Chapter 3 Past

( 11 years ago )

Life was never easy for me.

It never gave me a choice.

I was thirteen when everything fell apart. Our parents died in an accident, and my sister was far away. That left me-just a kid-alone with my little sister who's only eleven years old, looking at me like I could fix everything.

But I couldn't. I didn't even know how to fix myself.

I had to grow up fast. Too fast. Carrying a weight that crushed me every single day. Reality hit hard, and it didn't care that I was just a child.

For a long time, there was nothing. No hope. No help. Just anger, swallowing me whole. I hated the world for what it had taken from me. I hated myself for not being enough. I carry that hatred growing up.

But then, somehow, life gave a little back. My sister returned to us, and for the first time, we weren't alone.

That's when I knew: I couldn't fail again. I couldn't let down the people who still believed in me.

No matter how broken I felt, I had to keep going. I had to be stronger than the pain.

With everything that happened to my sister, I realized I have to stand up for her. Not only for her but maybe for people who experienced something like hers.

Now, I was weeks away from graduating with my pre-law degree, and every moment of my life was carefully planned to build the future I wanted.

I had no time for mistakes. No room for distractions.

But Luke Trail Grant was a distraction I hadn't been prepared for.

"Amari, he's staring at you again."

Krystal's voice cut through my focus, low and teasing. I looked up from my laptop, pretending I hadn't already noticed. Still, my chest tightened.

"He's not staring at me," I said lightly. "If he does, maybe it's just a glimpse or something. I'm a nobody."

Krystal rolled her eyes dramatically. "Please. He knows exactly who you are. You're probably the only girl on campus who hasn't thrown herself at him."

"Maybe because I have standards," I replied, though my racing heart betrayed me.

Lies...

We were sitting in the campus garden, my favorite study spot. I'd been here for hours trying to finish a paper, but Luke Grant had made concentrating impossible the moment he walked in. He was at the opposite side, chatting with some women.

He was almost unreal. He's tall, broad-shouldered, with black hair that fell in perfect, careless waves. His piercing brown eyes burned with an intensity that could make you forget to breathe, and his slow, confident smirk carried the kind of heat that could melt resolve in an instant.

And he knew it. He knew that he had this effect.

Everyone did.

"Look at him," Krystal whispered, barely containing her excitement. "He's like a bad decision wrapped in a perfect package. And that smirk? Ugh, it's unfair."

"He's a trouble," I muttered, forcing my eyes back to my screen. "His hair looks so messy and I don't like his fashion style."

Lies again. I like it. No, I love it.

Krystal studied me, tilting her head. "For someone who doesn't care, you sure notice a lot about him."

I froze, heat creeping up my face. "I don't-"

"Oh, please," she interrupted, grinning. "It's okay to like him. He's pretty hard to ignore."

"He's more than that," I admitted before I could stop myself. "He's... complicated."

Her grin grew. "Complicated, huh? Sounds like you've been thinking about him a lot."

I didn't reply. She wasn't wrong.

I had been thinking about him. Watching him for almost two years. Wondering what it might feel like to step into his world, to be noticed by him, even if just for a moment.

But guys like Luke Grant didn't see girls like me. I was the quiet pre-law student, always with my nose in a book, planning a future that didn't allow for distractions. He was the heartbreaker of the business department, leaving a trail of admirers without a second thought.

"Let's drop it," I said finally, keeping my voice steady. "I have enough to deal with."

Krystal shrugged. "Fine. But if you're not going after him, maybe I will."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Go ahead."

But I didn't mean it. Because deep down, I didn't want her...or anyone else...to have him. Even if I couldn't admit it.

He wasn't just another name on campus-he was the name. The golden boy of the business department. The heir to a fortune so big it made his life seem untouchable. Luke was the kind of man who made headlines before he even graduated. Of course, for someone who has generational wealth, just flashing his money, women will kneel for him.

But, I wasn't one of those girls. At least, I told myself I wasn't.

I was the practical. Ambitious. Guarded. I spent my days buried in legal textbooks, skipping parties to study, and interning at firms where I had to prove, every single day, that I was good enough. Like I wasn't the kind of person who fell for a guy like Luke for his money.

I want him to like me because I am smart. I am brave and bold in my dreams.

But, maybe this time, I will let myself. I will let myself to be one of them. To be crazy. To be wild like the girls around him.

"Shot, Amari?" Krystal grinned, pressing a glass into my hand.

I downed it before I could second-guess myself, the heat pooling in my chest. It was reckless. Stupid. And for the first time in forever, it felt good.

"You'll just stay here? Let's have fun!" she said in a loud voice but I shook my head.

Krystal left me so I took the courage to ask for another shot. One after another.

And then I saw him.

Luke.

He leaned against the bar, his sleeves rolled up on a crisp white dress shirt, the top buttons undone like he'd just escaped a formal event. His dark hair was tousled, like someone had been running their fingers through it. Probably one of the gorgeous girls circling nearby. He always has women around him.

But then his eyes found mine.

And he smiled.

Shit! Did he just-

"Amari, right?"

His voice was warm and teasing, as he appeared before me, carrying the scent of expensive cologne and I don't know... danger.

"The pre-law genius everyone's whispering about."

I blinked, my brain short-circuiting. "Y-You... know me?"

His smirk deepened like he found my surprise amusing.

"Of course I do. Hard to miss someone who walks into a room like she owns it."

I laughed nervously, unsure if he was mocking me.

"I'm sure I don't exactly scream 'life of the party', Mr. Lip Service."

"No," he said, his voice dipping lower, more intimate. "You're something else entirely."

The way he said it made my heart race like he saw something in me no one else ever had.

"I'm not one of those girls who'll fall for a few compliments," I said, suddenly defensive.

Luke stepped closer, his gaze locking onto mine.

"Who said I'm trying to make you fall for anything?"

He leaned in, his voice brushing against my ear like a secret.

It made my cheeks burn, and I immediately turned to walk away, nearly breaking into a run. My heart raced as embarrassment consumed me. How could I possibly face him after this?

I thought I had escaped when I reached the garden outside. The cool breeze provided some relief-until I felt his presence right behind me.

"What?" I spun around, trying to mask my unease with a firm expression.

Luke crossed his arms, his gaze unrelenting. "Why did you walk away? I wasn't done talking to you."

"Well, I was done," I shot back, though my voice wavered slightly. I took a step back, but he closed the distance, gripping my arm gently.

Before I could respond, a third voice cut our talk.

"Sir Luke, your grandfather just arrived at the family house, and-oh... girlfriend?"

I froze, turning my head toward someone who had just appeared out of nowhere. His brows lifted in amusement as he glanced between Luke and me.

My own brows furrowed as I waved my hands dismissively. "Girlfriend? No, no. You've got it all wrong-"

Luke smirked, clearly enjoying the misunderstanding.

"Relax, genius." He turned back to the man, his voice nonchalant. "Tell my grandfather I'll catch up later."

The man nodded but didn't hide the knowing grin on his face as he walked off.

"Sir Luke," I began, trying to salvage my dignity, "I just wanted to chill. Inside was too loud-"

"If you really want to know what it feels like to unwind," he interrupted, a teasing glint in his eye, "come with me."

My breath caught. "Come with you?"

He tilted his head, his expression laced with mischief. "Relax. Just for another drink. My place. No crowds, no noise." His lips curled into a faint smirk. "Unless you're scared."

"I'm not scared," I said quickly, though my heart pounded as if trying to contradict me.

"Good." His smile deepened, slow and deliberate, as he held out his hand. "Let's go."

I hesitated, every logical part of me screaming to walk away. But then his hand hovered there, waiting, and without fully understanding why-I took it.