"Judas Romanovski, the enigmatic billionaire, recently made his first public appearance in over a year and a half. The reclusive heir had retreated from the limelight following a tragic accident that left him blind. Despite this life-altering event, Judas is now poised to take the reins of his family's vast business empire, Romanovski Enterprises, from his father, Alexei Volkov, the former Chairman."
"The accident that claimed his sight has been shrouded in mystery, with few details released to the public. It is widely speculated that the accident was not just a simple mishap but may have involved corporate espionage or foul play, given the volatile nature of high-stakes business in the world. This only adds to the aura of intrigue surrounding Judas's return."
I swallowed the piece of sandwich with difficulty. My eyes were glued to the book in front of me, but my ears perked with curiosity. So, he was factually blind.
I still couldn't wrap my mind around the fact, but who was I to judge?
"I just can't believe he has gotten so much handsome and such a daddy..." Alina sighed dreamily staring at the screen where Judas's picture was showing with him wearing an expensive pair of shades his hunter eyes hidden, his lips set in a thin line, jaw-line chiselled from stone, his furrowed brows as he seemed to glare at the camera cast a shadow as if a storm was set to break.
His hair was styled back, unlike today. The person on the screen was completely different from the man I encountered today. His scary tattoos were veiled behind his rich black suit. I wonder if he knew how deadly he looked with that scary expression, or was it always on default?
"Alina?"
"Don't disturb me, Sera. Lemme look at my future husband... he is sent from heavens..." She sighed zooming on his face. She had been doing that for the last two hours now. I didn't know this Russian was so obsessed with him. Ever since I got back to the dorm, I couldn't help but think of him.
Curiosity killed the cat. Well, at least the cat died knowing and I grabbed my phone.
I punched in his name, my fingers fidgeting as the search bar loaded and his profile appeared on the screen. Judas Romanovski-son of Ralph Romano, Killian Schmidt, Alexei Volkov. I frowned. Three fathers? Mother-Rara Romanovski. Siblings-Anya Romanovski, Tina Romanovski.
Curiosity piqued, and I clicked on his family picture. The image that unfolded was almost bizarre. Three men stood behind a woman seated on a plush couch, dressed in a beige chiffon dress, her smile gentle and serene. The men behind her looked nothing short of pillars of ethereal beauty. One of them smirked with pale blue eyes that seemed to glimmer with mischief, while another's face remained stoic, his features as unyielding as marble.
The two younger women in the picture had identical features, though their hair colours differed-one had jet-black hair, and the other was light brown. Their eyes told different stories: one pair a deep green, the other a rich brown.
And there he was-Judas-standing beside the man with the green eyes. He towered over him by an inch or two, his broad shoulders adding to his imposing presence. His piercing hunter's eyes seemed to stare directly at the soul of the cameraman, sending shivers down my spine. It felt as if he was looking at me through the picture, his gaze so intense and alive that it made my breath catch.
I didn't know when I zoomed in on his face and felt my breath hitching. This man... what was he? He couldn't be real. There was no way he was sent from the heavens. Every muscle and fibre in his body seemed to mould with hell's fire, made from Pandemonium soil. One look at him, and I wanted to run for the hills. There was nothing human about him, at least not looks-wise, because no human had any business looking like this. So beautiful and satanic.
His eyes were not coal-dark but ocean-dark, deep pools that seemed to swallow light and exude a cold, evil acumen. His sharp features were chiselled with almost supernatural precision as if a master sculptor had carved him out of pure darkness. His skin, though flawless, had an unnatural pallor, reminiscent of marble but imbued with a hint of something more menacing, like the whisper of shadows that cling to the walls of a forgotten crypt.
The aura around him was suffocating, I felt it earlier today, a palpable wave of dread that made the air heavy and thick. It was as if he carried the essence of Satan in him, a walking embodiment of sin and despair. His presence alone made my blood run cold and my instincts screamed to flee. Maybe I was reading too much into things, but what I felt today was something I hadn't experienced. Ever.
And yet, despite the fear he invoked, there was an undeniable allure to him. A magnetic pull that drew me closer, against my better judgment. It was the kind of beauty that was both mesmerising and deadly, like an evil flower in full bloom. His every movement was a blend of grace and power, a predator perfectly attuned to its surroundings, exuding an almost regal dominance that was impossible to ignore.
And there was no way a man like him could be blind. Vulnerable. Not in control.
I almost laughed at my assumption. These weak words didn't even feel right while associating with him.
A wise part of me urged me to keep my distance away from him, but the selfish one stated otherwise. I needed that money, not for me, but for my mother, and my family. If I refused this job offer, there was no guarantee I'd find myself another opportunity like this. And even if I did, there was no way I'd make $20, 000 in such a short period.
The angel sitting on my left shoulder nudged the devil on my right.
And what if I get myself in trouble?
No, no. There was no place for mistakes. If I kept my distance, I'd be safe. It wasn't like he was a killer or anything. Maybe I was reading too much into things. Maybe he wasn't the Satan I assumed him to be.
But that face-those eyes-they told a different story. The angel whispered caution, urging me to turn away, to find solace in the ordinary and predictable. Stay away, stay safe, it seemed to say, the words like a gentle breeze trying to pull me back to the light.
Yet the devil on my right shoulder leaned in with a sly grin, tempting me with the allure of the unknown. What if you're wrong? it purred, the voice smooth and intoxicating. What if he's not what he seems? What if there's more to him than the darkness you fear?
I was caught between the two.
My thoughts spiralled, caught in the tug-of-war between caution and curiosity. If I keep my distance, I'd be safe. But safety felt suffocating, like a cage built from my own apprehensions. And if he wasn't the Satan I assumed him to be? Maybe I was reading too much into things. Maybe he was not the Satan I assumed him to be.
I had the job, I signed the contract. Think of the money, you idiot. Just earn enough to support your mother. If things go south, just quit and become a professional couch potato-Netflix needs your undivided attention anyway.
I shook my head and grabbed the pen focusing on the assignment at hand, more important than that blind man. If I fail, he would be the last thing I'd worry about, but my mother's slippers.
*******
I was hyperventilating. Never in my twenty-two years of life had I imagined blushing just because a boy decided to sit next to me. I'm not trying to be dramatic, but when Ivan's friends called him over, he ditched them and plopped down in front of me, digging into his lunch like it was the last meal on Earth. I didn't know if I should stare at him, eat, or remember how to breathe. Spoiler alert: I chose hyperventilating.
"Are you okay, Fina? Your face is all red," I swallowed realising my panic was showing on my face. I shook my head, hiding my burning cheeks with my hair I thankfully decided to keep losing today. My hands were clumpy and all sweaty in this cold weather. I hope he didn't find me awkward or weird. Moreover, I could feel piercing gazes slicing through me. The girls sitting behind me had been glaring at me ever since Ivan and I stepped into the cafeteria. Ivan mentioned they were from our class. How come I never saw them?
Or maybe you were too busy being an introverted nerd to notice anything at all? Right.
"So, do you stay alone or..." I shook my head munching on the sandwich.
"I share the room with another girl."
"Another girl?" He raised a brow.
I nodded and smiled at him. "Alina, she is a business student, in third-year,"
Ivan nodded, wiping his mouth with the napkin. I noticed how there was a small piece of bread clinging to the side of his mouth, and it irked me. Ticked me. "Are you free this Friday? You can join me for, you know, brunch or whatever you Americans like to call it," he asked, but I was far too focused on that piece of bread to even hear him. I unconsciously nodded.
Should I make my move? Impress him? Save him from the embarrassment? Ivan raised his brow when I didn't answer and pointed my finger at his mouth. "You got something on your lips."
He frowned and wiped the wrong side. "Clear?"
"No, the other side," I intervened, unable to bear the sight any longer. This time, to my utter disappointment, he ran the napkin over the area. His green eyes shone brighter as he grinned, a dimple forming on his cheek. And I felt my breath hitching. He was perfect. Too perfect. It was like someone had chiselled him out of a marble statue and forgot to add the flaws. Meanwhile, I was a walking, talking collection of embarrassment and clumsiness, with a knack for turning simple interactions into comedic tragedies.
Sensing I was staring at him, I averted my gaze and coughed. "I'd love you," I blurted out, my mind still on autopilot. And then I remembered something and my smile faltered. "Um, but..." My brain was desperately trying to reboot from the glitch of seeing him up close and personal, while my mouth seemed to be on a solo mission to embarrass me beyond repair. If only I could send it on vacation for a while.
"If you're not comfortable, you can bring your friend," Ivan reassured me, his smile warm and inviting. I nodded, still feeling my heart pounding in my ears. What was happening? There was no way I was attracted to him. I mean, he had that whole charming, charismatic thing going on, with eyes like emeralds and a smile that could melt glaciers, but attraction? Nah. Maybe it was just the hyperventilating talking. Yeah, that must be it.
My phone beeped and with a frown, I pulled it out of my jacket and unlocked it.
Kyle: Be there at 5.
5? 5?!
And it was almost 4:20. And that damn hideous place was like 45 min away. For god's sake, ugh!
Ivan looked confused at me as I gathered my stuff and pushed it carelessly into my bag. His brow furrowed, clearly puzzled by my sudden rush. Before he could ask any questions, I turned towards him with a reassuring smile. "I'll talk to you later, I have to go."
With a quick wave, I spun around and made my way towards the exit of the bustling cafeteria. Just as I reached the door, someone grabbed my wrist, pulling me back. Startled, I yelped, stumbling slightly as I clashed into Ivan. My bag slipped from my shoulder, scattering books and papers across the floor.
I looked up at him with wide eyes, my heart pounding from the surprise. His grip on my wrist was gentle yet firm. Ivan's face held an apologetic expression, and he smiled sheepishly. "Your number," he said, his voice soft but insistent. "I don't have your number."
For a moment, I was speechless, caught off guard. He rubbed the back of his neck, shifting his weight from one foot to the other and fished out his phone, my cheeks warmed glancing around at the other students who were now curiously watching us.
I couldn't breathe as I grabbed his phone and punched in my number, my heart pounding. Ivan let go of my wrist and waved his phone with a playful grin. "Don't ignore my texts," he teased.
Returning his smile before bending down to gather my scattered belongings. Ivan knelt beside me, helping to pick up my books. Our hands touched again, and this time we both grinned.
I licked my lips and smiled shyly. "Don't give me a reason to."
Ivan's grin widened, and he gave a small, playful salute as he started to walk back. "See you tomorrow," he called over his shoulder.
I watched him go, feeling tingles where his hand had touched my wrist. The bustling surroundings seemed distant as I stood there, my heart still racing and a warm, happy feeling spreading through me.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow," I murmured to myself, strangely looking forward to it.
******