Chapter 9: Unexpected Protection
667 Words
The next morning, rumors had already started spreading across campus.
“Did you hear? Ada was alone with Daniel Kareem in his office last night!”
“I saw them leaving the building together!”
“Are they dating?”
Whispers followed her wherever she walked.
Ada noticed the stares.
The pointing fingers.
The quiet gossip.
She clenched her bag strap tightly.
“This is ridiculous,” she muttered.
Nothing happened.
They were just working.
But people always assume the worst when a girl and a powerful guy are seen together.
In class, Tola rushed toward her immediately.
“Girl! Tell me everything!”
Ada frowned. “There’s nothing to tell.”
Tola lowered her voice.
“People are saying you and Daniel were locked inside his office after hours.”
Ada’s eyes widened.
“How do they even know that?”
Tola shrugged.
“Someone saw security footage of him going back inside.”
Ada sighed deeply.
“Great.”
She already felt uncomfortable.
Now it was worse.
Later that afternoon, as Ada walked across campus toward the library, she heard footsteps behind her.
“Hey.”
She turned around.
It was the same male teammate from their project meeting — the one who had insulted her earlier.
He walked closer with a smirk.
“I didn’t know you had connections like that.”
Ada’s expression turned cold.
“What are you talking about?”
“Daniel Kareem.”
She crossed her arms.
“Stop saying his name like that.”
He laughed softly.
“Relax. I’m just impressed.”
He stepped closer.
“Maybe that’s why you got assigned to his team.”
She immediately stepped back.
“Don’t start spreading stupid assumptions.”
His eyes scanned her calmly.
“People are already talking.”
“So?”
He leaned slightly closer and lowered his voice.
“Be careful. Guys like him don’t usually get serious with students.”
Her heart tightened — but not because she believed him.
It was because he was trying to plant doubt.
“Mind your business,” she replied firmly.
He shrugged.
“Just warning you.”
Before he could say anything else —
A familiar voice interrupted.
“That’s enough.”
Both of them turned.
Daniel was standing a few steps away.
His expression was cold.
Controlled.
And clearly annoyed.
The male teammate instantly straightened.
“Sir — I was just talking.”
“Talking?” Daniel repeated calmly.
He walked closer — stopping beside Ada.
His presence immediately changed the atmosphere.
“If I hear you spreading rumors or disturbing her again, your position on the project will be reconsidered.”
The student swallowed nervously.
“I wasn’t —”
“Leave.”
The word was quiet.
But firm.
The student nodded quickly and walked away without arguing.
Silence followed.
Ada stared at Daniel.
“You didn’t have to intervene,” she said quietly.
He turned slightly toward her.
“He crossed a boundary.”
She looked surprised.
“Because of gossip?”
“Because of disrespect.”
Her breath slowed.
He wasn’t protecting her because of rumors.
He protected her because someone tried to intimidate her.
That felt different.
“People will talk anyway,” she said softly.
“I know.”
“Then why bother?”
He looked at her directly.
“Because your reputation shouldn’t suffer for something that didn’t happen.”
Her heartbeat quickened.
He said it calmly.
Like it was obvious.
Like protecting her was natural.
She didn’t know what to say.
After a moment, she whispered —
“Thank you.”
He nodded once.
“Focus on the project.”
Then — after a brief pause —
“And ignore unnecessary noise.”
She almost smiled.
Almost.
As he walked away, students nearby watched the interaction carefully.
And the rumors?
They didn’t stop.
But now…
Everyone noticed something else.
Daniel didn’t deny the connection.
He didn’t hide it.
He stood beside her openly.
And that protection…
Spoke louder than any gossip.
- Writer
