Adrian Cole was the kind of man who made heads turn wherever he went.
It wasn't just his looks, though the tall frame with unruly dark hair and sharp jawline could have been carved from marble.
He carried himself with an effortless confidence, a quiet arrogance that drew people like moths to a flame.
And he was mine. At least, that's what everyone on campus believed.
It started with small whispers in the cafeteria, lingering glances in lecture halls. But soon, it was impossible to ignore.
When Adrian's hand slipped into mine in the middle of a crowded hallway, it was as though the world collectively gasped. I felt it though.
When he kissed me outside the library, pressed against the brick wall with no care for who saw, the silence that followed was almost louder than the kiss itself.
I should have felt embarrassed. Instead, I felt powerful in love.
Every girl's eyes followed me as though I'd won some invisible crown.
I was the one Adrian chose, and that made me untouchable and more beautiful.
For a while, I let myself believe the illusion, that this love wasn't just real, but perfect.
My God! Elena, Maya groaned one afternoon as we walked across campus, her voice dripping with playful exasperation.
Do you realize you've become a walking romance novel?
You and Adrian are like the cover photo of every love story ever written.
I laughed, brushing off the comment. Though her words filled me with a secret pride.
"Don't be dramatic."
Did you just say dramatic darling?
She grabbed my arm, forcing me to face her.
I'm not playing. You two are literally everywhere.
Do you even know how many girls in class were talking about you yesterday?
"You're officially every girl's dream."
I smiled and looked at her. She sounded serious.
Her smile was wide, and her eyes didn't match. They lingered on me too long, too sharp, like she was memorizing the way I looked at him.
So I tried to ignore and wave it off. Elena knows how to catch a glimpse. She's like a genius on that aspect.
That evening, Adrian took me to dinner at a small Italian restaurant just off campus.
The kind of place lit by candles and humming with soft music. He really must have read my choices in mind.
His hand never left mine, his thumb tracing lazy circles on my skin.
I've been willing to tell you, he said. His voice smooth as the red wine in his glass.
I don't care what people say. About us. About me. None of it matters.
"What matters, is my love for you".
I tilted my head.
Who's saying anything?
He smirked. Come on baby you think I don't notice… the stares, whispers. Everyone's watching, My Na Na.
"Everyone wants what we have."
I thought about it immediately, I like the sound how he calls me sweet.
There was a flicker in his eyes as he leaned closer, his lips brushing mine with deliberate slowness as he speaks.
But they can't have it. They can't have you. Only me can. And I'll keep to that promise.
The kiss that followed was deep, lingering, the kind of kiss meant to brand me his.
Heat pooled in my stomach, my fingers curling around his shirt as if I could anchor myself in him.
His mouth tasted sweeter this time, softened by wine, but still the bitterness clung faintly at the edges, reminding me that passion never came without shadows.
After dinner, he drove me back to campus.
As we walked across the courtyard, Adrian's arm draped around me, laughter echoed around us.
A group of girls from my mastery class whispered behind their hands, eyes wide with a mixture of envy and disbelief.
One of them muttered just loud enough for me to hear: "She's so lucky."
The word should have made me smile, but instead it sat heavy in my chest.
Was it luck?
Or was it a gamble I didn't know I was losing?
So I ignored and continue walking with him.
Adrian pulled me closer, his lips brushing my temple.
"Ignore them." He keeps saying.
I wasn't. I just feel like not me.
Yes, you were, he said firmly, his voice low.
But listen to me, Elena. I don't care about them. All I care about is you.
And when he kissed me then, fierce and urgent in front of everyone, I believed him at least, I wanted to.
Later that night, Maya called. Her voice was too sweet, too eager.
You two looked ridiculous today, she teased. Half the campus was staring.
Ridiculous!! I laughed.
Come on darling, seriously! I think you were looking for the word "perfect"
Both. She said laughing. Then there was a pause, her voice softened.
You know I'm happy for you, right?
I know you better be happy. Elena replied immediately with laughter.
Good. That's my girl. Now you're unstoppable.
You deserve someone who kisses you like that and appreciate your values.
Something in the way she said it made me pause. The silence on the line stretched too long.
Maya!! I called out.
She cleared her throat quickly. Sorry, got distracted. Anyway I'll see you tomorrow.
The call ended, but her words stayed with me.
"Someone who kisses you like that"
Why did it feel like she was speaking from experience?
That night, lying in bed, I touched my lips, still tingling from Adrian's kisses. They were everything I'd ever dreamed of, sweet, passionate, all-consuming.
And yet, no matter how hard I tried to push it away, that faint bitterness lingered in my memory.
"Every girl's dream".
That's what they called me.
But dreams, I was starting to realize, often come with shadows.
Adrian's hand lingered on my cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear I hadn't realized had fallen.
You believe me, don't you? he asked, his voice low, almost pleading.
I wanted to say yes but before the words could leave my lips, I spotted her.
Maya.
Standing across the street, watching us with an expression I couldn't read.
And then, just as quickly, she turned and disappeared into the night.