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Chapter 17 : Deceptions
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 18 : Drink for One
*Lily*Too unsettled to remain in my bed, I tossed the covers aside and headed to my wardrobe to get changed. I couldn't stay cooped up in this suddenly too small of a room–not with the walls echoing my frantic thoughts, closing in on me as if they wanted to suffocate me. I needed air, some space to think—so I slipped on a pair of sandals and a loose dress, and made my way to a nearby coffee shop for a late breakfast.As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by a cheerful barista–a young woman with an easy smile that I envied at the moment. She nodded as I ordered a black coffee and a sandwich, her fingers dancing over the register.Securing a corner table by the window, I sipped the bitter coffee—its warmth sliding down my throat and my stomach, providing me with temporary comfort.My thoughts swirled as I grappled with the idea of confronting Adrian. Every logical sinew in me screamed that I should question him, especially since he had been so adamant about me digging into
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 19 : My Idea of Fun
*Lily*The cool night air did little to sober the heady buzz coursing through my veins as Adrian guided me towards his car—a sleek, predatory thing that seemed to crouch in the parking lot, waiting."Of course you'd have such a car," I mumbled, my words slurring just a touch as I traced the smooth line of the black hood with an unsteady finger. Adrian’s chuckle rumbled through the air as he opened the passenger door for me, his hand on the small of my back steady and warm."Watch your head," he cautioned, though it was unnecessary; my movements were surprisingly calculated for someone whose head was spinning. Adrian circled the vehicle and settled into the driver's seat, the door closing with a satisfying thud. He turned the key, and the engine purred to life. I was acutely aware of him—his every movement, every breath. After the dream I had with him this morning, being confined in the intimate space of his car felt like I was doing something really dangerous."So, what's the
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 20 : Blurred Lines
*Lily*"Wait, Lily," Adrian murmured against my lips, pulling back ever so slightly, his breath still mingling with mine. "This isn't right—not here."Puzzlement knitted my brows together, even as my chest heaved with shallow breaths. His fingers lingered on my waist, a silent plea for understanding. "We should go somewhere more...appropriate," he added, eyes dark with desire but underscored by a surprising gentleness. "I don't want to do anything with you inside a car."I pondered his words and slowly nodded, his chivalry catching me off guard for a moment. I slid off his lap with a sense of loss, the chill of the leather seat beneath me stark against the heat of my body. "Okay," I whispered, grabbing my shirt and pulling it over my head, unsure if my voice trembled from the cold or from the sudden shift in tempo.Adrian looked to be struggling with his instincts the same way I was, and that was enough to make me more relaxed, even though my body was aching with need for more of
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 21 : Next Morning
*Lily*My limbs felt heavy with an unfamiliar soreness when I woke up that morning. I reluctantly opened my eyes to find Adrian lying peacefully beside me, his chest rising and falling slowly.I was instantly burdened with regret. The sheets whispered against my skin as I shifted, the soft morning light casting a halo around his disheveled dark hair, those strands that always seemed to rebel against any attempt at order. I couldn't help but scold myself inwardly, chastising my lack of judgment for succumbing to a one-night stand. And not with just anyone, but with Adrian Sterling. But even as I berated myself, my gaze lingered over his features softened by sleep—so different from the sharp, calculated expressions he wore in the daylight. His beautiful blue eyes were hidden beneath closed lids, granting him an innocence that the waking world would never afford him. And despite the turmoil in my heart, I couldn't deny that he looked even more handsome now, stripped of his usual v
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 22 : Change in Dynamics
*Lily*Despite my best efforts to suppress my anxiety the next morning, it clung to me like a second skin as I stepped into the Bioethics and Medical Law Classroom. I had slept poorly, finally coming to a decision on what to do regarding Adrian. But that decision left my body exhausted and my mind grappling to focus on anything other than my feelings for him. Not to mention my bad mood that seemed to be worsening with each step I took.Yes, I came to terms with my heart. I was tired of pretending I didn't feel anything other than irritation and attraction for Adrian. After the time we spent together, I couldn’t deny there was something I felt for him, but I wouldn’t address that anymore. I could not feed that feeling anymore.Adrian was out of my reach. I shouldn’t expect anything more. There shouldn’t even have been a first time in the first place. Besides being afraid of being involved with someone from the Silver Wing, there was also the fact that Adrian had a bad boy reputa
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 23 : Uncharted Territory
*Adrian*"Hey, man, I'm gonna head out for a snack. You good here?" Kit's voice jolted me back to the present."Sure, take your time," I replied, barely glancing up from the monitor.The door clicked shut behind him, leaving me enveloped in a comfortable silence that settled over the editing room like a familiar blanket. My fingers danced across the keyboard, finalizing the edits on old projects that had been clamoring for completion since the end of the last semester.As the cursor blinked on the screen, awaiting further instruction, my mind began to drift – not to the looming deadline of the National Film Festival Submission but to Lily Everhart. Images of our sex night on Saturday seared through my thoughts, unwanted and unwelcome. The feel of her skin beneath my hands was a tactile sensation that refused to fade, igniting a trail of fire along my nerves. Her breathy moans rang in my ears like an intoxicating melody, and the taste of her still lingered on my tongue.It was an
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 24 : Temptation
*Lily*I scribbled notes mechanically, my handwriting a testament to inner disarray, as I tried to keep focus on class. The way Adrian's eyes had held mine with a trace of disappointment yesterday when I insisted we pretend our night together didn't exist still haunted me.Who was I kidding? I asked him to pretend it never happened when I couldn't stop thinking about it myself. What a hypocrite. Class after class unfolded in a similar fashion; I grappled with debates and analyses, all the while fighting the image of Adrian that seemed superimposed on every page of my textbooks. It was maddening.I should have been relieved at the day's end, yet unease clung to me like a second skin. I didn't revel in how I had handled things with Adrian, yet it was necessary. Wasn't it?I couldn't get distracted. I needed to focus on my grades, my classes, and fooling around with Adrian was not a good idea. Not to mention I had to keep reminding myself that Adrian belonged to the Silver W
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 25 : Backing Down
*Lily*I lingered for a moment longer in the deposit room's semi-darkness, my breath still catching in uneven hitches. The air was thick as I gathered myself—my clothes now righted, but my composure frayed. I felt an odd blend of satisfaction and shame churning within me as I walked out of the room.There weren't any students walking through the hallways, so the coast seemed to be clear. I was grateful because I had no idea how I looked. Judging by the way my legs were still weak beneath me and my cheeks burning with heat, I could guess it would at least catch the attention of some passersby.The walk back to my dorm was a blur. My mind was a battleground where insistent desire clashed with the remnants of rational thought. The diary Jenna had given me now seemed useless and uninteresting. I wasn't in the mood to dig into the story of the Order anymore–not at that moment, not when my body was still feeling Adrian's touch, my senses a complete mess.Once inside my room, I collapse
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Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 56 : Glimpse of Future
*Lily*Two months had flown by since the exposé went viral and Elysium turned into a scenario of apocalyptic chaos. Each day that passed ever since pulled Adrian and me even closer together.So much changed ever since that it was hard to keep track of everything. The more important thing was that the Order of Elysium was now part of a dark past, no longer active thanks to Adrian, Chris, Jenna, and everyone else who accepted to risk their lives to end that madness.I was so proud of everyone that it was hard to put into other without shedding a tear.I felt proud of myself too, although I hadn't done the dirty work of gathering evidence and exposing anyone. But knowing I had encouraged Adrian to start this, somehow was enough for me.Lots of students were expelled and many people--parents, professors, members of the board, staff--were arrested for several crimes such as corruption, defamation, harassment, forgery, to name a few.Adrian didn't win the Festival with the exposé, bu
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 55 : Safest Place
*Lily*As soon as the bedroom door closed behind us, Adrian's arms wrapped tightly around me, instantly melting away any remaining tears and igniting a wave of longing within me. His kiss was fervent while his hands roamed with purposeful intent, cupping my ass and solidifying his hold on me. He moved with a blind confidence toward the bed, each step he took resonating with an unspoken urgency.My arms were tightly entwined around his strong, broad neck as I leaned into him for support. His muscles flexed and rippled beneath my touch, providing a solid foundation for me to lean on.With a fluid motion, Adrian tossed me onto my back on his bed, and I bounced slightly upon the mattress. My eyes drank in the sight of him as he hovered above me, his presence commanding every ounce of my attention. He pressed his face against my neck, his warm lips tracing a scorching path along my throat, igniting fire with every touch and nibble of flesh. I squirmed beneath him in an instinctive
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 54 : My Best Work
*Lily*As we settled into his car, the seatbelt clicking into place, anxiety crept up on me. Normally, I would have been exhilarated by the rush toward the unknown, but today, apprehension constricted around my heart like ivy.With the impact of the news, I had forgotten to let Rachel know I was going back to the city to try and find Adrian. Retrieving my phone from the depths of my bag, my thumb hovered over the screen before pressing call. "Hey, girl," she answered after a few rings. It didn't escape me the way her voice was strained and cautious."I'm going to the city to find Adrian," I told her. "Please let me know if you see him," I pleaded into the phone, my voice a thread fraying at the edges.Rachel's voice crackled through the speaker, her tone a mix of reassurance and surprise. "Yeah, I got you, girl. I haven't seen his face around campus today, but... Oh, wait—" A pause snagged the conversation, and I tensed."What? What happened?" The question shot out of me, shar
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 53 : Detonating the Bomb
*Adrian*The semester's end was so near, I could almost hear the collective sigh of relief from the entire campus. But for me, it was a race against time, the final stretch in a marathon that had tested every fiber of my being. As I sat at my desk, fingers poised over the keyboard, I was reminded of how everything had changed since that fateful day when Rachel, bless her, had been the bridge between Lily and me.And through that storm, finding Lily again had felt like grasping a lifeline in turbulent seas. She'd been wary, understandably, but as the days warmed into something resembling trust, I promised her that I would not let her down. Not again.After guaranteeing Lily wouldn't run away from me again, I felt more encouraged than ever to put my plan into action.Perched within the confines of my apartment, away from the incessant chaos of campus, I clicked the button with a finality that seemed to echo in the suddenly quiet room. The screen flickered as the documentary began t
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 52 : Unexpected Encounter
*Lily*When Rachel left on Sunday morning to return to the city, I felt a sense of loss as she walked away. And there I was again, in the kitchen of the coffee shop, back to my routine, scrubbing away at the espresso machine, lost in a rhythm that didn't require thought. My movements were mechanical; wipe here, rinse there, all while my heart wrestled with a puzzle that refused to be solved.The distance between Adrian and me was more than just miles—it was this gaping rift filled with uncertainty. Could we go back to what we were once? Would he be mad at me for ghosting him for so long?The whirring grinder and the hiss of steam from the milk frother became the soundtrack to my internal debate. Long distance wasn't something I believed in, or so I'd convinced myself. Yet, as I stood there, the possibility of not fighting for what Adrian and I once had was even more unbearable.The day faded, and with it, the bustle of customers slowed to a trickle before the doors closed behind
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 51 : Friendly Visit
*Lily*When the final chime of my shift sang out, I untied my apron with a sense of finality, the fabric heavy with the scent of roasted beans and sweet syrups. As I stepped into the brisk evening air, a shiver chased up my spine from the chill and I wrapped my coat tighter around me to prevent the wind from cutting through.Before I turned the corner, I felt the familiar buzz of my phone in the pocket of my jacket. Rachel's name flashed across the screen, piercing the veil of avoidance I'd carefully crafted around myself. Perhaps I was finally starting to let the grief for losing my dreams behind me, or maybe I just really missed her, but I swiped the answer icon before doubt could reclaim me."Hello?""Li-Lily?" The voice on the other end trembled. "You answered," she breathed, relief coating her tone."Hi, Rachel..." My heart constricted, guilt taking hold of me as I heard how desolated she sounded. "I'm sorry. I just—""No, don't... I understand." Her words hitched, and I p
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 50 : Changing Plans
*Adrian*After hearing that Louise was behind Lily's expulsion, I felt a hatred take over me in a way that I could barely control, threatening to erupt in an uncontrolled deluge of fury whenever I thought of it. I envisioned myself storming towards her, demanding she revoke the injustice she committed. But every time my mind was consumed by that idea, I clenched my fists, swallowing the acidic bile rising in my throat until I could think clearly. I couldn't do anything hasty. This wasn't anything small, a mere girl confrontation within college life.If this was it, I'd have wasted no time to run after Louise and demand she did something, anything to fix what she had done. But I had no such luck.This felt like climbing a mountain with no summit in sight.Now, more than ever, I understood Lily's fears. How could someone live like that, constantly watching over their shoulders? She had been right to be afraid. I blamed myself for not seeing it sooner, not taking this more serious
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 49 : Home
*Lily*The world outside had continued its relentless spin, but within the walls of my father's house, time seemed to have slowed to a gentle crawl. Two weeks since the expulsion had reshaped my existence into something unrecognizable. I'd traded classrooms and libraries for the comforting monotony of domestic life, finding solace in the simple rhythm of household chores.I could tell my father wanted to say so much to me, but after I returned home carrying my luggage, my cheeks stained with tears, I knew he was trying to respect my space. He offered me words of comfort, of course, but I could see it in his eyes how upset he was for my situation.He didn't doubt me for a second; he knew I was innocent. In my opinion, he shared my frustration with the injustice I suffered, but we both understood that, as mere pawns in the chessboard of wealthy and influential people, we were powerless to fight the system.That's what probably bothered him the most.Whenever Dad wasn't working, my
Fragments of Elysium: Love on Campus Chapter 48 : Putting the Pieces Together
*Adrian*The world seemed dull and lifeless since I heard Lily had gotten expelled from Elysium. Chris had been the bearer of ill news, saying he heard someone saying they saw Lily walk into an Uber with her luggage. I didn't believe it at first, but when I tried to find her and couldn't, realization hit me like tons of bricks.I called and texted her countless times, but she never answered me, and that's when I knew things were indeed true. The realization settled like lead in my stomach; she was truly gone.Days had gone by ever since, and I couldn't come up with a plan. I didn't know what happened, other than that the Order was behind her expulsion. But that's all I had, and even though I had told Lily that I'd figure out a way to take them out of her tail, I hadn't had the time to think it through before they made their next move.When I realized, she was already out.The door to the editing room creaked open, pulling me away from my tumultuous thoughts. Chris’s voice cut th
