .

I avert my eyes as soon as they catch sight of his blue eyes in one of the portraits , scowling at how they still seem mesmerizing even on inked paper .

"Levi and Riven will be joining us ," Alison announces when we reach my car , my steps slightly falter at the mention of his name . I narrow my eyes into slits , ignoring the way my heart skipped a beat and glare at Alison .

"You're kidding ." I say through gritted teeth , watching her raise a brow in disbelief . Alison knows that me and that blue eyed devil don't get along . She's known that ever since we were in high-school , up to now . He's an infuriating man that always has the need to cause me a headache .

I sigh , sliding into my car with determination to ignore the specimen as best I can . The car ride is silent, the only sound is the soft murmurs floating from the radio and Alison attempting to tell me about a new book she's been reading but my mind keeps roaming toward Riven .

When we come to a halt in front of the café , my mood is sour and my appetite is non existent . I contemplate whether I should just tell her I'm not feeling well and go home but before I can , she's already standing outside the car , glaring at me as if she already knows what I'm thinking .

I roll my eyes , stepping out of the car and turn to her , she smiles at me , gesturing toward the café entrance . I groan , following behind her and when we step into the small café , she immediately spots them .

My eyes roam toward Riven and Levi , seated at the back of the café next to the floor to ceiling window . My eyes absentmindedly flick toward Riven , casually seated next to Levi .

Riven has this dark aura that demands attention and authority , something about the way various tattoos wrap around his tan skin , silver rings hug his fingers , his silk raven hair that sits disheveled yet effortlessly on his head or the way his dark blue eyes watch me so intensely has me always looking for him in a crowded room . No matter how much I despise this man , I can't deny that he is and always has been , the most beautiful man I've ever seen .

that doesn't make him less of a d**k .

"Please just ignore him , Rain ," Alison whispers , dragging my attention away from Riven .

I clear my throat, nodding my head before slowly making my way toward their table , keeping my eyes on Levi and hold back the urge to look over at Riven .

I feel Riven's hot stare on me but refrain from making a snide comment and throwing him a glare , instead I greet Levi with a small smile and grimace when Alison sits opposite Levi , giving me no other choice than to sit opposite Riven .

I grab the menu on the table , trying to distract myself from even catching a glimpse of Riven as Ali and Levi fall into conversation .

The waitress soon comes and takes our orders and I patiently sit and wait for the food to come , completely ignoring all of them .

"Where were you last night, brother ?" Alison asks Riven . You'd never think they're siblings , they're complete opposites , where she's kind , loving and vibrant , he's dark , venomous and cruel .

"In some random girls' bed ," Levi answers for him , earning a grimace from Alison and most probably a faint smirk from Riven , but I don't look up to see .

"How shocking ," Alison says sarcastically and I can't help but snort at her comment. Riven tends to have a different girl in his bed every weekend , using them like the fuckboy he is .

I feel him return his gaze to me and without thinking , I lower the menu and flick my eyes up toward his . His icy blue eyes pierce through mine , his mesmerizing eyes causing me to clench my jaw .

I despise this man .

"Problem ?" he raises a brow , his deep voice flowing through my ears like a melody . I lean back in my chair , crossing my arms over my chest , not averting my eyes from his .

Alison nudges me and I sigh through my nose , rolling my eyes . "No ," I say , my voice strained , various insults resting on the tip of my tongue .

The waitress eventually comes with our food , a stack of pancakes being placed in front of me and the seductive looks she's directing at Riven don't go unnoticed .

"No insults today ?" He raises a perfectly shaped eyebrow . He's tempting me , trying to lure me into his trap . I don't know why this man still tries to bicker with me every single day after he's the one that told me he wants nothing to do with me years ago .

I sigh through my nose. "No man-whoring today ?"

His lips curl up into a small, devilish smile but it soon falls away and he just hums , sipping his coffee .

He plants his elbows onto the edge of the table , his white hoodies' sleeves slightly riding up , exposing a set of tattoos scattered on his forearm , enough for me to get a close-up glimpse of a date .

This piques my interest for some reason , causing me to lean forward absentmindedly , not enough to make it obvious that I'm trying to see it more clearly , but enough for him to notice .

His eyes flick toward me , tilting his head in question while an arrogant smirk spreads on his face . f**k . "Has staring become a habit of yours ?" He teases , his tone cold and firm yet I don't miss the hint of mischief lacing his voice .

My face scrunches up in frustration and disgust , scowling at Riven seated opposite me . "Don't flatter yourself , staring would include looking at something worthwhile ." I snap , clenching my jaw as I glare at him .

He hums , his lips gently curling up into a smirk before it fades . "Was that supposed to hurt my feelings ?" He taunts , tapping his ring clad finger against the table in an ominous rhythm.

I raise a brow , gripping the fork in my hand as rage rips through me . "No , but me shoving this fork down your throat will hurt if you don't shut up ." I snarl , gritting my teeth . Anger and another emotion I can't grasp onto swirls in my heart .

His ocean blue orbs shimmer with mischief , he leans forward , his eyes falling to my lips. "I'd rather shove something else down your throat ." His lips lift up into a cruel , cold smirk , the mere sight sending chills down my spine .

My breath hitches in my throat at his words , a strange emotion swirling my chest and warmth flowing in my lower stomach as I shift uncomfortably in my seat . I clear my throat and straighten in my seat , feeling the heat creep up my neck before settling on my cheeks .

My subconscious snarls at me for my reaction , spitting fire as she insults me repeatedly. I shake off the feeling and return my glare to Riven , watching him dispassionately.

"Alright ," Alison claps her hands , snapping me from my enraged trance . "We just got here , let's not fight ." Alison smiles , placing her hand on my back .

I sigh through my nose , focusing on my food but I can't bring myself to eat it , with the anger radiating off me , I've completely lost my appetite , again . And it’s not the first time that it has been caused by Riven .