First Confrontation

Elies took a deep breath, trying to steel herself as she approached the cafeteria. The entire morning had been a whirlwind of whispers and stares, all centered around her supposed “relationship” with Damien Blackwood. She’d had enough of it—of him. She was going to put an end to his little game, once and for all.

As soon as she stepped inside the bustling cafeteria, her gaze landed on Damien. He was sitting with his usual crowd, laughing at something his friend said, looking entirely too pleased with himself. The way he leaned back, so at ease and in control, only fueled her anger.

Ignoring the growing stares from students around her, she made her way over to his table, her footsteps purposeful and unyielding. The cafeteria gradually quieted, everyone watching the scene unfold.

“Damien!” Elies called out, her voice louder than she intended. She noticed several heads turn, eyes widening in interest. She didn’t care. She was done letting him control the narrative.

Damien looked up, his eyes lighting up with a mischievous glint as he saw her standing there. A slow, amused smile crept onto his face. “Well, well,” he drawled, sitting up straighter. “If it isn’t my lovely girlfriend, coming to join me for lunch.”

“I am not your girlfriend!” she shot back, her cheeks flushing. “And you know it.”

“Oh, really?” He leaned forward, his elbows on the table, watching her with that same infuriatingly smug look. “Then what are you doing here, causing a scene in front of everyone? Seems a little... possessive, don’t you think?”

Elies felt a surge of frustration. He was twisting her words, making it sound like she was the one who was acting out of line. “I’m here to set the record straight,” she replied, crossing her arms. “I want everyone to know that whatever you’ve been saying about me isn’t true.”

Damien chuckled, glancing around the cafeteria, where curious onlookers were whispering to each other. “Seems like you’re just making things more interesting, Elies,” he said, that wicked gleam never leaving his eyes. “You’re giving them exactly what they want.”

She clenched her jaw, barely containing her irritation. “You think this is all a joke, don’t you?”

He shrugged, unbothered. “A little drama never hurt anyone. And besides, you have to admit, we make quite the pair. Look at them,” he gestured to the crowd. “They can’t get enough of us.”

Elies glanced around, seeing the captivated expressions of her classmates. It only made her more determined to put an end to his little game. “This isn’t about them. This is about you spreading lies and dragging me into it.”

Damien tilted his head, giving her a long, appraising look. “Lies? I don’t remember lying about anything. All I did was tell people what they wanted to hear. You, on the other hand, are the one making it dramatic.”

“You’re impossible,” she muttered, exasperated. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

He smirked, his gaze never leaving hers. “Because, Elies, you’re the only one around here who makes things fun. Admit it—your life’s a little more exciting with me in it.”

Her face grew hot, a mix of anger and embarrassment swirling within her. “Exciting? You’re making my life miserable!”

“Oh, come on,” he said, clearly amused by her outburst. “You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t at least a little intrigued by all of this.”

“I am not intrigued,” she snapped, though she knew her face was betraying her. The way he looked at her, like he could see right through her defenses, only made it harder to deny.

“Are you sure about that?” he asked, a playful glint in his eyes. “Because if you really weren’t interested, you wouldn’t be standing here, putting on a show for everyone.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but the words caught in her throat. Was he right? Had she really let herself get sucked into his game?

Damien’s smirk grew, as if he could sense her hesitation. “Face it, Elies. You can say whatever you want, but you’re as involved in this as I am. And if you really didn’t care, you’d just walk away.”

Elies clenched her fists, frustrated at how effortlessly he turned everything around. “You’re unbelievable.”

“And you’re adorable when you’re mad,” he replied, leaning back in his chair, clearly enjoying every moment of her frustration.

She let out a huff, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment and anger. “This isn’t over, Damien.”

“Oh, I didn’t think it was,” he said smoothly, his eyes never leaving hers. “In fact, I think it’s just getting started.”