Julia drove straight to the college campus.
Students paused to stare at her car as it rolled in. Whispers followed immediately. This was her school, after all. She knew every corner, every shortcut. She had spent four years within these walls—though not as Julia, but as Tina.
She stepped out and headed toward her classroom.
People watched her as if she were an alien that had wandered into their world, murmuring among themselves without restraint.
The campus buzzed with life, as busy as ever, as though it hadn't just lost a student.
Her chest tightened.
Did they even know someone had died?
Did they even know she had existed?
She stopped in front of the tall building that housed the Institute of Computer Science. A large billboard stood proudly at the entrance. On it was Alex—smiling, confident—accompanied by a motivational quote.
Never give up on your dreams and visions. They are your starting point. With the right amount of hard work, they will take you to places.
Julia scoffed.
"Dreams and visions," she muttered. Stealing people's work and taking the credit sure made things easy.
She rolled her eyes at the group of girls gazing at the billboard like devoted fans staring at a K-pop idol.
The higher you climb, the harder and more painful the fall.
Turning away, she walked into the library.
She headed instinctively toward her usual spot at the back—then stopped.
Someone was already there.
A lone figure sat in the chair right in front of her favorite seat.
James.
Her steps slowed.
Like her, he was a nerd. Quiet. Always buried in books. They didn't talk much, but they shared the same space, the same routine. He always brought her favorite coffee without ever asking.
She walked closer and took the chair across from him.
"I'm sorry, but that seat is reserved," he said without looking up, his eyes glued to the thick book in his hands.
Julia's heart trembled.
She blinked rapidly, forcing the sting in her eyes back.
Sensing her silence, James finally looked up.
The woman in front of him looked… innocent. Beautifully so. There was something in her gaze—something heavy and familiar—that stirred an ache of nostalgia in his chest.
Julia cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Can I sit here before she comes?" she asked.
James studied her more carefully this time. A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes before he spoke casually, "She's not coming. And how do you know it's a she?"
Julia stiffened, then smiled awkwardly.
She'd been careless—but not careless enough.
Though they weren't close, she knew how observant James was. He noticed everything. She once joked that he should've been a detective.
"I guessed," she said lightly. "I mean, you're a guy, so naturally it'd be a girl. Not necessarily your girlfriend, just… it's easy to—"
"It's fine," James cut in quietly. "She was a friend. But she died."
Julia's breath caught.
"I'm sorry for your loss," she said softly.
How ironic.
The people she cared about were living their best lives, while the one she had barely noticed was the one who truly cared.
"She was lucky to have a friend like you," Julia added, forcing the tears back.
"There was more I could've done," James said, regret weighing down his voice. "But I didn't. And now… I regret it." He stood up abruptly. "I should go."
"Wait."
Julia rose to her feet.
"I need your help."
James paused.
"I know you're planning to drop out," she said slowly.
His body stiffened.
Suspicion flared in his eyes as he turned fully to face her. Only one person knew that—and she was gone.
"How do you know that?" he asked.
Julia's heart skipped.
Thinking fast, she said, "A friend of yours reached out to me. Her name was Tina. She asked me to offer you a job. She sounded… desperate."
James's breathing turned uneven, his hands trembling slightly.
Julia felt a pang of guilt.
"I'm sorry," she said gently, patting his back. "I didn't mean to—"
"I just didn't know she cared that much," James murmured. "I got emotional."
Julia nodded.
"If you're interested, you can start work immediately." She extended her hand. "I'm Julia Roberts, chairwoman of Aurexx."
"James Belmont," he replied, shaking her hand.
"I'm in need of a personal assistant. Here's my card." She handed it to him. "Call the number, and I'll send you my address and brief you properly. I trust you can handle the job."
"Thank you, Mrs. Roberts," he said earnestly.
"Call me Julia," she replied. "And from now on, your living expenses are covered."
She turned to leave.
Mission one—securing a trusted aide—completed.
Now, it was time for mission two.