•Shadows Watching•
The city was alive.
Cars rushed through crowded streets,
students filled cafés, and the midday sun hung lazily above Westbrook.
But inside Adrian Voss's office, everything felt cold.
Controlled.
Silent.
Adrian stood behind his massive desk, his hands resting lightly on the polished wood.
His snake tattoo peeking out of his chest .
His eyes were fixed on the security screen in front of him.
Westbrook University.
More specifically—
Lila.
The camera angle showed the campus courtyard where she Becky and maya had just walked past a group of students.
Marcus leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching Adrian instead of the screen.
"You know," Marcus said slowly, "most people hire bodyguards for protection."
Adrian didn't respond.
Marcus continued.
"But surveillance on a university campus? That's a new level of obsession."
Adrian finally spoke, voice calm.
"Observation."
Marcus smirked.
"Right."
His eyes flicked to the screen where Lila was laughing at something Maya said and Becky looking mad as f**k .
"She looks happier today," Marcus added.
Adrian's gaze softened for a fraction of a second.
"Good."
Marcus noticed and grinned wider.
"You're gone."
Adrian's eyes slowly shifted to him.
Marcus raised his hands dramatically.
"Alright, alright. I won't say it again."
But they both knew it was true.
Adrian Voss — the man feared across half the city — was completely fixated on one girl.
And she had no idea.
Meanwhile, lila,Becky and maya we're busy talking out the club party and lila iconic comebacks at Jenna before the next class began.
The courtyard buzzed with students some chit chatting some gossiping others eating while some get ready for the next class.
Maya leaned closer immediately.
"Okay but seriously," she whispered. "That Jenna thing? Iconic."
Lila rolled her eyes.
"She started it."Becky said
"Yes but you ended it," Maya said proudly.
Giving Becky a high five ...
Lila pulled out her notebook.
"Let's just survive this next lecture."
" Professor jade is so not the nice type"Becky and maya both said at the same time laughing it off .
But lilas mind drifted back to the club.
Back to him.
Adrian.
His voice.
His eyes.
The way he watched her.
She frowned slightly.
Why was she thinking about him again she barely knew him?
Across the girls, two girls whispered.
"That's her."
"The one Jenna was talking about."
Lila pretended not to hear.
Maya leaned over again.
"You're famous now."
"Great," Lila muttered.
Across the city, inside the Voss estate, Marcus was still watching the monitor.
"You know something?" he said thoughtfully.
Adrian didn't look away from the screen.
"What."
Marcus tapped the desk lightly.
"You've been watching her for months now "
Silence.
"You helped her get that scholarship approved."
Silence.
Adrian's jaw tightened slightly.
Marcus continued.
"And she still has no idea."
Adrian finally spoke.
"She doesn't need to."
Marcus laughed quietly.
"she saved your life once me but that doesn't mean you owe her this much."
Adrian's eyes darkened as a memory flashed through his mind.
Rain pouring down.
The version of him bleeding in an alley all weak and stuff he hated it especially being WEAK where he thought he would die with no hope of surviving .
And yet this young girl kneeling beside him looking terrified but stubborn to leave looking like her life depending on him gave him that hope.
Holding his hand.
Refusing to leave.
That girl…
Was Lila.
Marcus leaned forward.
"So what are you planning to do actually?"
Adrian's voice was quiet but cold.
"Well just have to see."
Marcus blinked.
"What?"
"She helped me once if not for her I won't be alive today," Adrian said calmly.
"So I protect her."
"That's it."
Marcus studied him carefully.
"You're lying."
Adrian didn't answer.
Because deep down—
He knew Marcus was right.
This wasn't protection anymore.
This was possession.
Later that afternoon, students flooded the classroom getting ready for the next lectures.
Unfortunately prof . Jade couldn't make it to campus today so lectures were cancelled.
And of course as soon as student heard alot started heading home.
Lila ,becky and Maya walked toward the parking lot heading towards Becky car.
"I'm starving," Maya complained.
"You're always starving," Lila replied.
A sleek black car rolled slowly past the campus gate.
Lila didn't notice.
But inside the car…
Megan did.
Her eyes followed her every step.
The sunlight caught her hair as she laughed at something Maya said.
For a moment…
Megan smiled an evil one .
Logan sat in the passenger seat, shaking his head.
"You know," he said, "this is the creepiest rich-gir model like l behavior I've ever witnessed don't tell me you are into girls."
Megan ignored him.
Her gaze never left Lila.
"She looks pretty," logan added.
Megan spoke quietly.
"For now."
Logan raised an eyebrow.
"For now meaning?"
Megan's voice turned colder.
" she'll regret ever coming close to my man ever."
Logan turned toward her .
"Then who is your man?"
Megans's eyes hardened.
"who else Logan Adrian of course."
At that exact moment, across the street from the campus, a man stepped out of a black car.
Tall.
Sexy.
Dangerous.
Adrian voss.
His eyes scanned the campus.
Then landed on Lila.
Megan lips curved into a slow smile.
"Oh," she murmured softly.
"So that's actually the girl." She chuckled evil🖤