TWISTED AFFECTION

Chapter 1 - Drawn

“Thaira! You knew I loved him so much, right?”

I rolled my eyes. For the past hour, I had been listening to her endless rants about some engineering genius who was apparently running for summa cumlaude. In Lynn’s world, he was a walking miracle. In mine, he was just a person I wanted to forget.

“You already know your part, Lynn. That’s enough. He’s not worth it anyway.”

“But you know I’ve been pining over him these last two years!” she whined, stomping her foot like a child. “Now it’s my last chance because he’s graduating. I don’t have any choice but to confess my feelings.”

“And where did that confession go, huh?” I folded my arms. “Straight to rejection.”

“You’re so mean!” she cried dramatically, loud enough that people in the library started turning their heads.

I leaned closer and muttered, “Calm down, you’re in a f*****g library. Why don’t you collect your tears so we have something to drink later?”

She sniffed loudly. “You think tequila can get rid of my feelings?”

“Well… temporarily, yeah.”

A reluctant grin broke through her pout. That was one thing about Lynn, she could bounce between crying and laughing faster than my patience could adjust.

Later that night, we ended up in a club—her idea, not mine. The music blasted through the speakers, the place packed with students who were celebrating the arrival of the weekend. I tugged at my leather mini skirt, making sure it stayed where it should.

Lynn leaned close, shouting over the music, “Do you think he’ll notice me if I tempt him?”

I shook my head, amused and exhausted. “Honestly, Lynn, he barely looks at anyone unless it’s related to his studies. You’re wasting your time.”

She stole the drink from my hand, gulped a huge sip, then shoved it back to me.

“You’re no help.”

“I’m just being real,” I said, scanning the dance floor. It was a messy mix of sweat, perfume, alcohol, and neon lights. Typical Friday chaos.

Lynn suddenly gasped and grabbed my arm. “Wait—isn’t that him?”

I followed her gaze, and sure enough, there he was. Maverick Ramirez. The man she had cried about all afternoon. He stood near the bar with a few friends, wearing a crisp white shirt and glasses that made him look so out of place in a club it was almost funny. Calm. Serious. Composed.

My stomach tightened, not because she liked him, but because I knew him better than she ever would.

“What do I do?” Lynn panicked.

“Nothing,” I said, sipping my drink. “Don’t make a fool of yourself.”

Of course, she ignored me. She fixed her lipstick using her phone’s screen, fluffed her hair, and marched off.

“Lynn—don’t—”

Too late.

I sighed and stayed behind, bracing myself.

Melynn, you’re just breaking your own heart.

I watched her approach him. Maverick noticed but didn’t look surprised. He smiled politely with a small, controlled smile, the type he gave to everyone.

Lynn tried her best. She talked too fast, moved her hands too much, laughed louder than she meant to. He nodded occasionally, but his eyes kept drifting… elsewhere.

Then suddenly, they shifted to me.

My chest tightened.

For just a second, something flickered in his gaze. Warmth, familiarity, recognition. Something I didn’t want to name. Then it was gone, replaced by that cold, analytical stare that always managed to crawl under my skin.

I rolled my eyes and looked away. When I glanced back, he was still staring. His lips curved slightly.

What an asshole.

I tugged my skirt down again, suddenly feeling too revealed, too vulnerable under his gaze.

Lynn eventually returned, pretending not to be hurt.

“He’s so serious. I don’t think he even likes going out,” she said before finishing her drink in one go.

I nodded casually, but Maverick’s stare followed me even from across the room.

The club felt suddenly too loud, too hot, too suffocating. Lynn wandered off again, and I slipped outside through one of the side exits.

The night air hit me instantly, cool against my warm skin. I leaned back against the wall, trying to calm my heartbeat. The music thumped from inside, muffled but still loud enough to vibrate through the concrete.

I closed my eyes for a moment—until I sensed someone close.

I opened them. Maverick stood a few steps away.

My chest tightened instantly.

“You’re out here,” he said quietly. His voice was deep, steady, unbothered by the noise behind us. “What are you doing outside?”

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms, refusing to give him an answer.

“I wonder how long you’ll keep giving me that cold treatment—”

I cut him off, staring straight at him. “You should stop acting kind in front of people. Especially when that person likes you. It just gives them false hope.”

His brows rose slightly, lips curling like he found that amusing. His eyes traveled down the side of my face, pausing at my jaw before lifting to meet mine again.

That tiny, deliberate glance sent a jolt through my chest.

He stepped closer—just a little, but close enough that the heat of his body brushed against the cool night air.

“You didn’t like it?” His voice dropped lower.

“Lynn was heartbroken,” I said, my voice sharp. “Stop smiling at her if you don’t like her.”

He didn’t move back. In fact, he stepped closer.

Too close.

I swallowed hard as his presence wrapped around me—warm, steady, unsettling.

He leaned in, his breath brushing my ear.

“And what do you want me to tell them?”

A shiver ran straight down my spine. My body tensed instantly. I wanted to step away, but I couldn’t. His proximity anchored me to the ground. My chest felt tight, my mind scrambling for distance that my body refused to take.

Something had shifted between us. Something dangerous. Something unspoken.

Something that never really left.

I hated him for it.

Even though I wanted to stay distant, part of me, was drawn to him.

Or should I say… still drawn to him.

Drawn to the way he could make me feel exposed with just a look or a word.