Chains Of Obsession

Rome, La Belladonna University, Campus Canteen

The campus canteen of La Belladonna University buzzed with the usual noise of trays clattering and conversations overlapping, but at a quiet corner by the wide glass windows, Lily and Lucas sat opposite each other. The soft September light fell on Lily’s forest-mixed blue eyes, the kind of eyes that could disarm even the boldest soul, and Lucas was staring at her with the seriousness of someone trying to convince a stubborn angel.

“Liliana,” he leaned forward, voice hushed but firm, “you can’t keep turning them down. Do you realize how insane this is? Versace emailed me again last night. They want you to walk their new collection in Milan. Prada called. Dior literally offered a full-year contract. Valentino wants your face for their winter campaign. Do you hear yourself when you say no to all of them?”

Lily pushed her tray aside gently, fingers brushing the rim of her juice glass. “And do you hear me when I tell you I can’t? Lucas, my body is not… strong. I’ve been living on medication, fighting exhaustion every day. They see a glowing face, but they don’t see the hospital lights I sleep under at night. How do you expect me to stand under those blinding stage lights when I barely manage this?”

Lucas groaned, dragging his hand through his chestnut hair. “You’ve survived a brain tumor. You’re surviving stage 3 cancer. And still,you’re here, winning coding championships like they’re child’s play, crafting jewelry like some goddess touched your hands. Remember the International CodeSphere Competition last spring? You took first place. The Sapphire Jewels Exhibition last year? You won gold. And the Digital Innovators Award last month? You broke the record! Liliana, you’re already a name. You’re not just the prettiest girl in this school…you’re the most talented.”

She lowered her lashes, embarrassed, her petite frame shrinking in her chair. “And that’s why they hate me, Lucas. Half the girls in this campus already want my head. They say I have everything, beauty, brains, awards, even fans. They don’t know the truth, the pain. I can’t give them more reasons to sharpen their knives at me.”

Lucas slammed his palm softly on the table, his tall frame towering even while sitting. “Let them hate! Your fandom…Lily’s Bloom, they’d worship you for this. Do you know how many people tag you every single day? You’re already trending in Rome without even trying. Imagine if you said yes to just one compan, Prada, Dior, Chanel…. bam the world bows.”

Lily sipped her juice quietly, shaking her head. “And what about our shop? You keep forgetting, Lucas. StarPetal Creations isn’t just a shop, it’s our dream. The little corner where we stitch clothes and craft jewelry with our hands. I want to grow that. That is mine, ours. Not someone else’s runway.”

Lucas softened, eyes glimmering. “StarPetal Creations, yeah…” he smiled faintly. “It’s beautiful, but Lily, even StarPetal could use the exposure. Imagine if you modeled in Dior while wearing our jewelry. Instant fame, instant clients.”

Lily looked out the window, watching students walking past with trays of pasta and pizza. Her voice was low, fragile yet fierce. “Lucas… when I walk those runways, it won’t be me. It will be someone else’s doll. And I’m not ready to be a doll. Not with this body, not with this sickness.”

Silence lingered between them, broken only when Lucas suddenly exhaled loudly, almost pouting. “Fine. Ignore Dior, Prada, Chanel, all of them. Just like my crush is ignoring me.”

Lily blinked, startled, then leaned closer. “Your crush again? The same one who pretends not to see you?”

Lucas threw his hands up dramatically. “Yes! Can you believe it? Six-foot-two of fabulous design genius, and he acts like I’m invisible! He walks past me like I’m thin air. Thin air, Lily! Do you know what that does to my soul?”

Lily giggled, covering her mouth. “Maybe he’s shy.”

“Shy?” Lucas scoffed. “Girl, please. He’s not shy. He’s a ghoster. The kind who makes you feel invisible until you start doubting your own reflection.” He leaned across the table, whispering theatrically, “At this point, I swear I could wear a full Versace gown and glitter heels, and he’d still ignore me.”

Lily laughed again, but the laughter faded into softness. “Lucas… maybe that’s the universe’s way of saying you deserve someone who actually sees you. Not just looks, but sees.”

Lucas tilted his head, staring at her like she was quoting poetry, then sighed dramatically. “And yet, here I am, best friends with the most seen girl in all of La Belladonna University. Do you know half this canteen stares at you every time you lift a spoon? They call you Spider Lily, goddess, Rome’s blue-eyed angel… and I’m just”

Before he could finish, the double doors burst open.

And the atmosphere shifted like a storm rolled in.

Damian walked in with Adrian and Marco.

The canteen erupted…..

The canteen doors swung open with a heavy thud. For a second, silence swallowed the air before it shattered like glass into screams, whispers, and gasps.

Damian.

Flanked by Marco and Adrian, he strode in as though he owned not just the canteen, but Rome itself. His 198 cm frame towered above the crowd, a shadow of elegance and danger in the daylight. Adrian, slightly shorter, walked quietly at his side, while Marco flashed his usual smirk, scanning the room like it was a stage meant for them.

Crowd Murmurs

“Damian’s here……oh my God, look at him.”

“Marco too… and Adrian. They’re like gods.”

“Adrian’s so mysterious. He never talks.”

“Shh, don’t you know? He’s deaf. He only speaks with his eyes.”

“But Damian —ugh!!! he’s perfection. That jawline could cut glass.”

“Lily’s the prettiest girl, but Damian… he’s untouchable.”

“Do you think he’ll sit near us? Oh, please!”

“No, no, he’s looking around, wait, is he searching for someone?”

Lily froze, her spoon clattering softly on her tray. Her breath hitched. “Oh, no… not him. Not now.”

Lucas arched a brow. “What do you mean, not again? Lily, do you know him?”

She shook her head too quickly. “No. I just… I need to go. Lucas, please, let’s go.”

Lucas frowned, tugging at his sleeves. “You’re shaking. What is it with that guy? He just walked in and you’re acting like you saw a ghost.”

Lily rose, her tiny 156 cm frame almost disappearing in the chaos of taller students rushing for a glimpse. But before she could slip away, Damian’s eyes, sharp, silver storm…found her across the canteen.

He smirked.

And moved.

The crowd screamed louder as he strode directly toward her, ignoring every girl who tried to wave, every boy who tried to nod. He stopped right at the exit, planting his frame between Lily and freedom.

The whispers sharpened into knives:

Crowd Murmurs

“Wait!!!!! he’s blocking her way?!”

“Is Damian… talking to Lily?”

“No way. No freaking way.”

“Spider Lily and Damian? That’s like heaven meeting hell.”

“Someone record this. Now.”

“My God, if he touches her, Lily Bloom fandom is going to explode.”

“Or Damian’s fans will murder her first.”

“She doesn’t deserve him! Look at her, acting shy.”

“Oh, please, Lily deserves everyone. She’s perfect.”

Lily’s heart pounded, her small hands curling into fists. She looked up at him, like a cat facing an elephant. “Move. I want to leave.”

Lucas hurried up beside her, glaring at Damian though he had to tilt his head back to meet his eyes. “Yeah, you heard her. Step aside, Mr. Tall-and-Intimidating.”

But Damian only leaned slightly closer, his smirk deepening. “No ‘thank you’? After last night?”

The crowd erupted.

Crowd Murmurs….

“WHAT last night?!”

“Did they… meet?!”

“No way! Lily and Damian at night?!”

“My heart can’t take this !! are they a thing?”

“No! Lily would never. She’s too pure.”

“Pure? Please. She’s just pretending.”

“Oh shut up, you’re just jealous.”

Lily’s face flushed with heat. She hissed under her breath, “Stop it. Don’t say that here.”

Damian tilted his head, watching her with predator calm. “Embarrassed, little flower?”

Lucas stepped forward, shielding her. “She said stop. Whatever you think happened last night, keep it to yourself.”

Damian ignored him, eyes never leaving Lily.

Adrian tugged his brother’s sleeve, lips forming the words as his hands signed swiftly: What’s going on? Who is she?

Damian didn’t respond.

But Lily saw. And before she could stop herself, her fingers moved in graceful sign language: Nothing special. He’s bothering me.

Adrian’s eyes widened, sparkling with joy. He signed back quickly, almost too excited: You understand me? You can sign?

Lily nodded faintly, her lips twitching into a small smile. Yes. Don’t worry.

Marco, who had been watching the entire scene, whistled under his breath. “Well, well, Damian. This is new. You blocking exits for girls? What’s the story?”

Damian didn’t answer. His grip suddenly caught Lily’s wrist, firm and unyielding.

The canteen gasped collectively. Phones flashed. Posts were already hitting the internet:

• @Gianna_Rose: No way… Damian just grabbed Spider Lily’s hand 😱🔥

• @LilyBloomFanatic: Protect Lily! She doesn’t deserve this harassment.

• @DamianCrewOfficial: King Damian finally chose someone. The angel meets the devil.

• @CampusDrama: Campus on fire. Spider Lily vs Damian. Stay tuned.

Lily jerked her hand, furious now. “Let me go!” Her voice cracked through the noise like glass shattering.

Lucas lost it. He shoved Damian’s arm away and pulled Lily behind him. “She said LET. HER. GO. You don’t own her!”

Damian’s eyes darkened, storm brewing as his jaw tightened.

The canteen held its breath.

For a moment, it looked like Damian might explode. But then Adrian tugged his sleeve again, signing softly, Calm down. Please.

Damian clenched his fist, forcing himself still. His gaze, however, burned holes through Lucas, who wrapped an arm around Lily and dragged her out of the canteen.

The crowd roared back to life the second they passed the doors.

Crowd Murmurs

“Did Lucas just….! he dragged her away from Damian?!”

“Damian’s face , he’s going to kill him.”

“No, no, no, this is bad. Lily just started a war.”

“Or maybe… maybe she’s the only girl who can stand up to him.”

“Spider Lily vs Damian? Oh, this is better than Netflix.”

At their table, Marco leaned back lazily, watching Damian sip his iced Americano like nothing had happened. “So… you’re not going to explain?”

Damian’s smirk returned faintly, cold and sharp. “No.”

Adrian’s hands moved quickly: But she understood me. She spoke to me. She’s… different.

For once, Damian’s eyes softened for half a second. Just half.

Then they hardened again.