Arif's black Mercedes rolled to a smooth stop right in front of the university gate.
The moment the car appeared, it drew attention—like a magnet.
Several female students immediately gathered near the vehicle, whispering excitedly. The driver's door opened, and Arif stepped out.
He was dressed casually yet carried an undeniable presence. A black shirt tucked neatly into tailored pants, sleeves rolled slightly. A pair of gold-framed glasses rested on his sharp features. On his left wrist gleamed a silver Omega Speedmaster, its elegance quietly screaming wealth and authority.
The girls couldn't hold back.
"Hello, sir!"
"Good morning, sir!"
"Good morning, Professor Arif!"
Arif slipped one hand into his pocket and looked at them calmly.
"Good morning, students," he said in a controlled voice. "Please stand back and give me space."
The students obeyed instantly, stepping aside—but their curious eyes never left him.
Just as Arif started to walk away, he suddenly turned back toward the car.
He opened the rear door.
Maya had been sitting inside, leaning lightly against the door. The sudden movement almost made her lose balance, but she steadied herself just in time.
The moment the students saw a girl step out of Professor Arif's car, their reactions were instant—and explosive.
Gasps.
Wide eyes.
Whispers.
Maya smiled politely at them, though it was fake and carefully practiced.
"She's a new student," someone whispered.
"She came in his car!"
"Do they have a relationship?"
"Maybe she's trying to get close to him."
The gossip spread faster than wildfire. Within seconds, more students rushed toward the gate. Nearly seventy people had gathered, all staring openly.
Maya stood there, feeling every gaze pierce her skin. She lowered her eyes slightly, putting on an innocent expression, though inside, her mind was racing.
Suddenly—
Arif snapped.
"What is your problem?" he barked. "Go to your classes. You have ten seconds. Leave. Now."
His voice was sharp, commanding, and left no room for argument.
In seconds, the crowd scattered like frightened birds. The gate area became empty, though students still watched from a distance.
Arif remained standing by the car door and looked inside.
"Get out of the car, Your Highness," he said dryly.
Maya stepped out quickly. There were no students nearby anymore, but she could still feel eyes watching them from afar.
She frowned and whispered angrily, "Was it really necessary to open the door like that in front of everyone? Couldn't I have gotten out later?"
"It wouldn't have made any difference," Arif replied casually.
Maya glared at him internally. Heartless man, she thought.
Arif straightened and looked at her. "So? Are you going to stand here all day, or are you heading to class?"
Without answering, Maya grabbed her bag from the car and started walking toward the academic buildings. She didn't look back.
Her irritation was obvious.
After walking a little distance, she muttered under her breath, "Great. Now I have to attend classes again. I hate this useless studying. I thought once I reached his house, I could focus on my mission properly. Explore everything while he's away."
She clicked her tongue. "And now this piece of—" she stopped herself, glancing around. "Now he drags me back to university."
Maya had been in America for almost seven days now.
She attended classes for the first four days, but Arif hadn't shown up even once. She hadn't seen him on campus at all. Only yesterday did he finally appear.
That alone told her something—Professor Arif Khan didn't follow rules like normal people.
After Maya disappeared into the building, Arif turned and headed in the opposite direction.
Whether he attended classes or not depended entirely on his mood. Most people worked for money. They got paid by institutions.
Arif was different.
He didn't work for the university.
The university practically existed because of him.
Who worked for whom was unclear.
When Arif got bored, he taught. When he didn't feel like it, he didn't.
Instead of heading to a lecture hall, he walked toward the basketball club.
Basketball was his release.
He was one of the best players the university had ever seen.
Maya walked down the corridor toward her classroom, her thoughts tangled.
Suddenly, a voice called out behind her.
"Hey, Meya!"
Maya stopped.
Her face twisted in irritation. That pronunciation alone felt like an insult.
She turned around sharply to see who had butchered her name so badly.
Standing there was a white American guy—bright skin, light brown hair styled in a wolf cut, eyes a mix of green and blue. He was about five-foot-nine, dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt.
Ethan.
Her classmate.
And her personal headache.
Ever since Maya joined the university, Ethan had been following her around like a shadow. She was already tired of him.
She muttered under her breath, "God, save me from this white cat."
By the time she finished muttering, Ethan had already caught up and started walking beside her.
"Hey, Meya. What's up?" he said cheerfully.
Maya clenched her jaw. "Ethan. My name is Maya. Not Meya."
"Ohh, sorry… Meya."
Her eyes widened. "ETHAN."
"Sorry, sorry—Maya," he corrected quickly.
It sounded like the word physically hurt him to pronounce.
They walked a few steps in silence before Ethan spoke again.
"So… you came with Professor Arif today," he said casually, though his curiosity was obvious. "Are you… close?"
Maya stopped walking and turned to face him.
"What kind of question is that?"
Ethan scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I mean—people are talking."
"People talk even when they don't know anything," Maya replied coldly. "You shouldn't listen."
Ethan smiled nervously. "I was just curious."
Maya sighed. "That curiosity will get you into trouble someday."
She turned and walked into the classroom, leaving Ethan standing there, confused.
Inside the classroom, Maya sat near the window and placed her bag down.
Her face was calm, but her mind was far from it.
This campus is full of eyes, she thought. Every move here is noticed.
Arif was dangerous.
Not because of his power.
But because of how easily he controlled everything around him.
The students feared him. The guards obeyed him. Even the university bent to his presence.
And now… she was directly connected to him.
Which made her the center of attention.
I need to be careful, Maya thought. Very careful.
As the class began, her gaze drifted outside the window—toward the basketball court in the distance.
She didn't know why, but she felt it.
This university wasn't just a place for classes.
It was a battlefield.
And she had already stepped right into the middle of it.
To be continued…