Zorvath and Aria stood locked in silence, eyes meeting, breaths tangled. The room felt thick, every second stretching longer.
The door creaked open.
"Aria."
She spun around. Lolan had stepped in, his usual calm smile resting easily on his face. Aria flinched, quickly pulling back from Zorvath. Her wrist slipped free, and she straightened her uniform in a hurry, pretending nothing had happened.
Zorvath didn't budge. He leaned back coolly, hands sinking into his pockets, his stare cutting sharp.
"What is it?" he asked, his tone flat.
But Lolan ignored him completely. His eyes never left Aria.
"There's a movie tonight. Come with me?"
Aria's lips parted, surprised. For an instant, her heart fluttered—it felt nice to be invited. But then she remembered Zorvath's words about the café. Her smile faltered.
"I… can't," she said softly. "I already have to go with…" She stopped herself, choosing not to explain.
Disappointment flickered across Lolan's face, but only for a moment. He nodded gently.
"Another time, then?"
This time, Aria's smile bloomed, warm and hopeful. "Yes. Another time."
Their eyes met—an unspoken promise passing between them. A quiet smile. A soft hope.
Behind them, Zorvath's jaw tightened. His blood burned, though he said nothing. His silence was heavier than any words.
Lolan gave Aria one last reassuring look, then turned and walked past her, his steps steady. He didn't spare Zorvath even a glance, except for the sharp, dismissive look he threw at him as he left.
Aria watched Lolan's figure retreating down the hall, her chest strangely light.
But when she turned back, Zorvath was still there. Sitting in the next chair, arms folded, his dark eyes fixed on her with a stare that made her breath catch all over again.
Aria shifted on her feet, the silence between them heavy. She forced herself to speak.
"I'll… go to the sports area, just to have a look. I'll come back quickly."
Zorvath rose at once, adjusting the collar of his shirt, running a hand through his hair with practiced ease. His movements were sharp, deliberate.
"No need," he said firmly. "I already told Mirzand to take charge. Tonight, we'll announce who becomes the leader of the sports area."
His eyes narrowed on her. "You've decided that, haven't you?"
Aria hesitated, her thoughts racing. After a beat, she nodded, lips curving into a small smile. "Yes."
But Zorvath didn't return the smile. His expression remained cold, unreadable, as he turned away. He took three steps toward the door before pausing.
"Should I tell you to follow me?"
Aria blinked, startled, then quietly gathered her things and stepped after him.
They left the building, not through the main gate but through a smaller, hidden side passage. The air outside felt sharper, freer. Parked just beyond the wall stood a sleek, luxurious sports car, gleaming under the late light.
Aria's brows lifted in surprise. "Is… is this your car?"
Zorvath didn't answer. His gaze flicked toward her, sharp as a blade. "Why? You'll only talk to rich boys?"
Her eyes widened. "I—I didn't say that," she murmured, almost tripping over her words. "I just asked if it was your car… why are you so mean?"
Her voice dropped lower, almost to herself, muttering the rest under her breath, unwilling to meet his eyes.
Watching her fidget and murmur, Zorvath's cold mask cracked just slightly. A slow, fleeting smile tugged at his lips.
The ride between Aria and Zorvath was silent. They barely spoke, only exchanging a few words to tell the directions. Finally, they reached her grandmother's house.
As soon as they arrived, Aria got out of the car and walked a few steps ahead. Zorvath, frowning slightly,
Without turning back, Aria replied, "Like you always do."
Zorvath just stared at her back for a moment, but he had no other choice—so he followed.
Inside, Aria's grandmother welcomed her warmly. The old woman's face lit up, and they hugged tightly, sharing sweet words after so long. When Aria finally turned back, she saw Zorvath already settled casually on the sofa, as if he belonged there. She looked at him awkwardly before focusing on her grandmother again.
"Then let me bring you both something to drink," Grandma said kindly.
Before Aria could refuse, Zorvath spoke up smoothly, "add more sugar in tea —jalebis are must"
Aria's eyes widened. "Grandma, you don't need to—" she started, but Zorvath cut her off with a careless smile that disarmed them both.
Grandma chuckled softly and went to the kitchen. Aria quickly sat beside Zorvath, lowering her voice. "Don't you have manners? Why are you like this?"
Zorvath tilted his head toward grandmother's retreating figure. " When she asked, I just answered. Unlike you, always overthinking about 'manners.'"
Aria's brows knitted, ready to fire back, when Grandma returned with the tray of jalebis and snacks—stopping their argument in its tracks.
Grandma placed the tray of tea and snacks on the low teapot table. Zorvath wasted no time, reaching for a jalebi and biting into it with no hesitation.
Aria gave him a side-eye but said nothing. Instead, she quietly picked up her cup of tea, sipped once, and turned back to grandmother, continuing their small talk.
Zorvath glanced at his watch, licking the syrup from his fingers. "If you hand me the key, that would be better. We should leave soon."
Aria froze mid-sip, staring at him like he'd just spoken another language. What the hell is he even saying?
grandmother only smiled knowingly and turned to Aria. "Do you two often fight? I think you made your boyfriend angry today."
Aria nearly choked on her tea. "We're not in a—" she started quickly, but Zorvath cut in, rising smoothly to his feet.
"Exactly," he agreed, brushing his shirt. "She doesn't understand much about relationships. Maybe you could give her some advice—you have more experience."
Aria gaped at him, speechless.
Zorvath turned back to her, his tone calm but final. "I'll be waiting in the car. Get the keys and come."
With that, he snatched one more jalebi from the plate, popped it into his mouth, and strode out without looking back.
Aria sat frozen, stunned by his audacity. Her grandmother's amused smile lingered as Aria managed an awkward grin in return, heat rising to her cheeks.