"Who the hell are you, motherf—" Cassion spun around, ready to curse, but before he could finish, a fist collided with his jaw.
He stumbled back, clutching his face in shock. "You bas—"
"Don't you dare say a word about my mother," the stranger growled, towering over him.
Cassion glared at the man holding his bleeding nose. "Who the hell are you?!"
Before the man could answer, a voice interrupted.
"Don't you recognize him?" the college principal announced, stepping forward. "He's the owner of this college—Mr. Leander Smith."
A hush fell over the students gathered nearby. Whispers and gasps filled the air.
Leander smirked and dusted off his knuckles. "And now that introductions are out of the way… throw him out."
Two guards immediately grabbed Cassion by his arms.
"You can't do this!" Cassion protested, struggling. "Calista is my girlfriend!"
Leander's smirk widened. "Not anymore. And listen carefully—if I ever see you near her again, I'll chop you into pieces and feed you to the dogs."
The cold finality in his voice sent a chill down Cassion's spine. The guards dragged him toward the exit as he cursed and yelled, but no one paid him any attention.
Leander sighed dramatically. "Now, time to meet my future wife."
The principal frowned. "Your what?"
"My future wife," Leander repeated like it was obvious.
The principal blinked in confusion but, knowing better than to question the owner, simply nodded. "This way, sir."
In Calista's Class
Students crowded around the windows, whispering and giggling.
"Who's that?" one girl asked.
"He's so hot," another sighed dreamily.
Calista yawned, stretching her arms. "What's with all the noise?"
Elowen shook her awake. "You're missing a whole moment here!"
"Not interested," Calista mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
"At least look at him!" Elowen huffed.
"Why should I? Handsome guys are just trouble," Calista replied lazily, leaning back in her seat.
Before Elowen could argue, the classroom door opened. The principal stepped inside, scanning the students.
"Miss Calista."
Calista ignored it at first, assuming he was addressing someone else.
"Miss Calista," the principal called again, firmer this time.
Startled, Calista jumped up. "Yes, sir?"
"Meet me in my office after class."
Calista frowned. "Uh… okay?"
The principal nodded and left, but not before casting a quick glance at the mysterious visitor outside.
Elowen nudged Calista. "I swear, if you don't at least glance at that guy—"
Calista rolled her eyes. "Fine." She turned to the window, barely looking. "Happy?"
Elowen sighed. "You're hopeless."
The bell rang, signaling the end of class.
"Good luck with whatever that was about," Elowen teased as Calista packed up her things.
"Yeah, yeah," Calista muttered, making her way toward the principal's office.
Principal's Office
Calista knocked lightly before pushing the door open. "May I—"
She froze mid-sentence, her eyes landing on a familiar face.
Leander.
Sitting there. Smiling. Like he owned the world.
…Which, unfortunately, he kind of did.
Calista's stomach dropped. "You."
Leander's smirk widened. "Me."
The principal cleared his throat. "Miss Calista, Mr. Smith wanted to speak with you personally. I'll leave you two to discuss… whatever it is you need to discuss."
"Wait, wait, wait! Where are you going?" Calista panicked, reaching toward the principal as he slipped out of the room. "Sir?! Don't leave me with him!"
The door clicked shut.
Silence.
Calista turned back slowly. Leander was still smiling, looking far too pleased with himself.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded, folding her arms.
Leander stood up and took a step toward her.
Calista instinctively stepped back.
Another step.
She stepped back again.
"Wh—What are you doing?" she stammered.
Leander kept moving forward until her back hit the door. She had nowhere left to go.
Leander leaned in, his face inches from hers. "We never finished our conversation, Kitty."