Chapter1: Maya's POV
1211 Words
"Stop!" someone shouted from behind me.
I didn't stop.
Instead, I ran even faster, my backpack bouncing against my shoulders as my heart pounded wildly against my chest.
"I'm late... not again," I muttered under my breath.
Running late had become a bad habit lately, and I hated it.
My name is Maya, a second-year university student trying to survive the chaos of school and adulthood at the same time. Ever since I moved into my small apartment and started taking care of myself, life had become anything but easy. Every day felt like a race between lectures, assignments, house chores, and finding enough money to pay my bills.
Sometimes I wondered if life was supposed to be this difficult.
Still...
I never gave up.
Every morning, I reminded myself that one day all my struggles would be worth it.
Unfortunately, this morning wasn't one of my lucky days.
My alarm failed to ring, and by the time I woke up, my first lecture had already started.
I hurried through my morning routine without even eating breakfast.
After grabbing my backpack, I rushed out of my apartment and practically flew across the university campus.
The cool morning breeze brushed against my face while students stared as I ran past them.
Some laughed.
Some simply shook their heads.
I ignored them all.
All I could think about was getting to class before my lecturer noticed my absence.
"Please... just let me make it," I whispered.
But fate clearly had other plans.
As soon as I reached the classroom, students were already walking out.
My shoulders dropped.
Class had ended.
I had missed another lecture.
A wave of disappointment washed over me.
Before I could turn away...
"You're late."
A deep masculine voice came from behind me.
"I know," I replied, trying to catch my breath.
Slowly, I turned around.
Standing a few steps away was a tall, unbelievably handsome young man.
His neatly styled dark hair, sharp jawline, and piercing eyes would have made any girl stare.
But it wasn't his looks people remembered.
It was the dangerous aura surrounding him.
His name was Thomas.
Everyone on campus knew who he was.
Some called him a troublemaker.
Others whispered that he was involved with dangerous people outside school.
No one seemed to know the complete truth.
One thing was certain...
Students avoided him.
Even lecturers treated him differently.
As for me...
I wanted absolutely nothing to do with him.
Without saying another word, I walked away.
I could feel his eyes following me until I disappeared around the corner.
By the time I returned to my apartment later that evening, exhaustion had completely taken over my body.
I dropped my backpack beside the couch before collapsing onto it with a tired sigh.
The apartment was quiet.
Too quiet.
I picked up the mug of coffee I had made earlier that morning.
It had already gone cold.
"Perfect," I murmured sarcastically before taking a small sip anyway.
Just then...
My phone vibrated.
Unknown Number.
I frowned.
I ignored the call.
A few seconds later...
It rang again.
Then again.
My heartbeat quickened.
Who would keep calling from a hidden number?
Curiosity finally got the better of me.
I answered.
"Hello?"
Silence.
I frowned.
"Hello? Who's this?"
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then...
A calm male voice spoke.
"I've been watching you."
Every hair on my body stood up.
I forced a nervous laugh, convincing myself it had to be someone's idea of a joke.
"Who is this?" I demanded.
"You'll know soon enough."
The call ended.
I stared at my phone, hoping it would ring again.
It didn't.
Instead...
Knock... Knock... Knock...
Three slow knocks echoed through my apartment.
I looked toward the door.
My apartment was on the fourth floor.
Almost nobody visited without calling first.
The silence that followed made everything even more frightening.
Another knock.
This time...
Louder.
My hands became cold.
Part of me wanted to ignore it.
Another part wanted to know who was outside.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly walked toward the door.
I leaned forward and looked through the peephole.
No one.
I sighed in relief.
Maybe it was just kids playing around.
Suddenly...
My phone buzzed again.
A text message appeared.
Don't look through the peephole again... I'm standing behind you.
The color drained from my face.
My fingers tightened around my phone.
Who could possibly know what I had just done?
For a few seconds, I couldn't even breathe.
Gathering every bit of courage I had left, I slowly unlocked the door and pulled it open.
Standing there...
...was Thomas.
The same handsome but mysterious young man I had seen earlier on campus.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice shaking. "And... how do you even know where I live?"
Instead of answering, he frowned.
"Won't you invite me in?" he asked calmly. "Is this how you treat your visitors?"
I laughed in disbelief.
"Visitors? I don't remember inviting you here. Besides, someone like you has no business in my apartment."
Before I could stop him, Thomas gently pushed the door open and walked inside as though he had every right to be there.
"Hey!" I shouted.
He ignored me completely.
Walking over to the couch, he sat down comfortably, crossing one leg over the other.
I folded my arms and glared at him.
"Why are you here?"
A slow smile appeared on his face.
"I'm here to see my baby."
"My wha—"
Before I could finish speaking...
Knock! Knock!
Someone knocked at the door again.
I frowned.
"Who could that be now?"
Opening the door, I gasped.
"Lillian!"
A bright smile spread across my face.
My childhood friend stood there with several bags beside her.
Without thinking twice, I pulled her into a warm hug.
"I'm so happy to see you!"
As I looked back at Thomas...
An idea suddenly crossed my mind.
"Oh, Thomas," I said with a mischievous smile. "Your babe is here."
I pointed directly at Lillian.
She blinked in confusion.
She had never met Thomas before.
Still...
She couldn't stop staring at him.
"Wow," she said with a laugh. "You came looking for me? Thank goodness I arrived on time."
Thomas slowly stood up.
His expression didn't change.
He looked at both of us for a few seconds before quietly walking out of the apartment without saying another word.
The moment he left, I quickly shut the door behind him.
Lillian immediately turned toward me.
"Who is that handsome guy?" she asked excitedly. "Please introduce me to him! And thank you for thinking of me. You know I've been single for ages."
I couldn't help laughing.
"Lillian, forget about him."
She frowned.
"Why? Isn't he handsome enough?"
"It's not about his looks," I replied seriously. "He's known for getting into trouble, flirting with girls, and making people uncomfortable. I don't want you getting involved with someone like him."
Lillian sighed dramatically.
"Hmm... alright."
I smiled, picked up one of her bags, and led her inside.
"Come on," I said. "Let's get you settled first."
Little did I know...
That simple knock on my door had changed my life forever.
It was the beginning of a nightmare...
And a love story I never saw coming.
- Writer
