OWNED BY THE BAD BOY

DANGEROUS CURIOSITY

By mid-morning, Mia, Aisha, and I had found a rhythm together. Walking through the hallways wasn’t as unbearable anymore with them flanking me like bodyguards, and I found myself laughing at small jokes, feeling a sense of belonging I hadn’t felt in a long time.

“I can’t believe those twins think they can walk all over everyone,” Aisha muttered, eyeing a group of girls gossiping nearby. “Honestly, Camila, you’d survive without us, but it’s better with allies.”

I nodded, smiling softly. “I… I’m really glad I met you two. I don’t think I’d have made it through this week without you.”

Mia grinned. “Stick with us. We’ll make sure Rosewood doesn’t chew you up too badly.”

The bell rang, signaling a short break between classes. I excused myself and slipped into the girls’ restroom, hoping for a quiet moment to collect my thoughts. As I washed my hands and stared at my reflection, I heard soft voices and laughter from a stall nearby.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked through the slightly open door.

My stomach sank.

There he was—Luciano. He was pressed close to a girl, lips moving against hers in a way that made my cheeks burn with heat and something I couldn’t quite name.

I turned quickly, thinking he wouldn’t notice me, but his sharp, dark eyes caught mine immediately.

The girl jumped away, alarmed, and I felt my stomach twist. Luciano’s gaze was locked on me now, intense, dark, and unreadable. In a blur, he grabbed the girl’s wrist and pulled her toward him, whispering something that made her frown and glare before storming off.

I backed away instinctively, heart hammering. And then—he was moving toward me, slow, deliberate, his presence overwhelming.

“Enjoying the show?” he asked, smirking, his tone teasing, dangerous. “Or are you… innocent enough that this shocks you?”

I opened my mouth to retort, but my voice caught. “I… I wasn’t looking—”

He leaned closer, his breath brushing my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “Careful, little one. You might get ideas about things you’re not ready for.”

I stepped back, fuming, my cheeks hot. “I am not little! And I’m not—”

He cut me off with a dark chuckle. “Oh, I know. You’re a virgin, aren’t you?” His eyes glittered with mischief, his words sharp, teasing, almost predatory.

I froze, anger mixing with embarrassment. “I am not!” I snapped, wishing I could vanish.

He smirked, tilting his head. “Right… of course. But you should be careful. Innocence like yours doesn’t stay hidden for long. And I tend to notice everything.”

I clenched my fists, forcing my breathing to steady. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet,” he said softly, dangerously, “here you are… watching me anyway.”

My heart pounded in my chest, a confusing mix of fear, anger, and… something else I didn’t want to admit. I pushed past him, shoving open the restroom door and nearly running into Mia and Aisha in the hallway.

“Camila! Are you okay?” Mia asked, concern flooding her face.

I swallowed hard, trying to calm my racing pulse. “Yeah… I’m fine. Just… someone I know.” I forced a smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes.

Aisha frowned. “You look like you just saw a ghost.”

I shook my head, stepping away. “No… worse.”

And even as we walked together back toward class, I could feel it—his gaze following me, dark and dangerous, teasing, and relentless.

Something told me that this was only the beginning.