So this is love

Episode 10:

Rose’s mood flipped the moment Ivan’s name lit her screen. He wanted her. Tonight.

The rage that had chewed her up all week—the humiliation, the whispers, Norah’s smug little face—melted into a rush of triumph. Of course he called. Of course she still mattered. She always mattered to Ivan.

She spent nearly an hour in front of the mirror. Lipstick the color of blood. The dress cut low enough to remind him why he’d once kept her on speed dial. She spritzed perfume along her throat, a sweet bite of vanilla and smoke, and told her reflection: She’ll never win. By the time she reached his door, her stomach was tight. The hallway carried a faint smoke smell, sharp and heavy. She pressed her dress flat, knocked once, then slipped inside like she’d done it before.

Ivan was already there—black shirt, sleeves rolled, the low light catching his face in hard lines. He didn’t smile. Didn’t even move. Just sat there, watching her.

Rose’s lips curved. “Miss me?”

She let the door click shut behind her, let her hips sway the way he liked. Her hand trailed along the back of his chair, teasing. “You don’t call for weeks, and then—” She bent close, brushing her mouth near his ear. “—you summon me like this. I should be angry.”

Ivan didn’t answer. His silence was heavy, unreadable.

She climbed onto his lap without asking, straddling him, fingers sliding into his hair. The familiar game. She pressed herself against him, breathed warm, and smiled wickedly. “Mmm. You always did like it when I made the first move.”

That was when his hand closed around her throat.

Firm. Unyielding.

Rose’s lips parted in a startled laugh. “Oh, so that’s how we’re playing?” She arched against him, mistaking the grip for foreplay. “God, Ivan… you could’ve just asked.”

But his eyes didn’t soften. They hardened.

His thumb pressed under her jaw, forcing her to meet his stare. There was no heat there, no hunger. Just steel.

Her breath caught. The laugh faltered. His hand closed harder around her throat, slow, unshaking. Her vision blurred at the edges.

“I don’t play games, Rose.” His voice was quiet but cutting. “Not with you. Not with anyone.”

Her fingers dug at his wrist, part panic, part disbelief. “Ivan—”

He bent down, mouth near her ear. “Go after Norah again…” His breath was cold against her skin. “…and I’ll end it myself.”

Her body locked, thrill gone, fear left in its place.

Then he let go.

Rose stumbled back, gasping for air, lipstick smeared, perfume hanging too thick in the room. For the first time, she wasn’t sure if she was wanted here—or if she’d just been warned.

She was kicked out of the apartment, like a cheap w***e.

~~~~

Saturday afternoons on campus were quiet. Most students had gone home, leaving the pathways sun-warmed and still. Norah thought she’d have peace for once. Just her, her books, and silence.

Until she saw him.

Ivan.

He leaned against the railing near the courtyard like he’d been waiting all along.sunlight hit him differently—plain white tee, dark jeans, ink showing faint under his sleeve. He looked like trouble made real.

Norah’s stomach dropped. She turned quickly, hoping to avoid him.

“Mm.” His voice followed, low and slow.

.“Really just gon’ walk past me like that?”

She froze, fingers tightening on her bag. Of course he’d seen her. He always did.

Norah turned, trying for cool even as her pulse kicked. “What are you doing here?”

Ivan pushed off the rail, strolling toward her with that lazy, unhurried stride. Final year university boy, too sure of himself, every step saying the world bent for him. “What do you think I’m doin’?” His eyes locked on hers. “Came to see you.”

Her chest tightened. “Me?” She laughed softly, shaking her head. “Girls like me don’t hang around guys like you.”

He tilted his head, a smile tugging slowly at his mouth. “That right?” He leaned closer, just enough for her to catch the warmth of his breath. “So I’m not the type you take home to Daddy?”

Her lips parted. Heat flooded her cheeks. “No. Definitely not. Your type only brings trouble.” She tried to sound firm, but it came out almost breathless. “And trouble is the last thing I need here.”

Ivan chuckled, low and dangerous. “Mm. Baby girl…” The way he said it curled down her spine. “Trouble’s usually the first thing that finds you.”

She swallowed, pulse hammering. “You’re ridiculous.”

He stepped in, his shadow brushing hers. “And you’re still here talkin’ to me.” That grin—wicked, like he already knew how this would play out. “So which is it? You don’t want me… or you just don’t trust yourself?”

Her throat closed up. She wanted a comeback, but the words tangled. Heat shot through her chest, buzzing under her skin.

That’s when she noticed the students drifting past. Heads turning. Eyes locked on them. Whispers trailed like perfume. Dreamy smiles. Envious stares. To everyone watching, it looked like Norah was the girl who had Ivan—the boy every other girl swore over.

Panic shot through her. “They’re staring,” she hissed, clutching her bag tighter.

Ivan didn’t look away from her. Didn’t even flick his gaze at them. Calm, steady, like the crowd didn’t exist. “Let ‘em stare.” His voice was silk over steel. “You look good standin’ next to me.”

Her chest fluttered, heat racing through her veins. “You’re unbelievable,” she whispered, but it sounded weaker than she meant it to.

He smirked, leaning just close enough for her to feel cornered, breathless. “Nah,” he murmured. “I’m unforgettable.”

Her cheeks flamed. She turned sharply, walking off before he could see the heat in her face.

But his voice followed, smooth and certain, curling through the courtyard air like smoke.

“You know I’m a good chaser, though.”

She froze for a beat, heart racing, then forced her steps to keep moving. Behind her, she could feel him watching, steady as ever.

A phone clicked. Someone caught the moment on camera, angled to look like he was about to kiss her.

By the time Norah slipped back inside, the photo was already on its way across campus.

A photo.

Norah and Ivan, standing too close in the courtyard. His head dipped low, hers tilted slightly back. From that angle, it looked like they were about to kiss.

The caption burned under it:

“Campus sweetheart & the bad boy prince”

Within an hour, the comments stacked up.

“No way, Nor her chest kicked wild, heat running hot through her veins. “You’re impossible,” she muttered, the words slipping out softer than she meant.

He only grinned, leaning in just enough to steal her air, close enough to leave her off balance.

ah pulled IVAN?”

“She’s got the whole campus in a chokehold.”

“Poor Rose… she must be losing it.”

And she was.

Rose almost dropped her phone when she saw the post. Heat rushed up her neck, her gut twisting. She knew Ivan—knew that grin, that tilt of his head. He wasn’t smiling like that for anyone else.

Her blood roared in her ears.

“So that’s why,” she spat into the empty dorm room, pacing like a storm. “That’s why he treated me like trash last night. That’s why he put his hands on me. Because of her.”

She hurled the phone across the bed, breathing hard. The more she thought about it, the sharper her fury cut. Norah—the quiet little scholarship girl—had not only stolen her attention, her spotlight, but now she had Ivan’s eyes on her too.

Rose’s hands curled into fists. Her reflection in the mirror was wild-eyed, her smile sharp as glass.

“Fine,” she whispered to herself, the words trembling with venom. “If Ivan wants to play savior, let him. She won’t be here long enough for him to save.”

Her voice hardened, a vow.

“This time, I’ll make sure Norah’s gone for good.”