Chapter 1: A Day in college

Maya’s POV

The alley was dark, and the air was cold as I pulled my coat tighter around me. My heartbeat raced, my lips trembled, but my feet kept moving, leading me toward the shadowy figure ahead. A part of me whispered that he was the one, the man I had been searching for my entire life.

Suddenly, a strong scent filled my nostrils, accompanied by the sound of boots behind me. My breath hitched as I spun around. A tall, ominous man stood there, his face hidden behind a black mask and a hoodie pulled low over his head.

I glanced over my shoulder. The shadow I had been following had stopped, giving me a chance to catch up. Yet the masked man’s scent lingered, pulling me toward him with an irresistible force.

“Stop,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the sudden gust of wind.

The man reached for the edge of his mask as if to reveal his face. Then I felt it, a tap on my shoulder, followed by a faint, distorted voice calling my name.

“Wake up, Maya!”

White light blurred my vision as I opened my eyes to find a figure leaning over me.

“You’re running late for your lectures, Maya. Get up!” my mom snapped, shaking me awake.

Reality hit me hard as I swayed my head around. My heart still pounded in my chest.

“You’ve got a lecture at 10 AM. Look at the time!” she said, pointing at the wall clock. “It’s five minutes past nine, and you know the transit takes 15 to 20 minutes to reach campus,” she grumbled, pulling clothes from my closet. “Go shower now and come downstairs for breakfast.”

“Mom!” I groaned, slamming my fists on the bed. “I told you I didn’t want to go to college. I asked you to withdraw my application. You just ruined my sleep and my chance to see the face of the jerk who keeps haunting my dreams. I was so close!”

“Enough, Maya!” she snapped, turning to face me. “I’ve had it with your nonsense. Get into that bathroom, freshen up, and get ready. You have ten minutes.” She slammed the door behind her.

I grumbled under my breath as I dragged myself out of bed.

***

My shoulders slumped as I stared at the campus building. Frustration and anger bubbled inside me. I had been so close, and now I was stuck here. For what? To study? What was studying compared to my investigation?

“I hate this, Mom!” I muttered, clenching my fists as I stomped toward my department.

Distracted, I collided with someone and fell flat on my back, my books scattering to the ground.

“I’m so sorry, miss. Are you okay?” a deep, captivating voice asked.

I looked up to see a man offering me his hand. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, I was lost in his forest-green gaze.

“Your hand, miss?” he said, snapping me out of my daze.

I batted his hand away and scrambled to my feet. “Watch where you’re going. Or get glasses if you need them,” I snapped, my irritation flaring.

He tilted his head slightly, making my heart skip a beat. “You bumped into me, remember?” he said, his tone sharp. “Watch your steps, or maybe get glasses yourself.”

Before I could retort, he turned and walked away.

I clenched my fists, grinding my teeth. If looks could kill, he would be six feet under.

Then he pulled on his hoodie, and my breath caught. My mind reeled as I stumbled back. The figure from my dream, the scent that had pulled me toward him, it was him.

“Him... That’s him,” I whispered as he disappeared into the foggy distance.

My phone buzzed, my mom’s name flashing on the screen. “Ugh!” I groaned, spinning on my heels and marching to class.

How would I find him again?

Did he study here?

Was he a professor?

Questions flooded my mind as I stared out the classroom window, the lecturer’s voice fading into the background.

As soon as the lecture ended, I was the first to leave, my eyes scanning the campus for him.

“Look who we have here,” a malicious voice sneered behind me.

I knew that voice, and my blood boiled.

“Never thought you’d make it to college,” she continued. “Surprising to see you here.”

Tiffany stood in front of me, flanked by her two red-haired minions. She popped her bubble gum obnoxiously close to my face.

“Enemies should always be surprised, shouldn’t they?” I retorted, glaring at her.

“Oh, you’re right,” she said, a cruel smile spreading across her face. “And you just reminded me, we have unfinished business. Girls, grab her.”

Her minions seized my arms, dragging me toward a secluded corner despite my struggles.

“Let me go, Tiffany!” I yelled, jerking my head in protest.

“Pin her to the wall,” Tiffany ordered.

Her minions shoved me against the wall as Tiffany pulled a pair of scissors from her bag.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I demanded, my chest heaving, eyes wide with shock.

“Just a little trim,” she said, bringing the scissors dangerously close to my hair.

“Don’t you dare! Let me go!” I cried, struggling against their grip.

But then something changed. Tiffany’s hands trembled, and the scissors fell to the ground. Her expression shifted to one of terror as she swayed slightly.

“Hide, girls. Hide now,” she ordered, her voice shaking.

Her minions fled, leaving me slumped against the wall, unsure of what was happening.

Tiffany dropped to the floor, clutching the ends of her hair, and cutting them. “Stop it, please,” she begged, her voice breaking. “Don’t do this, my hair!”

Her fake panic left me bewildered.

“Tiffster?” someone called, rushing toward us.

My heart caught in my throat as Tiffany threw the scissors toward me.