Devil's Bride

You Matter to Me

Maya placed her phone on the bedside table, her fingers still tingling from the conversation. She lay back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling as her heart raced.

Ayaan’s words played in her mind on repeat: You matter to me, Maya.

Why did those simple words feel so profound? So heavy?

She clutched the edge of her blanket, her cheeks burning as she recalled his protective tone, the way he always seemed to appear when she needed him most. He wasn’t just a man—he was a force, a constant presence that made her feel both safe and vulnerable at the same time.

“What is wrong with me?”

Ayaan.

Her thoughts wandered to his intense gaze, the way he looked at her like she was the only thing in the world that mattered. It was both thrilling and terrifying.Her heart betrayed her, thudding loudly at the memory of his words, his smirk, his presence.

Ayaan placed his phone on the desk, leaning back in his chair as he exhaled a deep breath. He ran a hand through his hair, his thoughts swirling with Maya’s voice, her words: You matter to me too, Ayaan.

He closed his eyes, her face flashing in his mind—those big, expressive eyes, her soft, hesitant smile, the way she blushed at the simplest tease.

What was she doing to him?

He had lived his entire life with control, calculated precision in everything he did. Emotions were a weakness he couldn’t afford. And yet, with Maya, all his carefully constructed walls crumbled.

It wasn’t just her innocence that drew him. It was her light, the way she existed in a world so different from his, untouched by the darkness that consumed him.

But that was also the problem.

Her words replayed in his mind: I’m not a child, you know.

A smirk tugged at his lips, though his eyes remained shadowed. “You’re right, Maya,” he murmured to himself. “You’re not a child. But you’re still too pure for me.”

And that was the crux of it. He wanted her, craved her, in ways he couldn’t ignore. But the closer he got to her, the more he risked pulling her into his darkness.

For now, he would keep his distance—let her live her life, chase her dreams. But deep down, Ayaan knew his resolve was hanging by a thread.

Because no matter how much he tried to deny it, she wasn’t just a fleeting obsession.

Maya was his. And sooner or later, he would claim her.

It had been days since her late-night chat with Ayaan, and yet, his words still lingered in her mind. The way he said she mattered, the way his protective tone wrapped around her—it had become a constant, distracting hum in her heart.

She walked toward the library, her steps slowing as she passed by the lush campus garden. The gentle rustle of the leaves and the faint scent of flowers momentarily pulled her out of her thoughts. She found herself pausing by the fountain, letting the cool breeze caress her cheeks.

“Maya.”

Her heart jumped at the sound of his voice, deep and unmistakable. She turned slowly, her breath catching when her eyes landed on Ayaan.

He stood a few feet away, dressed in a tailored black shirt and dark trousers, his sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms. His piercing gaze locked onto hers, and for a moment, the bustling campus seemed to fade into silence.

“Ayaan?” she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.

He stepped closer, his presence commanding and magnetic. “Were you going to walk past me without saying hello?”

“I-I didn’t see you,” she stammered, clutching her notebook tighter as her cheeks flushed.

His lips curved into a small, teasing smile. “You were lost in thought again. What is it this time? Medical theories or something more… personal?”

Her blush deepened, and she quickly looked away, fidgeting with the edge of her notebook. “I was just… thinking.”

“About me?” he asked, his tone light but his eyes intense.

Her head snapped up, her wide eyes meeting his amused gaze. “No!” she said hurriedly, her voice higher than intended.

Ayaan chuckled, the sound low and rich, sending a shiver down her spine. “Relax, Maya. I’m just teasing.”

She pouted slightly, her lips pressing into a soft line. “You always do that.”

“Because you make it so easy,” he countered, his voice dropping slightly as he stepped closer.

Maya instinctively took a step back, only to find herself pressed against the edge of the fountain. Her heart raced as he loomed over her, his gaze unwavering.

“You look tired,” he said softly, his tone shifting to something more genuine. “Are you sleeping well?”

She nodded quickly, though her racing thoughts betrayed her.

Ayaan’s brow furrowed slightly as he studied her, his fingers twitching with the urge to brush a stray strand of hair from her face. “Don’t push yourself too hard, Maya. You’re allowed to take a break.”

“I’m fine,” she said, her voice steadier now. “Really.”

He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t press further. Instead, he took a step back, giving her space.

“Fine,” he said, his smirk returning. “But next time you’re lost in thought, make sure it’s about me.”

She gaped at him, her cheeks burning as he turned and began to walk away. But then, as if he couldn’t help himself, he paused and glanced back over his shoulder.

“Oh, and Maya?”

“Y-Yes?”

His eyes softened, a rare vulnerability shining through his usual confident demeanor. “It’s good to see you.”

Before she could respond, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving her standing by the fountain with her heart pounding and her thoughts in disarray.