"Five years earlier_ before everything broke".
A soft breeze swept through the seminar entrance, brushing her hair like a gentle hand, she looked almost like Rapunzel. The strands danced in the soft air, catching the light, shimmering just slightly as if they had a life of their own. She didn't notice the admiring glances, her focus drifted toward the empty stage ahead, her mind lost somewhere between calm and chaos.
"Excuse me," a young lady murmured, struggling her way into the seminar hall.
"Oh, an empty seat!" she exclaimed happily, hoping no one would claim it. Many students had already left their chairs to greet one another or gossip in small circles, some taking selfies, but she remained still, watching the scene unfold in front of her. It's just a seminar, she told herself. Few more events before graduation. Yet beneath that composed surface, her pulse carried the nervous rhythm of anticipation.
Her bag sat carelessly on the edge of her chair, a silent sentinel of her belongings.
Then...thud.
"Oh my!" The bag slipped to the floor, jolting her out of her reverie. She bent quickly to pick it up, and when she raised her head, her eyes met a pair of piercing ones.
He was looking straight at her. Not casually, not distractedly, but as if she were the only thing in the room worth noticing. His posture was effortless, his clothes rich and sharp, each detail screaming wealth, confidence, and a strange dominance she hadn't expected to encounter.
He is rich, huh, she thought, a flash of irritation crossing her mind.
Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag. Okay, he's going to get a mouthful, she decided, letting a flare of indignation rise.
"It's just a bag. No need to get all jumpy about it, Rapunzle" he said casually_too casually.
Her breath hitched.
Rapunzel? Had he been watching her long enough to give her a nickname?
"Excuse me?" She snapped.
"Don't tell me that you are angry because of that bag, Miss Long hair" he teased.
That did it.
"Hey!" she yelled, furious. "You touched my property, made it fall on the ground, and now you are calling me names?"
Heads turned. People murmured, curious. Fire blazed across her face. This was something new for him; did he like it?
He smirked slightly, clearly entertained. "You're feisty for someone I just met".
"And you are annoying for someone who thinks he is important" she shot back.
He took a slow step toward her, the smirk returning. "Annoying? That's a new one. Usually, people thank me for even noticing them."
She folded her arms, chin tilted. "Then maybe you should stop surrounding yourself with people who mistake arrogance for charm."
"Ouch," he said, hand on his chest in mock pain. "That's harsh, Miss Long Hair."
"Stop calling me that," she hissed.
"What then?" He tilted his head, feigning thought. "Rapunzel suits you better. You've got that same ' ' i'm above everyone' look."
Her jaw tightened. "And you've got the same look as every spoiled rich brat, who's never been told 'no.' in his life"
That one landed. The smirk slipped from his face. His eyes, once teasing, hardened, dark, unreadable. He stepped closer, his own expression darkening, lips parted in that way that suggested he wasn't used to being challenged.
"Who do you think you are?" he asked, his voice low, tinged with authority, stepping toward her. She paused, counting her steps internally. He won't intimidate me, she told herself, regaining her confidence.
"You, too...who do you think you are?" she shot back, pointing directly at him.
Fire met fire.
Energy crackling in the charged silence between them.
For a moment, he was speechless, taken aback by her audacity. Doesn't she know who I am? he thought, wondering if anyone had ever dared defy him so brazenly. After all, he was the one funding this seminar, yet here she was, fearless and defiant.
"Are you crazy?" he finally asked, eyes cold and unreadable.
Diane's chest heaved, adrenaline surging. She opened her mouth to reply, but before she could, a hand gently pushed him back. Rick, clad in black from head to toe stepped, in maintaining the fragile line between conflict and chaos.
The young man's eyes, hot yet cold, flicked toward Diane, lingering in a way that made her pulse quicken. Rick guided him back, whispering something in his ear that Diane couldn't catch. He paused, eyes still fixed on her, before finally retreating, leaving her standing in defensive triumph, heart pounding, the crowd's murmur slowly receding.
***
Later, Diane sat with her practical form, surveying the new Skypower products. They were instructed to pair with other candidates for the hands-on tasks. Her mind, however, drifted over the written words. Wow! Free test trials, huh, she thought, a small smile curling at the corner of her lips.
Diane had always been well-to-do, attending elite tech companies as an adviser, or, as they called it, a "product developer". She guided companies on how their innovations might resonate in the market, providing insight on prototypes and unfinished inventions. Some even offered her contracts or scholarships. Yet she still lingered in school, balancing life between ambition and opportunity, her phone brimming with reminders of past offers.
Her focus was abruptly broken by a voice to her left.
"Hey," it said, close, almost too close.
The person had taken the seat next to her, on her left. Diane's head snapped toward him, heart skipping as her gaze met the glowing dark eyes flecked with gold. His posture was unnervingly confident, his skin smooth and fair, and she shivered despite herself.
It's that rude rascal, she thought, anger flickering in her chest. His face was now only inches from hers, commanding attention.
"What's your name?" he asked, fearlessly, as though he owned the right to ask.
"Huh?" she muttered, still caught off guard.
"And your number?"
"What?" Her annoyance flared. Who just approached someone like that, demanding their number with such confidence?
He smiled faintly, a playful curve that made her frown. Is he mocking me? Or just enjoys testing people?
"Number, please," he persisted, stretching out his phone toward her. She glanced at him, noticing how close he was, and felt herself blush despite herself.
"Um… I don't know you, so I… I can't give you my number," she stammered, voice steady but cheeks warm.
"Okay… then what's your name?" He leaned even closer, her heart skipping a beat, but she refused to let any unauthorized feelings creep in.
"I still can't give you my name," she replied, locking her eyes on his.
He studied her, the pure brown of her eyes, the depth of her dark hair, her quiet strength wrapped in beauty. He grunted in what seemed both admiration and disappointment. He leaned back slightly, grunting in mock disappointment.
"She's not my type," he murmured to himself, trying to mask the flicker of interest he felt.
"What a waste of time," he said, standing up, Rick following closely behind.
"Waste of time? Me waste of time?" she called after him, anger curling around her words, but he vanished into the crowd, leaving only a faint trace of cologne and arrogance.
"What is she, some kind of enigma?" he muttered, biting his nails.
"Bro, chill. If she doesn't succumb, let it be. Don't let it get to you," Rick advised.
"Rick, you're making me feel better," he said sarcastically. "I mean… life goes on." Rick advised.
"Hey, hey, hey," he tapped Rick on the shoulder, smirking. "Watch this".
"Don't" Rick called after him.
Too late.
He strode toward a girl sitting near ' the enigma' Diane waved him away with her eyelashes, signaling disinterest.
"Hey," he said. "Hey," the lady replied, moving closer to him, approving his flirtation. He wrapped his arm around her back. She leaned into it, enjoying the attention.
Of course she would. Everyone's drawn to him, Diane thought silently, watching with a mixture of fascination and annoyance. Girls whispered, giggling as he passed: He's so handsome... like he was sculpted. Some threw sly glances; others dared to meet his eyes.
He leaned close to whisper something in her ear.
Diane's gaze flicked to the two people in front of her, whether intentionally or not.
He had already gotten what he wanted, a glimpse of her reaction, and he went back to his seat. As he passed, Diane muttered under her breath, angry, clicking her tongue.
"Did she notice?" he asked, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Briefly," Rick said, voice low.
"What do mean by briefly?" His smirk disappeared, replaced with a flash of confusion.
Rick explained, "Her eyes landed on you when she tried to avoid looking at you. I'm certain that was the only time," a teasing smile creeping onto his face.
"Oh, where's my slip?" Diane searched her bag, her only proof of participation in the seminar. And there he was again, Rick trailing behind.
"What are you doing here again? What's your deal?" she asked, cold anger blazing in her eyes.
"Let's do this again, okay?" he said, calm, unshaken. Is he already into me? she wondered.
"You… you're unbelievable." She glared, then glanced at Rick. "Is he your bodyguard?"
"Do you want me to tell him to leave?" He teased Rick with that statement.
"Bro!" Rick exclaimed, surprised, as the friend did nothing but let her mock him.
She nodded in triumph.
"Dude…" He glanced at Rick, silently commanding compliance. Rick stood and left. Turning back, Diane met his gaze. "Now we are alone," he said. Her heart skipped. Strange, given the room was full of people. He's definitely a player, she thought. But he looks like royalty… should have a fiancée.
She composed herself. Instead of lashing out, she warned him, "You see, if your girlfriend finds out what you're doing, she'd kill you."
"I don't have a girlfriend," he said, posture unshaken.
Then what's my business with that? She asked herself.
"I have many girlfriends," he added, calm, as if it were a point of pride
"Huh?" She widened her eyes in disbelief. Players usually promise dreams that are nightmares.
What does he mean by 'many'? Her expression intrigued him. He studied her reaction closely, a small, approving smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"I am Llewellyn… Llewellyn Blackwood," he said. "Come spend time with me—name your price."
Diane blinked, momentarily speechless. Her mind raced: He's arrogant, dangerous… and strangely magnetic. Why am I even thinking about him?
Diane's heart thudded in her chest. His words, so audacious, so fearless, left her trembling with equal parts irritation, curiosity, and a strange, unbidden admiration.
She lifted her gaze, locking eyes with him; fire and ice meeting in an instant, a battle of wills that promised this was only the beginning.