Five Brutal Kings 11

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the towering buildings, flickering against the glass windows as students streamed through the university gates. Some moved in pairs or small groups, laughter bubbling in the air as they exchanged stories from their holiday breaks. Others walked alone, earbuds in, scrolling through their phones or glancing at maps, trying to make sense of the sprawling campus.

Tasha was among them, gripping the large map designed for first-year students. She had left home in a rush, barely having time to finish breakfast before catching the bus heading southwest to the prestigious university. The wrapped meat pie from Ma'am Rita, baked specially for her, sat tucked inside her bag, meant for lunch later. The thought of it brought a small smile to her face—Aisha and Rita had been overjoyed when she'd told them about her acceptance. Their excitement had mirrored her own.

"Babcock University," she murmured, still unable to believe she was here.

After stepping off the bus at the main gate, she had followed the map northward, then east, her eyes darting between the printed guide and the maze of buildings ahead. She squinted against the sun, searching for a sign that read Department of Arts and Humanities.

Her brows furrowed. West or south?

The blaring honk of a car horn shattered her thoughts. Tasha stumbled back just as a sleek, tinted vehicle sped past, slowing for the briefest second before taking off again. Her heart pounded in her chest. Had someone been watching her from inside? She shook off the thought, inhaling deeply as she pressed a hand to her chest. It was bad enough that she was lost—getting run over on her first day would've been the worst possible start.

She sighed, hand resting on her hip, glancing around for help. But the passing students barely acknowledged her, too preoccupied with their own routines. Some spared her a quick glance before hurrying off, while others walked past as if she didn't exist.

The campus stretched endlessly before her—flower gardens neatly arranged beside stone benches, pathways lined with tall trees that cast cool shadows over the pavement. The online pictures hadn't done the university justice. It was far bigger, far grander than she had imagined.

A gentle tap on her shoulder made her turn abruptly.

"Are you lost?" The voice belonged to a woman in glasses, dressed in a blue t-shirt, a staff ID hanging around her neck. Her sharp eyes studied Tasha for a moment before a knowing smile touched her lips.

Relief flooded Tasha's face. "Yes, ma'am," she admitted, exhaling. "I think I took a wrong turn."

The woman chuckled. "Happens to everyone. Don't worry, you'll know this place like the back of your hand in a few weeks." She tilted her head toward the map Tasha was gripping. "Where are you trying to go?"

"The Faculty of Arts and Humanities," Tasha replied, pointing at the labeled section.

"Ah," the woman nodded. "It's part of the Liberal Arts division. Not far from here. Lucky for you, I'm heading that way."

Gratitude washed over Tasha as she fell into step beside her, finally in the company of someone who knew their way around.

Just as they started walking, another girl around Tasha's age approached, her bright smile revealing artificial braces. Her suntanned skin suggested she had spent the last few days soaking up the sun, probably on vacation.

"Hello, I'm Danielle," the girl introduced herself, extending a hand. Her gaze flickered to Tasha's curls, admiration gleaming in her eyes.

"Tasha," she replied, shaking her hand.

"How was your holiday?" the woman asked, glancing at Danielle.

Danielle shrugged. "Nothing too exciting. I spent time on the beach and visited some towns in the countryside with my family." She turned toward the woman beside them. "What about you, Madam Nora?"

Nora, who didn't look much older than thirty, smiled. "Skateboarding and horseback riding," she said, amusement in her tone. Unlike many strict and overly formal lecturers, Nora was known for her warmth and easygoing nature—something students appreciated.

Danielle glanced at Tasha, who had remained quiet. "And you?"

Tasha hesitated. Her break had been uneventful, and for a moment, she wished she had a more exciting answer. "I was just home," she admitted with a small sigh.

Danielle made a face. "That must've been boring."

Before Tasha could reply, Nora came to a stop. "Well, girls, this is where I leave you." Her gaze lingered on Tasha. "Danielle will show you to your hall."

Tasha gave a grateful nod. Earlier, she had mentioned her love for philosophy and the pursuit of knowledge, explaining why she had chosen her course. Danielle, now in her third year studying literature, had immediately connected with her interest.

"Good luck with your first semester," Nora said with a warm smile before stepping away. Tasha couldn't help but notice the confident sway of her black skirt and dark stilettos as she walked off.

"See you around, Madam Nora!" Danielle called out, waving. Then, turning to Tasha, she checked her watch. "Quick, we need to go. Class starts at eight, and we're almost out of time."

Tasha nodded, tightening her grip on the map as she followed Danielle toward the Liberal Arts building, the weight of uncertainty slowly lifting from her shoulders.

A richly, silver car gleamed under the sunlight as it pulled up in front of the building. The engine purred before cutting off, and a uniformed driver stepped out, swiftly moving to open the passenger-side door.

Tasha squinted, her breath hitching as she recognized the figure stepping out. Dressed casually in black pants and a crisp, long-sleeved shirt, he kept his eyes glued to his phone, seemingly oblivious to the world around him.

Her fingers curled into her palms. It had been weeks since she last saw him. Since that night.

She had wondered where he had gone, why he hadn't visited his mother, why he had disappeared without a word. If she had a mother—if she hadn't lost her as a baby—she would have spent every possible moment by her side. The thought made his absence sting even more.

Tasha kept her gaze locked on him, memories rushing back—the way his lips had felt against hers, the way their bodies had tangled in the quiet of the night. The ghost of that moment sent a shiver through her, awakening the emotions she had buried, or at least tried to.

Beside her, Danielle followed her line of sight. She spotted him instantly.

"Be careful," she warned, her voice carrying just enough edge to break through Tasha's thoughts. "He has a rude personality."

Tasha barely registered the words. Her feet were already moving.

She hadn't asked anyone at the mansion about him—not her father, not even the house staff. If she had, she would have known they were enrolled in the same university. But now, faced with him in the flesh, she couldn't stop herself.

Three more steps, and she was close enough for him to notice.

His head lifted. His gaze met hers.

Tasha braced herself, expecting something—a smile, a flicker of recognition, anything. But his expression remained unreadable. Cold. Like he was looking at a stranger.

"Uhm…" She cleared her throat, her voice barely steady. "How are you?"

A million other questions fought to escape. Why didn't you come back? Why did you leave without a word? Did you even think about me?

But he cut through her silence with a response that sent a sharp pain through her chest.

"You have no right to ask me that."

Calm. Emotionless. Dismissive.

Tasha blinked. He wasn't just indifferent—he was disgusted, as if the sight of her was an inconvenience. Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Tasha stood frozen, her legs weak beneath her. The weight of his rejection settled heavily in her chest, pressing down like a stone.

"I tried to warn you," Danielle murmured, stepping closer. "But girl, your courage." She gave a slow, approving nod, as if Tasha had just walked into the lion's den unarmed.

Tasha couldn't speak. She had expected… what, exactly? That he would be happy to see her? That he would tell her he missed her? That he still thought about her the way she thought about him?

If he had, he would have come back.

The realization crushed her, stealing the breath from her lungs. Had he really just used her? The thought alone made her stomach turn. She fought back the sob building in her throat, swiping at the hot tears that had already slipped free.

Danielle studied her carefully. "Are you okay?"

Tasha forced a nod, though the lump in her throat made it hard to speak.

"If you say so," Danielle said, unconvinced. She pointed toward the far end of the hallway. "That's where you'll be having your classes. We'll meet for combined lectures when they come up."

Tasha barely registered her words. Her ears still rang with you have no right to ask me that.

"Thank you," she muttered, her voice small.

"I'll watch you go in," Danielle offered.

Tasha nodded, then hesitated. "Hug?"

Danielle didn't think twice before wrapping her arms around her. It was quick, but Tasha clung to the moment, grateful for the unexpected comfort.

With her heart still aching, she turned away, forcing her legs to move toward the brown door ahead. She was barely paying attention when—

She collided into someone.

Tasha staggered, mumbling an apology as she tried to steady herself.

Daniel.

He recognized her instantly—the girl he had noticed earlier through his car window when his driver had briefly stopped. He had thought she was beautiful then, and now, up close, the thought deepened.

But Tasha didn't look at him. She kept her gaze down, slipping past him without a second glance.

Daniel watched her disappear into the lecture hall, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Interesting.