NOTE: By mistake I  spelled Iris as Aris in this part , I go through it once and corrected the one I came across,  if you find anywhere along the way reading do let me know,  so I can fix it thank you❤

he heard the horn blare outside.

"I'm coming!" she called out, her voice laced with nervous excitement. She turned to look at herself one last time in the mirror, smoothing her dress anxiously.

Am I looking okay? Should I have worn the other dress? Will he like this one? Her mind was racing.

The horn sounded again, louder this time, jolting her from her thoughts.

"Oh gosh, I'm late! Whatever, let's just go." She let out a large sigh, clutching her bag tightly. I’m so nervous. I can’t believe I’m going out with him... well, not exactly ‘out,’ but we’re going to college together. Still! she thought, her heart fluttering.

The horn blared once more, snapping her out of her spiraling thoughts.

She grabbed her belongings and hurried outside. The moment she stepped out, she froze, her jaw dropping at the sight before her. His car—a shiny black Lamborghini—gleamed in the sunlight like a polished gem. But what left her even more stunned was him. He  dressed in an all-black outfit that accentuated his sharp features.

Her thoughts spiraled. Gosh, who do I praise first—the car or its owner?

The horn beeped again, and she realized she’d been staring.

“Oh, sorry!” she called out, shaking her head and walking quickly toward the car.

She slid into the passenger seat, gripping her bag tightly as she tried to calm her racing heart.

“Your car is beautiful,” she said, still marveling at its luxurious interior.

“Thank you,” he replied, his voice smooth and casual.

“And you’re... very handsome,” she added shyly, sneaking a glance at him.

He smiled at her compliment but said nothing, letting his charm speak for itself.

“So, are you nervous about your first day of college?” he asked as he started the car.

“I don’t usually get nervous about these things,” she said honestly. “But, going with you like this? Yeah, I was definitely nervous.”

He chuckled softly. “You’re cute,” he said, his eyes briefly glancing at her before focusing back on the road.

Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she quickly looked away, pretending to admire the scenery outside the window.

The drive was filled with her excited chatter. She talked about everything—the upcoming classes, her plans, and even little details about her life. He listened attentively, a faint smile playing on his lips as he occasionally nodded or responded.

“So... do you have a girlfriend?” she asked suddenly, her curiosity slipping out before she could stop herself.

he replied, “I had one... but I killed her.”

Her laughter stopped abruptly, her expression turning serious. “What?” she asked, staring at him in disbelief.

Realizing what he’d just said, he quickly recovered, letting out a casual laugh. “I was joking, Iris. Relax.”

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, but she narrowed her eyes at him. “You scared me! That’s not funny.”

He smiled, playing along with her reaction, but inside, he felt a wave of relief. She’s naive enough to believe me, he thought. She didn’t question it further.

The rest of the drive continued smoothly

.......

As they reached the college gates, the scene before them was pure chaos. A swarm of girls rushed toward Alaric’s car, their excitement palpable. They held colorful boards with bold letters that read: "Alaric is mine," "My love Alaric," "Most handsome," "My life," and more. The crowd was screaming, jumping, and practically vibrating with energy.

Iris blinked in astonishment, her jaw nearly dropping. “You’re a lot more famous than I thought,” she said, glancing at him with raised eyebrows. “But I have to admit, you’re worth the hype.”

Alaric smirked as he pulled the car into a parking spot, his confidence shining through. “Let’s go,” he said casually, as if the adoration outside was nothing out of the ordinary.

She nodded and reached for her seatbelt, tugging at it to release herself. But no matter how hard she tried, the buckle refused to budge. She frowned, pulling harder, but it was stuck.

“Why won’t this thing open?” she muttered under her breath, her frustration growing.

Noticing her struggle, Alaric leaned toward her. The air between them seemed to shift, and her breath hitched.

Her heart began to race as he came closer—so close she could feel the faint warmth of his presence. His intoxicating scent filled the small space, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

He paused, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. Time seemed to stop.

“What?” she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. Her nerves betrayed her, and her cheeks turned a deep shade of pink.

Without saying a word, he broke the gaze and glanced down. His hand reached for the seatbelt, brushing lightly against her arm as he grabbed it.

With a simple motion, he unclipped the buckle. “Done,” he said, his voice calm and steady, as if nothing had just happened.

He leaned back, giving her space again, but the moment lingered in the air.

She placed a trembling hand over her chest, trying to calm the erratic thumping of her heart. What is wrong with me? Why is my heart going crazy just because he leaned in? she thought, shaking her head.

Alaric got out of the car and walked to her side, opening the door for her like a perfect gentleman. The girls outside screamed even louder at the sight, their enthusiasm reaching new heights.

“Let’s go before they surround us,” he said, flashing her a small, knowing smile.

She nodded, stepping out of the car, but her legs felt weak. This is going to be a long day, she thought, glancing at the crowd of admirers still calling his name.

......

As they entered the college, Iris couldn’t help but notice the countless eyes fixed on Alaric. Some gazes were filled with admiration, but the majority turned to her with pure anger and envy.

She knew exactly where it was coming from. Of course, they’re jealous, she thought. But instead of feeling offended or intimidated, a small, smug smile tugged at her lips. She felt proud. Proud that she was the one walking beside him, the one who got to share this moment with him.

As they reached the registration office, Alaric turned to her. “Alright, Iris, you can submit your documents here. I’ve got classes, so I’ll head out now,” he said.

“Okay,” she replied, her voice soft but steady.

“See you later,” he said with a smile before turning to leave.

Iris watched him walk away, unable to suppress her thoughts. How sweet he is. Not only did he give me a lift, but he also guided me through the college without expecting anything in return. How lucky would the girl he chooses to love be? she wondered, a dreamy look crossing her face.

She shook her head, snapping herself out of her reverie, and walked into the registration office.

---

On the other side of the hallway, Alaric stopped in his tracks. He couldn’t bring himself to walk away just yet. Turning back, he watched her as she entered the office, completely unaware of his lingering gaze.

“I never thought I’d get this lucky,” he murmured to himself, a wistful smile forming on his lips. “For years, I only dreamed of seeing you, even from a distance. But I never imagined God would bless me like this—not just to see you but to have a connection with you.”

His voice softened, filled with unspoken emotion. “I can’t wait to get closer to you.”

With one last glance, he watched her disappear into the office before turning away, determination flickering in his eyes.

---

“Thank you,” Iris said as she handed over her documents and completed her registration. The process didn’t take long, and soon she was free to explore the campus.

As she walked through the college corridors, her eyes wandered, taking in her new surroundings. Suddenly, her gaze landed on a slightly ajar door.

Curiosity piqued, she peered inside and froze.

There he was—Alaric.

He was standing with his back to her, focused intently on a large canvas as his hand moved gracefully across it with a brush. The way his muscles flexed slightly with each stroke and the fluidity of his movements made her breath hitch.

Gosh, how divine he looks, she thought, unable to tear her eyes away.

She stood there, mesmerized, watching him pour his soul into the painting. The way he held the brush, the precision in every line—it was hypnotic.

When he finally finished, he stepped back to admire his work, giving Aris a clear view of the painting.

It was breathtaking. The intricate details, the emotion captured in every color and stroke—it told a story, one that felt both haunting and beautiful.

“How beautifully he paints,” Iris whispered to herself. “There must be a really good story behind this.”

But was it true?

........

Iris couldn’t take her eyes off the painting. It was captivating—almost too perfect. At first glance, it seemed like a beautiful portrayal of a young boy wrapped in a garland of roses. The boy was smiling softly, his head slightly tilted, exuding an air of calmness and serenity.

The canvas was alive with vibrant colors—the lush greens of the vines, the delicate reds and pinks of the roses, the flawless white of the boy’s dress. It felt ethereal, like something out of a dream.

Iris stood in awe, her eyes fixed on the painting before her. It was stunning, almost mesmerizing. A boy, wrapped delicately in a garland of roses, stood at the center of the canvas. His serene smile seemed to glow, and the vibrant colors of the flowers contrasted beautifully with the pure white of his attire.

“This is incredible,” she breathed, her voice filled with admiration. “The details, the colors... it’s so beautiful.”

Behind her, Alaric leaned against the doorframe, silently watching her with a faint smirk curling his lips. He stepped closer, his footsteps light but deliberate, and came to stand beside her.

“You like it?” he asked casually, though his voice carried a strange undertone of pride.

She nodded eagerly, her eyes still on the painting. “Like it? It’s a masterpiece. The way you captured the boy’s expression... he looks so peaceful. So happy.”

Alaric chuckled softly, his deep voice sending a shiver through the room. “Peaceful, you say?” he murmured.

Iris glanced at him, his words catching her off guard. “Yes, isn’t he?”

He tilted his head slightly, his smirk widening. “Look closer.”

Frowning in confusion, Iris leaned in, examining the painting more intently. “Closer?”

Alaric gestured toward the vines. “The roses... don’t they look alive?”

Her gaze followed his hand, admiring the intricate details of the flowers. “They do,” she agreed. “They’re so vibrant, almost as if they could bloom right off the canvas.”

“Mm, and the vines?” he asked, his tone calm but with a sharp edge.

“They’re perfect,” Iris replied, a smile tugging at her lips. “The way they wrap around him—it’s like they’re holding him gently, protecting him.”

Alaric’s smirk deepened. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “Protecting him? Or trapping him?”

Iris blinked, turning to him with wide eyes. “What do you mean?”

He stepped forward, his eyes gleaming as they moved over the painting. “The vines,” he began, pointing to the garland, “are made of rose stems, yes. But roses have thorns, don’t they?”

She looked back at the painting, her admiration faltering slightly. “I... I suppose they do.”

Alaric chuckled, his tone dripping with satisfaction. “Oh, they do. Sharp, unforgiving thorns. Look closer. You’ll see them pressing into his skin.”

Iris’s brows furrowed, but before she could respond, Alaric continued. “And his clothes—white, pure, angelic. But do you notice the red? Most would think it’s part of the design. A splash of color for balance.” He tilted his head, his smirk turning into a wicked grin. “But it’s not.”

“What do you mean?” she asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Blood,” he said simply, his tone almost casual. “The thorns have pierced him, deeply. He bleeds for the beauty you admire so much.”

Her stomach turned, but she forced a small smile, thinking he might be joking. “You’re messing with me, right?”

Alaric turned to her, his gaze locking with hers. “Oh, Aris. Don’t you see? This is perfection. Beauty born of pain, life balanced with death.” He stepped closer to the canvas, brushing his fingers lightly along its edge.

He tilted his head, admiring his work. “He smiles because I made him smile. I gave him a purpose, a final moment of beauty.” His voice lowered, a dark pride seeping into his words. “See how beautiful death I gave you.”

Iris stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. But before she could process his words, Alaric turned to her, his smirk as sharp as the thorns he’d so carefully painted.

“Don’t you agree?” he asked softly, his voice like velvet and steel.

Author note : you can forget voting all you want , but please try  not to forget commenting,  it will only help me in improving ❤.