Chapter 5 Chapter 5
Lila remained frozen against the edge of the sturdy study table long after Christian had left the room.
The faint scent of his cologne still lingered in the air, a crisp mix of sandalwood and fresh citrus that made her pulse quicken.
She lifted two trembling fingers to the spot on her neck where his fingertips had brushed moments earlier. The memory sent a warm shiver racing across her skin, as if his touch had left behind an invisible brand.
His words echoed in her mind like a haunting melody on repeat: “Remember the rules, Lila. In this deal... I’m the one who calls the shots.”
One moment he could make her feel seen and desired, the next he reminded her exactly where she stood.
She hated how easily he unsettled her, how a single glance or whispered command could throw her carefully guarded emotions into chaos.
With a shaky breath, Lila gathered her scattered design sketches, charcoal pencils, and brushes. She arranged them neatly into her worn leather bag, each item placed with deliberate care as if organizing her supplies could somehow steady her racing thoughts.
The library was quiet now, the golden evening light filtering through tall arched windows and casting long shadows across the polished wooden floors. She slipped out the side door and began the long walk back to her dorm.
The campus paths felt endless under the fading twilight. Students hurried past, but many cast curious glances in her direction.
A few leaned in close to whisper behind cupped hands, their words carrying just far enough for her to catch fragments: “Christian Sterling’s girlfriend...” and “Can you believe it?”
She was no longer simply the quiet art student Marcus had publicly humiliated and discarded.
That painful chapter had faded, replaced by new rumors that swirled around her like autumn leaves in the wind. Now she was known as the girl dating the star hockey captain, the one whose name appeared in every whispered conversation across Hartford University.
The label offered protection from further bullying, yet it also brought a different kind of pressure. It terrified her how quickly everything had changed, and how fragile this new reality felt.
Later that evening, Lila stood before the mirror in her dorm room, smoothing down the soft navy sweater she had chosen.
She applied a light touch of gloss to her lips and took one final steadying breath before heading out into the crisp night air. The Hartford University Ice Arena glowed brightly ahead, its lights cutting through the darkness like a beacon.
The building thrummed with excitement as fans streamed inside for the highly anticipated matchup against their fierce rivals, Riverside College.
The atmosphere inside was electric. Cheers and chants filled the stands, blending with the sharp scrape of skates on ice and the pulsing music booming through the speakers.
Lila found her seat near the front, her heart beating in time with the growing energy around her. A genuine smile curved her lips as she took it all in. For the first time in weeks, she felt a spark of real joy rather than performance.
On the ice, Christian moved like a force of nature. His powerful strides cut across the rink with lethal grace and precision.
He scored the first two goals of the game with breathtaking skill, then assisted two more in rapid succession. The crowd erupted each time, but Lila noticed something deeper. Whenever Christian glanced toward the stands, his intense gaze seemed to seek her out specifically.
Each time their eyes met, a strange flutter stirred in her chest, a nervous ache that made her breath catch.
“He has such beautiful eyes”, she thought, then immediately scolded herself. “No! That’s not part of the contract.” She blinked hard, trying to push away the unwelcome warmth spreading through her.
“Was he truly acting, or was there something more behind those lingering looks?” She thought again. “No, no, no, com on Lila” she scolded herself again.
The line between their fake relationship and real feelings had begun to blur in ways she hadn’t anticipated.
The game ended in a decisive 4-1 victory for Hartford. The arena exploded with celebration as players and fans alike roared in triumph.
Lila waited near the players’ exit, her hands clasped tightly together.
When Christian finally emerged, his dark hair still damp from the shower and his cheeks flushed from the game, he gave her a small nod. Without a word, he reached for her hand, his palm warm and steady against hers.
“Let’s go,” he said softly, guiding her toward the parking lot.
Marcus stood frozen a short distance away, his eyes wide with disbelief. He stared at the couple as if trying to convince himself the scene before him was real.
“Could Christian Sterling actually be with her? Or was there something suspicious happening behind the scenes?” His mind went wild.
The walk to the black steel SUV was quiet at first, the cool night air nipping at their skin. Christian eventually broke the silence, leaning slightly toward her with genuine concern in his voice.
“Are you okay?” he asked, studying her face carefully as if searching for any sign of discomfort.
She managed a small, genuine smile. “I’m very okay, Mr. Sterling.”
He chuckled, a low warm sound that sent butterflies dancing in her stomach. “I see. Your palms are still warm, babe.”
Lila felt her cheeks heat up. As they reached the SUV, their conversation shifted into lighter territory. Christian playfully pulled her closer, teasing her about how she had cheered during the game. Soon both of them were laughing, the tension from earlier melting away.
“You know that’s impossible, right?” Lila said between giggles, referencing one of his earlier dramatic claims.
“No, it’s not, unless you don’t want it to be possible,” he replied with a mischievous grin.
“Hey, stop that,” she said, lightly hitting his shoulder. “Now you’re just making me feel guilty.”
“Ouch! That hurts,” Christian groaned dramatically, pretending to stagger before pulling her into a gentle spin.
“Careful! This isn’t the ice,” she laughed. “You don’t have to throw me down here.”
“I’ve handled much heavier things on the rink,” he shot back with a deep, infectious laugh. “You’re one of the lightest.”
Lila paused, her expression turning mock-serious. “Wait. This isn’t part of the contract.”
Christian’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he looked at her. “Yes, that’s true… but…”
