Chapter 2

I am running through the woods the darkness of the forest closing in around me.The night air is cold and still, as it wafted through the darkened woods. The trees gnarled and twisted, their branches reaching out like skeletal hands hurting me.

I can hear something behind me. Footsteps, or maybe it’s just the wind. I can’t tell. I keep running, my heart pounding, my breath coming out in short bursts.

I look over my shoulder and see nothing, but I can feel something there. A man chasing me through the woods. I don’t know who it is or why he’s after me, but I can’t stop now. I run faster, my feet pounding against the ground, my lungs aching with the effort. I don’t know where I am going, but I know I have to keep running.

The trees are a blur as I pass them, my mind racing with fear trying to figure out how to get away.

Finally, I see a clearing ahead. I stumble out into the open only to crash onto the ground with huge force from behind me “Found you.” The voice said like a deadly poison making me scream. I heaved as my eyes snapped open and my room appeared, in front, of me.

“What a terrible nightmare” sweat dripped down my forehead as I breathed a sigh of relief.

I don’t remember when I wasn’t haunted by being hunted at night every time, I closed my eyes. My eyes widened at the clock.

9.05 am

Shit, I am already late for the ceremony. Removing my clothes, I turn on the shower as soon as the water cascades down my body my hands flew to my head the pounding headache made me groan out loud.

No drinks for me.

They are not worth the hangover.

Soon I leave my apartment wearing a denim skirt with stockings and a white sweater. Driving my car my thoughts shifted on him .I don’t remember much from last night but the only thing I do is his face.

What if I did something weird? My cheeks redden at the thought.

A nervous feeling evoked, in me the thought of never meeting him again made me almost a little sad. I, brush it off as I park the car, and, enter the corridor towards the hall.

“Ouch,” I shrieked when she pinched me.

She aka my best friend Amelia the heiress of a rich family, who defied her family refusing to be tied down in an arranged marriage and choosing a normal life with independency.

She is the crazy one who is full of energy and likes to date every guy on the campus or should I say fuck.

“Why are you late? Were, you fucking someone last night oh! wait you can’t you are too innocent for that aren’t you?.” She pulls my cheeks as if I am a kid.

Did I just call her crazy before?

Scratch that

She is insane.

“I was just drunk” Sitting in our seats we look at the spotlight as the vice-chancellor of the university invited the chief guest to come on the stage.

“See you were lonely I think you need a man” she slurs in my ear.

I look at her with raised eyebrows and apparently, she gets the memo because she stares at the stage instead of me.

“I don’t need a man, I am fi- “My lips parted in shock as my eyes raked on the stage to see him.

The man I met last night.

A tall figure in an expensive, tailored suit. His dark hair had been gelled to perfection unlike last night they were falling on his face.

A pair of grey orbs stared out into the distance, seemingly seeing something that no one else could. He had an aura of power and confidence. He speaks and it’s like everyone is drawn to him.

All eyes are on him but why do I feel like his, is on mine? or maybe I just feel this way.

Self-conscious.

Soon the award ceremony starts and my name is called.

As I walk on the stage, I feel his gaze on my body everywhere spreading tingles over my body.

“Congratulations Miss Mavis for doing an excellent job” Handing me the certificate his hands brushed against mine.

He did that on purpose.

A smirk lifts up his lips making my heart race as our eyes connect and a smile graces his lips but there is nothing sweet about it more like a façade a charm to entice.

Stepping off the stage I walk out of the hall with Amelia.“Do you know that Adrian Lowell is 30 under Forbes 30 and has even got the award for best entrepreneur?”

“He’s got the brain but that body is to die for”

My stomach somersaulted hearing Amelia gushing about him.

Soon the day gets over with attending lectures in the evening but he remains at the back of my mind making me restless the whole day.

The temperature dropped a few degrees, drizzling starts the cold breeze raised goosebumps on my arms.

Standing on the side of the road,I wait for the rain to stop.

Why did today of all days my car have to puncture?

A car stops beside me the windows are tainted black hiding the view inside. My eyes widened seeing him get out of the seat.

What is he doing here?

"Get in the car, Lily," he demands standing close too close for my comfort.

"I am fine"

"Don't be stubborn it's getting cold" he says as if scolding a little child.

"Since when did guys care how cold a girl feels" I scowl

If they do care it means they care for their own benefit nothing is free not even love.

It seems like my thoughts are not so invisible as he seems to read my mind with the displeased look on my face.

"Thanks, but no thanks" I murmur moving a step behind.

My heart races with guilt I feel a little pinch in my heart for being rude even though he is offering help.

I have never been someone who'd look at the bad aspects of life or people but heartbreak does that to you. That little voice starts doubting everything.

My mom once told me that there are always good, man, in the world but it seems like it's true only in a fairy tale cause in reality everything seems beautiful

The outer layers are always beautiful but when you go deeper you find the ugliness, the flaws which no one wants to accept because everyone is so used to the idea of perfection.

"Fine if you don't want to get in my car let's sit somewhere warm" his hands slip on my waist as he drags me to the nearby café.

He says in a calm husky voice “Your coat is wet lily,”

His hands touched my trench coat "I can do it myself" I murmur before he could do it.

I don't like him so close to me where I can smell the cologne he wears

I don't like him touching me

Okay scratch that.

Maybe I will just like it too much that it will be hard to resist him.Being near him makes me lose control of my thoughts as he occupies every single one of them.

The waiter approaches us for the order "Black coffee and Nutella waffle" he orders for both of us.

"What," he says when I kept staring at him with raised eyebrows

"I can order for myself"

"Isn't waffle your favorite, especially in this weather"?

My mouth opened in surprise at his question

How does he know that?

"What is your name?" I asked curiously

"You don't know me? "An amused smile lays on his face as if he can't believe I don't know him

"Am I supposed to know you?" I said sarcastically as the waiter brings the food to the table

"Adrian Lowell"

Taking a bite of the waffle a moan slipped past my lips. When I look at him his intense gaze is on my lips Oh god, why is he staring at me like that? My breath hitches when he leans close and licks the side of my mouth.

"Chocolate tastes much better from your lips" he winks at me .

"You can't do that" I am sure he can see how red my cheeks are.

"Why not darling, you liked it" he flashes me a sweet innocent smile yet his intentions are not innocent in any way.I have to get out of here before I lose my damn mind and spend my night with him "I think I should go."

"What's the hurry?" he asks

"Do you have a boyfriend who is waiting for you."

"None of your business," I said taking out bills from my purse to pay but the waiter refused to take money from me even when I insisted.

"Why is he not listening to me?" I murmured

"Because I am his boss,." Adrian says something under his breath that I couldn't decipher.

"I am leaving."

"Wait," he said

My steps halted hearing him"I think you are forgetting something."

He shows me the bracelet in his hand. The bracelet I lost last night. A deep sigh of relief left my lips, I'd searched everywhere for this little piece of Jewellery thinking I lost it forever and here, it is.

I tried to take it from his hand but before I could he snatched it back. My mouth opened in disbelief "What-"

He cuts me off "What will I get in return?"

"Excuse me this is mine," I said

"Exactly darling you can't deny me of what's mine" His eyes darkened with his hands wrapping around my waist. When I refused to reply he harshly tugged me towards him "Go on a date with me and I will give it back"

"You are not playing it fair" My hands lay on his chest as I stared at his eyes filled with challenge.

"Never said I would "His finger twirls a lock of my hair

"I play to win darling" he smirks.