A week has passed with Yana relentlessly annoying Luka. Each break, she went to find him, for lunch she cooked for him with Luka actually eating it, secretly thinking that she was indeed able to improve.
However, since that time in the karaoke bar, Luka has refused to go out after uni again. On the weekends, Yana had to work and thus left Luka alone but told him he could come. Of course, he didn't show up.
The research project started to come along. Luka has modified the topic and Yana helped where she could. During the process, the professor was heavily involved. Yana sourly thought that the professor's involvement was more beneficial than her presence but obviously she couldn't say that out loud or else the professor would catch on quickly she didn't even want to do the project.
"Luka~" during lunch, Yana found him outside on the bench again, bathing in the sun.
"You really like being in the sun, hm," despite the fact Luka was always outside, he was barely tanned, "Could it be you want to get tanned but can't?"
Luka was long used to Yana's bluntness. He opened his eyes and blinked. The blue mixed with the golden rays and Yana's breath was taken away for a second as he looked at her through half-lidded eyes, "You have food for me again?"
Yana was so mesmerised she didn't recover quickly enough.
"Yana?"
Suddenly Luka got worried seeing her agape expression and got closer to her. His hair tickled her nose and his breath hit her neck, "Yana are you alright?"
Now noticing the closeness, Yana backed off and only nodded. Luka was too strange today. He was too nice.
"The food?"
Yana regained her senses and cheekily grinned, "Oh my, I didn't know you enjoy my foo-"
"I don't, the sooner you give it to me, the sooner you disappear, right?" Luka glanced at her and had to hold back his laughter seeing her 'I'm-so-done-with-you' expression. Yana had her hopes up too early. Indeed, Luka was after all a jerk, what did she expect?
"Let's go?"
"Where?" Luka knew she was up to something again.
"Eat lunch, you can't be by yourself all the time. The guys from karaoke are eager to see you, they had fun with you. Isn't that great?" Yana's cheeky smile was brighter than the sun and Luka agreed which even stunned him.
"What, so easily?"
"If I don't go, your reputation will be damaged," Luka said as a matter of fact.
"You think you're so important, huh," Yana rolled her eyes but giggled.
She marched in front of Luka and her long hair swayed to the left and right with her movements.
Luka kept his eyes on her back, a small smile gracing his lips until they entered the cafeteria.
Yana was already used to the gossip surrounding them, it didn't faze her and Luka equally didn't care much.
"Over here!" The guys from the karaoke waved Yana and Luka to the table. Yana sat next to Mia while Luka sat opposite to Yana next to the guy.
Mia, however, didn't seem too happy about Luka's presence, "Your lapdog finally came? Tamed him now?" Mia threw her hair back and glared at Luka.
Because of him, Yana spent less time with her. All Yana did was circle around Luka. What was so good about him? How could he compare to Mia?
Luka only briefly looked at Mia, giving her the same cold treatment Yana initially received.
"Now, don't be mad, Mia! Luka's a great lad, right?" the guy put his arm around Luka's shoulder and the others agreed, only Mia was in a bad mood.
"Let's go to the café you really like after uni," to cheer Mia up, Yana suggested the hotspots of all café in the city.
"If you really-"
"Yana, have you forgotten the research project? After uni in the library," Luka interrupted Mia and a slight smirk played on his lips.
"You bloody bas-" Mia was about to throw a tantrum before Yana stopped her, "It's not going to take long, so-"
But Yana's appeasing was once again shot down by Luka, "There's a lot to do."
"Then tomorrow, how-" Yana turned to Mia but-
"You won't be free for the next few weeks. Don't think the project is that easy," without even looking at Mia, Luka ate a bit and tilted his head at Yana.
Yana could sense there was something wrong. The fact that the project was so much work! Who knew it'd take up all of her free time?
"Isn't that-"
"The weekends too," Luka gave Yana no chance.
What did Luka all of a sudden turn into? What was this? Everyone at the table let their gazes wander between Luka and Yana.
"I got work."
"You have your lunch break?"
"S-Seriously?" no way Yana was sure Luka was just messing with her. There absolutely no way-
"I'm serious."
"Nooo!" Yana spat out her food. Seeing her despair at the table to the point she wasn't even eating anymore, Luka's smirk grew wider, "You reap what you sow," but Mia was having none of it.
"Are you damn insane? Some respect for privacy here or, oh, does the lapdog want to wag its tail around Yana all the time huh?"
"Mia…"
"I've got work to do, see you later, Ya-na," Luka continued to ignore Mia and stood up to leave the cafeteria.
After he left the whole table turned quiet while Mia was fuming, "Drop that project right now! Just you watch, I'll gutter that jerk-"
"I'm ok, Mia, really it's fine, don't worry." It'd be fine right? Inside Yana's dam, holding back her tears, breached. She shouldn't have messed with Luka. Her precious free time!
After uni, Yana listlessly walked to the library. Thanks to the lunch and the horrible discovery, all vigour and energy left her. She just planted her head on the table hidden behind books and silently prayed for her rest. May you rest in peace. One day, I'll come and get you back.
Yana now dreaded to go see Luka. He was after all an evil mastermind. She shouldn't have trusted him!
The library had its own large building with three floors. On the ground floor, there were private study rooms that could be booked. Unfortunately, Yana had to endure being alone with Luka in one of the said study rooms.
When Yana arrived, Luka already sat there, immersed in the papers before him. Only when Yana closed the door behind him did Luka look up and give her a smile.
A smile, that in Yana's eyes, equalled that of the witch in Hansel and Gretel's story who loved to eat kids. Yes, Yana was the poor victim and Luka was the predator.
Once again, Yana's insides were swarmed by a flood of tears while on the outside she maintained her cool.
Please let this be over soon. Please let this-
"We have a lot, a lot, lot of work to do," the first thing Luka said completely shattered every last hope of Yana's.
"Noooooo!" Yana threw her bag on the table and sat next to Luka, sobbing she pulled on his arm and pushed him back and forth, "Please say you're lying! It can't be so much work that you actually repeated 'a lot' three times! 3 times! What hell is that? Goodness, graciousness, Lord Luka, please-"
Luka put his index finger on Yana's forehead and pushed her back, "Don't waste any more time, or we'll be sitting here until tomorrow."
"Yes, sir," wiping her tears away, Yana took some papers with shaking fingers and glanced pitifully at Luka. On the other side, Luka enjoyed those cries of help. He had to admit Yana was quite adorable this way.
Luka put his chin in the palm of his hand and for the rest of the time only watched Yana. He didn't realise but her diligent and concentrated but also excited face was pleasant to his eyes. He wanted to poke her pouty cheeks but held himself back.
Then all of a sudden, the door to the study room was flung open.