CUPID

4.

CHAPTER 4

Natan swiftly showered and ate dinner, eager to make the most of his free evening. He intended to spend it thoroughly examining Bella's social media profiles.

The solitude of his apartment was a blessing, allowing him uninterrupted time to focus. Such were the perks of being a college student.

It had been three weeks since he started pursuing Bella, yet she remained unmoved. He wondered if she found him unappealing or if she simply wasn't interested in men. Nevertheless, Natan was determined; Bella would be his girlfriend before the year ended.

He had made a solemn vow to himself.

After dinner, Natan retreated to his bedroom and opened his MacBook. He navigated to Bella's Facebook profile, her most active platform.

Bella Alcazaren
20,000 followers

Add Friend | Follow

Natan's heart raced as he noticed the significant increase in her followers. She had gained an additional 10,000 since he last checked.

Her popularity was astonishing.

Despite her repeated rejections, Natan remained hopeful. He sent her another friend request, a small smile playing on his lips as he contemplated her acceptance.

However, his hope was short-lived. Within minutes, a notification informed him that she had declined his request once again.

Disappointment washed over him, but Natan was not easily deterred. He resolved to continue his surveillance, his original intent all along.

As he scrolled through Bella's public posts, a particular photograph caught his eye. It depicted Bella posing alongside her brother, Brian. Natan couldn't help but wonder how she could stand being so close to someone so insufferable.

He chided himself for his irrational thoughts, attributing them to his growing obsession.

The photograph had been taken at an acquaintance party the previous month. Bella was resplendent in a red gown adorned with shimmering diamonds, a matching necklace gracing her delicate neck.

She was breathtaking. Natan allowed himself a moment to indulge in the fantasy of waking up to her radiant smile each morning. He was certain that such a privilege would make him the happiest man alive.

His reverie was abruptly shattered as his gaze shifted to Brian. Clad in a black tuxedo with a fitted T-shirt underneath, Brian's muscular physique was evident. His biceps strained against the fabric of his shirt, and his tailored pants accentuated his long, lean legs.

As Natan studied Brian's face, he was struck by the man's undeniable attractiveness. His chiseled jawline and high cheekbones lent him an almost godlike appearance. Despite his disdain for Brian, Natan couldn't deny his physical appeal.

He quickly dismissed the thought, reminding himself of Brian's insufferable personality.

As Natan's gaze drifted lower, he noted Brian's impressive bulge with a mixture of envy and disdain. He couldn't help but wonder if Bella was aware of her brother's formidable attributes.

Natan continued to scroll through Bella's posts, occasionally leaving a comment or reacting to a photo. As the hours ticked by, he finally grew weary of his surveillance and closed his MacBook. Setting his alarm, he succumbed to the beckoning embrace of sleep.

***

Natan awoke with the first light of dawn, his morning routine a well-rehearsed dance of efficiency. He brushed his teeth, showered, and dressed with practiced ease before sitting down to breakfast. As he ate, his phone buzzed insistently from its place on the table beside him.

His brow furrowed as he read the message that had interrupted his morning ritual.

Diablo: Can't wait to see my baby

A surge of irritation coursed through him as he recognized the sender. Brian. The mere thought of him was enough to set Natan's teeth on edge.

What could this dickhead possibly want?

Natan's mind raced as he recalled the previous day's events, his ill-advised decision to taunt Brian by referring to him as "baby." He cursed himself for his foolishness, his anger growing with each passing moment.

The prospect of attending classes suddenly seemed unbearable. Natan contemplated skipping school altogether, but the thought of not seeing Bella was even more intolerable.

***

As Natan exited his car, which he had parked in his usual spot, he made his way towards the campus gate. He was taken aback to find Brian leaning casually against the wall, one foot propped up behind him, hands tucked into his pants pockets.

The campus was eerily quiet, devoid of the usual throng of students. It was just the two of them, a fact that Natan found both unsettling and infuriating.

He attempted to walk past Brian without acknowledging his presence, but his plans were thwarted as Brian's hand shot out, grasping Natan's arm firmly.

"Wait," Brian commanded, his voice a low rumble.

Natan's eyes widened in surprise and annoyance.

"What?" he demanded, his voice laced with irritation.

Brian released Natan's arm and stood upright, a smirk playing on his lips. "Don't I get a kiss?" he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Natan's jaw clenched, his anger boiling over.

"Kiss my ass," he retorted, his voice a low growl.

Brian's smirk widened into a full-blown grin, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Later, baby. We're in a public place," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. As if those words were not meant to be heard by the public.

Natan's anger morphed into white-hot fury.

"You know what? Fuck you!" he spat, storming past Brian and through the campus gate, his nostrils flaring with each ragged breath.

His day was already ruined, and it had barely begun.