The Agreement

ELENA

The moment Adrian walked away, I stood there staring after him like my brain had stopped working.

Elizabeth was the first to recover.

She grabbed my arm so suddenly that I nearly jumped.

"No."

I blinked. "No... what?"

"No to whatever that was."

"I don't even know what that was."

"You don't?" She stared at me. "Elena, that man just walked into a disciplinary hearing, told the entire board you were his girlfriend, then casually left like he'd announced the weather."

"...When you put it like that, it does sound strange."

"It is strange."

I rubbed my forehead. Nothing about today made sense anymore.

"I need to talk to him."

Elizabeth looked horrified.

"Alone?"

"Yes."

"You know I hate that idea."

"I know but still…"

She sighed dramatically before folding her arms.

"If he murders you, I'm haunting him."

"I'll keep that in mind."

She pointed a finger at me.

"I'm serious."

"I know you are."

A tiny smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

"I'll call you later."

"You'd better."

I watched her walk away before turning towards the main courtyard. Adrian couldn't have gone far. Or at least, that's what I thought.

Five minutes later, I realised I had underestimated how quickly one person could disappear.

I checked the library.

Nothing.

The student lounge.

Nothing.

Even the parking area.

Still nothing.

"Looking for someone?"

I turned at the familiar voice.

It was Marcus. He leaned casually against one of the stone pillars, dressed in a navy blazer with his tie hanging loose around his neck. Unlike Adrian, he looked like someone who actually enjoyed university life.

"I've seen you before," I said slowly.

"I'm wounded." He placed a hand over his heart. "We've technically met."

"Technically."

He laughed. "So... you're Elena."

I frowned. "How do you know my name?"

"Hard not to." His smile widened. "The whole university is talking about you."

Oh yes, right. The rumours.

"I was looking for Adrian."

"Yeah, I figured." Marcus studied me for a second before nodding towards the university gardens. "Try the greenhouse."

Without another word, he walked away which was weird.

I made my way across campus. The greenhouse sat behind the biology building, surrounded by neat flower beds and trimmed hedges. Sunlight filtered through the glass walls, making everything inside glow softly.

Immediately I pushed the door open, I could smell the warm air of soil and fresh leaves. Adrian stood near the back, hands in his pockets, staring at a row of white orchids.

He didn't turn around.

"I knew you'd come."

I folded my arms. "You lied."

"I did." Came his short response.

"You told the disciplinary board I was your girlfriend."

"Yes."

"You didn't even ask me if I was fine with this whole drama in the first place."

He finally looked at me. "If I had asked, you would've said no."

"...Probably."

"Exactly."

I let out a frustrated sigh. "So... what now?"

He stepped closer. Not too close but it was just enough that I could see the faint shadows beneath his eyes.

"The rumours won't disappear overnight. The board may have accepted my explanation, but students won't."

I looked away. He was right.

"They'll keep watching us," he continued. "If we suddenly start acting like strangers, they'll assume I lied."

I actually hated how logical that sounded.

"So what are you saying?"

"I'm saying we continue."

I frowned. "Continue... pretending?"

"Yes."

"For how long?"

"Until the rumours die."

"And if they don't?" I asked folding my arms ony chest.

"They will."

His confidence was almost annoying. I searched his face for some sign that he was joking. There wasn't one.

"I don't understand," I admitted quietly. "Why are you helping me?"

For the first time since we'd met, Adrian hesitated. Only for a second. Then his expression became unreadable again.

"Let's just say..." His gaze settled on mine.

"...our arrangement benefits both of us."

And there it was again.

That answer which was too vague enough to reveal nothing.

"What do you get out of it?"

"I'll tell you when the time is right."

I sighed. "I don't like mysterious people."

"I know."

"You know?"

"I've been paying attention."

For some reason, that made my heartbeat stumble. I quickly ignored it.

"If we're really doing this..." I said, "...there need to be rules."

His eyebrow lifted slightly. "I'm listening."

"No lying."

He was silent.

"...Within reason," I corrected.

The corner of his mouth almost moved.

"No controlling my life."

"Agreed."

"No interfering with my studies."

"I wouldn't."

"And when we're alone..." I pointed between us. "...we're just normal students."

He held my gaze for a long moment. "Very well."

I relaxed slightly. Maybe this could actually work. Then Adrian took another step closer, which was pretty enough for me to notice something strange.

For a split second, his jaw tightened. His breathing became slower. Like he was forcing himself to stay calm. Then, just as quickly, it was gone.

"One more rule," he said quietly.

"What?"

His eyes stayed fixed on mine. "If I ever tell you to leave..." His voice was calm.

"...don't argue."

I frowned. "What?"

"Just leave."

"Why?"

"You'll be safer."

The way he said it sent a chill down my spine.

"Safer from what?"

He didn't answer. Instead, his attention shifted past my shoulder. His entire posture stiffened. I turned instinctively but there was no one there.

When I looked back, Adrian's expression had hardened. "Go home," he said.

"What?"

"Now."

Before I could ask another question, he walked past me and disappeared through the greenhouse doors. I stood there alone, confused.

Then, through the glass wall, I caught a glimpse of someone dressed entirely in black standing beneath a distant oak tree.

The stranger was watching me. The moment our eyes met…they turned and disappeared into the trees.