After organizing her room, arranging her books neatly on the shelves, and double-checking everything she'd need for tomorrow, Ariana sat back on her bed with a satisfied huff.
Tomorrow was the beginning of her third year at her new university, a fresh start, in a fresh place.
Her heart danced with a mix of excitement and nerves.
She grabbed her pajamas, took a warm shower, and went through her nightly routine, brushing out her long, soft hair until it tumbled down her back in silky waves.
Throwing on a comfy top and shorts, she decided to head downstairs to grab something to eat.
Her stomach growled at the thought of food.
Padding softly down the hallway, the scent of something delicious hit her nose.
When she entered the dining room, she found Max and Ethan already sitting around the huge, elegant table.
Both of them looked up the moment she stepped inside.
Max, who was mid-conversation, stopped, and his mouth quite literally dropped open.
"Whoa," he said loudly, leaning back in his chair with a grin.
"Are you trying to kill us or what, Ari?"
Ariana smiled. She was just wearing her pajamas! Nothing fancy.
But apparently, the way her hair fell over her shoulders and her fresh, glowing face was enough to make Max dramatically clutch his chest.
"You look like you just walked out of a fairytale," Max said, shaking his head with an exaggerated sigh.
"If I die tonight, bury me with a picture of you like this."
Ethan chuckled quietly, shaking his head.
"Ignore him, he flirts with anything that breathes" he said, giving her a small, warm smile. Ariana smiled inwardly, actually she was used to this sweet talking, she knew she was pretty.
She pulled out a chair and sat down between them, just as the maids brought out plates of food.
But before they could dig in, they heard footsteps approaching them.
Ariana turned her head.
Descending the grand staircase like she was walking a runway was a girl, no, a full-blown goddess.
She was stunningly beautiful, with long legs, perfect curves, flawless makeup, and a tight, low-cut dress that clung to her like a second skin, shamelessly showing off her chest.
She didn't glance at any of them.
Not at Max, not at Ethan, not even at Ariana.
She just strutted past, clicking her heels against the marble floor, flipping her silky hair like she owned the entire world.
Ariana's mouth parted slightly in shock.
She couldn't help but stare.
"Who's that?" she whispered without meaning to.
Max leaned closer, grinning.
"One of Ivan's toys," he said casually, shoveling food into his mouth. "Ohh so he's called Ivan"
"Max," Ethan warned with a glance.
"What?" Max shrugged, totally unapologetic.
"It's true. That's probably the third girl this week."
Ariana blinked, shocked.
Third girl?
Her mind reeled as she watched the girl disappear out the door.
No wonder that guy earlier, Ivan had looked so... smug.
He probably had women crawling after him everywhere he went.
She rolled her eyes and reached for her water.
Playboy, she thought and smiled before gulping the water.
And as if on cue, footsteps echoed down the grand staircase again.
Ariana looked up and her breath caught for the second time that day.
Ivan was descending the stairs, hands tucked casually in his pockets.
His white button down shirt was open slightly at the collar, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, showcasing strong wrists and veins that somehow looked unfairly attractive with that tattoo....he looked so handsome.
His black pants fit him perfectly, and he walked with the kind of careless grace you only saw in movies.
Deadly handsome.
Untouchable. She continued looking at her till their eyes met and she didn't looked away.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, giving Ivan a knowing look..
"Another slut?" Ethan said casually, lifting an eyebrow.
His tone wasn't judgmental, more amused.
Ivan tilted his glass slightly in a lazy salute.
"Just enjoying my youth, is that a problem" he said, his voice smooth and low.
"Besides they know what they're getting into."
Ethan chuckled under his breath.
"I know that's why they all leave looking like they just lost the lottery."
Ivan smirked, resting one elbow on the table.
"Not my fault they play a game they can't win."
Max, who was halfway through stuffing his mouth, wiped his lips and joined in.
"I wish someday karma's gonna hit you so hard, you won't know what happened."
Ivan gave a soft, humorless laugh.
"I can't wait"
Ethan shook his head, amused.
"I can't wait to see you in tears because a girl break your heart" he said quietly, taking a sip of his drink.
Ivan's lips curved slightly at the edge.
"Sounds interesting, I can't wait too"
He leaned back in his chair, cool and relaxed, like the world could burn around him and he wouldn't blink.
Ariana looked at him amused, he was the only guy different here. He didn't even glance her way as he slid into the chair opposite her, reaching casually for a glass of water.
It was like she didn't exist.
No guy has ever ignored her before.
He started talking to Ethan in low, relaxed tones about some event they had attended last week.
Ariana tried to focus on her food, but her eyes kept betraying her.
Once, she stole a glance at him, just a tiny one and caught him smiling again.
God, he was beautiful without even trying.
"Speaking of your girlfriends," Max teased suddenly, grinning mischievously, "aren't you worried you're running out of new ones, Ivan?"
Ivan gave a low, careless chuckle, swirling his water.
"Plenty of fish in the sea," he said simply, his voice smooth and arrogant.
Ariana rolled her eyes harder this time, stabbing her food.
Seriously? What a typical player.
"Proud of yourself huh, just wait for karma, I would be patiently waiting for that day" Max said and Ivan just smoked.
Ivan smirked, lifting his glass in a mock toast.
"Not my fault I'm irresistible." He said and winked making Ariana smile inwardly.
Max snickered.
Ethan just shook his head like he was used to this.
"So, Ariana," Max said, flashing her his most charming grin.
"You ready for the new school tomorrow?"
Ariana was about to answer when she realized Ivan's eyes had finally landed on her.
Piercing blue eyes, cold, it looked soo beautiful.
She swallowed thickly under his gaze.
"I—uh—yeah," she managed to say.
Ivan held her gaze for a beat longer.
There was no warmth in his eyes, no flirtation like Max, no easy friendliness like Ethan.
Just... blank curiosity, like he was studying a new neighbor he couldn't be bothered to care about.
Then he looked away as if she'd bored him already.
Ouch.
Charming, she thought sarcastically.
But somehow, she couldn't help but think... How could someone so beautiful be so cold? But she loved it.
_____
Later that night, Ariana flopped onto her new bed, arms stretched wide, staring at the luxurious ceiling.
The soft sheets smelled fresh, the mattress was so comfortable it almost swallowed her whole, and the chandelier above her glittered like something out of a movie.
It should've been paradise.
Should have. But no. Instead of feeling relaxed, Ariana was tossing and turning like a fish out of water.
Images of Ivan smirking, Ivan teasing, Ivan looking criminally handsome kept flashing through her head like a slideshow she couldn't turn off.
"It's not even that serious," she told herself dramatically.
"I mean, he's just a guy. A ridiculously good-looking guy with unfairly perfect face that could melt glaciers... but just a guy. Right?"
But she didn't understand why he ignored her.
She smiled, finally she had found someone, someone who is not interested in her but it somehow hurt her.
____Morning
The shrill sound of her alarm jolted Ariana awake.
She shot up in bed, hair a wild mess, eyes wide as saucers.
One glance at the clock had her heart dropping into her stomach.
She was late.
Like, dangerously late.
"Oh My God!" she yelped, flinging the blanket off and sprinting to the bathroom like a madwoman.
She brushed her teeth with one hand while trying to detangle her hair with the other, mumbling prayers to the gods of punctuality.
She barely remembered throwing on clothes, just grabbed a simple, cute blouse and baggy jeans and shoved her feet into the first pair of shoes she could find.
By some miracle, she managed to slap on a little mascara without poking her eye out.
Grabbing her bag, she raced downstairs like her life depended on it.
As she reached the bottom step, she spotted Ivan strolling casually toward the door, looking like he had all the time in the world.
Without thinking, Ariana darted toward him.
"Ivan!" she called, panting slightly.
He stopped and turned, arching an eyebrow as she skidded to a halt in front of him.
"Wait!" she called out, hurrying toward him.
Ivan paused, turning his head lazily, as if even the act of acknowledging her was too much work.
Ariana jogged the last few steps, slightly out of breath.
"Uh... I'm late. Can you, uh, maybe drop me off?"
Ivan's eyes traveled down her outfit briefly, then halted at her feet.
A slow smirk crept onto his face.
Ariana blinked, confused, as he folded his arms across his chest, cocking his head slightly to the side.
"You sure you want to go out looking like that?" he drawled, voice cool and almost bored.
She frowned. "What? What's wrong with it?"
Ivan chuckled lowly, a sound that was equal parts amused and wicked.
He didn't answer. Instead, he lifted his hand lazily and pointed at her shoes.
Ariana followed his finger and felt her soul leave her body.
She was wearing two completely different shoes.
One white sneaker and and a sandal.
Her cheeks flushed instantly. "Oh my God..." she muttered, mortified.
She turned around to dash back inside, but not before she heard Ivan's teasing voice call after her:
"Nice look, though. Very... innovative," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
She groaned audibly without turning back.
"And hurry up," he added with a sigh, pretending like it was such a huge inconvenience.
_____
Ariana walked beside him as they made their way toward the garage, her steps light, her eyes sparkling mischievously. She smiled at the thought of what happened.
"So..." she began to speak, flipping her long hair over her shoulder dramatically, "how does it feel to be the university's number one womaniser?"
Ivan slid his hands into his pockets and gave her a glance, one eyebrow raised in cool amusement.
"Feels like a full-time job, why, you want me already? he said dryly, a smirk tugging lazily at his lips.
Ariana scoffed, "hell no!" .
He chuckled under his breath but didn't say anything more, walking ahead as they finally reached the garage or what Ariana immediately decided was heaven on earth.
She stopped dead, her mouth falling open.
Rows and rows of gleaming cars stretched before her, each looking like it had rolled straight out of a billionaire's showroom. Ferraris. Lamborghinis. Bentleys. Even a freaking Rolls-Royce. She couldn't even see the ones following but she knew it would be hell expensive.
"Okay, wow," she breathed, spinning slowly to take it all in. "Is this...normal rich or crazy rich?"
Ivan ignored her commentary as he headed toward one of the cars, but Ariana wasn't done yet.
Nope.
Spotting a sleek white Lamborghini Aventador, she immediately made a beeline for it. She tossed her hair back, puffed her cheeks cutely, and flashed her brightest, most dazzling smile, the one that had made half of her high school teachers forgive her for missing homework.
With a twirl, she pointed at the Lambo.
"I choose this one," she declared, hands on hips like a queen announcing her throne, well no guy has ever turn her down and she was sure he won't.
Ivan stopped mid-step, turned slowly to look at her, and just stared for a second like he wasn't sure whether to laugh or roll his eyes. His lips curved slightly in that maddeningly handsome way.
"Adorable," he said under his breath.
He didn't even pretend to head toward the Lamborghini. Instead, he unlocked a deep black Aston Martin DB 11, its curves sleek and intimidating like its owner.
"You can stay there if you want," he said coolly, sliding into the driver's seat of the Aston Martin without looking back.
Ariana gasped dramatically. "Wait!" She quickly grabbed her bag and run toward the Aston Martin like her life depended on it.
She barely slipped into the passenger seat before he started the engine with a soft, menacing purr. Inside, the car was pure luxury, butter-soft black leather, a polished dashboard, the faint scent of rich cologne and expensive leather.
For a second, she was too awestruck to speak.
Then...
As he drove smoothly onto the road, Ariana being Ariana, couldn't resist.
"So, Mr. Playboy," she said lightly, leaning back in her seat and stretching her legs a little, "do you pick up girls with your face, your money, or just sheer bad-boy energy?"
Ivan didn't even glance at her.
"All three, and.... why are you this interested in me?" he replied smoothly.
Then, after a beat, he added, "Don't get your hopes up, kitten. I'm not interested in girls like you"
Ariana gaped at him. "Excuse you? Girls like me? And do you think I have any interest in a womaniser"
Ivan smirked at the road, looking devastatingly smug.
"You looked like a stray cat begging outside the Lamborghini."
Ariana gasped, pretending to be offended but secretly, she found herself smiling.
God, this boy was infuriating.
But somehow... weirdly entertaining, too.
_______
As they pulled into the university grounds, Ariana leaned back, letting out a soft whistle under her breath.
This place was massive.
Elegant buildings stood tall against the blue sky, modern glass structures mixed with classic brick designs, manicured lawns, and stylish students bustling everywhere. It looked more like a movie set than an actual university.
Ivan pulled the car smoothly into a reserved parking spot, the engine purring into silence.
Before Ariana could even gather herself, she noticed it, a cluster of girls gathering nearby. They were giggling, whispering behind their hands, their eyes practically glued to Ivan's car. A few even had their phones out, subtly taking pictures.
Ariana's gaze shifted to Ivan, who casually removed his seatbelt like he didn't even notice them. He didn't even spare them a look.
A small, amused smile tugged at her lips. Okay, maybe he was a cold playboy...but at least he had standards. He wasn't the type to be interested just because a girl fluttered her lashes at him.
He glanced sideways at her just the tiniest flicker of amusement in his eyes, then pushed the door open and stepped out, his long legs unfolding elegantly. He adjusted his jacket, ran a hand through his dark hair, and walked like he owned the damn place.
Ariana's fingers twitched.
No way. He was really going to ignore all this fanfare? And worse... ignore her?
Oh, no, no, no.
She climbed out of the car after him, flipping her brunette silky hair over her shoulder in one perfect swoop, flashing a bright smile toward the crowd. She felt their stares shift to her, envious.
Good.
She was used to this. Back in school, she had unintentionally caused breakups, jealousy wars and silent treatment.
Impulsively, because boldness ran through her veins, she took a few quick steps and caught up to Ivan.
Before he could react, Ariana boldly slipped her hand lightly through the crook of his arm, tilting her head and giving him her most dazzling smile.
"Leaving without me, handsome?" she said sweetly, just loud enough for the nearby girls to hear.
For the first time since they'd met, Ivan actually stopped mid-step and turned his head toward her.
For a moment, he just looked at her, his blue eyes scanning her mischievous expression, the way her soft hair cascaded down her shoulders, her fingers resting lightly on his arm.
Then, to Ariana's surprise...He smirked. A slow, lazy, devastatingly handsome smirk.
"If you're going to cling to me like that, if you want any attention from me" he murmured, his voice low and velvet smooth, "you'll have to keep up."
Ariana's heart skipped a beat.
What the hell.
She blinked up at him, her confidence wavering for just a second enough for him to notice, for his smirk to deepen like he was silently teasing her.
He let her hand linger for a breath longer before gently, almost lazily, sliding it off his arm and into her own hand, like he was handing her back her own boldness.
Ariana quickly masked her moment of fluster with a light laugh, tossing her hair again as she fell into step beside him.
She caught the shocked looks of the other girls and smiled sweetly at them, her mission very much accomplished.
Meanwhile, Ivan walked beside her, cool and unbothered but inwardly?
He was slightly amused, deeply amused. But she looked like someone he had seen before, but where? He couldn't remember.