Aksh's POV
"Dad, stop it! Just stop talking about marriage!" I snapped, my patience worn thin. My father had been obsessing over my marriage lately, all because of his ridiculous fixation on having grandchildren.
"But why?" he argued. "You're handsome, tall, young, rich—you're The Ryu Aksh! Your company is thriving. You just need to agree, and girls will line up for you."
I rolled my eyes and walked away, heading to my room. Switching on the lights, my gaze immediately fell on the picture of my mother. She was sitting on a swing, her blackish-brown hair flowing in the wind, and her hazel eyes shining brighter than the moon. She had passed away while giving birth to me. Sometimes I wondered how my Korean father fell in love with such a stunning Indian woman.
Shaking off the melancholy, I headed for a shower, put on some sweatpants, and lay down on my bed. But as soon as I closed my eyes, a different face appeared—her. The girl I bumped into. She looked so innocent, so confused. Her dark hair tucked neatly behind her ear, her face flustered and red, those big brown eyes…
What was wrong with me? Why was I thinking about her? Irritated, I pulled open my drawer and grabbed my sleeping pills. I needed them to forget, to dull the guilt that consumed me every night. That day still haunted me—if only I hadn't fallen asleep, my dad might still be able to walk.
The pills kicked in, dragging me into darkness.
Ahana's POV
I ran as fast as I could, finally reaching my room. People gave me strange looks as I hurriedly muttered an apology and turned on my laptop for the meeting. The lecture began, and though it was boring, I forced myself to pay attention.
An hour later, I gulped down water like I'd been stranded in a desert. "Slow down, Ahana, or you'll choke!" teased Ellisa. But I was too hungry to care. Afterward, I called my mom to tell her about my day, then went to bed, staring at the moon through the window.
And then…those hazel eyes popped into my mind again. Neatly combed hair, a sharp jawline, and an aura so striking it was almost intimidating. Who was he? I fell asleep pondering the question.
The next morning, I dressed in a simple yet elegant light-yellow frock, adding a sunflower clip to my hair for a touch of charm. A quick dab of lip gloss, and I was ready. Finding my classroom was a struggle, but I eventually sat by the window, unnoticed by everyone else, who were too busy minding their own business.
As the lecture began, I felt a surge of pride—I'd made it here. After classes, I joined Ellisa, Joe, and Min Woo in the cafeteria. They were buzzing about a guest speaker, someone who owned the leading fashion industry in Korea.
Curious, I headed back to class. Just as I settled into my seat, the professor walked in and asked us to stand. The guest had arrived.
When he entered, I froze. My books slipped from my hands as my gaze locked onto his hazel eyes. My heart raced as recognition hit me—it was him.
"Good afternoon, everyone," he began, his voice deep and commanding. "I'm Ryu Aksh. You're probably wondering about my name. My mom's Indian, my dad's Korean, and my mom named me before I was born."
He introduced himself with ease, exuding confidence and charm. His presence filled the room, making it hard for me to focus. My mind replayed our brief encounter, and I couldn't stop staring.
"Hey, are you listening?"
I jolted, realizing he was speaking to me. "Y-Yes, sir," I stammered.
"You seem distracted," he said with a slight smirk.
I shook my head. "Sorry, just a little tired. Please continue."
He carried on, sharing his journey and insights about the fashion industry. When the session ended, he thanked us and prepared to leave. But just as he reached the door, he paused and turned back.
His eyes found mine again. My breath hitched as our gazes locked, and for a moment, it felt like the rest of the world disappeared. Then he walked out, leaving me flustered and overwhelmed.
Why? Why did he look at me? Was it just a coincidence, or had he noticed something?
That night, I couldn't sleep. His gaze lingered in my mind, leaving me restless and confused. My roommates gave me puzzled looks as I tossed and turned, overthinking every detail. When morning came, I finally understood why those actresses in movies acted so ridiculously when they fell in love.
Was I falling for him? But why? I didn't even know him. He was like the moon—distant, unreachable. And I was just a girl, sitting alone, watching it.