CHAPTER 5 – THE PERFECT MANIPULATION

Aurora was talking to him again.

Sebastian...

Every time I turned, she was there, laughing, chatting... acting like he was someone she could trust.

I clenched my fists...

Did she not see? Did she not realize what kind of person he was?

He wasn’t her friend. He was just another selfish man who wanted her for himself.

I needed to do something.

I needed to make her see.

It started slowly...

"Sebastian is always around you these days," I muttered one afternoon, as she sat beside me on the steps outside the library.

Aurora raised an eyebrow. "So?"

I hesitated, then shrugged...

"I just don’t trust him."

She rolled her eyes.

"Adrian, you don’t trust anyone."

"Exactly," I said.

"And I have a reason." She huffed, crossing her arms.

"Sebastian is a nice guy, okay? He’s been my friend for years. I don’t know why you keep complaining about him."

That hit a nerve.

I didn’t mean to sound so frustrated, but the words tumbled out before I could stop them.

"Do you know that he bullied me?"

Aurora blinked. "What?"

I nodded, my voice lower now, controlled. "He called me aside one day. Told me not to talk to you. Not to sit with you."

Her face twisted in confusion. "Why would he say that?"

I tilted my head, watching her carefully. "Because he likes you."

She frowned.

"He loves you," I continued, emphasizing the words like they disgusted me.

"He told me to stay out of your way because he sees me as a threat."

Aurora’s lips parted slightly, as if she was trying to process my words.

I leaned closer...

"Aurora, I’m your friend. I know who is good for you and who isn’t. And Sebastian? He’s nowhere near good. If he’s bullying people to keep them away from you, is that someone you really want as a friend?"

Her expression faltered. Doubt flickered in her eyes.

Good...

I let out a sharp breath and pushed myself up. "But you know what? If you still think he’s a good person, then maybe I should listen to him."

I forced a bitter laugh...

"Maybe I should stay away from you."

I turned as if I was going to leave.

Aurora panicked. "Adrian... wait!"

I didn’t stop. I needed her to come after me.

"Adrian, I’m sorry!" she called, grabbing my wrist. "I didn’t know…"

Slowly, I turned back, letting her see the hurt I had carefully placed in my expression.

She swallowed, guilt settling into her features.

"Maybe… maybe you’re right. Maybe Sebastian is like that. Thank you for telling me."

I watched as she processed the lie I had so carefully crafted.

She believed me.

I knew she would...

TO BE CONTINUED...

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