Liora stood in front of the administration desk, and her arms crossed as she faced Mr Hammington, the man responsible for handling student complaints on campus. He was a middle-aged man with a stiff posture and looked young for his age.
He looked unimpressed by the early morning request in front of him. His gaze lingered on her for a solid ten seconds before he slid a form across the desk without a word.
Liora sighed, grabbing the form with visible reluctance. Her fingers tightened around the pen. Again?
Yesterday, she filed a similar complaint about losing her dorm keys. Today, it was her entire bag. And the reason? Psycho Bear.
Her expression darkened at the memory of Nova's infuriating smirk. It was because of him—his ridiculous strength, his refusal to let go, and that stupid, insufferable attitude. She had barely gotten away from him last afternoon, sprinting as her life depended on it, only to realise later that her tote bag was missing.
She had come back in the evening, retracing her steps along the walking path by the river stream, checking under benches, even glancing around where she had— God forbid—wrestled with Donovan, but the bag was nowhere to be found. And now, here she was, forced to swallow her pride and report it.
She hunched over the form, pressing the pen harder than necessary. Lost near the river walk. It contains identification, bank cards, student ID, and approximately three hundred dollars in cash.
Her stomach twisted at the thought. She wasn't exactly rich—three hundred dollars was a big deal. If someone had taken it… she bit her lip, frustration boiling inside her.
That was it. Nova was officially on her blacklist. Next time she saw him? She'd turn the other way. Pretend he was a ghost.
Mr Hammington took the form from her once she was done, barely glancing at it before stamping it.
"You'll be notified if it's found," he said in a monotone voice, already looking past her, signalling that the conversation was over.
Liora exhaled sharply, turning on her heel as she left the administration office. Writing another letter to Caspian would have to wait. The hallways were already bustling with students, and she wasn't about to risk getting caught slipping a letter into his locker.
Her fingers twitched at the thought. How ironic. In the past, people used letters to profess their love—secret, stolen words on delicate paper. How romantic.
With a wistful sigh, she shoved the thought aside and headed for class.
She barely had time to settle in her seat when a familiar, unwelcome presence strolled into the room.
Kai.
Grinning like a cat who had just cornered a helpless mouse.
In his hand? Her beige tote bag.
Liora's eyes widened in surprise, "My bag!" The words burst from her lips before she could stop them, before narrowing in suspicion. She realised who had brought it back.
Kai's grin widened as he approached her desk, placing the bag down with an exaggerated flourish."You're welcome," he said, his tone smug.
Liora's stomach dropped. 'He saw everything, didn't he?' Kai had been there. He had watched it unfold. The fall. The position. The biting.
Her mortification doubled, and a deep crimson flushed her cheeks.
Sia and Yo entered the classroom at that exact moment, halting in their tracks when they spotted Kai, their handsome Senior. Their eyes practically sparkled as they hurried over, and Sia felt incredibly lucky that her seat was located right next to Liora.
Sia's eyes remained glued to Kai, completely starstruck. "Hi! I'm Sia," she introduced herself, her voice a little breathless.
Kai turned his charming grin on her, nodding politely. "Nice to meet you, Sia." Then, with a slow, deliberate turn, his attention landed back on Liora. "And you are?"
Liora stiffened. "I... I'm Li," she stammered, feeling every ounce of control slipping through her fingers.
Kai arched a brow. "Just Li?"
Her fingers curled into fists beneath the desk. ′Did he ask Sia that? No. So why the extra interrogation for me?′
She cleared her throat and forced herself to meet his gaze, praying he wouldn't see through her next lie. "Li San," she corrected, borrowing her grandmother's surname without hesitation.
Kai hummed, tilting his head slightly. "Li San…" he repeated, rolling the name over his tongue like he was testing it. "Your family is from Asia?" He looked at Yo before apologising, "No offence to you, miss...?
Then, his eyes sharpened. "Your family is from Asia?" His attention flicked to Yo before he added, "No offence to you, miss…?"
"I—I'm Yo!" Yo blurted, caught off guard but managing to introduce herself.
Kai's lips quirked up in amusement before he turned back to Liora. "You don't look like you're from an Asian country," he said, his brows furrowing slightly.
Liora stiffened. 'This man asks too many questions.'
"I wouldn't know. My grandmother had the surname San," she replied, her tone even measured.
Kai's head tilted slightly, intrigued. "You don't know your family history?"
Liora clenched her teeth. ′Yesterday, his cousin was grilling me with questions like I was on Slumdog Millionaire, and now he's running an unauthorised background check? Am I that lucky?′
Her patience snapped.
"Should I be thrown behind bars for not knowing my ancestry?" she asked softly, flashing him a forced, polite smile.
Kai chuckled, the sound low and smooth. "I like you."
'No, don't like me. Please, stay far, far away from me. You and your psycho bear cousin.' Liora's inner voice screamed in exasperation.
"See you at the party!" Kai threw over his shoulder as he walked away, flashing a grin at Liora, Yo, and Sia.
Liora watched him go, her expression blank.
Sia elbowed her. "Oh my god. That was the most intense introduction ever!"
Kai strolled out of the freshman classroom. His grin stretched lazily as he shoved his hands into his pockets. His mind replayed the moment just now—Liora's hesitant stammer, the forced smile, the sheer discomfort bleeding through her every word.
Li-San?
He nearly laughed. She could fool others, but not him.
She had no idea he had already seen the truth. The moment he picked up her tote bag last night, curiosity had gotten the best of him. A quick glance inside had revealed her ID—Liora Valentine.
Kai tilted his head back, exhaling through his nose, his smirk deepening. "Why are you in disguise, Liora?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Yesterday, he had already suspected something when her junior and Donovan had collided. The way his cousin reacted, it felt like Christmas jingles were ringing in his ears.
Usually, Donovan was untouchable, almost mechanical in how he avoided any and all physical advances from women.
Many had tried—tripping, stumbling, pretending to lose their balance—all in the hopes of being caught by him. Every single one had failed spectacularly, meeting the cold, hard floor instead of his arms. Donovan never fell for tricks, nor did he extend his hand unless absolutely necessary.
Even if the situation was genuine, he had a way of preventing any contact while still ensuring no harm came to the other person.
But Liora had always been the exception!
Somehow, in ways neither of them could control, she was the only one who managed to tangle herself into his space. It was like fate kept weaving invisible threads between them, pulling them into these ridiculous, accidental entanglements.
And that… that made Kai chuckle under his breath. He was glad they had crossed paths again.
But he wouldn't reveal anything—not yet. If he told Donovan outright, his cousin would shove Liora away, burying whatever emotions surfaced behind that icy exterior of his. No, watching Donovan struggle was far more entertaining. His cousin needs to figure out whether his feelings are just an unresolved infatuation or something deeper.
During their break, Liora, along with Yo and Sia, headed to the cafeteria. They enjoyed a quick lunch and then went straight to a café to grab some refreshing bubble tea and stroll around the beautiful campus, or for Liora, to try and catch a glimpse of Sven if possible.
Far from the café, in the complete opposite direction, Caspian made his way alone. He ventured onto the forbidden grounds near the Fourth Courtyard, an area strictly off-limits to students—except for the Valtham family and university staff.
The massive stone archways loomed overhead, casting long shadows that seemed to envelop him as he moved deeper inside. Though his pulse remained steady, his instincts were on high alert.
The last thing he needed was to get caught. But this was the only place he could find Lazirious alone.
Caspian spotted the man near the old pillars, his white suit blending seamlessly into his pale skin and the atmosphere was unwelcoming. There's no warmth in that man, Caspian thought. His presence was as intimidating as the stone walls surrounding them—unyielding and unreadable.
"Mr Lazirious!" Caspian called, keeping his tone firm but respectful.
The man stopped mid-stride, slowly turning to face him.
Dark brown eyes met Caspian's with a sharp, assessing gaze—calculating, dissecting. It wasn't curiosity in his stare. It was a warning. A silent reminder that this conversation was already crossing a line.
"Mr Glacier," Lazirious addressed him coolly, his expression impassive. "This is not a place for you to be. Have you forgotten the university rules?"
Caspian swallowed the irritation rising in his throat. He had expected resistance—Lazirious was no fool.
"No, sir, I haven't." His voice remained steady. "I'm sorry to interrupt you like this. However, I had no other option. I had to talk to you privately."
Laziriousdidn't respond immediately. Instead, he studied Caspian, his silence stretching long enough to send a slow chill down his spine. Then, finally, he spoke.
"What is it you want?" The words were clipped, dismissive—as if he already knew he wasn't going to entertain whatever came next.
Caspian exhaled slowly. "I need information on a student."
Lazirious's expression didn't change, but the air around him did. It hardened.
Caspian continued, choosing his words carefully. "Just a single piece of information. I don't need a background check, just the course she's enrolled in."
'She?'
Lazirious's eyes zeroed in on his, a dark, unreadable force behind them.
"You know the rules, Mr Glacier." His voice was colder than before, final. He turned, prepared to leave.
But Caspian wasn't done.
"I'll find a girl who isn't into drugs and send her to your place in return."
Lazirious froze. A beat of silence passed, heavy and suffocating. Then, slowly, he turned back.
Caspian had encountered numerous masked individuals throughout his life. The Valtham family and those closely associated with them are shrouded in secrets. In fact, he often felt a nagging urge to uncover what they were concealing. However, he wasn't naive. He would likely find himself in some sort of trouble, and unnecessary trouble at that. Furthermore, he had different objectives.
The moment their eyes met again, Caspian felt it—the shift in the air.
Lazirious clenched his fists at his sides, his face still unreadable, but his eyes—they burned like a storm teetering on the edge of destruction.
"What made you say that?" Lazirious's voice was quiet. Controlled. Too controlled.
Caspian held his ground. "There are rumours among few students." He kept his tone even, locking eyes with him, refusing to back down.
Lazirious took a single step closer. Caspian didn't move, even as the man's presence towered over him.
""Find out who started it and those who are aware of it," Lazirious ordered, his voice dangerously calm. "Give me names—all of them. And make sure they're authentic. If I find out you gave me false information—" His words cut off, the implication clear.
Caspian didn't blink. "I'll get you the names. But then—"
Lazirious held up a hand, silencing him. "I'll see what I can do after that."
Then he turned to leave. But just as Caspian thought the conversation was over, Lazirious glanced back over his shoulder.
"I hope your lips are not as loose as those spreading the rumours, Mr Glacier. Leave before it's too late."
Then, without another word, he disappeared into the shadows of the restricted courtyard, leaving Caspian standing alone.