Unwanted attention

Morning came, but my body refused to cooperate. Exhaustion weighed me down, yet the need to keep going propelled me out of bed. Dragging myself through the motions, I got ready and made my way to the seminar.

By the time I arrived, the familiar hum of voices filled the room as everyone prepared their materials. I found my seat, spreading my supplies across the table, and tried to focus as the instructor began. Today's topic delved into the philosophies of legendary artists—concepts that should've captured my attention. But my concentration wavered under the weight of a chilling, predatory stare burning into my skin.

I didn't need to look to know who it was.

Julls.

That man's gaze felt like a hunter eyeing prey. I clenched my fists and forced myself to focus on the lecture, pretending I couldn't feel his eyes boring into me. My chest tightened with unease, but I didn't dare glance back.

As the discussion wrapped up and everyone began packing up, I silently prayed Julls would leave me alone. But, of course, my prayers went unanswered.

"Cael."

His voice was deep, commanding—impossible to ignore.

I turned reluctantly, meeting his piercing gaze as he closed the distance between us. "Y-Yes, sir?" I stammered, feeling small under his intense scrutiny.

"Join me for lunch."

It wasn't a question.

I hesitated, my mind racing for an excuse, but the words stuck in my throat. "O-Okay," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Before I could gather my things, Julls took my hand. His touch was cold, sending a shiver up my spine. I froze as his dark eyes locked onto mine. It felt as if the room had disappeared, leaving only the two of us. His gaze was overwhelming, his pheromones filling the air, clouding my mind.

"S-Sir, you're t-too close," I stuttered, turning my face away to escape his hypnotic stare.

A teasing smile curved his lips, but it only deepened my unease. "Forgive me," he said, though the amusement in his tone betrayed any sincerity.

When he finally stepped back, I exhaled shakily, trying to steady my racing heart. My hands trembled as I packed my belongings, and before I knew it, Julls was leading me out to his car.

"Do pardon me," he said smoothly as we settled inside. "I can't seem to control my pheromones very well when I'm near you."

His words were apologetic, but his expression was anything but. He watched me intently, as if waiting for a reaction.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze. My mind screamed at me to run, to get away from him, but I couldn't. This was Julls—someone I couldn't afford to cross. If he wanted to, he could destroy everything I cared about, and I had no doubt he'd use my family as leverage.

My chest tightened as I struggled to calm myself. Focus, Cael. Just get through this.

The drive to the restaurant was tense, Julls' overpowering presence suffocating me. Every glance he cast my way made my heart pound, though I couldn't tell if it was fear or something else.

When we arrived, the meal passed in a blur. Julls was charming, flirtatious, and unrelenting. His comments were explicit, dirty, and made my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I forced myself to laugh along, pretending I wasn't terrified of him.

The entire time, my thoughts drifted to Nathan. I missed him—his touch, his warmth, the way he made me feel safe. Nathan's hands were large and comforting, a stark contrast to the cold, predatory aura Julls exuded.

Julls' eyes darkened suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts. "You're thinking of someone else."

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. "W-What? No, I'm not!" I stammered, avoiding his gaze.

"Liar." His voice was sharp, cutting through my weak denial.

Before I could react, his hand shot out, gripping my face firmly. His touch was possessive, his eyes burning with jealousy.

"Wha-what's it to you anyway?!" I shouted, panic rising in my chest as I slapped his hand away. "We've literally just met! And Nathan… he's my boyfriend!"

The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Julls' expression darkened dangerously, his eyes gleaming with a sinister red hue.

"Fine," he said after a tense pause, his voice low and threatening. "But if you don't want to see your precious boyfriend gone… you'll come to me."

His smile was haunting, a promise of destruction that sent chills down my spine. I swallowed hard, feeling the walls close in around me.

This was the kind of man Julls was—a man who took what he wanted, no matter the cost. And now, I was caught in his web.

—————————————————————————————

I still remember the day my life shifted. It wasn't loud or dramatic—it was quiet, almost unnervingly so. The hum of the car's engine was the only sound between us. Julls sat in the driver's seat, calm yet unreadable, while I stared out the window, thinking we were heading home. But when the car veered off the familiar route, my pulse quickened.

We pulled up to a hotel.

My breath hitched as he turned off the engine and shifted to face me. His eyes held an intensity that rooted me in place, sharp and piercing, like he could see every thought I didn't want him to. He leaned in, his movements deliberate, and before I could find the words to question him, his lips claimed mine.

The kiss was firm, demanding. I froze, shock paralyzing me. Then, like a tide, his intensity swept over me, pulling me under before I could think to resist. I was drowning, my senses overwhelmed by his touch, his taste, his sheer presence.

"Julls, wait—" I barely managed, but my voice was swallowed by his lips.

He silenced me effortlessly, his grip firm as he pinned my hands above my head. A flicker of fear sparked within me as his body pressed against mine, his pheromones filling the air. They were intoxicating, heavy and suffocating, clouding my thoughts and making it impossible to think straight.

Before I knew it, he was guiding me into the hotel, his hand firm on my wrist. I stumbled after him, my mind swimming in confusion and a faint sense of dread. The walls seemed to close in around us as the door shut behind, leaving us alone in the dimly lit room.

"Julls, I—" I started, but the words faltered on my tongue.

His gaze silenced me. It wasn't anger, nor tenderness—it was something far more dangerous. Desire burned in his eyes, intense and consuming, leaving no room for doubt about his intentions.

As he drew closer, my chest tightened. My thoughts were a chaotic mess of fear, confusion, and an unsettling pull toward him that I couldn't explain. His hands found their way to my body, tracing paths that left my skin burning in their wake.

I wanted to stop him, to say something—anything—but my voice failed me. My body betrayed me, responding to his touch against my will. His pheromones were everywhere, eroding my defenses, leaving me powerless.

This wasn't what I wanted.

And yet, I couldn't move.

Time froze, and my existence reduced to a mere speck of dust. The chaos ravaging my mind silenced screams, stilled laughter, and left tears unshed.

Julls knotted inside me. Now I really don't know if I could do this or not….