001: Valentine's Day

ANYA

Valentine’s Day. The day of lovers. The day I had been waiting for with my heart in my throat and dreams in my eyes. Today was going to be my day. My perfect day.

I rushed into the bar, my heart pounding in anticipation. The sight of Cross made my breath catch, as it always did. He was sitting there, looking effortlessly perfect. His hair was slightly messy, his smile casually charming, and his presence magnetic. I had loved him since high school, and even now, in college, that love hadn’t faded. If anything, it had only grown stronger.

He was the guy all the girls wanted, yet somehow, he remained single. That was part of his charm...unreachable, mysterious, untouchable. But not to me. I believed I had a chance.

I wasn’t supposed to school at Kings college. My parents had wanted me to attend a more prestigious one, but I had whined, begged, and complained until they sent me there.....where Cross was. To me, nothing mattered more than being near him.

Yesterday, I had done what I thought I’d never have the courage to do. I confessed my feelings to him. I told Cross I loved him. The memory of it still made my cheeks burn, but I had to. My dream was to share my first kiss with him—on Valentine’s Day.

He hadn’t rejected me outright, which felt like a miracle. He simply said, “I’ll let you know tomorrow.” That was today. And he had called me this morning, inviting me to meet him here at the bar. My heart had soared at the thought. Surely, this meant he was going to say yes.

But my excitement faltered the moment I stepped closer and noticed he wasn’t alone. Four of his friends were there, including his sister, Bernice....the high school queen bee.

Cross’s eyes met mine, and I smiled nervously, sitting beside him. Before I could say anything, one of his friends smirked. “So, this is the new girl who confessed her love to you?”

Cross nodded casually. “Yeah.”

“They’re better girls, Cross,” Bernice said, her voice sharp. “Why did you bring her here?”

I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling small. I glanced at Cross, hoping he’d defend me or say something reassuring, but he just smiled.

He hadn’t said a word to me yet, but being near him made my heart race. My feelings for him drowned out the embarrassment creeping up my neck.

“I don’t think she really loves you,” Bernice said suddenly, her words cutting through the air like a blade.

My stomach twisted.

“If she truly loves you, let’s test her love,” Bernice added with a sly smile.

“Umm, sing for Cross,” one of his friends suggested.

“That’s boring,” Bernice said, dismissing the idea. Her eyes lit up as she glanced toward the bar entrance.

The entire room grew quiet as a man walked in, surrounded by bodyguards. The air seemed to shift with his arrival. People instinctively made way for him, his presence commanding attention.

I could only see his back, blocked by his towering bodyguards. He was speaking on the phone, his voice low but firm. I didn’t know who he was, but Bernice’s eyes were glued to him, her expression almost starstruck.

I barely paid attention to him. My focus was on Cross, as always. To me, he was perfect, the only one who mattered.

“I’ve got an idea,” Bernice said suddenly, her tone dripping with mischief. “If you love my brother, prove it. Go to that man and propose to him. Ask him to marry you.”

“What?” I blurted, my heart skipping a beat.

Bernice nodded, her expression smug. “If you do it, I’ll believe you truly love Cross. Don’t worry, that man will definitely turn you down. But what matters is you saying those four words.”

“How can you ask me to say such things to another man?” I asked, my voice trembling. “I should only say those words to Cross.”

“It’s just a test,” Cross said, finally speaking. His voice was calm, but his words cut deep. “That man won’t even look at you.”

“Come on, she won’t do it,” one of his friends said, laughing. “Her love for you isn’t that deep.”

Cross smirked and took a sip from his drink. “We’ll see.”

“If you do it,” Bernice added with a smirk, “you’ll get to kiss Cross tonight.”

My heart skipped a beat. “It’ll be my first kiss,” I said, looking at Cross with all the love I felt for him.

“It’ll be my first kiss too,” Cross replied casually, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

His friends cheered, laughing like this was all a game.

I stood, shaky but determined. My heart pounded in my chest as I glanced at the man across the bar. His bodyguards stood like a wall around him, and he had just ended his phone call.

“Excuse me,” I said to one of the guards. “I need to speak to your boss.”

The guards stepped aside, and the man turned.

I froze.

It was Hunter Steele.

The richest billionaire in the country. Ruthless. Untouchable. His name alone struck fear into people’s hearts. Stories of his cruelty were legendary. He was said to especially hate women because his mother had abandoned him for a wealthier man when he was a child. Also, there were rumours that he had strong connections with the Mafia but the rumours were never confirmed.

Why was he here?

He looked at me, his piercing eyes cold and sharp.

“What do you want?” he asked, his tone irritated. “Cat got your tongue?”

Fear gripped me, but I couldn’t back down. Not when Cross was watching. Not when proving my love was on the line.

My hands trembled, but I managed to speak. “Hunter Steele...” I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper. “Will you... will you marry me?”

His brows furrowed, and he tilted his head slightly. “What?”