(Sierra's POV)
The campus felt unusually loud today, like whispers had doubled. I could feel eyes on me everywhere, some curious, some admiring, some envy-soaked… and some cold.
Especially hers.
Luciana Robinson — the infamous cover-girl of half the cosmetic billboards in the city — lounged against the railing of the main building balcony with her painted-perfect friends Sasa, Rosa and Kesi. They whispered to one another while staring at me with their glossy, calculating eyes.
I tried to ignore them. I tried. But Luciana's gaze wasn't simple jealousy. It was the look of someone plotting.
Marko walked beside me, "Hey, Bella," he said in a low tone — the nickname he had chosen from my childhood story. "You good?"
I nodded. "You should ask yourself that. How's your hand?"
"Much better," he said, smiling like an idiot. His smile softened, almost older-brother-like.
"Yeah," he said. "I know. And thanks, seriously. I've never seen anyone panic over my hand like you did."
"I wasn't panicking," I mumbled. "You were," he teased. "It was cute." I shoved him lightly. "Shut up." He laughed, and for a moment, the campus didn't feel heavy. But then someone brushed against my shoulder-firm, familiar, controlling.
Stefano.
He didn't stop. He didn't look at us. But he slowed just enough to mutter without turning around:
"Marko, practice. Now."
Marko sighed. "He's been like this for two days…"
I watched the broad shoulders of Stefano disappear around the corner, tense, restless, almost, disturbed. I wished I didn't care. But the truth was - even when he pushed me away, even when he insulted me, even when he burned holes into me with his anger… …something in me pulled toward him.
(Stefano's POV)
Why was it getting harder to breathe when I saw her walking away from me? Why did my hands clench every time she talked to another guy? Why was my mind replaying the moment from that night — when she'd woken up crying, shaking, sweat-drenched from a nightmare, whispering "Dad… don't leave…" I had gone to her room because I heard her whimper. I'd held her shoulders until her breathing calmed. I had wiped her tears. I'd kissed the side of her head before I could stop myself. And the moment her trembling stopped… …something in me started trembling instead. This girl was messing with my mind. "This is getting bad," I muttered to myself. And the worst part? Still, I couldn't hate her. Not as much as I told myself I did.
(Sierra's POV)
After our last lecture, Angel had linked arms with me, talking about everything—her art assignments, Ethan's teasing habits, her missing lip gloss—when suddenly Luciana stepped into our path. Her heels clicked sharply on the floor.
"Well, well…" she said. "The campus princess arrives."
Angel stiffened beside me. She looked me up and down, as though I was something she'd ordered but wanted to return.
"You walk around like the whole college is obsessed with you," smirked Luciana. "Attention follows you like stray dogs, doesn't it?"
Angel snapped, "Luciana, shut up." Luciana only smiled wider. Her friends stood behind her like glittering shadows.
"Relax," Luciana said. "I'm just warning her."
"About what?" I asked softly.
Her eyes shone. Cold. Confident. Cruel.
"About trying to climb above her level," she murmured. "Some heights aren't meant for girls like you. Even if Stefano looks at you someday — which he won't — I have a secret that will destroy that fantasy before it starts."
My hands froze around the books I was holding.
A… secret?
About me? or
About Stefano?
Angel pulled me away before I could reply.
"Don't listen to her, Sierra," she whispered. "She is jealous and psycho."
But my heart was rattling. A secret… That could destroy everything? Why did that hurt more than it should?
(Stefano's POV)
The house was too quiet that night. Sebastian was sleeping. Aveline and Dad were out late. Sebastian had left after dinner for his friend's house.
And Sierra…
I saw her walking in the hallway, hair damp from having taken a shower, her loose short top off one shoulder and black shorts ,eyes sleepy, and –
She didn't wear a bra? I didn't need to ask as her white teddy bear picture top was hugging her curves, her nipples were poking under her top, her full stomach was shown, and her navel. Damn! I never new she looked so sexy at night.
And something inside me almost snapped. She didn't see me at first. She was standing near the window and gazing at the moon as if she were talking to it. I stepped closer. Too close. As I went near her back my eyes went on her ass, even on shorts her ass was attracting me. Making me hunger. Those looking so soft and round figure. I wanted to grab them for once, even it take my pride.
She turned suddenly— And her breath hitched. I could feel her warmth. Her heartbeat. Her confusion.
"Stefano…?" she whispered. My name sound so soft, sexy, sweet at her lips. Her cherry lips.
I shouldn't have leaned in. But I did. Her lips parted.
Her lashes lowered. And in one instant of terror and electricity, we had hovered inches apart. I could almost taste her breath. I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to. But I can't do that until she also wants it.
"What are you doing?" she breathed. I didn't know. I couldn't answer. My hand lifted, touching her waist, pull her closed to me, our chest pressed and…. I felt her poking nipples.
Christ ! give me some control. I want to tug, pinch, pull those nipples now, grab her ass just for once. But I can't do it now.
I stepped backward as if fire scorched me.
"Don't walk around alone at night," I muttered in a strained voice. "Someone might think you're lost."
Her eyes softened for a second — then dimmed with something like disappointment. I wanted to pull her back. I wanted to take those words back. I wanted… I didn't know what I wanted. except her. But if I went one step closer t her right now I will lost all my control and those soft ass will be in red and pink mixture.
And that was the problem….
(To be continued...)