Page 101 of My Ruthless Opponent

I make him feel insignificant. I treat him like a stranger I met on the sets of the photoshoot for the first time.

He doesn’t deserve my emotions. So I am going to put a stop to this madness. Through my indifference to him.

“I’ll take your silence as a yes.”

Don’t do it, Hannah. He wants a reaction. Don’t fall prey to his tactics. Just ignore him.

For the next shot, the photographer asks us to move to the bed. “Raleigh, sit next to Hannah and stare at her side profile, while she stares in the camera. I’m going to take a picture from the far corner of the room to capture the suite.”

Raleigh takes advantage of the pose by pressing his mouth to my ear. “Haven’t you learned by now that I hate being ignored?”

Oh, I know. That’s precisely why I am doing this, asshole.

How does it feel to get a taste of your own medicine?I want to ask.

I smile at the camera and ignore his probing gaze.

“Raleigh, soften your expression a bit. You have to look at her with adoration in your eyes. I’ll be blunt. Right now, you’re looking as if you’re seconds away from murdering her.”

I snort, my shoulders shaking with silent laughter but I don’t look at him.

Raleigh gets off the bed. His hand clamps on my elbow. “Mind if we take five?” Raleigh doesn’t wait for his reply and tugs me.

To avoid making a scene in front of the curious eyes, I let him lead me out of the room.

At the door, I turn to glance at Archer. He is staring straight at us.

Jesus Christ. What has gotten into Raleigh? The photoshoot was going well. I was trying not to be “difficult” as he not so subtly demanded. Then what was his problem?

He pulls me inside the vacant room of the suite where I was getting ready for the shoot earlier.

I turn to see him slamming the door shut. Then he locks it before facing me.

My stupid heart speeds up in my chest when his eyes lock on mine.

There’s anger flaring in his eyes. The slight frown on his face shouldn’t look hot. But it does.

He takes a step toward me. “What was that?”

“What was what?” I blink at him innocently.

“You blocked me out and acted as if I was invisible.”

“I did?” I cover my mouth with my fingers, feigning shock. “I thought I was doing great out there.”

“What are you so upset about? Because I manipulated you into doing my shoot first? I did that because you started it all by the pool area. We are even now.”

I cross my arms over my chest and simply stare at him.

My guess was accurate. He wanted his revenge. I knew it but hearing it from his mouth hurts.

Is this how he wants us to be? Would we ever move past this rivalry?

It hurts that he can get mean and sweet as per his wishes.

He might love this game. I don’t. I am not childish like him. If he wants to keep doing this, then I want nothing of it.

I hate feeling like this. He can’t control me like this.

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