KARIMA HEART

I didn't say another word.

I couldn't even tell what broke my heart more, whether the sight of what I'd just witnessed, or the d*mn pain ripping me apart from the inside out.

Ellie?

It couldn't be her... The only way I'd believe it was if I stormed into that room myself and saw it up close.

Owain just stood there, watching me like he could read my mind. Like he knew what I was about to do next.

The second I turned toward the door, his hand snapped around my arm, tight and firm, almost like he wanted to rip it off.

Before I could react, he spun me back with force and pulled me against him from behind. His grip locked around my waist like steel. Then his cold lips brushed my neck as he whispered, in a cold, low, and dangerous.

"Have you forgotten we had a deal?"

"You don't get to walk away after I held up my end."

I thrashed, trying to break free, but his arms only tightened. And worse ... F*cking hell... The warmth of him made my skin burn in ways it shouldn't have.

What the actual f*ck, Karima?

You just caught your boyfriend screwing your best friend and somehow... you're reacting to this?

I shook my head in disgust at myself, of course, at him, and shoved him. I raised my hand, ready to slap the smug off his face again, but he caught my wrist midair, his eyes gleaming with warning.

"I don't let women hit me, Karima."

"You got your free one. Try it again, and it won't end the same."

"I don't give a d*mn," I spat. "What do you even want from me, Owain? You're seriously talking about deals when..."

My words cut off as I glanced toward the glass wall again.

They weren't just kissing anymore.

Ellie's leg was in the air, her back arched on the bed as he hovered over her cl*t, thrusting slowly and deep, like he couldn't contain the pleasure he felt. Her soft moans leaked through the d*mn glass, every sound was another knife in my chest.

It wasn't just cheating.

It was a betrayal, a completely raw and ugly one.

I turned back to Owain, tears blurring my vision, but I didn't let them fall before I wiped them off my cheeks and glared at him.

"So this was the plan, huh?"

"You wanted to break me? Show me this mess?"

"Fine. You win. But just so we're clear, you'll never have me."

"My heart? It's off-limits."

He laughed.

Not a light chuckle, it was a deep, mocking, bad-boy kind of laugh that made the air between us colder.

Like I'd just told a punchline to a joke I didn't know I was part of.

He clapped slowly, strolling toward me with that cocky glint in his eyes.

"Heart?" he repeated, dragging the word like it was foreign on his tongue.

"Who said I wanted your heart?"

Before I could blink, his hand slid down with a bold and claiming move. His palm landed firmly on my backside.

I gasped, my eyes snapping at his at once.

He smirked. Sh*t! That infuriating, overconfident smirk played on his lips.

"I want you, Karima. Not your heart. I don't do love, my darling," he said in a low voice.

His gaze dropped, trailing slowly over my face, down to my exposed cleavage. His tongue darted out to wet the corner of his lips, just a flick... but it was enough to tell me where his mind had already gone.

And I hated myself for it...

Because my heart was racing like crazy, as if it was a speeding car.

No matter how hard I tried to shut it out, the truth was painfully clear... I still felt it. That stupid, undying pull toward him. How on earth could I even deny it?

Owain was the first man I ever loved from the day I could understand what love even meant. As a kid, down to when I was a teenager. Even when I convinced myself I was over him and agreed to date Nathan, deep down I knew it was a d*mn lie.

A stupid, desperate lie I told myself.

And that lie made me angry. Because Owain... he was never the romantic type. I could never match whatever kind of woman he was drawn to.

He was wild.

I was... not.

I stayed indoors almost all the time, keeping to myself, and avoided crowds as much as I could... The worse part? I was very timid and quiet. The only time I ever go out for fun was when Ellie dragged me out of my shell, usually kicking and screaming.

So why now?

Why was he looking at me like this?

And the annoying part? why did I want it so badly?

My brain was beginning to scream at me, to shut it down and walk away. But it was too late.

His hand lifted again, this time grazing the exposed dip of my chest, his fingers brushing softly, and deliberately, between the curve of my t*ts and slowly caressing the top of the n*pples. My breath hitched, but I didn't move.

Not until a sound slipped out of me, a low, helpless moan... The stupid me made a hard face, avoiding his eyes as if he hadn't caught me already.... That was when I realized I was holding my breath.

It was as if that was all he needed.

A slow, knowing smile curved on his face.

Not the playful type that showed he enjoyed it, it was the type of smile that said one thing... he was d*mn right.

That I wanted him... So badly.

And my body had just sold me out.

If the ground opened and swallowed me whole, I'd have gladly let it. But it didn't. I was still standing here, heat rising in the tight space between us.

He leaned in, his voice low and smooth against my lips.

"You've still got that soft spot for me, Karima."

"What are you holding back for?"

His lips barely brushed mine, a teasing graze, as he murmured,

"I want that girl... the wild, fearless one I saw at the club."

"Whenever you're with me, be her. Not that quiet little thing I used to know. Got it?"

I nodded. Shamelessly, but my body stayed frozen and stiff, until he finally took a small step back, giving me a breath of space I didn't even realize I needed.

"I won't lay a finger on you unless you're ready to show me that wild side," he said, his voice low and taunting.

"As for your boyfriend?" he shrugged. "Just play along for today. You can manage that... right?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. My throat had gone dry.

So I just nodded... just a little.

That was enough for him.

"Do you want me to drop you off?" he asked, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You don't look like your legs can walk just yet."

"I can-" I tried to say, barely getting the words out.

But before I could finish, his lips crashed into mine, quick and sharp, but full of heat.

It only lasted a second. But it knocked the air right out of me.

He pulled away just as fast, his grin widening as he tapped my shoulder casually.

"I couldn't wait to do that," he said coolly.

I blinked, stunned. My mind blanked out, stuck somewhere between wanting to scream and wanting to replay that moment over again.

I turned away slowly, trying to regain control of my thoughts, my body, and me, but paused just before the door.

My eyes locked on his, sharp and unblinking.

He wanted the wild version of me?

Maybe that was exactly what I needed, not just to keep up with him, but to take the reins.

Let him try to play dominant. I could play dirty, too.

I took a step closer, lowering my voice just enough for the words to sting.

"You want the wild version of me?" I said. "Be careful what you ask for, Owain. You might not survive it."

He didn't laugh. He didn't even tease.

He just smiled... but not the usual cocky one.

Something flickered behind his eyes.

Was that fear?

Good. That's exactly what I wanted.

OWAIN LUTHER

The moment Karima said those words, I knew I had lit a fire in her. Exactly what I wanted. She was wild, she just didn't know it yet. But I did. And I was the only one who could unleash it. Let's see what you've got, Karima, I thought with a smirk. She led the way to the car. I followed behind her. The moment we hopped in, I hit the ignition and slammed the gas.

***

KARIMA HEART

The next day, I left class early. I did everything possible to avoid Ellie. Of course, she noticed, but I didn't care. Maybe avoiding conversations with her would make reality slip by... Just two days would be enough. No, maybe a week. Anything, enough to help me erase the whole nightmare I saw yesterday.

As soon as the lecture ended, and God helping me, Owain didn't show up today, I rushed to the cafeteria.

I spotted Tyla and dodged her. For the record, Tyla was the queen bee cheerleader for the TIGERS Team, the swim team Nathan was in. She was obsessed with him and, even now, she hated my guts since I dated him. She still does, actually.

In one swoop, I slipped into the cafeteria, unnoticed. I ordered some chips drowned in ketchup with a soft drink, scrolling through my phone like I had something meaningful going on in it. That was when I heard Ellie.

"So... this was where you were hiding after ghosting me? You think I won't find you?"

She said. I didn't say a word. I didn't look up. I just buried my face deeper in my phone.

"Hello?" she snapped her fingers in front of my face. "I'm not talking to a ghost, am I?"

On a normal day, I would've side-eyed her and pretended to be p*ss*d, just for fun. But this wasn't a normal day... This time, I couldn't. No matter how hard I tried to un-see what I saw that night, I couldn't. It was replayed over and over. And what killed me most? Ellie acted so d*mn normal... I almost doubted my own eyes.

I wanted to scream in her face. Instead, I held back the moment I locked eyes with her. And all I saw was Ellie... my best friend. The one who supported me the most.

"Cat got your tongue now?" she teased.

I chuckled softly. I didn't even realize when I fell for that.

She took that as her cue, pulled up a chair beside me, and tossed her Gucci bag on the table.

My eyes locked on the bag. My breath hitched.

No way.

It was the same designer bag I gifted Juliet, Nathan's sister. A one-of-a-kind graduation present. The same tag. The same custom design.

What the actual hell?

God! This isn't happening, is it?

"Why do you have this, Ellie?" I asked, keeping my voice steady.

She didn't flinch. Her eyes flicked to the bag, then back to me with that same sweet smile.

"Nathan gave it to me," she said casually. "Enough of the bag, Karry. Don't think this little hide-and-seek game you pulled on me will stop me from scolding you, definitely not the changing of topic either... Why on earth did you miss Jace's party?"

My blood bubbled, but I held it back. "I was out with Owain." I said that before I even thought about it.

"Owain?" she repeated with a flash of that look I know, then squealed, covering her mouth in mock shock.

"Are you freaking kidding me now, Karry?" She nudged my arm with excitement.

"What?"

"What do you mean? You're dating our professor."

"What? No! I'm not dating anyone. Stop saying that."

"But you just said you went out with him? What was that supposed to be? Private tutoring on the road? C'mon, Karry. This is hot gossip!"

I rolled my eyes, pulling her hand off my arm. "You're crazy, Ellie. I don't know what you're talking about."

"Well, I do. I knew something was up when I saw you two together yesterday."

"Wait, you did?" I snapped.

"Yes, I did." She rolled her eyes.

"Where?" I blurted out.

"At SWISS Hotel. I didn't think much of it at the time."

Was she seriously talking about the same hotel where I saw them screwing? Did she just say that casually? Was Ellie kidding me right now?

"Who were you with, Ellie?"

I asked, praying she'd just be honest, because I was holding back all the anger gnawing at me right now.

"Whoa. Chill, Karry. Why are you interrogating me? I'm the one doing the asking here, remember?"

"F*cking answer me, Ellie!" I snapped.

Her face changed, instantly. She sensed the seriousness in my tone.

"I was with Jace and the boys. We had a night out at SWISS HOTEL, wanted to tell you about it, but you nailed out. Happy?"

I sprung up, the anger in me clearly making me vibrate. My hands shook as I ran it through my hair.

"A night out?" I repeated.

"You okay, Karry?"

"Stop calling me that, okay? Just... tell me the truth, Ellie. Are you seriously lying to my face right now?"

Her brows scrunched. "What are you talking about for heaven's sake? Say something that makes sense?"

"Really? You seriously want me to say it? Okay then. Are you f*cking telling me I didn't see you screwing my boyfriend last night? Answer me!"

That was when her face froze. And the mask dropped. For a moment, I prayed-hoped she'd deny it... Maybe denying it would make the pain all go away.

But then Nathan's voice cut through the tension.

"And why does she have to answer that, Karima?"

I turned. Ellie shot him a look, silently begging him to stay out of it. But he didn't.

"Ask me. Leave her out of this. She clearly doesn't have the guts to tell you the truth."

"Ellie? Is he telling the truth?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Say something, you b*tch!"

Before I could think of what to say next, Nathan grabbed my wrist. I was already pushing Ellie- maybe too hard.

"Stop it, Karry."

I felt a sting. He sided with her. Right to my face. Seriously?

"Are you for real, Nate? You cheated on me with my best friend, and you're standing there defending her? Is this some kind of joke?"

My voice pitched. People were watching the drama unfold and whispering. But I didn't care.

I tried to charge at Ellie again, but Nathan held me back. Before I thought about it, I slapped him hard across his face.

Ellie immediately sprang to her feet, holding Nathan as if I was the villain. Her face snapped at mine.

Ellie jumped up to defend him, her eyes blazing. "What's wrong with you, Karry?! He said ask him! He literally said that in clear English! Are you deaf?"

"Really?" I hissed,

"Everyone's watching," she muttered. "Can't you take this somewhere else?"

She didn't look like the Ellie I knew... No, she wasn't even talking like Ellie. I am probably going crazy right now. As if I couldn't contain the demon anymore... Something snapped inside of me.

"You goddamn B*TCH," I mumbled before charging at her.

My fingers yanked her hair and slammed her right to the d*mn ground.

Nathan tried to pull me off, but I didn't let go. When he finally did, Ellie was already limp on the floor, un-moving.

My heart leaped from my chest as blood trickled from her nose.

And then... As if the universe wanted to make this worse, Tyla walked in.

She gasped, scrambled for her phone from her purse, and flicked on her camera, with a smirk on her face.

"Oh, Karima! This is so going viral. Say cheese to the camera."

KARIMA HEART

I dropped to my knees beside Ellie, shaking her like that would magically wake her up. My heart raced with guilt. I hated myself for what I'd done, even if I had every right to be mad.

Then Nathan shoved me aside, and before I could blink, his hand cracked across my face.

I hit the ground, dazed.

"Do you always have to turn everything into a d*mn scene? What do you even gain from this?!" he barked.

His voice was thunder. "Just pray nothing happens to my girlfriend."

I sat there, soaked in silence like a stray cat caught in the rain.

His girlfriend? Wait! He just said his girlfriend?

If she was his girlfriend, what was I all along? His backup plan? His fool, who paid for everything and got nothing but heartbreak in return?

You name it... what didn't I do for Nathan?

Every lunch, I paid.

Every date, I picked up the bill.

When he broke down about his sister, I held him, wiped his tears, told him it would be okay... and still paid for everything.

If that wasn't love, then what the hell was?

But none of it mattered.

Because right there, in front of me, he picked her up, held her like she was fragile glass...

And I? I was nothing.

Like, I didn't even exist.

He really left me... This wasn't a nightmare. This was real.

Like a child abandoned in the storm, I crawled toward him, grabbing his ankle.

"Nate, please... I'm sorry. You know I didn't mean to push her-"

My voice cracked into a plea so pathetic, that it felt normal to be that shameless.

He didn't even glance back.

He just kicked my hand away.

And of course, Tyla stood there like she'd just won first prize.

She probably thought this was her big break. That now she had a chance with him.

"Get that camera out of my face, Tyla!" I snapped.

She knelt down, filming closer, grinning like the devil.

"And if I don't? You think I'm gonna miss the golden moment of watching you cry like a homeless puppy?"

As if her words lit a match inside me, something went off.

I didn't even know where the strength came from-maybe it was all the rage I had bottled up for Nathan and Ellie, now finding the nearest outlet.

I grabbed her phone.

And with just a BANG! It shattered against the floor.

I didn't give her a second to gasp. My hand flew to her hair.

She shrieked, twisting and struggling to fight me off.

Then, just like that, a hand yanked me back.

I thrashed, and tried to shake it off, but the grip tightened.

And then I saw him.

Lo and behold! It was Owain.

Oh, perfect.

What a beautiful d*mn timing. *In sarcasm*

I glared at him, my jaw clenched, and then I turned in Ethan's direction.

But before I could take a step, Owain shoved me aside.

"What do you want from me? Can you just stay out of my d*mn business!" I yelled, my voice cracking through the air.

He didn't flinch, he just stood there, staring at me like we were in a theater act, and he was the director trying to figure out which scene needed fixing.

I shoved past Tyla, who was still trying to untangle the mess I left in her hair. Honestly, she looked like a clown whose head had just been set on fire.

"Stop making a fool of yourself, Karima," Owain said, calm as ever.

"Oh, I'm the one being the fool?" I scoffed. "You don't even know what happened, and you're already pinning it on me?"

I let out a long, shaky breath. My chest burned from yelling, but slowly the storm inside me began to settle. The tremble in my nerves dulled a little.

I marched to the table and snatched my bag.

He moved closer, his hands shoved in his pockets like this was some casual stroll.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Let me be... Ellie fainted earlier, and I need to f*cking see her. So, kindly move away."

"No, you're not. Not while you're still breathing like fire."

I blinked at him. "Why? Who the hell do you think you are? My boyfriend? Move the hell out of my way!"

"I'm not moving just because you said so," he replied, his voice steady. "And yes, I am your boyfriend. We had a deal, remember?"

Jesus Christ...

Tyla's head jerked up at that. She didn't care about her hair or her phone anymore. "What do you mean you're her boyfriend? You liked me first!"

Seriously? Does every single hot guy she stumbles on have to be her crush?

She shoved me, and for a second, I thought she might just bite me.

Whatever. She could have the stage. I stormed to the door, ready to leave the whole drama behind.

But I didn't make it far.

Something swept my feet off the floor.

"Put me down, you pervert!" I screamed, thrashing over Owain's shoulder.

He didn't flinch. His grip tightened around my waist.

Was he insane?

"I swear to God, I'll sue you for sexual harassment! Let me the hell down!"

Still nothing. My words bounced off him like rubber bullets.

He went straight to his sleek black luxury car, and flung open the door, tossed me inside, and slammed it shut.

I scrambled for the handle, but he was faster. In one smooth move, he slid into the driver's seat and yanked me back.

Before I could speak, he leaned over and strapped the seatbelt around me, tight.

And without another word, he sped off.

***

OWAIN LUTHER

She's so d*mn stubborn. Hard meat to grind, no doubt. But if I'm being honest... I was starting to love every ounce of drama she kept throwing at me. It was like she didn't know how intoxicating her fire was.

The second we pulled into the parking space, she turned to me sharply, those eyes of hers already shouting a thousand things before her lips could even catch up.

And hell, I'd be lying if I said that look didn't do something to me.

"What? Need me to open the door for you?" I smirked.

She didn't have it. Not even a twitch of amusement.

"Why are we here?" she asked, throwing me a glare that could melt steel.

"Why else?" I shrugged. "Brought you home to clear your head. It's the only place you actually stay calm."

"And you think being stuck at home with you would calm me? Is that supposed to be funny?"

"No. Unless you want it to be." I leaned back casually. "You said it yourself, staying indoors keeps you calm."

I didn't even mean to say that. But it came out anyway. And yeah, it was a little embarrassing that I remembered something she said years ago.

Her brows twitched, surprise flickering across her face, but she said nothing. Just opened the door and stormed out like I hadn't just exposed myself.

We barely got inside before she shot straight to her room.

And like the fool I was, I followed right after her, catching the door before she could slam it in my face.

"What now?" she snapped, whirling at me.

"You're seriously going in without me?"

"Was I supposed to invite you in?"

I didn't bother answering. I just pushed the door open and walked in like I owned the place.

The room screamed pinky girl, sweet, soft, too neat. But my eyes found what they needed.

Lying on the reading table... was a frame. The photo we took ten years ago.

Seriously?

She saw what I'd seen and ran for it, then, snatched it like it was her last defense.

"There's no point hiding that," I said, moving closer, my eyes locked on hers.

She clutched the frame behind her, like it could save her from the heat she knew was about to rise between us.

But it wouldn't. Not this time.

***

KARIMA HEART

My eyes stayed locked on Owain as he moved closer, that smug calmness written all over his face.

"Look, I was just clearing out some old stuff and... I found it in the junk pile. It's not what you think," I blurted, even though he hadn't asked for a single d*mn explanation.

Why did I even say that?

"Yeah," he murmured, his voice low like a whisper, "I believe you."

He was already standing right in front of me now, his lips hovering just inches from mine.

I swallowed hard.

My knees gave in a little, but his arms slid around my waist, catching me before I completely lost balance.

God, I hated how that made me feel.

How my body reacted to him, like I had no say in it.

How his dark smirk crawled under my skin, annoying... and yet, frustratingly inviting.

I shouldn't be feeling this way. Not when I was still dealing with heartbreak.

But then his hand shifted slightly lower and my breath hitched.

I bit down on my lower lip, cursing my own body for responding.

He didn't move.

He just stood there, looking at me like he could read every thought I was trying to bury.

I slowly shut my eyes, bracing myself for whatever came next.

Then... the door flung open.

Malcom stepped in.

For a second, he just stared blankly, trying to process what he walked in on.

Then his gaze dropped straight to Owain's arm, wrapped tightly around my waist.

His face turned into stone. "What the hell is going on here?"