chapter nine

I took out my phone and flipped it open, scrolling through my messages until I found the one from Doglover54. He had just posted a comment on my latest video, and I couldn’t help but feel excited. I had been working hard to grow my following and engage with my fans, and it was great to see someone like him who was genuinely interested in my content. I tried to post at least one video a day, and without fail, within twenty minutes of my posting, he was on it. He not only commented but also interacted with other comments to hold conversations to boost my stats, and it made me feel good, almost wanted.

 

 

I put my phone back to face the desk and turned back to the professor at the front of the room, who was droning on and on about velocity. I tried to focus, but my mind kept wandering back to Doglover54. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was like in real life. Was he as charming as he was online?

Unable to stop myself, I turned my phone back over and sent a message to him.

 

 

I quickly put my phone away, this time in my pocket so it was out of sight. I focused on the lecture, trying to keep my mind off the temptation to recheck my phone.

Once the lecture was over, I gathered my belongings and headed out the classroom door. As I walked down the hallway, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of purpose. The phone’s weight in my pocket grounded me, making me more confident in my decisions. I knew that each step I took brought me closer to my ultimate goal—to make my cosmetic line a success. Each stride I took echoed my determination, and I couldn’t help but feel a rush of adrenaline as I imagined the day when my line would be a household name, and I would have the last laugh. However, I wondered how on earth I could hide the “secret ingredient” if I mass-produced it. After all, it wouldn’t have the same properties as the original line does. There would be no way I could kill that many people and get away with it on my own.

Pushing on the heavy metal doors, I exposed the bright light of the evening sun to my sensitive eyes. When I adjusted to the rays, I took a deep breath, enjoying the cooler breeze that seemed to greet me.

It was a beautiful day on campus, and many students, especially those living there, took advantage of the nice weather. Many crowded the courtyard, throwing frisbees or sitting on blankets to read or enjoy lunch. I didn’t have the luxury or the time to do the same, but I would have loved to sit back and relax as they did. I had to head back home, start making more content for my SomeFans, and finish packaging the products for orders.

I was so lost in thought I didn’t see him before I slammed into him, throwing me almost back on my ass if it wasn’t for him grabbing my wrist to hold me on my feet. His features were regal, and his beauty immediately drew me in. You could tell that he liked to take care of his appearance, and I always found that extremely attractive in a man. He had platinum white hair pulled back up into a neat bun that allowed a few curls to fall in front of his face to frame it. I needed to run my fingers through the strands to see if it was as silky as it looked.

His blue eyes kept me captive as they stared into my own while the pressure of his hand on my wrist anchored me. He adjusted the bag on his shoulder before giving me a warm smile.

“I am so sorry.” He shrugged his shoulders sheepishly. “I should have been looking more where I was going, but I was paying more attention to the map trying to figure out where my classes are.”

“Absolutely no worries, I should have been looking myself. I didn’t mean to knock into you as well. I’m so embarrassed.” I wasn’t, but I felt that was the right thing to say. Societal norm, if you will, to be embarrassed by knocking into someone. In reality, it should have been their responsibility just as much as mine to move around each other to avoid this situation.

“Let me make it up to you. Are you off anywhere? I would love to buy you a cup of coffee or tea if you’d rather?” He still hadn’t let go of my wrist, and I didn’t want him to. I wanted him to pull me closer so I could get a more accurate sniff of what was expensive cologne. Because I couldn’t figure out what brand it was, and it was bothering the fuck out of me.

“I would love that!” I stepped closer to him, finally picking up the citrus and vanilla notes of Dior’s Sauvage. He had excellent taste in cologne. “My name is Vanessa.”

“Orpheus.” He smiled. “It is lovely to meet you, Vanessa, regardless of how we did.”

Orpheus? That was unexpected. I hadn’t heard a name like that before. I expected a name like Marcus or Xavier, but he looked like an Orpheus.

Or-fee-us

That wasn’t a screamable name. Did he have a nickname? Otherwise, I would have to call him daddy, sir, baby, or… something. Maybe Orphie would work?

I gave him a smile in return without even looking away from his eyes. “The campus has a pretty good café. I really love their iced shaken oat milk espressos.”

“Shaken espresso sounds lovely. Lead the way, my dear,” he purred, and I felt a shiver of desire creep up my spine. I want him to purr between my legs.

Ironically enough, it didn’t escape me that he never let go of my wrist the whole walk to the café, and I loved it. I hoped his scent, not just the cologne, sunk into my skin and rubbed off on my clothes so I could continue smelling him long after he left me today.