Price of Love

Chapter Three

The next few days flew by in a whirlwind of classes and late-night study sessions. Daphne dove into her law coursework, immersing herself in the intricacies of the legal system, each case study drawing her deeper into her dreams of becoming a lawyer. The thrill of learning made her forget the unsettling encounters of her first days.

However, amidst her growing enthusiasm, the nagging memory of Samuel lingered. He was everywhere—his face popping up unexpectedly in the cafeteria or around campus, always with that disarming smile. Though she tried to keep things professional, his charm was hard to resist, and each time they spoke, she felt a thrill that left her questioning her own resolve.

One afternoon, after a particularly intense lecture on criminal law, Daphnefound herself seated at the café, laptop open, pouring over her notes. The smell of coffee filled the air as students around her engaged in animated discussions. Just as she began to lose herself in the rhythm of typing, Samuel appeared, a casual grin plastered across his face.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked, sliding into the seat across from her.

Daphne hesitated but ultimately nodded. “Sure. Just finishing up some notes.”

Samuel leaned forward, studying her with that same intensity that had both intrigued and unnerved her. “You know, I’ve been thinking... there’s this party happening this weekend. It’s a great way to meet people and unwind after the first week. You should come.”

Her heart raced at the invitation. “A party? I don’t know. I’m not really the party type.”

“Come on, Daphne. It’ll be fun! Plus, you’ll get to meet some of the other law students. Networking is essential, you know?” His tone was persuasive, and she found herself caught between his enthusiasm and her own reservations.

“I’ll think about it,” she replied, trying to maintain her boundaries.

As they continued talking, she felt a flutter of excitement at his attention, but a nagging voice in the back of her mind warned her to tread carefully. It was easy to get swept up in the charm of someone new, especially when Rhyswas so far away.

Later that evening, as Daphne settled down for a video call with Rhys, she couldn’t shake the feeling of anxiety gnawing at her. When his face filled the screen, the tension eased slightly. “Hey, beautiful! How was your day?” he asked, his voice a soothing balm to her frayed nerves.

“It was good! Just the usual classes and study sessions,” she replied, forcing a smile. “How about you?”

They chatted about their days, and as Rhys shared his latest coding project, Daphne felt warmth enveloping her. He was brilliant and driven, his ambition contagious. But as the conversation drifted toward plans for the weekend, she hesitated to mention Samuel’s invitation.

“Are you thinking of going out with your classmates?” Rhys asked, his tone casual but his eyes probing.

“Maybe,” she said, trying to gauge his reaction. “There’s a party, but I’m not sure I want to go.”

“You should! You need to socialize and meet new people. It’s part of the experience,” he encouraged, but there was a flicker of something else in his gaze—a flash of protectiveness that made her heart ache.

“I just don’t want to lose sight of what I came here for,” she replied, feeling the weight of their distance.

Rhys’s expression softened. “I know you won’t. You’re strong, Daphne. Just remember to have fun, too. I believe in you.”

As they ended the call, Daphne felt a rush of emotions. She missed him, but there was also an undeniable urge to explore this new world, to live fully in this city that buzzed with potential.

The night of the party arrived, and Daphne stood in front of her mirror, second-guessing herself for what felt like the hundredth time. She wore a fitted black dress that hugged her curves, a confident statement she hoped would mask her nervousness. As she stepped out, her heart pounded with anticipation.

The venue was a large, upscale apartment filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. The energy was electric, and for a moment, Daphne felt a rush of excitement as she navigated through the crowd. Yet, in the back of her mind, she felt Rhys’s absence keenly.

Samuel spotted her almost immediately, weaving through the throng of bodies with an easy grace. “You made it!” he exclaimed, genuine delight shining in his eyes. “I was hoping you would.”

“Yeah, I decided to check it out,” she said, trying to sound casual as he led her to a group of students, all animatedly chatting over drinks. She felt herself being pulled into their conversations, the atmosphere lively and inviting.

As the night wore on, Daphne found herself laughing and enjoying the camaraderie, but there was still a part of her that felt unsettled. Samuel hovered nearby, his gaze never straying far from her, his attention both thrilling and disconcerting.

Just as she began to relax, the mood shifted. A commotion erupted across the room, and Daphne turned to see a confrontation unfolding. Two men were arguing, their voices rising above the music. Tension crackled in the air, and the crowd began to circle around them.

“Looks like things are getting heated,” Samuel murmured, his voice low. There was a glint in his eye that made Daphne uneasy.

“Maybe we should—” she started, but Samuel cut her off, stepping closer to the unfolding drama. “Wait, let’s see what happens.”

The altercation escalated, shoving and shouting as the crowd egged them on. Daphne’s heart raced, a feeling of dread settling in her stomach. She had come to enjoy a night of fun, not to witness violence.

Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the chaos. “Hey! What’s going on here?” It was Rhys, his presence commanding and fierce. He had flown into the city unexpectedly, just in time to break up the tension.

A rush of relief washed over Daphneas she spotted him pushing through the crowd, his gaze locked onto her. But before she could call out to him, Samuel stepped forward, a smirk playing on his lips. “Just a little disagreement, nothing to worry about,” he said dismissively, but his eyes glinted with something more sinister.

Rhys’s eyes narrowed, a protective instinct igniting within him. “Back off,” he said, his tone low and dangerous. Daphne felt a thrill of admiration at the strength he exuded.

In that moment, Daphne realized how intertwined her new life was becoming with her old. She had moved to escape her past, but here it was again, rearing its head in the form of jealousy and tension. The dynamics were shifting, and as the party began to unravel, she understood that her journey was far from simple.

As she stood between Rhys and Samuel, the two men who represented very different sides of her life, she felt the weight of her choices pressing down on her. It was clear that her decision to embrace this new chapter would come with its own complications—complications that would challenge her resolve and test the very foundation of her desires.

The night wore on, but the air crackled with uncertainty. Daphne knew that the path ahead would be fraught with tension, jealousy, and temptation, but she was determined to navigate it all, one choice at a time.