The buzz of the faculty hallways was like an overflowing river, a torrent of voices, laughter, and hurried footsteps resonating off the walls. Eliza walked with her books hugged against her chest, trying not to get lost in the human tide. However, there was something different in the air that day, something that made her feel alive, alert... as if the universe was preparing a surprise for her.
Her heart was beating strongly, accelerated by a mix of nervousness and anticipation. She knew Damian would be nearby. His mere presence had the power to ignite her from within, as if an invisible spark traveled across her skin whenever he was by her side. Damian... his name alone was enough to make her sigh.
As she turned the corner, she saw him. There he was, leaning against the wall with a carelessness that seemed rehearsed but was completely natural for him. His black leather jacket embraced his shoulders perfectly, and his golden hair, slightly disheveled, shone under the rays of sunlight filtering through the windows. His blue eyes, deep as the ocean, seemed to be searching for something... or someone. When their gazes met, Eliza felt the entire world come to a halt.
"Hello," she said, barely a whisper, her lips trembling slightly.
"Hello, beautiful," he responded with a crooked smile that made Eliza's legs weaken. His voice was warm, deep, and had an intimate tone that seemed to caress every corner of her being.
Before she could respond, a figure appeared out of nowhere. A dark-haired girl, with spectacular curves and a bold air about her, hung onto Damian's neck as if she owned him. Eliza felt the heat rise to her cheeks as she watched the girl kiss Damian with an intensity that seemed out of place in the middle of the hallway. Eliza looked away, but couldn't help noticing the details: the girl's pink hair with visible brown roots, her green eyes gleaming with mischief, and her punk outfit that screamed rebellion. Everything about her was the opposite of Eliza.
"Damian, darling," the girl said in a honeyed voice as she clung to him. "Who's your little friend?"
Damian gently but firmly removed the girl's hands. His gesture was enough for Eliza to feel a small relief... until she heard the stranger's words.
"Luna," he said with a sigh, "this is Eliza. Eliza, this is Luna."
"His fiancée," Luna added with a malicious smile that pierced Eliza like a dagger.
Eliza felt her heart shrink. Fiancée? How was that possible? She tried to maintain her composure while her mind filled with questions and her chest burned with a mixture of jealousy and confusion.
"Stop telling people you're my fiancée, Luna," Damian declared with a cold and authoritative tone that made even Eliza feel a shiver run down her spine.
Luna pursed her lips, but didn't argue. Instead, she said goodbye to Damian with a kiss dangerously close to his lips and a look loaded with contempt toward Eliza before disappearing into the crowd.
The silence between Damian and Eliza was heavy, uncomfortable. She tried to maintain a polite smile while her mind struggled to process what had happened. She didn't want to appear affected, but inside she was burning. How could she compete with someone like Luna? She herself was a simple girl, always impeccable in her appearance but without the provocative airs of that girl. Even so, she couldn't deny what she felt for Damian... nor how much it hurt to witness that scene.
"So," he finally said, breaking the silence with his characteristic smile, "will you join us for lunch?"
Eliza quickly shook her head, forcing a smile.
"I can't. I have class," she lied. In reality, all she wanted was to get away to catch her breath and calm the whirlwind of emotions inside her.
When she tried to turn to leave, she felt him gently take her arm. His touch was warm, firm, and sent an electric shock throughout her body.
"Eliza," he said her name with such intensity that she stopped in her tracks and looked him in the eyes. There was something in his gaze, something deep and magnetic that she couldn't ignore. "I wanted to ask you something."
She swallowed, feeling a knot form in her stomach.
"Yes?" she responded with a trembling voice.
"What are you doing tonight?" he asked as his hand slowly rose toward her face.
Eliza held her breath when she felt how his fingers gently brushed her cheek before sliding to her hair. With a delicate gesture, he tucked a strand behind her ear, and that simple contact made her feel as if she were floating. Her skin tingled under his touch; it was as if every cell in her body responded to him.
"I was planning to study a bit..." she murmured as she nervously bit her lower lip.
Damian smiled when he saw her do this. His fingers brushed the edge of her blouse before moving up to her chin and gently caressing her lower lip with his thumb. Eliza let out a small involuntary moan, and her cheeks instantly flushed.
"Let's have dinner tonight," he finally said, leaning a bit closer. "I'll pick you up at eight."
Before she could protest or even process what he had said, his lips found hers. It was a soft kiss at first, full of tenderness and unspoken promises. But there was something more beneath the surface; a latent intensity that threatened to overflow. Eliza felt a warm current run through her entire body as she surrendered to that moment.
It was as if everything disappeared: the noise of the hallway, the curious glances of the students... even Luna. In that instant, only the two of them existed. Their lips fit perfectly, as if they had been made for each other. And although the kiss didn't last long, it was enough to leave her breathless.
When they separated, Damian gave her a playful smile and winked.
"See you tonight," he said before walking away with that overwhelming confidence that characterized him.
Eliza stood there, touching her lips with the tips of her fingers while trying to catch her breath. Her mind was in chaos: jealousy, desire, confusion... everything mixed in an uncontrollable whirlwind. But one thing was clear amid it all: Damian had a power over her that no one else had.