Page 78 of Ruthless Vengeance
You have been accepted.
“Holy shit.”
“What? Did you get in?”
I nod as I manage to read the whole email for the first time, trying to register what it says. “I got in.”
Sam grabs my hand and starts squealing so loudly that everyone at the surrounding tables turns to glare at us.
“You got into the best fashion school in the country!”
I can barely breathe. “I-I need to tell Marco.”
“Yes, call him!”
My eyes start to water as I wait for him to answer.
I wish he was here, if only to calm me down.
I can’t believe I actually got in, and it’s all because of him.
“Clara, is everything okay?” Marco sounds concerned.
“I got in. I got in to fashion school. They just emailed me over my acceptance.”
He’s silent for a moment and then he exhales. “That’s my girl. I’m so proud of you.” His words send a shiver down my spine.
The smile is clear in his voice, but there’s something else there too.
I frown. “Marco? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, love. I just have some things I need to take care of.”
I chew my bottom lip, ignoring the concerned look that Sam is giving me across the table.
His answer was a little too quick, and I want to press Marco further, but he’s already talking.
“Go and enjoy your night. We’ll celebrate properly when you get home.”
I hesitate, but in the end, I know there’s no point in fighting him. He’ll talk when he’s ready.
“Okay. I’ll see you later.”
Once I end the call, I stare at my phone as a strange unease washes over me.
What is Marco hiding?
Chapter Twenty
MARCO
I feel like such an ass.
Clara aced her interview and got herself a place at the Institute of Fashion, just like I thought she would, and somehow I manage to let my foul mood ruin it.
She should be celebrating her incredible accomplishment over an oversized bottle of champagne, not wondering why I’m off the grid and stuck in a strategy meeting with Andre.
I could sense from the way her tone instantly shifted that she could tell something was up with me, but there’s no way in hell I was telling her what.
