When the bell rang, the room came alive again.
Chairs scraped, students whispered, everyone suddenly had an opinion about the new lecturer.
Mira nudged me, whispering fast.
"Did you see how he defended you? He's literally the dream professor--smart, hot, and not an arrogant jerk. I swear, half the class fell in love today."
I forced a small laugh.
"Yeah… something like that."
My voice didn't sound convincing, even to me.
Because while everyone else talked about his looks, I couldn't stop replaying that one moment.
The way he'd looked at me before calling on me.
Like he already knew I'd freeze.
It wasn't just attention...it was prediction.
Asael was still at the front, packing his tablet into his bag.
Every move was precise, unhurried, almost graceful.
Then, as students began to leave, he glanced up.
For the briefest second, his gaze caught mine again.
No smile.
No words.
Just a quiet, knowing look...like he was waiting for me to remember something I shouldn't.
"Let's go, Elina!" Mira called, dragging me toward the door.
I turned once more before stepping out.
Asael was standing by the window now, his face half-lit by sunlight, watching the courtyard below.
The silver streak in his hair glinted faintly.
And though he wasn't looking at me anymore…
I felt… little calm since...
No messages. No trembling sense that someone was watching me from behind the glass.
Maybe it was over.
And yet, as we walked out, a strange emptiness pressed in my chest.
Like I was waiting for something
a vibration, a message, a whisper
and it never came.
I told myself it was good. Peaceful.
But peace felt… boring.
Mira and I went to the library later, then joined an extra hospital round to brush up on clinical cases.
And there
with his tablet and a thick book open--sat Asael in doctor's office.
He looked like he had walked straight out of an aesthetic medical drama.
Dark hair with that silver streak catching the afternoon light, shirt sleeves rolled up, collar slightly loose.
Focused, quiet, untouchable.
My eyes betrayed me more than once.
And when my gaze finally slid to his lips
he looked up.
Our eyes met.
His brow arched slightly, a hint of amusement glimmering there.
My cheeks burned.
I instantly looked down, pretending to read my book, heart thudding like I'd been caught stealing glances.
When I finally dared to look up again, he was gone.
The others in the library still whispered about him...how perfect he looked, how smart he was.
But he walked through them like he was used to every stare in the room.
---
Later, Mira and I left together.
When I reached my apartment, I half expected the faint scent of lilies.
Nothing.
No flowers. No notes.
Just silence.
I told myself that was good.
But something inside me whispered you miss it.
I ignored the thought, checked my phone
still nothing.
His pendant was still around my neck, cool against my skin.
"It doesn't matter," I muttered. "It's just a piece of metal."
A shower, some quick food, Netflix
nothing caught my attention.
Eventually, I gave up and went to bed.
Then, as if on cue, my menstrual cycle decided to announce itself with a bright, sarcastic
"Ta-da! Miss me?"
I groaned, grabbed a napkin, popped a painkiller, and collapsed into sleep before the cramps could get worse.
---
When I woke again, the smell of coffee filled the room.
Fresh. Warm. Comforting.
Exactly what I needed.
But… I hadn't made any.
In my kitchen, a steaming cup waited beside a plate of toast.
My phone buzzed on the counter.
Unknown: Good morning, my sunshine. I know I said I'd give you space…
But you're in pain.
How could I ignore that?
I smiled a little at his message.
A: Your f*cking smile… I'll make a hundred cups of coffee then.
I rolled my eyes, biting back a laugh. "Loser," I muttered under my breath.
He really did know how to flirt..shamelessly, effortlessly.
I picked up the mug. The first sip was perfect--rich, just the way I liked it.
Steam curled upward, filling my kitchen with calm.
My fingers hesitated on the phone before I finally typed,
Me: Thanks. It tastes good.
I knew he was watching somehow, maybe through cameras, maybe just intuition.
But for the first time, the idea didn't make my skin crawl.
Fear didn't press its cold hand on my throat.
Instead, there was a strange comfort
as if someone actually cared enough to notice the smallest things.
I ate the toast he'd left for me, still warm,
and tried to convince myself it didn't mean anything.
Just breakfast. Just coincidence.
The clock ticked past eight.
I forced myself to move..wash my face, fix my hair, change into something decent for college.
Every time I glanced at the pendant around my neck, a warmth spread through me.
It almost felt like it pulsed in sync with my heartbeat.
"Pull yourself together,"
I whispered to my reflection.
I grabbed my bag, locked the door, and stepped outside.
The air felt lighter, the kind that almost makes you believe everything might finally go right.
But the moment I reached the gate of my apartment complex, a sleek black car stopped right in front of me.
It wasn't just any car
this one screamed expensive. Tinted windows, polished body, and that quiet purr only luxury engines make.
The driver stepped out immediately, his suit too neat for an ordinary chauffeur.
"Miss Elina?" he asked politely.
I froze. "Yes…?"
Without another word, he opened the backseat door, bowing slightly.
"Please take your seat, ma'am."
My fingers tightened around the strap of my bag.
"Sorry, I didn't order a cab."
He didn't answer. He didn't need to.
Because right then, my phone vibrated.
A: My ruin, don't hesitate. I booked the car. It'll take you to college.
The driver waited silently, eyes lowered in respect almost too much respect.
The car door stood open like a silent invitation, and for a moment, I could almost feel him watching through it.
My heart thudded once.
Twice.
Should I step in… or run?