Trapped Feelings

Barbara’s pov

The moment the bathroom door clicked shut behind Tristan, I finally allowed myself to breathe. Not fully and freely but just enough to remind myself that I was still alive.

My fingers curled tightly at my sides as I stood in the middle of his room, unsure of what to do with myself.

Everything felt… wrong, and it was too quiet and too still like the calm before something terrible.

Or worse.

Like I was already trapped in it.

I glanced around again, taking in the room properly this time. It still didn’t make sense. The luxury, the space, the silence, it all felt out of place for a school dorm.

This wasn’t just a room. It was territory, his territory and somehow, I was standing right in the middle of it.

My gaze drifted toward the bathroom door. I could hear the faint sound of water splashing, the low hum of movement behind it.

My heartbeat picked up again, slow at first, then faster, it was annoyingly faster which I hated with passion.

I rolled my eyes at myself and turned away quickly.

“Get a grip, Barbara. He’s a psycho. A literal psychopath who just blackmailed you into servitude. You have to focus, you can’t afford to disappoint aunty.” I pondered heavily, trying to snap myself out of the hell hole.

I forced myself to move, pacing the room slowly just so I wouldn’t stand there like an idiot waiting for him to come out because I wasn’t just waiting, I was waiting for the next line of torture he would put me in.

I paused near the large window, staring out at the darkening sky.

Students moved in the distance, unaware of what was happening in this building, of what was happening to me.

If they knew…

Nothing would change though, he is literally heir to the throne and I’m just a nobody. He has powerful and influential family and friends unlike me.

A shiver ran down my spine. They wouldn’t help. No one here would.

A soft sound behind me made me freeze. The bathroom door opened and just like that, every single thought in my head vanished.

I didn’t turn immediately. I told myself I wouldn’t.

It lasted exactly two seconds. Then I turned and instantly regretted it.

Or maybe… not.

My breath hitched as I saw what was in front of me. It was a sight I never expected to come across my eyes.

Tristan stood by the doorway, droplets of water still clinging to his skin, trailing slowly down the defined lines of his chest, his hair was damp, darker than before, falling slightly over his forehead in a way that made him look… softer and less dangerous.

That illusion lasted only a second because the moment his eyes met mine, that softness completely disappeared.

He wasn’t fully dressed, not even close.

A low towel hung loosely around his waist, just enough to keep things decent, but not enough to stop my traitorous eyes from noticing everything else.

The sharp cut of his shoulder, the strength in his arms and the way water traced down his skin like it belonged there.

My heart did something stupid. It fluttered, like my heart actually fluttered and I hated that feeling.

I can’t afford to lose my mind with everything that’s going on with me.

No I can’t!

I won’t!

“What the hell is wrong with me?” I thought to myself.

Heat rushed to my face and I snapped my gaze away so fast it almost hurt.

“Nope, absolutely not. We are not doing this. Not with him. Not ever.” I cautioned myself, slightly poking my hand to snap back to reality.

I folded my arms tightly across my chest, as if that would somehow block the thoughts trying to sneak into my head.

“ Focus. He’s dangerous and cruel. He literally threatened your life five minutes ago.”

My mind repeated it over and over like a chant and thankfully, it helped.

A little.

“Enjoying the view?” He asked.

His voice cut through the silence, smooth and sharp at the same time.

My stomach dropped. I hadn’t even realized he’d moved closer. “I wasn’t looking,” I said quickly, my voice coming out a little too defensive.

Great. Now I sound guilty.

Tristan let out a low chuckle. “I didn’t say you were.”

I clenched my jaw. “You’re such an asshole.” I muttered under my breath and luckily, he didn’t hear me.

I kept my gaze firmly fixed somewhere over his shoulder, refusing to look at him again. “I called you,” I added, trying to sound annoyed instead of… whatever I had just been. “Your bath is ready.”

“I know.”

Of course he does. Such annoying brat, makes me want to squish his hands and break them.

I risked a glance and instantly wished I hadn’t.

He was closer now. Much closer….too close.

The faint scent of soap and something darker, something that was just him wrapped around me, making it harder to think.

My heart betrayed me again, picking up speed.

“Stop. Please don’t do this. Not here, Barbara.” I cautioned myself.

I forced my expression into something neutral. “You took your time.”

“So did you,” he replied calmly.

My brows furrowed. “What does that even….”

He stepped past me, brushing my shoulder slightly as he walked toward the bathroom again.

The contact was brief. It was even barely anything but it sent a strange spark through me, sharp and sudden.

I stiffened. “No. No, no, no. We are not reacting to him.”

I had to keep on cautioning myself over and over again because this…this can’t be.

I turned quickly, watching as he disappeared back into the bathroom.

The door didn’t fully close this time. I swallowed hard and turned away again.

This was ridiculous. Completely ridiculous. I wasn’t some weak girl who fell for looks. I had more important things to worry about, like staying alive.

And yet…

My thoughts betrayed me again.

He looked… different. Not just attractive, that was obvious but there was something else and something unsettling like he wasn’t just a person, like he was something built to dominate, to command and to take.

I shook my head hard. “Nope. Stop thinking.”

A few minutes later, the door opened again.

This time, I didn’t turn. I refused. I had learned my lesson.

“I didn’t tell you to stand there.”

His voice again. It was cold, sharp and back to normal.

I turned slowly, keeping my expression carefully blank.

He was dressed now. Thank goodness, I didn’t have to see him almost unclad again.

A black shirt clung slightly to his frame, sleeves rolled just enough to show his forearms. Dark pants sat low on his hips, completing the effortlessly intimidating look.

He looked… dangerous even more than before and annoyingly still good. I hated it.

“Then what do you want me to do?” I asked, trying to keep the irritation in my voice.

His gaze flicked over me briefly, assessing and calling. “Sit.”

“Excuse me? I am not your….”

“I said sit.” His words were sharper this time. It was a command, not a suggestion.

I hesitated. Just for a second. Then slowly, I walked over and sat on the edge of the chair, my back straight, my hands clenched in my lap.

I hated this. Every second of it.

Tristan walked past me and grabbed a book from the table, flipping it open casually. Then he dropped it in front of me.

My brows furrowed as I looked down at it. “What is this?”

“My assignment.”

I blinked. “…your what?”

“You heard me.”

I looked up at him slowly, disbelief creeping into my expression. “You want me to do your schoolwork?”

“Yes.”

I stared at him waiting for the joke but it didn’t come. “You’re serious?”

“Very.”

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it. A short, incredulous one. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I am not doing your homework for you.”

His eyes darkened slightly. “I don’t joke about things like this.”

I shook my head, pushing the book slightly away. “No. I’ve done what you asked of me. Let me go.”

The word slipped out before I could stop it and in the moment it did…

There was an awkward silence that filled the air. It was heavy and dangerously silent.

Tristan didn’t move, didn’t speak, he just looked at me and something in that look made my stomach twist. “You might want to rethink that answer,” he said quietly.

My heartbeat sped up again. But this time, not because of anything stupid, it was because of fear. “I’m not your servant,” I said, forcing the words out.

His lips curved slightly. Not in amusement but something darker. “No?”

He took a step closer. Then another, until he was standing right in front of me. “You seem to be under the impression that you have a choice.”

My breath hitched. “I….”

“You don’t. Isn’t that obvious?” He retorted.

The words were soft but they hit harder than anything he’d said so far. “If you walk out of this room without finishing that assignment,” he continued calmly, “I will make your life here a living hell.”

I swallowed hard. “You already are.”

That earned a reaction. It was a small one but I still saw it.

His eyes flickered. Just for a second. Then they hardened again. “You have no idea what I’m capable of.”

Something about the way he said it made a chill run through me.

Not dramatic. Not exaggerated.

Just… true and that was what made it terrifying.

I looked down at the book again. My hands tightened slightly. I hated this, I hated him.

But more than that, I hated the fact that he was right. I didn’t have a choice.

Slowy, reluctantly, I pulled the book closer.

“Good,” Tristan said softly.

I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t because if I did, I wasn’t sure what I’d see.

Or worse….

What I’d feel.

As I flipped open the first page, I made a silent promise to myself.

This wasn’t over. Not even close. He might think he owned me. He might think I’d just obey but he was wrong.

I would survive this.

And one day, I'd make sure he regretted ever forcing me into his world.

Even if right now…

My heart was still beating just a little too fast whenever he got too close.