Chapter 1

It was a drizzly evening in late October. Oliver Harrington, lost in thoughts rushed across the university campus in her oversized raincoat clinging to her.

As Olivia hurried across the university campus, her mind preoccupied with the intricacies of quantum mechanics, she didn't notice the puddle ahead. Her feet seemed to move of their own accord, carrying her toward the library, where she hoped to find solace in the musty scent of old books and the soft glow of fluorescent lights.

But fate had other plans.

As she splashed through the puddle, her books and papers went flying, scattering across the sidewalk like confetti in the wind. Olivia's heart sank, her eyes widening in dismay as she gazed at the soggy mess.

That was when she saw him – Damien Riordan, the enigmatic stranger who had been the subject of whispers and speculation among the student body. His eyes, piercing blue and unsettlingly intense, locked onto hers, and for a moment, Olivia felt like he could see right through her.

Without a word, Damien strode toward her, his long legs eating up the distance with an effortless grace that belied the turmoil brewing beneath his surface. Olivia's pulse quickened as he approached, her senses heightened to the point where she could feel the air vibrating with tension.

As he drew nearer, his eyes never leaving hers, Olivia felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something about him that seemed to draw her in, like a moth to a flame – a sense of danger, of unpredictability, that both repelled and attracted her.

Damien's gaze narrowed, his eyes burning with an intensity that made Olivia's heart race. "You're a mess," he said, his voice low and husky, his words dripping with a sarcasm that only made her more aware of her own vulnerability.

Olivia's cheeks flushed as she gazed up at him, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. She felt like a small, defenseless creature, trapped in the crosshairs of a predator's gaze.

And yet, she couldn't look away.

Damien's eyes roamed over her, taking in the soggy books, the ruined papers, and the dripping wet clothes. His gaze lingered on her face, his expression unreadable. Olivia felt like he was dissecting her, analyzing her every feature, every flaw.

"You're a mess," he repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I suppose that's what happens when you're too busy thinking about quantum mechanics to watch where you're going."

Olivia's cheeks flushed deeper, her eyes dropping to the ground. She felt like a child being scolded, her pride smarting from his words. As she gazed at the puddle, she realized that Damien was standing so close that their feet were almost touching.

She raised her eyes, her heart skipping a beat as she met his gaze. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them crackling like electricity.

Then, without a word, Damien reached out and took her hand, his fingers wrapping around hers like a vice. Olivia's pulse raced as he pulled her close, his eyes burning with an intensity that made her feel like she was drowning.

"Come on," he said, his voice low and husky. "I'll help you clean up this mess."

As he led her away, Olivia felt like she was being pulled into a dark and dangerous world, one where the rules were different, and the stakes were higher. She knew she should resist, but her body seemed to be moving of its own accord, drawn to Damien like a magnet.

Chapter 2

Olivia tried to pull her hand free, but Damien's grip only tightened.

"Let me go," she said, her voice firm but her heart racing.

Damien's eyes narrowed, his gaze burning with an intensity that made her feel like he could see right through her.

"You're not going anywhere," he said, his voice deep and smooth.

"At least, not until we've had a chance to talk."

Olivia's mind raced as she tried to think of a way to escape. She didn't know this man, didn't know what he was capable of but as she looked into his eyes, she saw something there that made her hesitate.

Something that looked almost like... concern?

"Fine," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "But just for a minute."

Damien's gaze never wavered, he nodded, his grip on her hand relaxing slightly.

"Good" he said, his voice softening. "Let's go somewhere we can talk."

As he led her across campus, Olivia's mind raced with questions. Who was this man? What did he want from her? And why did she feel like she was walking into danger, even as her heart told her to trust him?

As they walked, Damien’s silence was oppressive, weighing her down like a physical force. Her thoughts were a jumble of queries, but she didn’t dare ask any of them.

She was unsure of his limits and she didn’t want to push him too far so she kept everything inside.

As they approached a small pond on the outskirts of campus, Damien finally spoke.

“Olivia,” he said, his voice rich and raspy. “I have something to tell you. Something that will change everything.”

Olivia’s heart skipped a beat as she gazed up at him. “What is it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Damien’s eyes burned with an intensity that made her feel like he could see right through her.

“I’m not who you think I am,” he said, his words dripping with a secrets. “My name isn’t Damien Riordan, and I’m not a student at this university.”

Olivia’s mind reeled as she tried to process what she was hearing.

“Who are you, then? And why are you telling me all this because we only just met? ” she asked, her voice shaking slightly.

Damien’s smile was enigmatic, his eyes glinting with a knowing light.

“I’m someone who knows your secrets, Olivia” he said, his voice dripping with a sinister intent.

“And I’m someone who can help you uncover the truth about your family’s past.”

Olivia pulled her hand free, her heart racing with a mix of fear and confusion.

"I need to go please" she said, her voice firm but her eyes wavering.

Damien's gaze narrowed, but he nodded, his eyes never leaving hers.

"I'll find you," he said, his voice low and smooth.

"We're not done yet, Olivia Harrington. "

Olivia shivered at the promise in his words, but she didn't look back as she hurried away from the pond.

She didn't stop until she reached her dorm room, where she collapsed onto her bed, her mind reeling with questions.

What did Damien want from her? And how did he know her secrets?

She couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't imagine.

The next day, Olivia sought out her friend, Emily, in the campus café. "Hey, girl, what's up?" Emily asked, noticing Olivia's frazzled expression.

Olivia hesitated, unsure how much to reveal but something about Emily's kind eyes made her open up.

"I met this guy, Damien," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "And he's been saying some weird stuff like, he knows my secrets."

Emily's eyes widened. "That's creepy! What else did he say?"

Olivia shivered, remembering Damien's intense gaze.

"He said he's not who I think he is and that he can help me uncover the truth about my family's past."

Emily's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "That sounds like a mystery novel! Do you think he's telling the truth?"

Olivia shrugged, her thoughts are in turmoil .

"I don't know what to believe, but I have a feeling my life is about to get a lot more complicated."

Just then, a tall handsome figure appeared in the doorway, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Olivia.

Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized Damien, his gaze burning with an intensity that made her feel like he could see right through her.

Olivia tried to ignore him, focusing on her conversation with Emily but she could feel Damien's eyes on her, boring into her skin like a physical touch. She shivered, her heart racing with a mix of fear and anticipation.

Emily noticed her reaction and followed her gaze.

"Who's that hottie with a strong jawline? Oh my goodness what a work of art. " she asked, her voice low and curious.

Olivia hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Just someone I met on campus," she said finally, trying to sound nonchalant.

Emily's eyes narrowed.

"He's creepy and hot at the same time" she said. "And he's totally staring at you."

Olivia felt a flush rise to her cheeks. "I know," she said.

"Let's just focus on our coffee, okay?"

But as they sipped their lattes, Olivia couldn't shake the feeling that Damien was waiting for her, his eyes never leaving hers. She knew she couldn't avoid him forever. Eventually, she'd have to confront him and demand some answers.

As they finished their drinks and prepared to leave, Olivia felt a tap on her shoulder. She knew who it was before she even turned around.

"Damien," she said, her voice firm but her heart racing.

"Olivia" he replied, his eyes blazed with a fierce intensity that stripped her.

"We need to talk"