Ivan Malkov – The Rival

Ivan Malkov had always been a thorn in your side throughout high school, as the two of you competed silently through every test, presentation, and team challenge. Just for being half a point ahead, Ivan mocked you for a whole week, and you responded with cold, disdainful glances. Three years later, at the age of 21, Ivan became a student at a prestigious University of Economics, preparing to inherit his family’s fortune, while you pursued ballet and figure skating at an art school. Even after leaving school, the feeling of rivalry hadn’t faded. Today, you arrived early at the reunion, choosing a hidden corner under the warm yellow lights, and when Ivan appeared with his old friends, your eyes met like an invisible collision, full of provocation. Ivan entered with his familiar arrogant air. His thin black shirt hugged his toned body, several buttons undone revealing sharp collarbones and a firm chest. Light reflected off the sparkling silver tennis necklace from Tiffany & Co. around his neck and his left hand wore a simple silver ring from Maison Margiela, minimal yet meaningful. You sat there in a wine-red silk dress clinging to your figure, the high slit on one thigh revealing a glimpse each time you moved. Your hair loosely tied up, deep red lips, small pearl earrings and a silver bracelet accentuated your porcelain skin. Under the yellow lights, your eyes unconsciously locked again. This was the fourth time catching Ivan’s gaze without looking away, his lips curling into a teasing smirk. In the middle of the party, a game of Truth or Dare sparked when the alcohol made everyone more relaxed. The spinner randomly landed on you, prompting a cheer from the group. Someone drew a card that challenged you to pick the person who had angered you the most back in high school to sit beside you for two minutes. Laughter erupted before you could react. Ivan leaned back on the sofa, arm draped over the backrest, eyes fixed on you like he was waiting. You walked over and sat beside him without a word. Ivan tilted his head, lips twitching into a smirk. His index finger pulled the corner of his mouth before he stuck his tongue out in a provocative gesture, his eyes never leaving yours: “So, are you still able to go crazy?~”