Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Austin flinched.
It had been a long time since anyone dared to speak to him like that.
Ever since he inherited his massive fortune and took control of the Fraser Group, no one had used that tone with him. The last time someone did, he was still suffering through those humiliating days with the Fraser family.
His expression darkened instantly. “What the hell kind of tone is that?”
Xander paused for a beat.
‘This is Austin? That sickly, moody Austin? Ha.’
Word was, the guy was filthy rich now.
Apparently, money really did embolden cowards.
“You don’t like my tone? Tough,” Xander said, full of disdain.
Austin snapped back, “I’ve seen plenty of spoiled brats like you-nothing going for them except their family name.”
“The hell did you just say?” Xander shouted, his temper boiling over. “Say that again, Austin, I dare you!”
“I’ll say it as many times as you want. Someone like you? No wonder Cam doesn’t like you. I sure as hell don’t.”
“Who are you saying Cam doesn’t like?” Xander’s voice jumped an octave, like someone had just stomped on his tail.
Sure, he knew Cameron didn’t like him that way.
But hearing it thrown in his face, in that tone, made it hit differently.
If Austin had been standing in front of him, he’d have swung first, asked questions later.
But Austin didn’t give him the chance. Instead, he asked, “You went to see Cam, didn’t you?”
Xander shouted, “I went because of you, jackass! You fed me that crap and I went running over there-and got completely chewed out!”
“You told him I sent you?” Austin asked, voice sharp.
Xander let out a bitter laugh. “So that’s why you called, huh? Cameron confronted you? Got your ass handed to you? Serves you right.”
Austin muttered, “Clueless and proud of it.”
Xander froze.
He stared at his phone for a second, then furiously recorded a long voice message, and fired it off.
And he didn’t stop there he sent another message to Cameron.
Xander: [You’re still up? Did you go see Austin?]
Cameron was curled up on the couch, watching TV while waiting for Austin’s reply.
Instead, Xander’s message popped up.
Cameron: [Did Austin tell you?]
Xander: [He just called. We got into a fight.]
Cameron just stood there in silence.
Xander? Going up against Austin? He never stood a chance.
Austin could talk circles around someone like Xander without even trying.
Cameron: [Stay out of this, Xander. I’ll deal with it myself.]
Xander: [Deal with what? Cameron, he’s not the same guy he used to be. I’m telling you, keep your distance.]
Xander might be naive, but he wasn’t stupid.
It didn’t take long for him to realize-he’d been played. Austin had used him, plain and simple.
Xander made a silent vow never to fall for Austin’s nonsense again.
And thank God Cameron was forgiving. Otherwise, this whole mess could’ve ruined things between them.
Cameron: [I know.]
Cameron stared at the message and then quietly repeated, “Not the same Austin he used to be.”
Or maybe,’ she thought, ‘none of us ever really knew who Austin was to begin with.’
She tossed the phone aside.
‘That is enough.’
In the adult world, some things didn’t need to be spelled out.
Austin had already crossed the line.
Anyone who could turn their back on her so easily… didn’t belong in her life.
She stood up and went back to bed..
Meanwhile, Austin stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring at his reflection-tall, polished, composed
But inside, he was torn. ‘Should I let Cameron come? Or not?’
After thinking it over for a long time, Austin finally decided he shouldn’t see Carheron tonight.
He was definitely still mad.
Better to give him some space and wait until things cooled down.
It wasn’t until nearly midnight that he sent her a message.
Austin: [Cam, sorry, I just saw my guest off. Did you go to bed already? If it’s okay, maybe we can talk tomorrow instead?]
Cameron was already asleep.
Austin didn’t get a reply, so he followed up with one more message. Austin: [Good night.]
He sat down on the couch, rubbing his temples.
‘How the hell am I going to explain this to him?”
Looked like honesty was the only option now.
The next morning, Cameron saw the messages Austin had sent.
She didn’t respond.
She acted like she hadn’t even seen them.
By ten AM, Austin couldn’t hold back anymore. He sent another message.
Austin: [Cam, I’m free today. What did you want to talk about last night?]
Half an hour later, she finally replied. Cameron: [It’s nothing now.]
Austin stared at the screen, stunned.
‘What does that mean-“nothing now”? Is he not mad anymore?
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Guess I made the right call by not seeing him last night.’
He made a mental note to be more careful next time.
It had just been the sight of Cameron and Bradley together, looking way too close, that triggered him. He’d panicked.
Austin: [Cam, want to grab dinner tonight?]
He needed to make sure she was really over it.
Cameron: [Can’t.]
Austin froze.
