Amer was a fallen angel, cloaked in mystery, his celestial mission guiding his every step. Nena had no idea of his true nature, no inkling of the storm that would soon consume her world. Sent to succeed in a task of divine importance, Amer hadn't counted on fate intervening in the form of a stubborn, fiery human girl. Nena despised him for his arrogance and the secrets he kept, yet something about him drew her in-a force both thrilling and terrifying, pulling her toward the unknown.
Chapter 1 The Strangers
The morning light filtered softly through my curtains as I slowly rolled out of bed. The air in the room was still heavy with the scent of last night's rain, and as I stretched, I could almost feel the earth waking up with me. My fingers brushed against the window, and I watched as the sun began its lazy climb into the sky, casting golden beams over everything. It felt like the start of something-new, fresh, and full of possibilities.
With a deep breath, I forced myself to shake off the weight of the lingering drowsiness. The first day of university. I could already feel the pulse of anticipation in the air, and it seemed to mirror the fluttering in my chest. It was a strange combination of excitement and nervousness, but I was ready. At least, I told myself I was.
The sound of my phone broke the stillness, pulling me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen, seeing Vera's name flash across it. My best friend was always early-never once late to anything-and her energy was enough to give me a little jolt of excitement. "Hello?"
"You better not be still in bed, Nena!" Vera's voice rang through the speaker, filled with her usual exuberance.
"Of course not," I replied, though I was already in the process of fixing my hair.
She laughed. "We're waiting downstairs, hurry up! Samuel says he can't wait to see you."
Samuel. My boyfriend.
With a soft smile, I put my phone down. Samuel was always so patient, so steady, in a way that calmed me. As I combed through my hair, I thought about how lucky I was to have him. He was my comfort zone in a world that often felt uncertain, but deep down, I knew there was something about today that was going to make everything feel different.
I finished dressing quickly, put on a light coat, and grabbed my bag before heading out the door. Vera was already waiting by the curb, bouncing on her heels, her platinum blonde hair shining in the sunlight. Samuel was beside her, his easy smile lighting up his face when he saw me.
"Hey," he greeted me, his voice warm as he offered his hand. I took it, feeling the familiar rush of affection. He kissed me on the cheek, making my heart skip a beat.
"Ready for today?" Vera asked, walking ahead of us.
I nodded, trying to shake off the feeling of nervous anticipation. "Definitely. I just hope we can all stay in touch, even though we're in different classes."
"Don't worry about that," Samuel said, squeezing my hand reassuringly. "It'll be fine. Besides, you'll make new friends."
We arrived at the campus, and after some good-natured teasing from Vera, we parted ways. She and Samuel headed off to their biology classes, while I found my way to the literature department. My heart was pounding a little harder now, as if my body knew something I didn't. I walked through the grand entrance of the university, my footsteps echoing as I made my way toward the literature department. The campus was a mix of excitement and nerves, the chatter of new students filling the air. I couldn't help but feel a little out of place as I navigated the sea of faces, all so eager and confident. Still, I reminded myself I belonged here.
When I finally found my classroom, I hesitated for a moment outside the door, taking a deep breath. My fingers ran over the fabric of my jacket as I pushed it open and stepped inside. The room was filled with students, all chattering and exchanging nervous glances.
I found an empty seat in the back, trying to blend in, though my heart wouldn't stop thumping. As I settled into the chair, I glanced around, trying to take in everything-the faint smell of chalk dust, the way the sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting long shadows on the wooden desks.
I was so lost in my thoughts when the bell rang that it took me a second to realize the class was starting. The door opened, and in walked Ms. Dora. She was everything I imagined a professor to be-tall, with sharp features and short black hair that framed her face perfectly. She had the air of someone who was both incredibly intimidating and incredibly smart.
She greeted the class with a firm, no-nonsense tone, and then turned to begin introducing us. But just as I was about to introduce myself, the door swung open abruptly, cutting off my words.
I turned, irritation creeping up my spine, only to be met by the last thing I expected-a man.I turned, irritation still simmering, only to be met by the last thing I expected-a man. His presence was commanding, and the moment he stepped into the room, a strange sense of gravity seemed to pull my gaze toward him. He was tall, strikingly handsome in a way that felt almost otherworldly. His dark hair fell over his face, and his sharp features carried an undeniable edge.
"Late again?" Ms. Dora's voice broke through the strange tension that had settled in the room.
The man apologized, his voice smooth and deep, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine. He introduced himself to the class, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
"Amer Patrick," he said, his eyes briefly locking onto mine. There was something about his look-intense, calculating-that made my stomach flutter uncomfortably.
As Ms. Dora gestured to an empty seat, I glanced down at my notebook, my fingers suddenly unable to focus on the scribbles I was trying to write. I felt a strange pull, like I was being drawn into something I couldn't fully understand.
He didn't seem to notice. Or perhaps, he didn't care.
I watched as he walked toward the only empty chair-right next to mine. My breath caught when he sat down beside me, his presence like a shadow falling over me. He turned to offer a soft, almost polite smile, extending his hand.
"Hi, I'm Amer."
I froze for a moment before shaking his hand. The touch was brief, but it sent an inexplicable shiver through me.
"Nena," I murmured, pulling my hand back.
The lesson began, but my attention was elsewhere. Throughout the class, my thoughts kept drifting back to him-the way he moved, the way he spoke, and, above all, the way he looked at me. There was an intensity in his gaze, something unspoken, that I couldn't shake off.
Why did I feel like I knew him?
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