A day had passed, and Yvienna found herself walking down the university hallway, lost in a daydream that made her cheeks flush. She bit her lip, trying to shake off the thoughts swirling in her head. Just then, the scent of a strong, masculine perfume invaded her senses.
"Are you alright? You seem to be staring at nothing," a familiar voice asked.
Snapping back to reality, she turned to find Nico walking beside her.
"Are you thinking of something?" he added, his sharp gaze studying her.
"U-uhm, just… something," she muttered, avoiding his eyes.
Nico adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. "By the way, I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
"We're doing our best to catch the culprit who spread those false rumors."
Yvienna groaned, the issue resurfacing in her mind. She had almost forgotten about it—Kyle had been a distraction, an odd sense of comfort that made her forget her troubles, even if only for a moment. Too many things weighed on her shoulders already.
Nico snapped his fingers in front of her, pulling her back once again.
"What?" she asked innocently.
He chuckled and gestured to the room beside them. "If I'm not mistaken, that's your classroom, right? Or do you want to come with me instead?"
Embarrassment rushed through her, and Nico's amused smile only made it worse.
"Go on, have a great day!" He waved before walking off, leaving her standing still.
"Are you waiting for me?"
A deep, teasing voice made her turn around. There he was—Kyle. His messy hair somehow made him more attractive, his button-down school polo hung loosely over his frame, and a silver necklace peeked from beneath his collar. His signature lazy smirk made her breath hitch.
"How was your sleep?" he asked casually.
Yvienna's face burned as memories from yesterday flooded her mind.
"Shut up." She quickly walked into the classroom, ignoring his playful laughter.
As she scanned the room, she frowned. Tiffany was missing—again.
"Looking for Tiffany?" Kyle suddenly appeared beside her.
Startled, she instinctively pushed him away.
"Are you embarrassed because of your sleeptalking yesterday?" he teased.
Without thinking, she pressed a finger to his lips. "Just forget it."
Kyle grinned. "No, it's my most memorable day."
She groaned and quickly took her seat, expecting him to sit beside her. When he did, she merely rolled her eyes, but then—
The memory flashed vividly in her mind.
—
"Yvienna, wake up. We're here."
A soft, beautiful voice stirred her from her sleep. It was so soothing that, for a moment, she wasn't sure if she was dreaming.
"Yes, my hubby?" she murmured, still half-asleep, convincing herself it was just another dream.
Kyle chuckled, watching her drowsy expression. Even in her sleep, she still found him handsome.
"Are you still sleepy, my wifey?"
She smiled, eyes fluttering closed. "I love you…"
Kyle stiffened, his breath hitching. His cheeks flushed as she reached up, her fingers tracing his eyebrows gently.
"So handsome…" she whispered.
A sudden knock on the car window shattered the moment.
Yvienna's eyes snapped open.
"Yvienna?! What took you so long to get out of that car?!"
Kyle rolled down the window, revealing her mother's furious expression.
Yvienna's stomach dropped. She turned to Kyle, who was smirking at her.
"This is not a dream?!" she gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth before scrambling out of the car.
—
"What are you thinking, wifey?" Kyle's voice snapped her back to the present.
Her blood boiled. "Can you just shut up?!"
A cool breeze drifted through the room, and instantly, guilt settled in her chest. Kyle was looking down now, his playful demeanor replaced by something unreadable.
She poked his arm lightly, stepping closer. "I'm sorry. I'll try not to shout at you again… in public."
Kyle raised a brow. "So you'll shout at me in private?"
Yvienna groaned. "I—it depends on the situation."
Kyle's lips curled into a knowing smirk, but he quickly hid it. Her mind spiraled, realizing the double meaning of her words.
"T-that's not what I meant!" she sputtered.
He looked at her intently before nodding slowly. "I don't know what you're thinking, but I'll agree with everything you say."
She exhaled sharply. "Are we good now?"
Kyle shook his head. "Nope."
She pouted. "What do I have to do to make it up to you?"
He leaned in slightly. "Call me hubby, and I'll forgive you."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. Kyle merely looked away, pretending she wasn't there.
Before she could argue, their professor walked in.
"Get a ¼ sheet of paper. We're having a quiz."
Yvienna reached for her bag, but her heart sank. She had switched bags this morning—her paper was in the other one.
Her gaze drifted to Kyle's desk, spotting his fresh stack of neatly cut ¼ sheets. He was watching her but quickly averted his eyes.
"Can you give me a piece of paper?" she whispered.
Kyle ignored her.
"Okay, number one," their professor announced.
Panic set in. She had no paper. Desperately, she turned back to Kyle, who still feigned ignorance.
"Please? I'm sorry… h-hubby," she whispered, cheeks burning.
A small smile played on Kyle's lips as he slid a paper toward her without another word.