Adrian ( The vampire)

Chapter 5: The Mortal Who Won't Listen (Adrian's POV )

Humans are simple. Predictable. Easy to manipulate.

So why wasn't she?

Amber Rose.

The girl who should've avoided me. The girl who should've listening to every whispers that warning about me.

Instead, she sat next to me. Talked back. Challenged me .

And worse? She wasn't afraid.

—

I watched as she scribbled something in her notebook, her brows drawn in focus. Her lips pursed slightly in concentration, chewing the end of her pen.

I smirked. "You do know the pen is for writing, not eating, right?"

She didn't even look at me. "You do know silence is an option, right?"

I chuckled, tilting my head. "But where's the fun in that?"

She sighed loudly. finally turning to face me. "You are relentless."

"And you like it."

She blinked. "I—what?"

"You heard me," I murmured. "If I really annoyed you, you would've switched seats by now."

She opened her mouth, closed it, then narrowed her eyes. "Maybe I just don't like running away from things."

"That's dangerous," I said, voice lowering slightly. "Some things are worth running from."

She tilted her head, studying me. "Are you one of them?"

I leaned in just a little. "What do you think?"

She held my gaze, refusing to look away. Bold.

Finally, she shrugged. "I think you like acting mysterious to scare people."

I chuckled. "And does it scare you?"

"No."

Lie.

I smirked, reaching forward and flicking her pen lightly with my fingers. "Then why is your grip so tight?"

Her fingers twitched around the pen. Then, she quickly loosened her hold. "Because you're annoying."

"And yet, you're still here."

She groaned. "You keep saying that."

"Because it's true."

She turned back to her notebook with too much focus, like she was forcing herself to ignore me.

I leaned in again, my voice dropping just for her. "Amber."

She flinched.

A small reaction. Barely there. But I saw it.

I smirked. "I like the way your name sounds."

She exhaled sharply. "Glad you're enjoying yourself."

"Oh, I am," I murmured. "And so are you."

She snapped her head toward me. "I—excuse me?"

"You're enjoying this," I said, watching her reaction closely. "Talking to me. Fighting with me. wondering about me ."

She scoffed. "I am not—"

"Then why haven't you walked away?"

She hesitated.

Just for a second.

That second was enough.

She bit her lip, turning away. I shouldn't have let my gaze linger, shouldn't have let my mind wander to the fact that her lips looked far too soft for someone who spoke so sharply.

Careful, Adrian.

She's not yours to tease.

She's not yours at all.

—

The bell rang, but she didn't move.

I waited.

Most people rushed to get away from me. But Amber? She stayed put, stretching her arms with a quiet sigh.

Then, before I could stop myself, I reached out. Just to see.

My fingers brushed against her wrist.

She froze.

I felt her pulse—fast, unsteady.

And for a moment, neither of us moved.

Then, slowly, she turned toward me. "You're freezing," she whispered.

I tilted my head. "And you're still touching me."

Her eyes flickered to where our skin met. Then, to my surprise, she pressed her fingers lightly against the back of my hand.

Curious. Brave.

And completely reckless.

Her warmth burned into my skin, foreign, dangerous. I let her linger for a moment—just a moment—before I turned my hand over, trapping her fingers beneath mine.

She sucked in a sharp breath.

I smirked. "Scared now, sweetheart?"

She snatched her hand back, glaring at me. "You are—"

"Charming? Devilishly handsome?"

She groaned. "Insufferable."

I grinned. "And yet, you're still here."

She grabbed her bag, muttering something about annoying vampires as she stormed off.

I chuckled, leaning back in my chair.

Amber Rose was playing a dangerous game.

And she had no idea that I'd never lose.

___