HIS DANGEROUS MUSE

Westbrook University—an elite campus where rich students gather, spending money without caring whether they will graduate well or not. Its magnificent buildings stand proudly, reflecting a luxury that is unaffordable to ordinary students. Expensive clothes, the scent of exclusive perfumes, and the sound of arrogant laughter dominate its atmosphere—a world that is not on par with Athena Lennox.

The girl with slightly curly brown hair walked slowly on the sidewalk, her yellow umbrella still wet from the remaining raindrops. Her eyes occasionally glanced around, observing the environment that was still foreign to her. However, just as she was about to cross the street, the roar of a motorbike thundered, followed by splashes of muddy water that hit her white skirt.

Athena was surprised, then became annoyed. Without thinking, she rushed to the motorbike parking area, folded her umbrella, and used the tip to pat the shoulder of the man who had just gotten off his motorbike.

“Excuse me….” Her voice sounded firm.

The man took off his helmet, revealing a sharp face with eyes as dark as obsidian. His jet black hair was a little messy, but it added to his charm. He glanced at Athena, his eyebrows knitted together as if wondering why someone dared to reprimand him.

“Look, you made my clothes dirty!” Athena reprimanded boldly, lifting her mud-stained white skirt a little.

The man raised an eyebrow. “And then?” He asked coldly, his voice deep and calm, as if he didn’t care.

Athena snorted. “Then, you better be careful because—”

Before she could finish her sentence, the man walked past her. His shoulder intentionally bumped into Athena’s, making the girl lose her balance and fall.

Laughter erupted around them. Some students who witnessed the incident only stared with pity, while others consciously laughed at her. Athena’s face heated up, not only because of embarrassment, but also because of the anger that was building up inside her.

“HEY! I’M NOT FINISHED TALKING!” Athena shouted, her steps quickly chasing after the man.

The entire parking area suddenly fell silent. Everyone turned, surprised to see someone dare to raise their voice at a man who shouldn’t be challenged on this campus.

The man stopped and turned around. This time, he stepped closer with a look of interest. Athena, who was initially filled with anger, felt her body stiffen slightly when the man stopped right in front of her. They were only a few centimeters apart.

“What’s your problem?” He asked in a low voice, almost a whisper.

Athena moved back, but her back hit the wall behind her. The man bent down slightly, their faces so close that the tips of their noses almost touched.

“Vanilla and amber spicy…” He murmured softly, as if smelling Athena’s perfume more deeply. “Quite a wild scent for an innocent girl like you.”

A lopsided smile appeared on the corner of his lips. Then, before Athena could respond, the man moved closer and whispered something in her ear.

“Before you attack someone, consider who your opponent is.”

A small kiss was felt on Athena’s ear before the man just walked away.

Athena’s body stiffened in place, her eyes widening as if electrocuted. Cheers and murmurs filled the parking area, several students began to discuss the incident enthusiastically. Some sneered, some laughed in amusement, and some simply shook their heads.

“Athena!” Zara Maddox—her roommate and senior—ran over, a worried expression etched on her face. “Did Xavier do something to you?”

Athena was still stunned for a moment before shaking her head. “I-I’m fine,” she replied, though her tone was unconvincing.

Zara smacked her lips. “Your skirt is really dirty. Come with me.”

They went to the girls’ locker room, where Zara handed her a pair of spare black pants that she had kept in her locker. As Athena changed out of her skirt, Zara spoke again.

“You didn’t fight with Xavier, did you?”

“Oh, so his name is Xavier?” Athena snorted. “He got my skirt dirty. It’s only natural that I reprimanded him!”

Zara looked at her as if Athena had just said the craziest thing in the world. “Listen, you just challenged someone you shouldn’t have messed with.”

Athena frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Xavier Lancaster. The grandson of the foundation owner who founded this campus.”

Athena paused.

“You know what? This campus once tore down the parking lot fence because Xavier crashed into it. Who was at fault? The fence, of course.” Zara shook her head, her expression implying that the incident was just one of many crazy things Xavier had done.

Athena frowned. “That’s so crazy.”

“True, but that’s the ‘funny’ culture here.” Zara took a breath. “Aside from Xavier, you also have to be careful with his three friends. It’s better for us to just be normal students, study, and graduate in peace.”

But before they could leave the locker room, they were stopped. Three men entered the room, while another group of male students stood in the doorway.

Athena felt her hand grip Zara’s arm tighter.

One of the men stepped closer. His blue eyes glinted mischievously as he waved casually.

“You… yes, you.”

Athena stiffened as the man pointed at her.

“Come with me now,” he ordered, tugging on Athena’s hand.

Athena tried to fight back. “Let me go!”

“Hey, Miss Maddox, haven’t you told your friend who I am?” he asked Zara.

Athena began to realize something. These three men… they were part of Xavier’s group. Asher Calloway, Julian Holt, and Adrian Blackwood. Names that were often uttered with fear and awe on this campus.

“You’ve caused quite a commotion today,” Adrian said casually. “So, you better get to know us better… before you receive your punishment.”

Athena tried to back away, but her body was surrounded.

The sky was still drenched in rain as they dragged her to the open basketball court. There, Xavier was waiting for her, standing casually, his arms open as if welcoming her.

When Athena's body was thrown towards him, Xavier caught it easily. A lopsided smile was etched on the man's face. "We meet again, My Amber Spicy," Xavier whispered.

"Y-You!" Athena grabbed Xavier's hug, pushing the man away, but when she was about to leave the three men held her body.

Athena was surrounded, her body shaking, confused, her gaze darting back and forth between the four men. "W-what's wrong with you guys? Stop intimidating others!"

The four men along with a group of their friends laughed at Athena. Adrian Blackwood—the man with the most beautiful smile, pushed Athena once again into Xavier's arms, he approached, then rubbed Athena's lips with the tip of his thumb.

"Calm down, Tequila... just accept our punishment if you still want to study on this campus," Adrian said.