•A Dangerous Claim•
The courtyard suddenly felt quieter.
Not because the students had left—
but because everyone nearby could feel it.
The tension.
The shift in the air.
Megan stood inches from Lila, her smile sharp and controlled.
Maya and Becky had already stepped closer to Lila's side, arms crossed like they were ready for a fight she didn't fully understand.
Then—
Footsteps.
Slow.
Heavy.
Confident.
Adrian Voss.
Every step he took toward them seemed deliberate, like the world moved according to his pace.
Students nearby began whispering.
"Is that Adrian Voss?"
"What is he doing here you only get to see him on TV and yet here he is ?"
"Why is he walking toward them?"
Maya leaned slightly toward Becky.
"Okay… I think the billionaire romance theory might actually be real."
Becky giggled "I know right feels too real " .
Lilas eyes were fixed on Adrian as he approached them.
Something about him had changed.
At the club he was mysterious.
Calm.
Intriguing.
But now…
Now he looked more dangerous.
Adrian stopped beside them.
Close enough that Lila could feel his presence.
Close enough that Megan's smile finally faltered.
Adrian didn't even look at Megan first.
His gaze went straight to Lila.
"Are you alright?" he asked calmly.
Lila blinked in surprise.
"…Yes as you can see." she replied
Maya looked between them dramatically.
"Okay wow," she whispered. "He came straight to the point."
Adrian's eyes scanned Lila briefly, as if making sure she was actually fine.
Only then did he turn his head toward Megan.
And the temperature around them dropped instantly.
"Megan," Adrian said coldly.
Megan lifted her chin slightly.
"Adrian."
Marcus had walked closer now, clearly entertained.
"Well," Marcus muttered, "this reunion already feels aggressive."
Megan crossed her arms.
"I was just introducing myself."
Adrian's voice remained calm.
" what were you doing to her."
Megan scoffed softly.
"I was warning her."
Adrian's eyes darkened.
"She doesn't need warnings from you."
Megan laughed lightly, though her eyes burned.
"Oh please, Adrian. You're acting like she belongs to you."
Silence fell around them.
Students nearby pretended to check their phones while clearly listening.
Lila felt her heart beating faster.
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He stepped slightly closer to Lila.
Close enough that everyone noticed.
Then he spoke.
"She's under my protection."he replied to magan
The words were simple.
But the meaning behind them was heavy.
Possessive.
Final.
Maya's eyes widened.
"Oh wow," she whispered to Lila. "Well that's something you wanna say to me."
Megan's smile completely disappeared.
Her gaze hardened.
"You're choosing her?" Megan asked quietly.
Adrian's voice didn't change.
"I'm not choosing anyone but I would rather choose her over you ."he replied coldly enough to send chills to her spine.
But his eyes flicked briefly toward Lila.
"And yet," Megan said bitterly, "so that's how it's gonna be uhnn adi."
Marcus rubbed his temples.
"This is officially turning into a drama."
Megan looked at Lila again, her expression colder now.
"You don't understand the world you're stepping into," she said quietly.
Lila finally spoke.
"Then maybe you should stop acting like I asked to be part of it."
Maya looked impressed.
"Okay queen."
For a brief moment, Megan looked genuinely shocked.
Then she laughed.
Soft.
Dangerous.
"We'll see how long that confidence lasts."
She turned and walked back toward her car.
Logan followed behind her, shaking his head.
As her car door closed, Megan glanced once more at Adrian.
Then at Lila.
Her eyes promised one thing.
This wasn't over.
Not even close.
Across the parking lot, Marcus exhaled.
"Well," he said.
"That went about as badly as expected."
Adrian ignored him.
His attention had already returned to Lila.
"You shouldn't talk to people like her alone,"
he said quietly.
Lila frowned.
"You act like I had a choice."
Adrian didn't answer.
For a moment they simply looked at each other.
Then Maya and Becky suddenly clapped thier hands.
"Okay hold on," Maya said.
She pointed at Adrian.
"You."
Then she pointed at Lila.
"And you."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Someone start explaining what is going on because I feel like I just entered a love triangle movie kind ."
Marcus laughed.
Adrian remained cold and usual.
And Lila?
Lila was beginning to realize something terrifying.
Meeting Adrian Voss might have just risk her life forever....
This was bad really bad...🖤