𝙁𝙊𝙍𝘽𝙄𝘿𝘿𝙀𝙉 [𝟭𝟴+]

Twelve

The next lecture feels different.

I don't know whether it's because of Damon's lingering words last time or the unsettling way his gaze still haunts me, but today, I'm determined not to let him get under my skin. I've spent enough time being thrown off by him. It's time to flip the script.

When I walk into the Business Administration lecture hall, I hold my head a little higher. I take my usual seat at the back, pretending like I'm not fully aware of the fact that Damon is already standing at the front, surveying the room with that same predatory glint in his eyes. He doesn't see me yet, and for a split second, I let myself enjoy the moment of being in control.

That is, until he speaks.

"Aurelia," he says, his voice smooth, cutting through the murmur of students finding their seats. "I trust you're ready to contribute today. Or should I give you a few more minutes to gather your thoughts?"

I feel his gaze land on me like a weight, and I know exactly what he's doing. He's testing me. Trying to see if I'll shrink under the pressure again, like last time. But this time, I'm not the same. This time, I'm ready.

I meet his eyes, not backing down, and without hesitation, I stand up.

"Actually," I say, my voice steady and a little too sweet, "I was hoping you'd ask. You know, just to see if you were paying attention." I raise an eyebrow, a challenge in my expression.

Damon's lips twitch, amusement flickering in his eyes. I can tell he's enjoying this. I've caught his interest, and now I'm going to make sure he knows it.

"Go on, then," he says, his tone almost playful. "Impress me."

I don't hesitate. I step forward, standing tall at the front of the room, facing the class but keeping my attention focused solely on Damon. I'm no longer a nervous student trying to get through a presentation. I'm a woman who knows exactly what game she's playing, and I'm determined to win.

"Business strategy isn't just about having a plan," I begin, my voice unwavering. "It's about being able to pivot, adapt, and challenge assumptions when things don't go as expected. Sure, you can follow a textbook model, but the best companies—and the best people—are the ones who can recognize the changing tides and surf them, not drown in them."

I feel Damon's gaze locked on me the entire time, but I don't break. Not now. I finish my point with a confident smile, turning to face him directly.

"And as for the strategy I'd use for success, well... it's about pushing boundaries and being unpredictable. It's about taking risks and, most importantly, knowing how to get the most out of the people around you."

The room is silent for a moment. Damon's eyes narrow slightly, and the faintest trace of a smile tugs at the corner of his lips.

"Well said, Aurelia," he says, his voice low and a little too pleased. "But I'll be honest, I'm not sure if you're talking about business or something else entirely."

I don't even flinch. Instead, I let my gaze linger on him, just a little longer than necessary, just enough to make him feel the weight of my attention.

"You'll have to figure that out for yourself, won't you?" I reply, my words casual but my tone laced with something sharper. Something daring.

Damon's smirk deepens, and for the briefest moment, I swear I see a flash of something else in his eyes—something darker, more dangerous. But it's gone before I can fully process it. He doesn't let me see him lose control, and I'm not sure if I'm disappointed or relieved.

"Well," he says, clearing his throat as he takes a step back. "That's certainly an interesting approach. Let's see how well it works in practice, shall we?"

The rest of the lecture passes in a blur. But every now and then, I catch Damon's eyes flicking over to me, a subtle shift in his gaze that tells me he's still thinking about what I said. And the idea of making him think? That feels like a win.

Later that day...

The evening rolls in, and I'm walking to the student lounge, my mind still buzzing from the lecture. I'm feeling unusually confident, a little lighter, almost like I've just had a victory. And in a way, I have. I didn't let Damon play his games with me. I played right back, and I didn't back down.

But I don't expect to see him in the lounge. That would be too much of a coincidence, right?

Wrong.

I walk in and immediately spot Damon sitting at one of the corner tables. He's casually flipping through some papers, his sharp jawline set in a way that screams business. When his gaze meets mine across the room, his lips curl into that same knowing smile. It's like he's been waiting for me.

I make my way over, not bothering to hide the fact that I'm deliberately walking toward him. It's a game, and I'm going to play it well.

"Are you stalking me now?" I ask, raising an eyebrow as I slide into the chair opposite him, uninvited but confident.

Damon glances up from his papers, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Stalking?" he repeats, his voice smooth as velvet. "I believe you were the one who decided to grace my presence first."

I scoff, leaning back in my chair, crossing my arms. "If I recall correctly, you were the one who had some pretty interesting things to say in class today. I just wanted to make sure you weren't going to try to lecture me again."

Damon lets out a soft chuckle, clearly entertained by my sass. "Lecture you? Please, I think you've proven that you can hold your own. Though, I wouldn't mind a little more... discussion between us."

I smirk, leaning forward a little, testing the waters. "I'm sure you wouldn't. But tell me, Damon, do you always challenge your students like this? Or am I just a special case?"

For a moment, there's a flicker of something in his eyes. It's quick, but I see it. The game is still on, but I'm no longer the one running scared.

"You are... unique," Damon says, his voice lowering a notch, leaning in ever so slightly. "But don't get too comfortable, Aurelia. There's a fine line between playing the game and losing control."

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued but unwilling to give up the upper hand. "And who's to say I'm not in control?"

The silence between us stretches for just a beat too long, the air thick with the unspoken tension. He looks at me like he's weighing the next move, his lips barely twitching as if he's considering how far I'll push.

"You might be in control for now," Damon says, his voice low and smooth, "but I'm curious to see how long that lasts."

I lean back, letting his words sink in, a sense of satisfaction spreading through me. If Damon wants a game, I'm more than ready to play. I've spent enough time being the one who's rattled. Now it's his turn.

And if I'm really being honest, I'm looking forward to finding out just how far this game can go.