"KARRY!" Ellie's voice rang out from the far end of the hall. She had already secured our usual spot, front row, right side. The only place I could focus properly.

Ellie was the life of every party, the queen of chaos and cropped tops. Meanwhile, I was the nerd one, the "neat freak," as she liked to call me. She always had something to say about my outfits, especially my ponytail obsession, while she paraded around in her wavy shoulder-length blonde hair and a little fringe at the fore-head.

She gave me that look the second I reached her, pulling off my backpack to sit.

I didn't wait for the comment, I saw it in her eyes already. So I took the first move.

"I know, okay?" I said, cutting her off before she even opened her mouth. "I woke up late. No time to play fashion show."

"Yeah, yeah. Same excuse, different day," she sighed dramatically, giving my faded sea-blue shirt a once-over. "You look like a homeless child, Karry. Your brother is Malcolm Heart, literally one of the richest businessmen in this city. Could you at least pretend you live in the same house as him? Oh, I forgot, you actually do for God sake"

She rolled her eyes, then perked up.

"Anyway, I brought you a dress. You're wearing it to Jace's party tonight."

Right. Jace's birthday party.

Ellie's proud, overprotective, hot-headed boyfriend. It was wild how he was also best friends with Nathan, my boyfriend. Life really loved making things awkward for me. I avoided getting caught in Jace's temper storms at all costs. Being in between my best friend's boyfriend and my own boyfriend's best friend? A nightmare I didn't want front-row tickets to.

"See, I..." I started, but barely got the words out before a voice interrupted from the front of the class.

"Hello, everyone."

I immediately recognised that voice. I couldn't ever mistake it.

But... Hell, no.... This can't be happening.

My head snapped up like I'd just been electrocuted.

F*ck!

My eyes widened as I stared numb.

"Hell no..." Ellie whispered beside me, nudging my arm, obviously excited, her voice all hushed and giddy "This guy's hot, Karry."

My throat went dry at once.

Standing tall at the front of the class, wearing that same firm, indifferent look...

Owain?

Owain freaking Luther? This has to be a f*cking dream...

He didn't glance at me, not even once, but I couldn't stop staring. He might as well have set the entire room on fire.

"Good morning, sir," the class echoed. Ever student loves a hot professor, right?

Except me. I couldn't even move.

"I don't have much to say," he began, his voice calm and annoyingly confident. "But I'll be the new professor here. I'm Owain Luther. You can call me Owain... if you want."

Just like that, he wrapped it up.

"That'll be all for today. We'll begin properly next class. Good?"

"Yes, sir," the class chorused.

Again... except me.

As soon as he walked out, my gaze dropped straight to the desk.

This can't be real.

He wasn't just going to torment me at home anymore.

Now he had full access to me at school too.

You're doomed, Karima. There was officially nowhere left to hide.

***

KARIMA HEART

Ellie shot to her feet like she'd been stung.

"Look, Karry, I'll catch you later. I've got somewhere to be. Don't ask," she said quickly, cutting me off before I could open my mouth.

I rolled my eyes and gave her a fake smile. She knew what she did right there.

"Don't blame me," she teased, sticking her tongue out. "You still haven't told me where you sneak off to every day at 6 PM. You keep secrets too."

Oh yeah. I couldn't really argue.

How the hell was I supposed to tell her that her nerdy, quiet best friend had a secret night job... stripping?

Yeah, exactly. I wasn't ready for that conversation. Not now. Maybe never.

I was halfway behind the hall building when a hand grabbed me out of nowhere. My eyes widened in panic as I twisted to break free.

"Ever heard of calling someone's name?" I snapped, glaring up, only to find Owain's annoyingly attractive face staring back at me.

Great. What a bad luck...

He wore that same smug and unreadable look. It annoyed me more than I'd admit.

Why did it feel like he suddenly had all the time in the world... just to mess with me?

"Avoiding me, huh?" he asked, stepping in close, his hands tucked in his pockets.

I backed up instinctively until my spine met the cold wall.

"You'll be coming with me somewhere by 7 tonight," he said casually.

"I can't," I answered quickly. "I have my shift. I can't miss it."

But he didn't move. Instead, he leaned in, his face just inches from mine. I swallowed hard, trying to look anywhere but at his lips... God, those lips.

"Okay," he whispered, a smirk dancing on his face. "You handle your shift... I'll see you around."

And the way he said it made something flutter in my chest. Stupid heart. Of course, he wasn't just accepting my little excuse, he was just trying to be in control. He always that, trying to show me who was in charge.

Just as his body leaned slightly into mine and my grip tightened around the books in my hands, then... bang!

A sudden force shoved him back.

Owain staggered, blood trickling down his lip as he wiped his mouth.

"What the hell, Nathan?!" I shouted in shock.

Nathan didn't even glance at me. His eyes were burning, locked on Owain.

Then they turned to me, hotter and angrier.

"You were out here messing with another guy?" he snapped, grabbing my arm roughly. "You think I wouldn't find out?"

Yeah... I probably should've mentioned... Nathan's anger had a habit of turning violent. He always apologized after. He'd say he couldn't help it.

But this time, he didn't get the chance.to do what he does best.

Owain's hand shot out, catching his mid-swing and shoving him hard. He crashed to the ground with a thud.

Owain stood over him, his muscles tense, his thin shirt doing nothing to hide the firm veins beneath it.

My heart raced, it felt like I was watching a scene from some twisted hero movie.

He turned to me, grabbed my waist with one firm arm, and pulled me close.

"She's my girlfriend now," he said coldly. "And unless you're asking for trouble, don't come near her again."

My mouth fell open as he walked me out of the scene like it was nothing. Nathan just sat there, stunned, still trying to process the scene.

And me?

Yeah... I had no idea how things had escalated this far.

Chapter 2 HAVE NO IDEA

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