The Boy Who Tattooed My Name on His Chest novel Chapter 4

After that incident, Ryan and I didn't speak for an entire week.

At first, Ryan didn't think he'd done anything wrong:

"I've always seen Vivi as a little sister. How could I ignore her injured ankle?"

I was expressionless. "If her ankle was hurt, she could have called her mom to pick her up, or your family's driver. Why did she have to wait for you?"

"You see her as a sister, but does she see you as a brother? Can you honestly say you don't know she has feelings for you?!"

Ryan's eyes shifted, and finally he sighed, hugging me.

"Haley, I truly only like you. I'll talk to her and keep my distance from now on, okay?"

I closed my eyes briefly:

"Okay."

After that, Ryan did speak with Vivi.

I don't know what he said to her, but Vivi left the classroom in tears and never approached Ryan again.

I thought the matter was resolved.

But then one day, Ryan suddenly came to me with a troubled expression, hesitantly explaining:

"Vivi says there's a guy from another school who won't leave her alone. She's rejected him several times, but he keeps pursuing her. Today he invited her and some friends to hang out, and she asked me to pretend to be her boyfriend to get him to back off."

Seeing my expression, he added:

"Just one night, let that man give up."

"We already agreed on this! Yesterday her ankle was twisted and she needed you to carry her home, today she's being harassed and needs you to pretend to be her boyfriend, what will it be tomorrow?!"

Ryan's temper wasn't the best, but with me, he always patiently coaxed:

"If it weren't for saving my dad, Vivi's father wouldn't have died. She would still have a father to protect her now. I really can't abandon her. Just this once—if you're worried, come with us, okay?"

At this point, I knew arguing further with Ryan would be pointless, so I agreed.

"One day only, and I'm coming with you."

Ryan broke into a smile, cupping my face and giving me a quick kiss.

"My girlfriend is so understanding. I love you so much!"

That night was my first time in a club.

Sure enough, a tall, muscular guy was hovering around Vivi. He wasn't bad-looking, just rough around the edges, constantly trying to put his arm around her.

Ryan stepped forward, pushed him away, and pulled Vivi into his arms, glaring at the guy.

"Watch your hands. She's my girlfriend."

Ryan had trained in kickboxing since childhood, and his cold demeanor intimidated the guy into silence.

The others quickly tried to ease the tension:

"How about we play Truth or Dare? Tyler's treating tonight, so everyone order whatever drinks you want!"

Tyler was the guy pursuing Vivi. Apparently, his family ran some shady businesses, and all the shops on this street paid his father "protection money." He was a friend of Vivi's friend's boyfriend from a vocational school and had met Vivi at a group dinner, after which he started pursuing her.

Ryan's expression stiffened, and he frowned reflexively.

"I choose—" Amidst Tyler's increasingly dark expression, Vivi unhesitatingly pointed at Ryan.

Ryan sat stony-faced.

"Choose a different dare."

The girl raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you two dating? What's there to be shy about? Kiss, kiss!"

Everyone started chanting. Tyler's eyes grew suspicious. "Are you really Vivi's boyfriend?"

Vivi flashed a smile.

"Of course."

Her beautiful eyes filled with pleading as she placed her hand on Ryan's arm, her red lips parting slightly.

"Ryan..."

My heart slowly turned cold.

Ryan stiffly allowed Vivi to lean in. Just before their lips met, I abruptly stood up!

He turned his face slightly, and Vivi's kiss landed on the corner of his mouth.

He frantically reached for me, but I violently shook him off!

Ignoring everyone's surprised expressions, I quickly walked out the door.