My Childhood Bully is a Mafia Boss-Chapter 15

Aidan, back then...

The bruises on my ribcage ached with every breath as I tossed and turned in my bed, unable to sleep.

Anger simmered in my gut, fueled by the bitter resentment that had become as familiar as an old friend.

Of course, after I came back from the party, my father had to go on another angry rage and use me as a punching bag. And once again, I just took it like a pathetic little asshole.

The following day, I slammed my fist into the locker, the sharp pain barely registering against the roar of rage in my veins.

Then I saw her.

Ivy was hurrying down the hall, her gaze flickering nervously around the crowded corridor. She was like a rabbit caught in a snare, helpless and trembling. The sight of her vulnerability ignited the anger burning within me into an inferno.

Before I knew what I was doing, I grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face me. "Where do you think you are going?" I snarled, my grip tightening around her wrist.

Her blue eyes widened. "Ai-Aidan," she stammered. "Let go, I am going to—"

"Going where?" I sneered, crowding her against the lockers. The scent of her floral shampoo hit my nostrils, and the memory of the kiss floated in my mind. I could still taste those plump lips and I toyed with the idea of kissing her again. "You think you’re better than me, don’t you?"

"No, of course not," she whispered, shrinking away from me. "Please, you’re hurting me. I am just trying to get to class on time."

A twisted satisfaction surged through me at her pain. She deserved it, they all did. Everyone who lived such perfect lives while I was trapped in a hell of my own.

Ivy bit her lip, her big eyes wide. For a fleeting moment, I faltered, a flicker of remorse piercing my anger. But the roar of rage in my veins quickly smothered it, blinding me once more.

"Please let me go," she begged, her voice breaking.

I leaned closer, my lips brushing against her ear. "You’re not going anywhere."

Her breath hitched, warmth flooding my senses. I breathed her in, the sweetness of her scent clashing with the bitterness festering inside me.

"What do you mean? We have to get to class." Ivy struggled against my grip, panic edging into her voice.

"Get to class. What a good little student you are. You make me sick," I hissed.

"Aidan, please..."

"Let’s go," I growled and dragged her away.

Ivy stumbled along beside me, her small hand still trapped in my bruising grip as I pulled her down the empty hallway.

"Aidan, stop!" she cried, her voice echoing off the rows of lockers. "Where are you taking me?"

I didn’t respond, my jaw clenched tight as I continued marching forward. I didn’t actually know where I was going - the red haze of anger had taken over, spurring me into action without thought.

We reached the end of the corridor near the back entrance of the school. I shoved open the door to the stairwell, the heavy metal slamming loudly behind us.

Ivy flinched at the sound, her breaths coming quick and panicked. I kept my eyes fixed ahead as I dragged her up the concrete steps, trying to ignore the guilt steadily creeping in.

"Please, Aidan," Ivy whispered, her voice catching on a sob. "I don’t understand why you’re doing this."

I froze on the landing, her words piercing through my rage. I slowly turned to look at her, taking in the fear and confusion in her eyes.

"Why did you run away after I kissed you at the party?" I asked.

"Are you seriously asking me that?" she whispered.

"Yes. I am seriously asking you that," I replied tauntingly. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"You humiliated me in front of everyone," she said. I could tell she was trying to be strong, but her voice was trembling. "You...you stole my first kiss."

"Oh, boohoo. I am so sorry I tainted your sweet little virgin lips," inching closer to her face. I could see a tiny bruise forming at the corner of her lower lip, probably because I kissed her too hard. I reached out and touched it, making her flinch.

"Aidan, stop!" she said, trying to push me away, but I pressed my lips on hers.

I lost myself in the kiss, momentarily forgetting about my anger.

As I kissed her, her entire body trembled. I expected her to try harder to push me away, but instead, she responded to my kiss. She gripped the front of my shirt as I encircled my arms on her waist.

With a sharp intake of breath, I couldn’t help but let out a deep groan of pain. My grip on her weakened and she pushed against me, her hands pressed firmly into my bruised ribs. I winced as the pain shot through me.

"What’s wrong?" she asked, her gaze locked intently on me.

"What? Nothing," I barked, trying to hide the discomfort in my voice.

"You looked like you were in pain just then," she said softly, concern etched on her face.

"Why do you care?" I asked sharply, feeling defensive.

"I was just---"

"Just what? It’s none of your business, Ivy," I snapped.

"Are you hurt?" she asked quietly.

"I just said it’s none of your damn business," I reminded her.

"You just kissed me again. Why?" she asked.

"I don’t know. Because I felt like it. Because you are my little plaything," I said, roughly grabbing her face.

She smacked my hand off her face. "You just do whatever you feel like it, do you? And what about me? What about my feelings?" she breathed.

"I don’t care about your feelings," I spat out.

Ivy flinched as if my words had slapped her. Her eyes filled with hurt before being replaced by a steely determination.

"I won’t let you treat me like this, Aidan. I don’t know what’s going on and who is hurting you, but it’s not my fault. I am not your enemy here." With that, she turned on her heels and stormed down the stairwell, leaving me alone in the cold, dank stairwell.

I stood there stunned as Ivy disappeared down the stairs. A torrent of emotions swirled inside me - anger at being defied, admiration for her courage, and frustration that I had let my temper get the best of me again.

With a heavy sigh, I sank down onto the concrete steps, the fight draining from my body. I thought back to the party and that impulsive kiss I had stolen from Ivy. I don’t know what came over me in that moment. Maybe it was the thrill of catching her off guard, or just wanting to wipe that shy smile off her face.

But I couldn’t get the kiss out of my head. As much as I hated to admit it, I liked the feeling of her soft lips against mine.

I groaned and rubbed my hands over my face. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

My ribs throbbed, reminding me of the latest bruises my father had left. If Ivy knew the truth, she’d pity me. I didn’t want that. I didn’t want her kindness or concern.

I should never kiss her again. I need to go back to humiliating her in the hallways, not kisses. All that made sense. This tightness in my chest, this fluttering my stomach when I touched her, did not make sense.

With another weary sigh, I pushed myself to my feet.

I did not deserve a girl like Ivy Williams, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t torment her while she was still within my reach.