The morning light filtered through the curtains, golden and warm — the kind of light that usually made Liora feel calm. But not today.
Her thoughts were a mess.Adrian's words from last night still echoed in her mind.
Then stop making me want to.
She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block it out. "No," she muttered under her breath. "I'm not doing this."
She had a presentation that morning — a group event that was supposed to help students showcase their design skills. She told herself she'd focus on that. No distractions. No Adrian.
Her reflection in the mirror looked composed enough — a soft cream blouse tucked neatly into a black skirt, hair pulled into a half-up style. Clean, simple. The kind of armor she needed.
By the time she reached the campus, the courtyard was buzzing. Banners fluttered overhead, and students moved between booths, laughing and showing off their work.
Ethan waved when he saw her. "Hey! Over here!"
She smiled — small but real — and walked over. "You ready for this?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," he grinned. "And you look like you actually slept for once."
Liora laughed quietly. "Not really."
They were still setting up when the air shifted. A hush rolled through the crowd, followed by a few excited whispers.
Liora didn't have to look to know who had arrived.
Adrian Knight.
Of course.
He wasn't even part of this event, yet somehow he managed to draw every eye the second he appeared. Dressed in black, sleeves rolled up, expression unreadable — he looked like he belonged everywhere and nowhere at once.
And unfortunately, his gaze found her instantly.
Ethan followed her line of sight and muttered, "You've got to be kidding me."
"Just… ignore him," Liora said quickly, turning back to her board. "We have work to do."
But ignoring Adrian was like trying to ignore thunder — impossible once it started rolling.
He didn't approach right away. He just stood near the edge of the crowd, watching. It was maddening — like he was testing her patience on purpose.
She tried to focus on her design layout, explaining the concept to a judge. She even smiled when someone complimented her work. But when she glanced up and caught Adrian's gaze across the courtyard — steady, burning — her breath faltered for half a second.
That was all it took.
Ethan noticed. "You're doing fine," he said quietly, though his jaw was tight. "Don't let him get to you."
"I'm not," she lied.
When the judges moved on, Adrian finally decided to appear — casually, like he just happened to wander over.
"Impressive work," he said, eyes flicking over her display before meeting hers.
Liora crossed her arms. "You shouldn't be here."
He smirked. "Public event, isn't it?"
Ethan stepped forward. "You've made your point, Knight. Leave her alone."
Adrian's tone was deceptively calm. "Relax, Ethan. I'm not here to start anything." His gaze slid back to Liora, voice lowering. "Just checking in."
Liora's heart skipped, but she refused to let it show. "You don't need to 'check in' on me."
"Maybe I want to," he murmured.
Her throat tightened. "Then stop wanting to."
His lips curved, not in amusement this time — something closer to pain. "If only it worked that way."
Before she could respond, Ethan moved between them again, his posture rigid. "Back off, Adrian."
Adrian's eyes darkened. For a heartbeat, the air between them sparked — a silent challenge neither wanted to break first.
Liora stepped away. "Both of you, just… stop."
She turned sharply, walking toward the other end of the courtyard, hands trembling. She needed space — air — anything but this.
But as she disappeared into the crowd, she could still feel Adrian's gaze on her, burning into her back.
And the worst part?A small, traitorous part of her wanted him to follow