Ariana POV
The next morning, I woke up to golden sunlight dancing across my face. For a second, I forgot where I was until I turned and saw the stupidly fancy mirror on the wall and the shopping bags still sitting by the dresser. Right. Ivan's castle.
I groaned and threw my arm over my face.
Everything from yesterday came rushing back, the gifts, and those things he said.
After dragging myself out of bed, I slipped into the robe one of the maids had laid out. It was ridiculously soft, of course it was, and I hated that I liked it.
Downstairs, the scent of freshly brewed coffee hit me like a promise from heaven. I followed it to the kitchen, where one of the chefs greeted me like I was royalty. I muttered a quick good morning, too sleepy to pretend I was used to this. I wasn't.
I grabbed some toast, poured orange juice, and leaned against the counter, scrolling through my phone until a message popped up from Maya.
Maya: You alive? Or did your rich neighbors adopt you already?
I smiled.
Me: Alive. Spoiled. Kinda wanna punch myself for liking it.
Maya: Good. Now get your soft self to campus. I've got tea. Hot, boiling tea.
That made me smile more. Whatever craziness today brought, at least Maya would bring her drama with it.
I didn't see Ivan this morning. Not that I was looking. (Okay, I might've glanced around a little.)
I ran back upstairs, grabbed my baggy jeans and shirt, and started getting ready. I like wearing this clothes even after getting all these nice dresses because I don't want any attention or what so ever. I easily get people's attention anyway.
__________
I threw on my sneakers, grabbed my tote, and was halfway down the stairs when I heard footsteps from the hallway below.
And finally, I saw him.
Tall, effortlessly composed, dressed in black like he was born to break hearts before breakfast. His eyes flicked up from his phone and landed right on me.
I hesitated mid-step, pretending not to care, even though my stupid heart skipped like it had its own drama series. I don't know why but I like this soft side of him, where he wouldn't proudly show off the number of girls he has been with.
"Going already" he asked coolly, sliding the phone into his pocket. His voice was calm.
"Yeah"
"Want to go with me" he asked.
"No" I replied brushing past hime like he was just another doorframe.
He didn't move, just turned slightly to watch me as I passed. "Fine. Anyway, you look… less dramatic than the other day"
I stopped. Turned slowly "Is that a compliment?"
"I'm not sure yet," he said, lips twitching at the corners.
I crossed my arms. "Why do you talk like everyone is supposed to guess your meaning?"
"Maybe the smart ones figure it out," he shrugged.
Ugh. Smug, mysterious, and now apparently serving riddles before 9 a.m.
"I don't play games, Ivan," I said, brushing imaginary lint off my sleeve. "And even if I did… I'd win."
He gave a small, amused chuckle. "That sounds like a challenge."
"It wasn't," I said, already walking again. "But if you're scared, just say so."
Behind me, I heard him murmur, "Not scared. Intrigued."
I didn't stop walking but my cheeks were burning. I couldn't help but smile.
_____
Campus was already buzzing by the time I got there. The morning sun filtered through the tall trees, casting long shadows over the sleek pathways. Students milled around, some heading to lectures, others lounging near the café, sipping iced coffee like life wasn't stressful.
I scanned around and spotted Maya.
She was leaning against the pillar by the Arts Block, phone in one hand, the other waving dramatically the moment she saw me. Her curly hair bounced with every motion, and I could already tell she had something juicy to spill.
"You took forever!" she whined, grabbing my hand like we were in some rom - com. "You will not believe what I found out this morning."
I smirked. "Good morning to you too."
"No time for pleasantries, love. Sit. I have tea."
We slid into a bench under the shade. She grinned like she'd been dying to explode.
"Girl, I heard Zayn is back on campus"
I raised my brow, not knowing who she was talking about.
"Come on. You haven't heard of him? He is the billionaire's son who disappeared for a semester. I heard he went to work on something important and he is now back" I heard her say.
"Ohhh okay" I couldn't say anything more than that. I don't know why but I felt unease, maybe it's because that name was familiar.
"He's practically campus royalty. Rich, mysterious and damn handsome"
"I see"
Maya nodded like it was old news. "Yup. That guy is crazy rich and handsome. But still—he's not Ivan. Ivan still beat him in many ways, not to talk of looks"
"What does that mean?"
Maya gave me a smirk. "Zayn might be elite, but Ivan? Ivan plays in a whole different league. Like he doesn't need to show off. His silence alone screams power."
I sat back, lips parting slightly. She wasn't wrong. Ivan didn't need flashy cars or grand entrances. Even in a plain black shirt and cold stare, he had everyone hooked.
Still, I grinned and leaned in. "Well, let's see who survives the year without getting charmed by me first."
Maya laughed, clinking her drink with mine. "I'll pray for them."
We both burst out laughing.
"So how did you get all this information?"
Maya shrugged. "A girl does her research."
I smiled and shook my head.
"So…" Maya said slowly, giving me a side-eye. "Any updates on your hot neighbor?"
I raised my eyes to the sky. "Don't even start."
"Oh, I'm starting," she giggled.
I smiled and leaned back, shielding my eyes from the sun. I hesitated, then finally muttered, "He bought me expensive clothes. Shoes. Jewelry. A necklace, Maya. I'm talking real luxury stuff."
Her eyes grew wide. " Ivan got you jewelry? As in gems-for-your-neck jewelry?"
I stared at her and smile, knowing she's gonna get shocked with what I'm good to say...
"He added a $500,000 Hermes bag too"
I saw her eyes widened more and her jaw dropped.
"Holy shit!! He bought....he" she couldn't finish talking and covered her mouth with her hand.
I nodded slowly. "I didn't ask for any of it."
She stared at me like I had just told her I turned down winning the lottery. "Girl, do you know how many girls would kill for a tenth of that? It's Ivan girl!"
I sighed "I don't know what it means. I mean, he didn't even explain. Just… handed it over. Through a maid. Like it was nothing and when I asked him, he said he liked given beautiful things to beautiful girls. He told me he would do more of I accept to be his girlfriend"
Maya stepped in front of me, blocking my path dramatically. "Okay, hear me out. Either he's trying to confuse you—"
"Too late."
".....or he's truly falling in love with your stubborn little self"
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips.
"Stop it"
Maya tilted her head with a mischievous grin. "You're not denying it though."
"Because I'm confused, Maya! One second he's cold and unreadable, the next he's sending me designer heels."
She looped her arm through mine. "That's how it starts, darling. Expensive shoes and emotional chaos."
I snorted. "Great. Just what I needed."
"You love it."
"…Maybe."
"So you gonna give him a chance?" She asked.
"Hell no!" I rolled my eyes staring at her with disbelief. She expect me to give that playboy a chance just because he threw millions of dollars on me. It's worth it tho but I won't stick too low to be one of his girls.
Yeah, I might not be rich but I don't care, I won't stick too low for that, there are thousands of guys out there who want me.
"I know you won't. I'm not gonna force you to do something you don't want to. It's your choice and your life but if it was to be me, I would have given him a chance already"
"Maya!"
"Come on! It's my wish to be his girlfriend. Even for a day, I would love to be his but I wouldn't love him tho, cos I know his heart will never be mine"
"And here is one hot guy asking of you earlier on" I said.
"Who?"
"Ethan" she almost choked on her food when she heard the name.
I blinked looking at her.
"He did?" she asked and I nodded, smiling.
"Why do you look so suspiciously happy about that?" I said that because I saw her smiling.
"No reason."
"Maya!…"
Her cheeks were already going pink.
"Wait...." I gasped. "Are you blushing?"
She rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face was giving her away. "I'm not blushing."
"You so are." I smiled happily "You like him."
She scoffed. "He's just nice."
"And hot." I added.
"I mean… a little," she mumbled, eyes darting away.
"Oh my God, Maya! You like Ethan!"
She covered her face. "Okay, maybe, I have a tiny crush."
"When?"
"Not too long"
I smirked. "Is that why you..." I couldn't finish before she shut me up.
"Shut up."
I burst into laughter, my voice echoing down the sidewalk. "Nope. This is gold. Do you know I'm already planning your wedding" I said and she laughed.
_______Authoress POV
The sharp crack of gunfire echoed in the private range, muffled slightly by the soundproofed walls and high-end acoustic paneling. A haze of powder lingered in the air.
Ivan lowered his pistol slowly, pulling off his protective earmuffs with one hand, his expression as unreadable as ever. Downrange, the paper target was cleanly shredded in the center. Not a shot missed.
Ethan stood a few feet away, loading a new magazine into his own pistol. He wasn't paying attention to the target anymore. He was watching Ivan.
"You're not shooting like you're practicing," Ethan said casually, lining up his stance. "You're shooting like you're thinking about someone's face."
Ivan's lips twitched in amusement. "Is that your poetic way of saying I'm irritated?"
"No. It's my way of saying something's up."
Ethan pulled the trigger—twice, quick and precise. Then he stepped back and faced him. "You've been... weird, man."
Ivan raised an eyebrow. "Weird?"
"Yeah," Ethan said. "Don't tell me you've suddenly developed interest in that innocent girl. She ain't you type"
Ivan gave a dry smirk. "Who are talking about" he already knew whom he was talking about.
Ethan pressed, lowering his voice. "Ariana"
That name settled in the air like a challenge.
Ivan rolled his shoulders, relaxed but unreadable. "So?"
"So... what the hell are you doing?"
"She's interesting."
"No, she's not your type."
Ivan's gaze sharpened. "And what's my type?"
Ethan didn't hesitate. "Girls who know what this is. Girls who play the game, enjoy the thrill, take the gifts, and don't ask for anything real."
Ivan said nothing.
Ethan stepped closer. "But Ariana? She's the kind who'll believe it. She'll take you seriously."
There was a flicker in Ivan's eyes. Just a flicker—but Ethan caught it.
"You know..... she's the girl who once had Zayn wrapped around her finger" Ethan raised her brow.
"So this is about Zayn?" he asked.
Ivan's jaw tensed slightly. A beat passed.
Then, calmly: "He had her. He lost her. And now she's here. In my space. That's not a coincidence."
Ethan stared. "So what—you want to get back at him by making her fall for you?"
Ivan didn't answer right away. He picked up a bullet from the counter, inspecting it between his fingers.
"I just want him to see what it looks like when someone doesn't screw it up," he said eventually. "What it looks like when she chooses someone else. Someone better."
"You mean you," Ethan said flatly.
Ivan looked up. "Obviously."
"Jesus!" Ethan muttered, running a hand through his hair. "And what if she actually falls for you, Ivan?"
Ivan didn't flinch. "Then it'll be easier."
Ethan's voice grew sharper. "You don't get to say that. She's not a chess piece."
Ivan stepped closer now, voice low, smooth—almost too smooth. "She doesn't even know she's in the game yet."
Ethan's face hardened. "You're playing with fire."
Ivan leaned against the counter, gaze distant now. "Zayn still cares and love her. And you know how poetic justice works—he broke her once. I'm going to make her believe again... only to take it all away."
Ethan's voice dropped. "That's messed up."
Ivan looked at him, quiet.
Then: "I never said I was the hero in this story."
"But she hasn't done anything to you."
"She didn't have to."
Ivan turned, walking back to the booth and picking up the gun again, reloading it with fluid ease.
"She just happened to matter to the wrong man," he added. "That's enough."
Ethan stared at him in silence, then said, almost reluctantly, "You know what scares me?"
Ivan didn't look back. "Do tell."
"That you might actually fall for her first."
Ivan smiled faintly, lifting the gun and aiming it again.
"Then I guess we'll both be screwed."