TYRANT BF

CHAPTER 1*

"Don't forget to pack your lunch," Vandel reminded Hayley, who responded with a subtle grumble. She was no longer a child; she had advanced to the status of a sophomore in university, as a pharmacy student.

"I don't need to," she replied, swiftly retrieving her bag from the couch. The sound of approaching footsteps turned her attention to the sight of her uncle Vandel, who stood in the kitchen doorway, shirtless.

Please put on a shirt.

Vandel shot her a stern glance. Aware that she could never win an argument with him, she moved into the kitchen to grab her lunch, consisting of sandwiches, a protein bar, and apple juice from the island.

"Have a good day at school," Vandel wished her, ruffling her hair. Hayley mustered a feigned smile before hurrying out of the house.

Vandel meant everything to her. She had never known her parents, and he had raised her. He was her mother's elder brother, but she remained largely in the dark about her past. Whenever she asked about her parents, he simply dismissed it as an accident, despite the evident discrepancies, including her father's close friendship with Vandel prior to meeting her mother.

As she pulled out her phone, her wallpaper displayed a photograph of her parents, both beaming with happiness. It was clear that they had been deeply in love, having departed this world together. However, the circumstances of their deaths were far from ordinary. Vandel and her father had affiliations with a rather suspicious group, though Vandel was unaware that she was privy to such information. The imposing and heavily tattooed 'friends' who frequently visited Vandel, did not fit the conventional mold of friendly acquaintances.

They were obviously dangerous.

Hayley clutched her bag tight and fortunately, she managed to catch a bus directly to the university. She studied from home because Vandel didn't believe the school was safe enough for his baby girl and would rather protect her himself.

Hayley found his overprotectiveness endearing. Despite his occasional annoyance, he meant the world to her, always being there when she needed someone. She was comfortable sharing her thoughts with him, no matter the subject.

Her home was conveniently located near the university, allowing her to reach her first lecture, albeit a few minutes past ten.

The classroom was already filled, and it appeared that every seat had been claimed or reserved, and of course everyone had avoided the back. She made her way to the hell of the class and chose a seat far away from the group of delinquents who seemed more interested in attendance than the lecture. Suddenly silence fell over the room.

She swallowed hard as she settled in and started reviewing her notes, she heard the harsh screeching of a chair scraping against the floor. She turned to find that one of the boys was attempting to take the seat beside her, making her heart race.

"I believe you are trespassing" he asserted with confidence.

"I'm sorry; it seems there are no other available seats," she responded not meeting his eyes and he gave a slight chuckle.

"Leave her be," one of his friends interjected.

He scoffed before shoving her chair making her tumble and she grasped her glasses to stop them from falling from her eyes at the expense of her hand scraping the floor.

The scene they created earned them the class's undivided attention.

Standing up, she adjusted her chair and sat back down, her heart beating rapidly.

"You're still here?" The boy asked turning but this time she ignored him which seemed to get on his nerves, as he walked back towards her, two of his friends stopped him.

Another of his friends, the one who had intervened, approached her.

"I'm sorry about him; he has a bit of a temper. Perhaps you noticed. He's merely looking for an outlet," he explained.

Hayley nodded, "It's fine"

He smiled and took the seat beside her. "I think I'll sit here for today."

"I'll find another seat, then," she started to stand, but he gently held her hand.

"I don't mind; you're welcome to stay," he offered. She hesitated before sitting down.

The professor eventually entered the classroom, and the lecture commenced. Throughout the class, Hayley sensed the young man beside her staring, a discomforting feeling that persisted.

"You're staring," she finally addressed him.

"You're quite observant, I'm hard to miss, aren't I?" he replied with a warm smile.

Hayley chose not to engage further. They belonged to a group she knew to be problematic. She had heard rumors about them, they were bad news and she aimed to steer clear of any involvement.

Hayley yearned for the class to conclude, hoping to escape and avoid their company for the remainder of the day.

"What's your name?" He inquired, and she turned to face him before attempting to recollect what the professor had just covered.

She couldn't help but think,

Damn, he's hot.

His black eyes gauged her waiting for a response and his brown curly hair formed a scattered garden on his head, he had a nice build and an intimidating height and the way he watched her made her feel uncomfortable

It had been a while since a guy of his caliber had approached her. Truthfully, she had consciously avoided interactions with guys , and most seemed to get the hint and avoid her too.

"I asked you a question" he reminded placing his tattooed hand on her desk, making a rhythmic knocking to captuee her attention.

"Why?" She inquired.

"I want to know the name of my new friend. No harm in that, right?" he responded.

"We're not friends," she asserted, prompting a subtle frown from him.

"Ouch," he exclaimed, melodramatically clutching his chest. She couldn't help but wonder about his sudden mood shift. Why was he acting playful one moment and menacing the next?

He leaned in and repeated, "Your name." This time, his tone dropped to a lower octave, sounding more like a demand than a question.

He was one of the maniac ones. How did he transition so rapidly from being playful to intimidating?

"Hayley... Hayley," she stammered, and his cheerful smile returned.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Hayley Hayley. I'm Theodore Davis," he introduced himself, reaching out his tattooed hand. She hesitated but eventually extended her hand, feeling the strength of his grip as he shook her hand firmly, not letting go.