enemies-to-loverscollegemysteryopposites-attracthurt-comfort18+

Scarlet Dossier

5 chapters

~13 min read

Lina Vance hoards secrets like currency in her underground newspaper, hunting for the one piece of leverage that will break golden boy Elias Ashford. But when she catches him slipping into the abandoned wing to vape—silver cross earring glinting in the dim light—she realizes his angelic mask hides something far more dangerous than rebellion. Now their magnetic loathing draws them into a game where every whispered rumor could either destroy them... or ignite something far steamier.

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MEET THE CHARACTERS

Marceline 'Lina' Vance

18 years old, with a thick cascade of dark, voluminous waves that frame her sharp, observant face. She views the world through oversized wire-rimmed glasses that catch the dim library light, her glossy painted lips always slightly pursed in quiet judgment. She hides beneath a dark, slouched jacket that occasionally slips to reveal delicate black lace, moving through corridors like a ghost collecting secrets.

Elias 'Eli' Ashford

18 years old, with an unruly mop of striking silvery-white blonde hair that falls into piercing cool-toned eyes. His features are almost impossibly sharp and angelic—a chiseled jawline and soft features that make him the object of widespread admiration. He wears an unbuttoned crisp white dress shirt with a loosely hanging black tie and a dangling silver cross earring, the picture of a golden boy with something hidden beneath. He gives "boy next door" vibes but is secretly a delinquent underneath his perfect façade. Has secret tattoos.

EXPLORE CHAPTERS

The Editor's Proof

The photo is warm from the printer in Marceline's hand—Elias in the usual spot, head tilted back, a plume of vapor dissolving into the moonlight. She slides it across the library table saying nothing. He takes it, his thumb pressing into the glossy edge, and for a second the golden-boy mask cracks. His other hand finds hers under the table, fingers interlocking with deliberate, steady pressure. 'You won't,' he says, not as a question.

Out Of School Opportunity

Shadowy Silk

Elias Ashford. Middle child of one of the richest donors to the school. This school is filled with rich kids and expensive taste. Perfect for dirt that Marceline can track down. Speaking of dirt. Despite some petty rumours, Elias is actually a good student. Unlike other rich kids, Elias is smart and doesn't use money or power to get his grades and high ranks. He just needs validation from his parents, most likely, so that's why he keeps up the goody-two-shoes act. After all, his family is very respectable. His family is influential. Marceline thinks of what to do... Then she knows what to do. There are large events that rich people have. Perfect for gaining leverage, digging meat, and finding scandals. Marceline wants to use that for her advantage so that she can broaden her skills from the school to the real world. Marceline spends a whole day on researching whatever she can of Elias and his family. Elias sent her the guest list and information about the Gala. Marceline spent all day researching EVERYTHING about every single guest, spending all nighter and whatever she can dig up. And now it's Saturday. It's 5 pm. She's doing her hair while listening to a recent podcast on one of the executive members of the Gala, someone Elias's father follows like a dog. Marceline is dressed in a long black dress with a slit. It's made of silk. Something elegant, simple. Won't bring attention. Approval from elders. Marceline puts simple golden earrings in her ears and does her minimal makeup. She hears her phone ring and then walks down her apartment. She peaks out. Elias was in the car. The car is a sleek one, simple, pretty. Marceline sits inside and closes the door. She glances at Elias. Elias wanted nothing to do with her. He doesn't meet her gaze as he drives. "My father's (he tells about the basics.)" Elias mumbles, detached. Marceline takes her time to admire how pretty he looks. Well composed. Like a boy from a magazine. A prince wanting nothing but a smile from his parents. Unlike his disheveled appearance in school sometimes, right now he looks so composed that he didn't even put in his cross earrings or anything. Even his hair is combed back. "Mhm." Marceline hums. Totally calm and detached. "My father's allergic to punctuality," he said. Flat. Reciting. "Which means we'll be early. Which means you'll have time to observe before the room fills." Marceline settled into the seat, let her fingers trail across the leather. "You sound like you've done this before." "Every year since I was fourteen." He pulled away from the curb, smooth and unhurried. "I know the rhythm. The first hour is networking. The second hour is pretending you're not networking. The third hour is damage control." "And the fourth?" "Someone's drunk enough to cry. Someone's husband gets caught in a side room. My father finds a way to make it about himself."

Child's Play

Marceline is obsessed with this. She walks around, very subtle. Her ears are eavesdropping in every interesting thing, word, conversation possible. She gets involved in hearing about rumours and interesting conversations while acting like she's just sipping champagne and being discreet. Nobody notices her. She is a nobody and she will make sure she is a nobody. She explores the place innocently. The hotel files up soon, people, conversations, crowds, opportunities. Also, she notices from afar: Elias looks so drained. He is very empty around his parents. A sweet smile only to be dismissed. She ignored him while getting involved in other drama. Listening and reading and studying others. She realises school was mere child's play and this is the real deal.

Crystal Glass

Elias doesn't ask anything. He knows she won't answer. Instead, he sighs and looks at the stars. "Tell me about your parents." Marceline asks. "No." Elias says instantly. "I want to know what I'm getting into when I talk to them. I'm sitting close to them at your table, after all." Marceline says softly. Elias sighs. Elias tells her about his dad and his mom. Marceline listens. Then, Elias takes her to the dinner table. They sit around and are very reserved. His parents barely care about Elias. They don't even ask about Josephina, his previous date, and barely glaze over Marceline. Marceline notices the way Elias is so... Quiet around them. (Drama conversation, very subtle but Marceline observes) Elias is the middle child. Older brother is Adrienne. Youngest brother is Oliver. The parents barely care about the three of them. They just need to be quiet and prim and perfect children. Marceline doesn't have much interest in Elias or his family, she had interests in mysteries and potential cases

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