The bass thumped relentlessly through the walls of the dimly lit hall, its reverberations creating a pulsating heartbeat that matched the frenetic energy of the scene. Colored lights danced and flickered across the enthusiastic crowd of students, whose laughter mingled with the beats of the music as they swayed, twirled, and captured moments in selfies. The Fresher’s party was in full swing—a vibrant whirlwind that welcomed the new batch of students into the exhilarating world of campus life. Salvatore and Ethan stepped through the entrance, momentarily pausing to absorb the electric atmosphere. Salvatore exuded a confident air, his neatly styled hair and tailored outfit setting him apart from the casual crowds, while his amused smirk hinted at his eagerness to dive into the festivities. Beside him, Ethan adjusted his glasses, his eyes wide with a mix of trepidation and curiosity, clearly both enchanted and slightly overwhelmed by the chaotic interplay of music and conversation swir
In the far corner of the dimly lit room, partially obscured by a tall, cluttered shelf, sat a girl who seemed to exist within her own serene world. Her posture was unnervingly still, reminiscent of a statue carved from exquisite marble, yet there was an unmistakable aura of quiet intensity that surrounded her. She wore a form-fitting white bodycon dress that hugged her silhouette with delicate elegance, the pristine fabric untouched by the dust and grime of her gritty surroundings. Her hair tumbled down in soft, cascading waves, the strands catching the faint glimmers of light that managed to pierce the room's shadows—each one shimmering like spun silk.She appeared completely absorbed in her own thoughts, oblivious to the presence of others around her. With her head slightly tilted downward, her gaze remained fixed on the worn wooden floor, as if it held secrets only she could decipher.Not far away, hidden in the embrace of the room’s partial darkness, stood Salvatore. He felt his b
“I’ll call Ethan,” Salvatore said, his voice thick with growing concern as he extracted his phone from his pocket. Beside him, Isabella stood with her arms crossed tightly, her brow furrowed in worry, her normally bright eyes dimming under the weight of the situation. The room was enveloped in a dim glow from a single floor lamp in the corner, casting long, uneasy shadows that danced menacingly across the walls. An undercurrent of tension hung heavily in the air, palpable and suffocating, as Salvatore’s fingers swiftly navigated to Ethan’s contact.The phone rang once… twice… three times—still no answer.Salvatore’s jaw tightened, a muscle twitching subtly as he sighed heavily. Without breaking eye contact with the screen, he hit redial.Again, it rang. Each chime pierced the quiet, echoing through the stillness of the room, amplifying the unspoken worry that loomed between them. Four rings. Five. Voicemail.He lowered the phone, staring at the screen as if willing it to somehow light
The Monday morning buzz hummed through the halls of Business College as students filed in, eyes bleary from too little sleep and too many deadlines. Olivia Brooks, seated at her favorite corner table in the student lounge, sipped her coffee, her eyes scanning over a stack of notes. It was the same table she always picked—the one just far enough from the windows to avoid distractions but close enough to give her a glimpse of the campus lawn where groups gathered between classes. It gave her comfort, a spot she could rely on in a schedule that rarely wavered. Olivia wasn’t one for spontaneity. She knew her routine down to the hour: an early-morning coffee, a full day of lectures, afternoons in the library, and nights spent revisiting her notes until her eyelids drooped. It wasn’t thrilling, perhaps, but it was stable. Reliable. And stability was something Olivia valued more than excitement. “Olivia! You’re here early,” a familiar voice called from across the lounge. Her best friend,
The next morning, Olivia found herself unusually on edge. It had been a restless night, her mind replaying Alexander Cross's talk over and over. She could still remember the magnetic look he had given her, a look that seemed to pierce through the crowded auditorium and fix right on her. She tried to shake it off as mere coincidence, but something about him had stuck, a stubborn thought that refused to fade.Olivia was finishing her notes in the campus library when her phone buzzed. She glanced down, surprised to see a message from her advisor, Professor Hayes.“Olivia, can you come by my office? Alexander Cross has requested to speak with you.”Her heart skipped. What could he possibly want with her? She felt a mix of excitement and apprehension as she gathered her things and made her way to Professor Hayes's office.---As she entered, Olivia’s eyes met the figure standing by the window, hands in his pockets, gaze focused somewhere beyond the campus grounds. Alexander Cross turned as
It was only her third week at the firm, and Olivia was already feeling the intensity of the fast-paced world she’d been thrown into. Late nights and early mornings had become routine, and she was doing her best to absorb every bit of knowledge, determined not to let the opportunity slip by.Today, she’d spent hours combing through financial reports and drafting her first proposal, eager to impress Alexander. She knew he was expecting it by the end of the day, so she hurried to his office, the folder clutched in her hands. She paused outside his door, taking a deep breath to steady herself before knocking.But as she raised her hand to knock, she heard faint laughter coming from inside. She froze, her hand hovering mid-air, curiosity getting the better of her. Alexander was speaking, his voice lower, a casual tone she’d never heard him use before.A second voice responded—female, with a flirtatious edge to it. Olivia’s brows knitted together as she tried to make sense of what she was h
The days following her unsettling discovery were a blur for Olivia. She threw herself into her work, hoping that staying busy would keep her thoughts from wandering back to Alexander and the image of him with Rebecca. But no matter how hard she tried, the memory of that day lingered in her mind like a shadow, darkening the excitement she’d once felt about her internship.She’d always respected him, admired his confidence and intelligence. But now, every time she saw him, she felt an uncomfortable mix of emotions—attraction mingled with doubt. She tried to remind herself of his professional accolades, of how generous he’d been to offer her this opportunity. Yet, every interaction seemed charged with a tension that left her questioning her own feelings.Late one afternoon, as she was reviewing data reports, a message from Alexander popped up on her screen.“Olivia, can you come to my office? I’d like to go over your recent proposal.”Her heart skipped. She took a steadying breath, gathe
It was a typical Monday afternoon, and Olivia was reviewing some files at her desk when a familiar voice interrupted her concentration.“Olivia,” Alexander’s smooth voice called out, catching her off guard. She looked up to see him standing in her office doorway, a casual but confident expression on his face.“Oh, hi, Mr. Alexander,” she stammered, straightening up as she tried to conceal her surprise.“Please, just Alexander,” he corrected, his usual charismatic smile playing on his lips. “I was actually wondering if you’d have a few minutes to chat. I have a proposal for you.”Olivia felt a nervous thrill pulse through her. “Of course,” she said, gesturing for him to sit down, though he didn’t move from the doorway.“It’s come to my attention that you’ve shown an impressive amount of dedication in the short time you’ve been with us,” Alexander began, his gaze fixed intently on her. “In fact, I think you might benefit from a more hands-on experience… How would you feel about accompan
“I’ll call Ethan,” Salvatore said, his voice thick with growing concern as he extracted his phone from his pocket. Beside him, Isabella stood with her arms crossed tightly, her brow furrowed in worry, her normally bright eyes dimming under the weight of the situation. The room was enveloped in a dim glow from a single floor lamp in the corner, casting long, uneasy shadows that danced menacingly across the walls. An undercurrent of tension hung heavily in the air, palpable and suffocating, as Salvatore’s fingers swiftly navigated to Ethan’s contact.The phone rang once… twice… three times—still no answer.Salvatore’s jaw tightened, a muscle twitching subtly as he sighed heavily. Without breaking eye contact with the screen, he hit redial.Again, it rang. Each chime pierced the quiet, echoing through the stillness of the room, amplifying the unspoken worry that loomed between them. Four rings. Five. Voicemail.He lowered the phone, staring at the screen as if willing it to somehow light
In the far corner of the dimly lit room, partially obscured by a tall, cluttered shelf, sat a girl who seemed to exist within her own serene world. Her posture was unnervingly still, reminiscent of a statue carved from exquisite marble, yet there was an unmistakable aura of quiet intensity that surrounded her. She wore a form-fitting white bodycon dress that hugged her silhouette with delicate elegance, the pristine fabric untouched by the dust and grime of her gritty surroundings. Her hair tumbled down in soft, cascading waves, the strands catching the faint glimmers of light that managed to pierce the room's shadows—each one shimmering like spun silk.She appeared completely absorbed in her own thoughts, oblivious to the presence of others around her. With her head slightly tilted downward, her gaze remained fixed on the worn wooden floor, as if it held secrets only she could decipher.Not far away, hidden in the embrace of the room’s partial darkness, stood Salvatore. He felt his b
The bass thumped relentlessly through the walls of the dimly lit hall, its reverberations creating a pulsating heartbeat that matched the frenetic energy of the scene. Colored lights danced and flickered across the enthusiastic crowd of students, whose laughter mingled with the beats of the music as they swayed, twirled, and captured moments in selfies. The Fresher’s party was in full swing—a vibrant whirlwind that welcomed the new batch of students into the exhilarating world of campus life. Salvatore and Ethan stepped through the entrance, momentarily pausing to absorb the electric atmosphere. Salvatore exuded a confident air, his neatly styled hair and tailored outfit setting him apart from the casual crowds, while his amused smirk hinted at his eagerness to dive into the festivities. Beside him, Ethan adjusted his glasses, his eyes wide with a mix of trepidation and curiosity, clearly both enchanted and slightly overwhelmed by the chaotic interplay of music and conversation swir
It had been a week since college began, and the city buzzed with excitement—tonight was finally the night of the Freshers' Party, an event that promised to be a whirlwind of introductions and new friendships.Salvatore stood in front of the mirror, his heart racing as he carefully adjusted the collar of his navy-blue shirt. The fabric felt crisp against his skin, and the faint scent of his cologne—a fresh blend of citrus and cedar—lingered in the air, filling him with a sense of confidence. As he gave himself one final look, he ran his fingers through his hair, ensuring every strand was in place.From the kitchen, the soft clattering of pots and pans accompanied Olivia’s warm, encouraging voice as she reminded him not to forget his wallet. Her tone was nurturing, a blend of motherly concern and excitement for the night ahead. “You’ve got your wallet, right?” she called out playfully.“I’ve got it!” Salvatore replied, his voice eager. He grabbed the wallet from the desk, feeling its fa
The next day at school, Salvatore strolled through the bustling hallways with his usual calm demeanor, the noise of excited chatter filling the air alongside the faint, lingering aroma of cafeteria coffee. He scanned the crowd and soon spotted his friends—Ethan, Liam, and a few others—gathered near their lockers. They were animatedly discussing the upcoming Freshers party, their voices rising and falling in enthusiasm.“Dude, it’s next week!” Ethan exclaimed, practically bouncing on his heels, his eyes alight with anticipation. “The theme's gonna be epic! Just picture us strutting around in bell bottoms and flashy shirts!”“Or picture you embarrassing yourself on the dance floor again,” Liam retorted with a playful grin, the banter sparking laughter among the group.Salvatore chuckled softly at their banter as he approached them, feeling a sense of belonging. But the moment was interrupted by an unexpected sensation that made him pause.Across the hallway, near the staircase, Isabella
The dining table was set as it always was, exuding warmth with steaming dishes, gleaming cutlery, and the gentle flicker of candlelight casting playful shadows on the walls. Yet, there was an unshakeable sense that something was amiss.Salvatore occupied his usual spot at the table, but his demeanor was noticeably off—his back rigid, and his gaze far away, as if he were peering through the window into another world. His fork moved listlessly across his plate, tracing circles rather than delivering food to his mouth.Sebastian, seated beside him, sliced into his meat with deliberate precision, studying Salvatore in silence. Across from them, Olivia offered a gentle smile, her eyes reflecting both warmth and concern.“Long day?” she ventured, trying to keep her tone light and conversational, but the tremor of worry underlined her words.Salvatore blinked, coming back to the present as if surfacing from a deep sea of thought. “Yeah. Just tired,” he replied, his voice a little too monoton
The class had commenced, but Salvatore's mind remained adrift. He sat at his desk, elbow propped up, his eyes half-focused on the front of the room, where the professor’s voice melded into a monotonous hum that played in the background, drowning out any sense of engagement. His thoughts clung to a moment that had unfolded just before—the moment she walked in. Isabella. She hadn’t made a grand entrance; there were no dramatic flourishes, no shaky nerves or bright smiles typically found among freshers. Instead, she had entered with an almost ethereal calmness, her posture poised and unyielding, her expression an unreadable mask that intrigued him. His friends were quick to notice her, as they always were in this first week of university life when the thrill of ragging was in full swing. They peppered the newcomers with questions designed to elicit embarrassment, but it was clear they were merely testing the waters, nothing vicious or malicious. Then, it was her turn. Just her voi
The laughter around the bench intensified, a vibrant mix of stories and ideas flowing among the boys, each tale more outrageous than the last. Their excitement seemed to sizzle in the air, building palpable energy with every second. Meanwhile, Salvatore leaned back, stretching his legs out and letting his gaze drift skyward, where fluffy clouds lazily meandered across the blue expanse.Ethan nudged him playfully. “So? You in or what?”Salvatore popped his gum, the sound sharp against the growing chatter, and replied with a casual flip of indifference, "If you guys want to, then fine. Do what you want."That reluctant permission was all they needed. With a wild cheer that echoed off the walls, the boys sprang up like wolves released from a cage, rubbing their palms together in eager anticipation as they made their way toward the row of benches near the auditorium—where freshers nervously gathered, unsure of their new surroundings and awaiting the assignment of their orientation groups.
The morning sun poured over the sprawling school grounds, casting a warm, golden light that danced across the cobbled courtyard. Students buzzed around in animated clusters—some engaged in lively conversations, others rushing to their classes, while a select few lingered in anticipation, awaiting the arrival of one person: Salvatore. Then, as if on cue, the heavy gates creaked open. Salvatore stepped inside, exuding a natural charisma that turned heads effortlessly. He stood tall, with dark hair slightly tousled by the breeze, lending him an air of casual sophistication. His crisp white shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, revealing strong, muscular forearms that could make half the school’s population momentarily forget how to breathe. The school blazer hung carelessly over one shoulder, and a leather strap from his backpack was slung over the other, accentuating his relaxed demeanor. Instantly, a chorus of gasps erupted from the surrounding students. “He’s here!” one girl exclaim