After class, Amie extended an invitation to join her at the cafeteria, but just as we were about to enter, my pace abruptly halted. There, seated at a nearby table, were the fangirls of my brothers, enjoying their meal. I swiftly pulled Amie away from the cafeteria, guiding her towards a cozy spot under a small Indian mango tree within the university campus.
"Wait! Why are we here?" Amie inquired, looking puzzled.
I had no choice but to disclose the reason.
Her eyes widened, and she scowled. "Those girls are shameless! Promise me you won't give them your handsome brothers' numbers, beshy!"
I grinned and settled down under the mango tree. "Don't worry, I won't share their numbers. I know you have a crush on my brothers."
Amie chuckled, taking a seat beside me. "You're absolutely right! Your brothers are so incredibly handsome and attractive! I think I'm head over heels for them; I'm in love!"
I just smiled in return and shrugged my head, reaching into my bag to pull out a book. Amie also took out two Dairy Milk chocolate bars and offered one to me.
"It's a shame we can't go to the cafeteria right now. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of Mr. Hot again! Perhaps he's there," she remarked.
Curiously, I glanced at Amie as she unwrapped her chocolate. "Who's Mr. Hot?"
Amie rolled her eyes, leaning against the mango tree. "Oh, come on! You can't possibly have forgotten about the charming guy from the cafeteria last time who gave you a fork!"
I smiled at the memory. "Of course not! How could I forget my 'first love'?" I playfully took a bite of the chocolate.
Amie's eyes widened momentarily as she was about to take a bite, and then she burst into laughter, playfully hitting my left arm.
"Oh my gosh! I had no idea you were that quick to fall for someone, Kierra! 'Love at first sight' already?" Amie teased.
I chuckled, trying not to laugh too hard. "Well, you know, I thought I might as well spice up the story a bit. And yeah, I think I fell in love with him at first sight yesterday in the cafeteria," I replied with a laugh, which widened Amie's eyes even more. "I even dreamed about him last night. In my dream, we were in a room, and he kissed me," I added, lying and trying hard not to burst into laughter.
Amie's lips curled into a small smile. "Oh my gosh!" She playfully hit me again. "You're such a flirt, girl! You really are!"
We both laughed together
Our laughter came to an abrupt halt as heavy rain suddenly poured down. We hurriedly sought refuge in an old classroom that was no longer in use. Inside, we found only old chairs and a broken door, which easily granted us entry.
"Ugh, what terrible luck! I'm completely drenched now," Amie grumbled, attempting to dry her uniform. Just then, her cellphone rang, and she took it out from her bag to check the message. "Oh, it's my cousin. He's already outside to pick me up. I have to go now, Kierra. See you tomorrow, okay?" Amie didn't wait for my response and dashed outside, braving the heavy rain, leaving me alone in the deserted classroom.
I let out a sigh and glanced at the raindrops outside. Dad had warned me not to leave the university until they arrived to pick me up, so I decided to text them, asking them to fetch me from the old classroom and bring an umbrella to keep me dry.
Reaching into my bag, I took out my cellphone, but to my dismay, it had a low battery. Frustrated, I put the phone back inside my bag.
I didn't have much of a choice. It seemed like I would have to face the heavy rain and go outside, as my dad and my brothers might be waiting for me in the classroom, searching for me.
I placed my bag over my head, ready to head out through the broken door, when suddenly, I bumped into a solid chest right in front of me.
I halted and slowly lowered my bag from my head, looking up with a frown.
But the frown turned into a parted lips when I recognized the guy from the cafeteria yesterday—the one who gave me the fork.
"Hi, Kierra," he said with a smile.
I was dumbfounded. How did he know my name? I couldn't believe this!
I couldn't find the words to respond, simply gazing at the guy who was smiling at me. He unbuttoned his black raincoat.
"Your dad told me to pick you up. Shall we go?" He extended his hand to me after unbuttoning his raincoat.
"D-Do you know my dad?" I blurted out, wondering where I got the courage to ask him.
Oh my gosh! Don't tell him he's a policeman and one of my Dad's men.
"Oh, yes, he's our general," he replied with a smile.
So, he really is one of my dad's policemen!
"So, that means you are a policeman?" I asked again. I didn't know where I got the confidence to inquire about it.
"Yes. So, can we leave now? Your dad is waiting for us at the police station. Let's go?" He still had his hand extended in front of me.
I found it puzzling that my dad's colleagues were sent to pick me up, especially since my dad had always told me not to talk to strangers. But I guess he's not a stranger if he's a policeman under my dad.
"Your brothers and father are busy, so they can't pick you up. That's why I'm here to fetch you, as per their orders."
Despite my confusion, I accepted his extended hand that made him smile.
"Good girl," he whispered, but I couldn't hear it well over the heavy rain.
He then opened his raincoat and unexpectedly pulled me close to him, enveloping me in his pleasant and broad chest.
I found myself inside his raincoat, and it fit perfectly, keeping us both dry. I almost gasped when he placed his hand on my shoulder.
I couldn't see where we were going because his raincoat covered my view, but he guided me gently.
We had only taken a few steps when he suddenly stopped walking, causing me to stop as well and look up at him.
He still looked as handsome as yesterday when I first saw him in the cafeteria, even more attractive up close. The earring he wore on one ear accentuated his masculinity.
He took something out of his pocket. In a moment, he handed me a small, white, round object that looked like bubble gum.
"Take this; it's a menthol candy. It's expensive, all the way from Portugal."
I stared at his palm, where he said the expensive candy was.
"B-But why isn't it wrapped?" I asked, lifting my gaze back to him.
I noticed he seemed momentarily taken aback by my question, but a smile quickly returned to his lips, emphasizing his handsomeness.
"Actually, I was about to eat it earlier, but then I remembered you," he answered briefly.
Though I was puzzled, I took the candy from his palm and put it into my mouth.
It was indeed a menthol candy, as it felt cool on my tongue.
"U-Um, aren't we leaving yet?" I asked hesitantly, avoiding eye contact and looking down because I couldn't face his intense gaze.
"Just one minute," he almost whispered in my ear. It sent shivers down my spine because of the way he spoke.
I furrowed my brow and instinctively held my head as I felt dizzy. I nearly stumbled, but the guy quickly wrapped his arm around my waist to steady me.
My vision seemed to blur for some unknown reason.
"W-Why is this happening? I-I think I'm getting dizzy," I murmured in a hushed tone, clinging to the guy's sturdy arm.
Before I could raise my gaze, my body gave in, and I would have fallen if the guy hadn't swiftly caught me in his strong arms.
I couldn't tell if I was seeing things correctly when I looked at his face, but it seemed like a grin formed on his lips as he stared at me.
Unable to keep my eyes open any longer, I closed them shut.
"Mission accomplished," the guy said, but his words were unclear to my ears.