Price of Love

Chapter Five

The following days felt like a whirlwind for Daphne. Classes buzzed with the usual academic rigmarole, but her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Samuel and the confrontation in the street. She tried to shake off the unsettling feeling he had left behind, but each time she closed her eyes, the memory of his smirk haunted her.

She focused on her studies, pouring herself into her coursework, determined not to let her past dictate her future. However, the air of tension in the city had changed. Whispers of rivalry began circulating among her classmates, and Daphnecould feel the undercurrent of something sinister brewing.

On a particularly rainy afternoon, as she sat in the library, engrossed in a book about international law, her phone buzzed insistently. It was a message from Rhys.

‘Meet me at the café? I have something important to discuss.’

Curiosity piqued, she gathered her things and made her way to the café they frequented, a cozy spot with warm lighting and the rich aroma of coffee that felt like home. As she entered, her heart raced at the thought of what Rhys wanted to tell her.

He was already seated at a corner table, his expression serious. “Hey,” he greeted her as she approached, but his eyes held a gravity that made her stomach twist.

“Hey, what’s going on?” she asked, slipping into the chair opposite him.

“I’ve been hearing things around campus,” he said, leaning in closer. “About Samuel.”

“What kind of things?” Daphnefelt a knot tighten in her chest.

“Some of my friends mentioned that he’s been bragging about his connections, saying he’s planning to make a big move soon. He’s not just some guy; he’s linked to some powerful people,” Rhys said, his voice low and urgent.

“What do you mean, linked to powerful people?” Daphne questioned, alarm bells ringing in her head.

“I think he’s involved in something more dangerous than you realize,” Rhys replied, his brow furrowed. “I don’t want you to get caught up in whatever game he’s playing.”

Her mind raced. “But he seemed so charming...”

“Charm can mask a lot, Daphne. I just don’t want you to be another pawn in his game,” Rhys insisted, concerned etching lines into his handsome face.

The weight of his words settled heavily in the pit of her stomach. “What should I do?”

“Stay away from him. I’ll protect you; I promise,” Rhys assured her, reaching across the table to grasp her hand firmly.

“I appreciate that, but I can’t let fear dictate my life,” she replied, determination flooding her veins. “I’m not going to let him control me. I’ll confront him if I have to.”

Rhys’s eyes darkened with worry. “That’s a dangerous game. You don’t know what he’s capable of.”

“I can handle myself,” she said, the fire igniting within her. “I’ve fought too hard to get here. I won’t let anyone intimidate me.”

“Just promise me you’ll be careful,” Rhys urged, and Daphne nodded, knowing he only wanted to protect her.

The conversation shifted as they began to discuss their upcoming midterms, but the specter of Samuel loomed over her thoughts like a dark cloud.

Later that evening, as Daphne prepared for bed, she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. She thought of her aunt’s oppressive presence, the shadows of her past creeping in to taunt her. “I won’t be afraid,” she whispered to herself, steeling her resolve.

The next morning, Daphne attended her usual classes, but her mind was elsewhere. The moment she spotted Samuel in the courtyard, leaning casually against a tree, her heart raced. The air crackled with tension, and every instinct urged her to avoid him. But something deeper pulled her toward him.

“Hey, Daphne!” he called out, flashing that infuriatingly charming smile. “Fancy seeing you here.”

“Cut the pleasantries, Samuel. What do you want?” she said, crossing her arms, trying to maintain her composure.

He stepped closer, invading her personal space. “Just wanted to check on you. Heard you had dinner with Rhys. Nice guy, but I hope you’re aware he can’t protect you from everything.”

“I don’t need protection from you,” she shot back, refusing to back down.

“Maybe not, but I can offer you something he can’t,” he replied, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “A chance to be part of something bigger.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked, confusion mingling with suspicion.

Samuel’s expression shifted, his charm morphing into something darker. “You have potential, Daphne. You’re intelligent, driven. But in this world, it’s not enough to just study law; you need connections, power. I can help you achieve that.”

“I’m not interested in your games,” she replied, her heart pounding in her chest. “I’m building my future on my own terms.”

“Are you really?” he challenged, his gaze penetrating. “Or are you just running from the past? You could be so much more if you stopped holding yourself back.”

“What do you know about my past?” she spat, anger boiling beneath the surface. “You don’t know anything about me.”

“Maybe not, but I know this city,” he said, gesturing around them. “And I know what it takes to thrive here. You’re smart; you should want to be at the top.”

“I’m already at the top of my game,” she retorted, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. “I don’t need you to validate my worth.”

“Suit yourself,” Samuel replied, shrugging nonchalantly. “But don’t come crying to me when you realize you’re missing out on everything this life has to offer.”

With that, he turned and sauntered away, leaving Daphne seething. She clenched her fists, anger and confusion battling within her.

As she walked away, she spotted Rhys leaning against a wall, watching her with concern etched across his face. “Everything okay?” he asked, his voice low and steady.

“Just a little chat with Samuel,” she said, attempting to brush it off, but the tension in her shoulders betrayed her.

“Did he say anything that worried you?” Rhys pressed, stepping closer.

“Just the usual. Trying to lure me into whatever he’s planning,” she admitted, frustration spilling over.

Rhys’s jaw tightened. “I can’t believe he’s still bothering you. We need to put an end to this.”

“I’m not going to let him control my life,” she insisted, her voice firm. “I won’t let him win.”

Rhys reached for her hand, his grip firm yet comforting. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. I can’t stand the thought of you getting hurt.”

As they walked together, Daphne felt the warmth of his presence, a stark contrast to the chill that Samuel’s words had instilled in her. She knew the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but with Rhys by her side, she felt a flicker of hope.

Days turned into weeks, and as the midterms approached, the atmosphere on campus shifted. Rumors circulated about Samuel’s involvement in some shady dealings, whispers of his connections with the underworld growing louder. Daphne tried to focus on her studies, but the looming presence of his threats hung heavily over her.

One fateful evening, while studying late in the library, she received a text from Rhys:

‘Hey, I just got here. Can we meet? I need to talk about something important.’

Her heart raced. What could be so urgent, that made Rhys come all the way here? She quickly packed her things and headed out, the familiar path to the café feeling heavier than usual.

When she arrived, Rhys was already seated, his expression grave. “I found out some things about Samuel,” he said without preamble.

“What did you find?” she asked, anxiety bubbling within her.

“He’s not just some guy. He’s deeply connected to a crime syndicate, and they’re starting to make waves in the city,” Rhysexplained, his voice low and urgent. “If he’s targeting you, it could get dangerous.”

Daphne felt her breath hitch in her throat. “What do you mean targeting me?”

“Rumor has it he’s looking for a way to expand his influence, and you might be a part of that plan,” he said, concern etched on his face. “We need to figure out how to handle this before it escalates.”

“What do we do?, and how did you even find things about him?” she asked confused, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Daph, sweetheart, how I found it isn't our problem right now we have to confront him. He needs to know you won’t be a pawn in his game,” Rhys replied, determination in his eyes.

Daphne nodded, fear and adrenaline coursing through her veins. How Rhys did his digging on Samuel wasn't the problem right now, right now it was her life at stake; she couldn’t back down now. But something felt weird. Daphne took a deep breath shrugging that thought off her

As they strategized, Daphne felt a renewed sense of purpose. She wouldn’t let Samuel dictate her fate; she was determined to stand her ground and fight for her future, no matter the cost.

The stage was set for a confrontation, one that would reveal the true depths of their entangled lives, and the choices they would make could alter the course of their destinies forever.