CONNECTED HEARTS

2: The Adyan Effect, "An unlikely start.."

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Kaltoom's eyes snapped to the stranger, meeting a stare so sharp it almost pinned her to her seat.

"Hey, miss. Do you mind reversing a bit?" His deep voice rolled out, steady and commanding. It sent an involuntary shiver down her spine not that she was going to admit it.

For a second, her brain glitched. Did she just... feel something? Nope. Not happening.

When she didn't react fast enough, his tone hardened.
"Your car is blocking my way."

That snapped her back. Kaltoom's brows arched, irritation flaring instantly. Her morning was already a mess thanks to Ammi, and now some random guy thought he could order her around? Wrong girl.

She turned fully, ready to unleash. But the moment her gaze locked on his dark eyes framed with ridiculously thick lashes her comeback died in her throat. Her chest betrayed her with a flutter.

Great. Now I'm one of those girls.

She'd always mocked the way girls lost their dignity around her brothers, falling over themselves like moths to a flame. But now? She was dangerously close to being that girl.

Before she could gather herself, his voice cut through again, flat and annoyed.
"Quit staring and move it, please."

That did it. Kaltoom blinked, snapped her lashes, and let her gaze sweep over him in one dismissive scan. Oh, he's one of those. Thinks being tall, broody, and blessed with a jawline gives him the right to command women? Yeah, wrong audience.

Without a word, she pivoted and strutted off, heels clicking against the pavement, leaving him standing there with nothing but her attitude hanging in the air.

He watching her storm away, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

⸻

The lecture was better than Kaltoom expected surprisingly engaging. She left the hall in high spirits, chatting with Amani, her best friend and partner-in-crime. Amani was the balance Kaltoom needed: calm, thoughtful, the type who actually listened to her mom. Honestly, Kaltoom would've died of boredom in this uni if Amani wasn't here.

They claimed a table in the cafeteria. Kaltoom scrolled through Twitter, thumbs flying as she cackled at random memes, while Amani attacked a plate of fried rice and wings like she hadn't eaten in days.

Peace lasted exactly three minutes.

A strong hand suddenly clamped onto Kaltoom's wrist, making her iPhone 12 Pro Max slip from her grip and hit the table with a loud clack. She gasped, fury instantly rising. "What the hell—"

Her anger froze when she looked up.

Him. Again.

Adyan's expression was unreadable, his eyes locked on hers. Up close, he was even more striking sharper features, darker eyes. Her stomach did that stupid flip again, but this time she mentally slapped herself. Nope. Not happening.

"What do you think you're doing? Let go!" she snapped, her voice sharp enough to turn heads.

He didn't flinch. Instead, he tugged her out of the cafeteria, ignoring Amani's horrified protests.

"Let her go!" Amani yelled, but Adyan's cutting glare silenced her instantly.

Kaltoom struggled against his grip, heat rushing to her cheeks. By the time they reached the parking lot, he released her with a shove.

"Now move this... thing," he ordered, pointing at her car.

Kaltoom froze. Thing? He had just disrespected her Mercedes,the crown jewel she had begged her father for months to buy. That was a personal attack.

Her arms folded across her chest. "What if I don't?" she shot back, her chin tilting defiantly.

"Then you won't even imagine what happens next." His tone was low, threatening, almost too calm.

For the first time, a chill ran through her. People didn't threaten Kaltoom. Ever.

But pride flared stronger than fear. She smirked, turning to Amani. "Pass me my purse."

Amani hesitated but obeyed. Kaltoom pulled out the keys, twirled them in her hand, and tossed them at Adyan's chest.

"If you're desperate, move it yourself." Her tone dripped with venom.

Adyan caught the keys with one hand, his lips twitching in something that wasn't quite a smile. "Fine. But you'll regret this."

He slid into her Benz, reversed it effortlessly, then left it parked with the door hanging open and the engine running like it was nothing. Within seconds, he was in his black BMW M5, speeding off without a second glance.

Kaltoom stood frozen, seething. Her chest ached with a mix of rage, humiliation, and something she refused to name. Her throat tightened as tears threatened. She blinked them back, furious at herself.

He had ruined her first day. And she hated him for it.

If only Khalid were here.

The thought stung, leaving her feeling small and helpless in a way she hadn't felt in years.

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