Jenny sat on her bed, the dim afternoon light casting soft patterns across the room. Her thoughts refused to settle. Last night replayed endlessly in her mind-the way Adrian had appeared out of nowhere, the strength in his arms, the sharpness in his voice, and yet the undeniable... heat.
She remembered the moment she had bumped into him, her balance failing. She had expected anger, maybe mockery-but instead, there had been that piercing look, the one that had made her pulse quicken and knees tremble all over again. His presence consumed her, and she hated herself for feeling so drawn to him.
Why does he have this effect on me? she wondered. His voice, cold and commanding, still echoed in her ears: "Never call me again."
Yet, beneath the words, she had felt something else, something unspoken-an intensity, a tension that made her stomach flutter in ways she hadn't anticipated. She could still feel the warmth of his body, the steady weight of him holding her upright, the way his hands had briefly pressed against her. Her lips tingled at the memory, her skin still sensitive, as if his touch lingered longer than it physically had.
She bit her lip, frustrated with herself. She had always admired him from afar, adored him secretly, but last night had changed something. The way he had stared at her-not just with disgust, but with a force that had made her feel exposed, seen, wanted in a way she hadn't dared to imagine. Her breath quickened as she recalled the almost electric contact of their bodies, the way her small, trembling hands had found purchase against his chest.
I shouldn't think like this... she scolded herself. Yet even as she tried, her mind betrayed her, painting vivid pictures of closeness, of heat, of longing. She longed for the brush of his lips, the feel of his hands, the raw magnetism that seemed to emanate from him, so impossible to resist.
Her phone buzzed, dragging her back to reality. It was Marie.
"Jenny! Spill! How did it go? Did Adrian-"
Jenny exhaled, a mixture of frustration and longing. "Marie... he saved me. But... he was so cold. So cruel. I don't understand him. I... I don't even know how to feel. Part of me wants to thank him again, but another part... wants more. I can't stop thinking about him."
Marie laughed, teasing. "Oh, come on. You know exactly what you want. Don't act like you don't."
Jenny's cheeks flushed. "I... maybe I do. But he hates me. He said it himself. And yet... I can't stop thinking about the way he held me, the way he looked at me... it felt like he wanted me, even if he won't admit it."
Marie's voice turned sly. "Well, guess what? My cousin Ben's wedding is coming up, and Adrian's going to be there. College friends and all that. Maybe... it's time you two stop dancing around each other and face this head-on."
Jenny's heart skipped, a mixture of dread and desire. "I... I don't know if I'm ready, Marie. But... maybe I should."
Her eyes drifted to the window, where the sunlight fell softly on her skin. She closed her eyes, imagining his face, his touch, his presence. A shiver ran down her spine, and for the first time in days, she realized the truth: she wanted him. All of him.
Even if he hated her.
Meanwhile, Adrian leaned against the balcony, the city lights below flickering like distant stars. Samuel appeared beside him, smirking, a glass of whiskey in hand.
"Just imagine, Adrian," Samuel said, voice smooth, almost teasing. "Jennifer Smith... she's perfect. Soft, innocent... and utterly devoted to you. You know what to do, don't you?"
Adrian's jaw tightened, his dark eyes narrowing. "What exactly are you suggesting?"
Samuel leaned closer, a glint of malice in his eyes. "You know. Get close to her. Make her fall for you. And then-when she's completely yours-leave her. Break her. Let her feel the same pain her father inflicted on your mom."
A cold shiver ran down Adrian's spine. "I don't..." His voice faltered, though the anger bubbling in his chest flared. "I've never used anyone like that. And I'm not about to start with her."
From the shadows, Ben stepped forward, his tone sharp and urgent. "Stop, Samuel. Adrian, you can't do this. Jenny's a good girl-honest, loving. She trusts you. She doesn't deserve to be a pawn in your revenge. She's Marie's friend, for God's sake. Don't stoop that low."
Samuel laughed, dark and bitter. "You're soft, Ben. That's exactly why I like him. But this isn't about kindness-it's about justice. Pain for pain."
Adrian's hands clenched into fists, the weight of Samuel's words pressing against him. He glanced down at the bustling city below, the thought of Jenny's soft eyes and trusting smile burning in his mind. "I don't know if I can do this," he admitted, voice low, dangerous. "I want revenge...but not like that. Not by hurting her. I can't use her."
Samuel's smirk faltered slightly, but his eyes hardened. "Think carefully, Adrian. Revenge waits for no one. And if you hesitate, you'll regret it."