Chapter 1 FIRST DAY AT THE UNIVERSITY
Anya Petrova dragged her suitcase across the marble courtyard, the cold morning air nipping at her cheeks. She glanced at the massive, iron-gated entrance of Volkov University, trying to calm the fluttering in her chest. Her timetable said she had no classes today, which meant she could focus entirely on checking into the hostel and getting her bearings.
As she rounded the corner of the main building, her foot caught the edge of a loose tile, and she stumbled forward.
"Oh! I’m so sorry!" she blurted, looking up at the girl she’d almost knocked over.
The girl didn’t flinch. She had long, wavy blonde hair cascading down her back, bold makeup with a striking pink lip, and a strapless, pale-colored dress that looked far too perfect for an ordinary morning. Behind her, a tall man in a sharp coat held her luggage, giving the impression that she could afford anything she wanted and that she knew it.
"Are you new?" the girl asked, finally giving Anya a glance.
Anya nodded, cheeks burning.
"Same here! I’m Liana. And you?"
"Anya" she replied, her voice soft.
"Hostel registration, right?" Liana tilted her head, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips.
Anya nodded again, grateful for the sudden guidance.
Liana looped her arm through Anya’s as if they had known each other for more than thirty seconds.
"Perfect. Let’s go together. This place is huge, and my father didn’t pay for me to be wandering around lost"
The man carrying Liana’s luggage followed silently, giving Anya a polite nod.
As they walked across the courtyard, Liana spoke.
"So, what program are you in?"
"Arts and Humanities"
"Cute," Liana said with a smirk. "I’m in Business and Finance. My dad says it’s the only thing I can’t ruin"
Anya managed a small, polite smile, even though she didn’t know how to respond.
Students moved around them... some chatting loudly, others rushing, some staring at their phones but Anya still felt painfully out of place. The buildings loomed above her, cold and ancient, and the faint sound of a bell echoed through the campus.
Liana nudged her. "Don’t look so tense. Volkov University isn’t that scary. Well… unless you meet certain people"
Anya looked at her. "Certain people?"
Liana waved her hand dismissively. "You’ll hear the rumors soon enough"
They reached the long pathway leading to the hostel administration building. A massive sign read:
VOLKOV UNIVERSITY RESIDENTIAL HALLS — REGISTRATION
Liana grinned. "Here we are. Ready?"
Anya swallowed hard. "I think so"
"Good" Liana said, pushing open the door.
They walked in together.
The registration hall was noisier than Anya expected. Students clustered in lines, dragging suitcases, laughing, complaining, taking pictures.
Behind a long wooden desk sat several staff members, flipping through files with the efficiency of people who had done this a thousand times.
Liana walked in like she owned the place.
Heads turned.
Of course they did.
Her blonde hair, her flawless makeup, the man carrying her luggage, everything about her screamed money.
"Come on" she said, tugging Anya gently toward the front desk.
A woman wearing thin glasses looked up. "Next"
Liana stepped forward, smiling. "Liana Morozova. I’m on the list"
The woman’s expression shifted the moment she read the name... respect.
"Ah. Yes. Morozova" She flipped to a file. "Your father requested a room type for you?"
"Two man room," Liana said instantly. "A single room is already taken, right?"
"Yes. Only one single room, and it is occupied. But your two man room is ready." She stamped a document and handed it over. "Hostel B2. Room 12"
Liana turned to Anya with a wink. "Told you it would be fast"
Now it was Anya’s turn.
Her palms were sweating. Her chest tightened. She felt small under the buzzing lights and the countless voices. She stepped forward slowly.
"Name?" the staff woman asked.
"Anya... Petrova"
For a moment, the woman scanned the list.
Then a voice drawled from the left side of the desk.
"Well, well... look at this one"
Anya froze.
A man in his mid-thirties sat behind a stack of forms, leaning back in his chair. His tie was loose, his eyes sharp, and the way he looked at her was wrong.
Hungry.
Lingering.
Familiar in the worst way.
The same look her uncle used to give her.
Anya’s breath hitched and her throat tightened. A flash hit her like a punch, a dark room, the smell of sweat, heavy footsteps behind her.
She shuddered violently.
The man smirked, eyes moving down her body. "Scholarship student?" he asked, lips curling. "Pretty one"
Anya could not speak. Her voice felt locked somewhere deep inside.
Liana stepped closer, bumping her shoulder. "Hey," she whispered, "focus"
Anya blinked, forcing herself to breathe, forcing her hands to unclench.
The staff woman ignored the man completely and continued professionally. "Scholarship students are assigned to four man rooms. Your hostel is C1, room 47"
Anya nodded shakily. "Okay"
The papers slid toward her. She reached out, but her fingers trembled too hard to hold the pen steady.
The man chuckled softly. "Nervous? I can help you fill it"
"No, she is fine" Liana snapped, eyes sharp enough to cut.
Anya swallowed and scribbled her signature, anything to end the moment, anything to get away from the stare burning into her skin.
The woman stamped the last paper. "You are done. Welcome to Volkov University"
Anya stepped back quickly, hugging her file to her chest.
Liana frowned. "You good?"
"Yeah... yeah" Anya whispered, even though she clearly was not.
Liana clicked her tongue. "Men like that make me sick. Forget him. Let us go settle down first"
Anya nodded again.
But as they walked out of the hall, she could still feel the weight of the man’s stare on her back.
Exactly like before.
And she hated how familiar that fear felt.