Escapades of Pascal

Pascal had always been one of the most popular guys on campus-charming, good-looking, and the type to turn heads wherever he went. But the only person whose attention he truly craved was Vanessa, a strikingly beautiful yet elusive classmate. Despite her natural allure, she kept most people at arm's length, never giving anyone the chance to get close. For weeks, Pascal tried to start conversations with her in class or during lunch breaks, but each time, she brushed him off. His persistence seemed to only annoy her more, her eye rolls growing more pronounced with every attempt.

One afternoon, Pascal decided to try a different approach. Instead of words, he sent her a gift-a luxurious gold Louis Vuitton wristwatch. The kind that most girls on campus could only dream of owning. When Vanessa saw the gift, she was stunned. No one had ever gone to such lengths for her before. It wasn't just the price tag that caught her attention; it was the effort, the validation. The next day, she wore the watch. When Pascal saw it gleaming on her wrist, he knew that he had finally gotten through to her.

He didn't waste any time. After class that afternoon, he caught her near the exit, leaning casually against the wall. "Enjoying the watch?" he asked with a confident smile.

Vanessa didn't meet his eyes but gave a slight nod. "It's... nice."

"Glad you like it," Pascal replied smoothly. "Maybe you'll let me take you out sometime?"

There was a tension in the air-he wanted her, and she could sense it. After a pause, surprising herself, Vanessa agreed. "Alright. But no promises."

That evening, Pascal took her to one of the most exclusive spots in the city. They sat under dim lighting, sipping wine and exchanging flirtatious glances. Vanessa, who had always kept her guard up, began to feel her defenses crumble. Pascal's charm, coupled with the luxury of their surroundings, was hard to resist. By the time they returned to his apartment, her resistance had completely faded.

Once inside, the atmosphere shifted, thick with anticipation. Pascal wasted no time pulling her close, his fingers tracing along her body with an expertise that left her breathless. His movements were deliberate, savoring every moment as if he had been waiting for this for far too long. Vanessa, who had been so guarded for so long, let herself fall into the moment, her initial resistance melting away.

Just as she was about to fully lose herself in the heat of the moment, a creaking sound interrupted them. Pascal's body tensed, his eyes darting toward the door. "Did you hear that?" he asked, his voice tight with sudden concern.

Vanessa, already too far gone in the moment, dismissed it. "Ignore it," she urged, pulling him back toward her. "It's probably nothing."

But Pascal couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He got up from the bed and moved to the window, peering down at the street below. A red bus had stopped, its doors opening to let a small girl off before it drove away. The sight of the girl filled him with an inexplicable unease, a gnawing feeling that something was amiss.

He returned to the bed, but the moment had passed. When he climbed back under the sheets, he noticed a change in Vanessa. She was no longer the sultry, seductive woman he had been holding moments ago. Now, her face was distant, her expression unreadable, as if she had come to some sobering realization.

"What's wrong?" Pascal asked, sensing the sudden shift.

Vanessa sat up, pulling the duvet tightly around her body. "You're just like all the others," she said coldly, her voice devoid of emotion.

Pascal blinked, caught off guard. "What are you talking about? We just shared something amazing. Why are you-"

"Because I know how this ends," Vanessa interrupted, her tone bitter. "You'll graduate in a few days, leave campus, and forget I exist. Just like every other guy who's ever used me for a good time."

Pascal felt a tightness in his chest. "That's not true. I wouldn't do that."

Vanessa let out a humorless laugh. "Wouldn't you? Look around, Pascal. Girls like me... we're just a thrill for guys like you, a distraction until something better comes along."

Pascal didn't know how to respond. There was some truth to her words, though he didn't want to admit it. But there was something deeper that he hadn't shared with her, something he hadn't shared with anyone.

"You're wrong about me," he said, his voice quieter now. "There's something you don't know."

Vanessa glanced at him, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

Pascal hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I'm leaving, Vanessa. Tomorrow."

Her eyes widened in shock. "What? Why?"

Pascal's expression grew serious. "There's something happening in my life. It's... complicated. I need to leave, to figure things out."

Vanessa stared at him, speechless. The man she thought she knew was unraveling before her eyes, revealing a side of himself that she hadn't expected.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, her voice softer now.

"I didn't want to burden anyone," Pascal replied. "I just needed some time to feel alive before everything changes."

Vanessa's anger faded, replaced by empathy she hadn't allowed herself to feel in a long time. She, too, had her own fears-abandonment, rejection, the constant worry that people would leave her behind. Now, seeing Pascal's vulnerability, it struck a chord deep within her.

"I'm scared too," Vanessa admitted in a quiet voice. "I've spent my whole life feeling like people leave. I just... I don't want to feel that way again."

Pascal reached out and took her hand, their fingers intertwining. "I'm not leaving you like that. We'll stay in touch. I promise."

Later that night, after Vanessa had left, Pascal sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his phone. He scrolled through his messages, feeling an emptiness that he couldn't quite shake. Just as he was about to turn off his phone, a new message appeared from an unknown number.

"I know what you did, Pascal. And so does she."

His heart raced as he stared at the screen, his mind spinning. What did they know? And who was "she"?