Chapter 18 Episode Eighteen

Chapter 18 Episode Eighteen
Chapter Eighteen 

Diana’s POV

I woke up before sunrise like Calum promised. He walked me back to my room, kissed me one last time, and told me to be careful

Now, two days later, I was walking across campus trying not to smile like an idiot

Everything felt different, I don’t know, the world seemed brighter. Even the usual stares and whispers from students didn’t bother me as much, it was probably non existent by now 

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice the car pulling up beside me until I heard a voice

“Hey, pretty girl who stands in the middle of roads”

I stopped walking and turned. The black Range Rover from weeks ago was parked at the curb. The same handsome guy with dark slicked back hair and matching shades was leaning out the window

“You,” I said, surprised

“Me” He grinned “I’ve been looking for you, you know. You’re hard to find”

“I’m not hard to find, I’m right here”

“True” He opened his car door and stepped out “But you never told me your name”

I clutched my bag tighter “That’s because you almost ran me over”

“I didn’t almost run you over, you were standing in the middle of the street” He walked closer “I’m Kieran, by the way”

“Diana”

“Diana” He said my name like he was testing how it felt “Beautiful name for a beautiful girl”

I felt my cheeks heat up “Thanks”

“So, Diana, are you always this jumpy around guys who compliment you?”

“I’m not jumpy”

“You’re clutching that bag like it’s a life raft” He smiled “Relax, I’m not going to bite” okay…was he showing off his observation skills?

I loosened my grip on my bag slightly, still  “Sorry. I’m just not used to people being nice to me”

His expression softened “That’s sad. A girl like you should have people being nice to you all the time”

I didn’t know what to say to that

“Are you heading to class?” he asked

I nodded

“Mind if I walk with you? I’m going the same way”

I hesitated. Walking with him meant people would see us together, that would start more rumors

But then again, people were already talking about me. What was one more rumor?

“Sure,” I said

We started walking toward the main building, I noticed immediately how people stared at us. Or more specifically, stared at him…I was out of the picture 

Girls looked at him with interest, some of them were ready to throw off their panties at that moment if he requested 

While guys nodded at him in respect

“You’re popular,” I observed

He shrugged “My family has money, and that’s all people care about around here”

“You’re a student here?”

“Yeah. Business major. Final year” He glanced at me “What about you?”

“Photography, second year”

“Ah, so you’re Professor Blackwood’s student”

My heart skipped “How do you know that?”

“Everyone knows everything around here” He smiled “Small campus, big mouths”

I looked down at my feet. Did he know about the rumors too?

“Hey,” he said gently “I don’t believe them, you know”

“Believe what?”

“The rumors….about you and the professor” He stopped walking and turned to face me “I know they’re not true” I gave a nervous laugh 

“How do you know that?”

“Because I’ve been watching you” He said it so casually “Not…not in a creepy way, I was just observing, and I can tell you’re not the type to sleep with professors for grades”

I didn’t know whether to be relieved or worried that he had been watching me and the fact that….his judgement of me wasn’t entirely correct 

“Why do you care?” I asked

“Because I like you” He said it so simply. Like it was the most obvious thing in the world

I blinked “gosh! love bombing in 2026? Ish!” I muttered, looking to the side, it it seems he heard me

“I’m serious” he said

“You don’t even know me”

“I know enough” He stepped closer “I know you’re strong, I know you take shit from people but you keep going,I know you’re working your way through school. And I know you’re beautiful even when you’re trying to be invisible”

My face was burning now “Kieran…”

“Go out with me,” he said

“What?”

“Go out with me…. Dinner….Coffee…. Whatever you want”

“I… I can’t”

“Why not?”

Because I’m already involved with someone. Because my heart belongs to someone else. Because I’m mated to my professor

But I couldn’t say any of that

“I’m just really busy, and besides, I’ve just met you” I said instead

“Too busy for one dinner?”

“Yes”

He studied me for a moment, then he smiled “You’re a terrible liar, Diana”

“I’m not lying”

“Yes, you are” He pulled out his phone “But I’ll let it slide for now….give me your number at least. As friends”

“I don’t think….”

“Friends, Diana, I promise I won’t push for more unless you want me to”

I hesitated, then fuck it

I gave him my number. What harm could it do?

He typed it into his phone and called me to confirm 

My phone rang in my bag

“There, now you have mine too” He put his phone away “Call me if you need anything, and  I mean anything. Someone bothers you, you need a ride, you need help with anything…. I’m here”

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

“Because someone should be” He said it simply “See you around, Diana”

He walked away toward the the receptionist desk to file in, leaving me standing there confused

I watched him walk away in his confident strides. Then I turned and continued to class

But I wasn’t alone for long

Selene appeared out of nowhere with her minions

“Well, well, well,” she said, her voice dripping with venom “Look who’s moving on already. From Professor Blackwood to Kieran Cross, I must say, you work fast”

I tried to walk past her but she blocked my path

“Stay away from him,” she hissed

“Why do you care? What is your problem?? You want me to stay away from everyone?” I asked, frustration evident in my voice

“Yes…Because Kieran is mine….and you actually don’t deserve to be with anybody at all”

I almost laughed “He doesn’t seem to think so”

Her face turned red with anger. “He’s just confused. Once he realizes what a pathetic loser you are, he’ll come back to me” back??

Did they have history?

“If you say so”

“I do say so” She stepped closer “And if you go near him again, I’ll make your life even more miserable than it already is”

“You can’t make it worse than you already have”

“Want to bet?” Her smile was cruel “I may not have that photo anymore, but I have other ways to destroy you”

“Do your worst, Silly Selene” I pushed past her “I’m not scared of you anymore” there was shock on all their faces at my choice of name for her

Then I heard her laugh behind me “You should be”

I kept walking, trying to ignore the fear creeping up my spine

I knew Selene meant every word. She would find a way to hurt me

But I was done living in fear. I was done letting her control me

Whatever she threw at me, I would handle it

I had to

When I got to Professor Blackwood’s class, I took my seat and tried to focus. But I could feel eyes on me

I looked up and saw Kieran sitting a few rows ahead. He turned and gave me a small wave

I waved back without thinking

Wait…wasnt he a business major in his final year?? 

Then I felt another set of eyes on me. I looked toward the front of the class

Calum was staring at me. His expression was unreadable but his jaw was tight

He had seen me wave at Kieran

And judging by the darkness in his eyes, he wasn’t happy about it

The lecture started but the tension in the room was thick. I could feel it pressing down on me

This was going to be a problem….a huge problem