Refusal and Taunting

*

Elies hurried down the hallway, her mind racing as she tried to figure out what on earth had just happened. How could Damien so casually declare her his girlfriend in front of everyone? The way he seemed to take control over the situation, without even a second thought, made her stomach churn with both frustration and a strange, unfamiliar excitement.

As she rounded the corner, she caught sight of Damien leaning casually against the wall, that smug grin plastered across his face. He was clearly waiting for her, like a hunter lying in wait for his prey. She took a deep breath, determined to confront him. This had to stop.

“Damien,” she started, her voice wavering slightly but still resolute. “We need to talk.”

He looked at her, feigning surprise. “Oh? Is my girlfriend already trying to break up with me? You know, we just started this relationship, Elies. Don’t tell me you’re bailing already.”

She clenched her fists, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest every time he called her his girlfriend. “I’m not your girlfriend, Damien. What you did today in the cafeteria was totally uncalled for. You had no right.”

Damien smirked, tilting his head as if genuinely amused by her outburst. “Oh, come on. I was just making things interesting. Besides, everyone’s been talking about you non-stop since then. You’re practically famous now.”

“That’s not the kind of attention I want!” she snapped back. “And you know it. Why are you doing this?”

He shrugged, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Because it’s fun. You’re so... unpredictable, Elies. One minute you’re all quiet and composed, and the next, you’re fuming mad. It’s entertaining.”

Elies’s cheeks burned. She hated how he always seemed to know just how to push her buttons. “Well, maybe you should find someone else to entertain yourself with,” she muttered, crossing her arms.

Damien chuckled, taking a step closer, closing the distance between them. “Oh, but why would I do that? Watching you squirm is way too enjoyable. Besides,” he added, lowering his voice just a little, “I like the challenge.”

She gulped, feeling trapped under his gaze. His words made her both furious and oddly self-conscious, like he was seeing right through her defenses. “This isn’t a game, Damien. I don’t want to be part of whatever... twisted game you’re playing.”

“Are you sure?” he asked, leaning in slightly. “Because if you didn’t want to play, you wouldn’t be here right now, trying to explain yourself. You’d be off somewhere, ignoring me.”

Elies opened her mouth to respond, but his words caught her off guard. Did he have a point? She didn’t want this—didn’t want his attention, didn’t want the stares and whispers that followed her now—but at the same time, there was a thrill in their interactions that she couldn’t deny.

“I’m here because I want you to stop,” she said, finally finding her voice. “I want you to leave me alone, Damien.”

“Oh, really?” His smirk deepened, his eyes glinting with challenge. “Then why are you blushing, Elies?”

“I’m not—!” She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. “I’m not blushing. I’m just... frustrated.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Frustrated, huh? I wonder what’s really going on in that head of yours. Maybe you like this a little more than you’re letting on.”

Elies felt a wave of heat rise to her cheeks, and she clenched her fists tighter. “You’re insufferable,” she spat, unable to hide her annoyance.

“And you’re adorable when you’re angry,” he shot back, unfazed by her anger. “Seriously, Elies, do you really think I’d stop just because you asked?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice firm. “Because it’s the right thing to do.”

Damien chuckled, shaking his head. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. I’m not exactly known for doing the ‘right thing.’ Besides, you’re too fun to mess with.”

She let out a huff, trying to gather her thoughts. “Fine, then. If you won’t stop, I’ll just ignore you. That should be easy enough.”

“Oh, I’d like to see you try,” he taunted, his smirk widening. “But something tells me you won’t be able to.”

Elies clenched her jaw, refusing to let him get the last word. “Watch me,” she snapped, turning on her heel and walking away as quickly as she could. But even as she left, she could still feel his gaze on her, could hear his low chuckle echoing in her mind.

She’d never met anyone like Damien before. He was like a storm—unpredictable, intense, and somehow captivating in a way she couldn’t explain. But she was determined to put an end to this. She couldn’t let him control her like this, couldn’t let him twist her world upside down.

As she reached her next class, she took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering frustration and embarrassment. She’d just have to stay strong, keep her distance, and not let him get to her. Easier said than done, but she was determined to try.

Unfortunately, avoiding Damien was easier said than done. Every time she turned a corner or walked down a hallway, there he was, watching her with that infuriating smirk. It was as if he knew exactly where she’d be at all times, and he took every opportunity to remind her of his “claim.”

By the time lunch rolled around, she was exhausted from trying to dodge him. She finally sank into a seat at the far end of the cafeteria, hoping to eat in peace. But, of course, her respite didn’t last long.

She barely had time to unwrap her sandwich before Damien slid into the seat across from her, his tray clattering onto the table. “Mind if I join you?”

She groaned inwardly, barely resisting the urge to roll her eyes. “Actually, I do.”

He ignored her, leaning forward with that same smug smile. “Come on, Elies. Don’t be like that. We’re a couple now, remember?”

“We are not a couple,” she hissed, glancing around to make sure no one was listening.

“Oh, but we are,” he replied smoothly, leaning back and crossing his arms. “And everyone knows it now. So you might as well get used to it.”

She scowled, hating how easily he twisted everything to suit his own purposes. “You can tell everyone whatever you want, Damien, but that doesn’t make it true.”

He just shrugged, as if her protests were of no consequence. “Believe what you want. But we both know that you can’t resist me.”

Elies bristled at his words, feeling her cheeks heat up once again. “I can absolutely resist you.”

He chuckled, leaning in closer, his gaze intense. “Prove it.”

She stared at him, feeling a mix of anger and something else—something that made her heart beat a little faster. But she refused to let him get the best of her. Not this time.

“Fine,” she said, standing up abruptly. “If you’re going to be like this, I’ll just find somewhere else to eat.”

But as she walked away, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d just lost a battle she didn’t even know she was fighting.