C2 THE WARNING

CHAPTER 2

THE WARNING

Emily spent the rest of the afternoon trying to convince herself that Adrian Black didn't matter.

It wasn't easy.

Every time she opened her notebook, she remembered his cold eyes.

Every time she tried to focus on the orientation lecture, she heard his voice.

Who sent you?

You knew I'd be here.

Stay away from me.

Emily pressed her pen against the page.

"Ridiculous."

The girl sitting beside her glanced over.

"Did you say something?"

Emily quickly shook her head.

"No. Sorry."

She returned her attention to the professor.

Westbridge University's orientation hall was enormous, with hundreds of students filling the seats. Most were talking quietly among themselves while the dean explained campus policies, academic expectations, and the various clubs available to students.

Emily should have been excited.

This was what she'd worked for.

A new beginning.

Instead, she kept thinking about a boy she'd known for less than five minutes.

She hated that.

She hated even more that she wanted to know why he hated her.

When the orientation finally ended, Emily packed her things.

Mia appeared beside her almost immediately.

"Come on."

"Where?"

"Food."

Emily laughed.

"You really think about food a lot."

"I think about food because food never disappoints me."

Emily smiled.

"Fair enough."

They walked toward the student dining hall.

For the first time that day, Emily began to relax.

Until they entered the dining hall.

The noise hit them immediately.

Students crowded around tables, laughing and talking. The smell of freshly cooked food filled the room.

Mia looked around.

"Let's sit over there."

They found an empty table near the windows.

Emily had barely sat down when Mia leaned toward her.

"There's something you need to know."

Emily sighed.

"Why does that sentence always sound like trouble?"

"Because it usually is."

Emily raised an eyebrow.

Mia glanced around before lowering her voice.

"Adrian Black isn't just some rich student."

"I know."

"No, you don't."

Emily opened her drink.

"Then tell me."

Mia hesitated.

"His family and yours..."

She stopped.

"What?"

"They've been enemies for years."

Emily frowned.

"That's impossible."

"Why?"

"Because my family isn't powerful enough to have enemies like that."

Mia's expression softened.

"Emily..."

"What?"

"Your father wasn't always poor."

Emily froze.

The smile disappeared from her face.

"What do you mean?"

Mia looked uncomfortable.

"I heard someone talking about your family this morning."

"Who?"

"I don't know. Some older students."

"What did they say?"

Mia hesitated.

"They said your father used to work with the Black family."

Emily stared at her.

That couldn't be true.

Her father had died when she was ten.

She remembered him as a quiet man who worked long hours and came home exhausted.

He had never mentioned the Blacks.

Not once.

"My father didn't work with them."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Mia looked away.

"Maybe I'm wrong."

Emily wanted to believe that.

She really did.

But something about Adrian's reaction made it impossible.

She remembered the moment he had heard her last name.

That wasn't simple dislike.

It was personal.

"Tell me about Adrian," Emily said.

Mia looked at her.

"Why?"

"Because I want to know what I'm dealing with."

Mia sighed.

"Fine."

She leaned closer.

"Adrian is twenty-one. His father owns one of the biggest investment companies in the country. Adrian is expected to take over someday."

Emily listened.

"He's also been at Westbridge for three years. He's one of the smartest students here, but he doesn't care about making friends."

"Clearly."

Mia smiled.

"And he's never had a girlfriend for longer than a few weeks."

Emily shrugged.

"Not my problem."

"Of course."

"Mia."

"I'm just saying."

Emily shook her head.

"Continue."

"He's also extremely competitive. If he wants something, he gets it."

Emily remembered his expression.

That sounded accurate.

"And one more thing," Mia said.

"What?"

"Nobody challenges him."

Emily laughed.

"Well, I guess somebody finally did."

Mia smiled.

"That's what I'm worried about."

Before Emily could answer, a shadow fell across their table.

She looked up.

Her heart stopped.

Adrian.

He stood there with two other guys.

His eyes immediately found hers.

Mia became silent.

Emily didn't look away.

"What do you want?"

One of the boys beside Adrian laughed.

"She's got attitude."

Adrian ignored him.

"Can we talk?"

Emily folded her arms.

"No."

His eyebrows lifted.

"No?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because you accused me of lying earlier."

"And?"

"And I don't enjoy conversations with rude people."

The boy beside him laughed again.

Adrian gave him a warning look.

The laughter stopped.

Then Adrian looked at Emily.

"Five minutes."

"I said no."

His jaw tightened.

"You don't understand."

"Then explain it here."

He glanced at Mia.

"Alone."

Emily shook her head.

"Whatever you need to say, you can say in front of her."

Adrian studied her.

Then he leaned slightly closer.

"You need to stay away from my family."

Emily's heart beat faster.

"I don't know your family."

"Your father did."

She froze.

Adrian's voice became quieter.

"And whatever happened between them isn't finished."

Emily stared at him.

"What are you talking about?"

He straightened.

"You'll find out."

Then he turned and walked away.

Emily remained frozen.

Mia stared at her.

"What just happened?"

"I don't know."

But Emily knew one thing.

She was going to find out.

That evening, she returned to her dorm room and called her mother.

Her mother answered on the third ring.

"Emily?"

"Mom."

"How was your first day?"

Emily sat on the edge of her bed.

"Good."

She hesitated.

"Mom, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Do you know the Black family?"

Silence.

Emily's heart sank.

"Mom?"

Her mother's breathing changed.

"Why are you asking me that?"

"So you do know them."

"Emily, listen to me."

"Mom."

"Stay away from them."

The fear in her mother's voice shocked Emily.

"Why?"

"I don't want you involved with that family."

"Why?"

"Because they are dangerous."

Emily stood.

"Mom, what happened between Dad and them?"

Another silence.

Then her mother whispered,

"Your father trusted the wrong person."

"Who?"

"I can't talk about this over the phone."

"Then tell me when I come home."

"No."

Her mother's voice suddenly became firm.

"Promise me you won't go looking for answers."

Emily stared at the phone.

"Why?"

"Because some truths destroy everything they touch."

The call ended.

Emily slowly lowered the phone.

She sat in silence.

Her mother's