Amara's POV:
Upon insisting too much, Vihaan has paused his search for the lead in my parents' murder. To be honest, a small voice in my heart says I might already know who the culprits are, but I can't be sure. I didn't see the faces that night.
Our college is about to end, and now my stress has shifted to placements. Every senior eventually leaves the city for their job, and I'm caught in a quiet storm—if I leave, Vihaan won't be there, but if I stay, it might cost me my career.
I am strange now. I want to meet him.
"Are you free tonight?" I messaged him.
"Always for you," he replied quickly.
"Then, we will be having dinner together. Be ready at 6 pm sharp." I just want to discuss it with him; I am sure he will have the best solution ever.
Jia's POV:
"At least talk to him. Remember when Vihaan and I had our rough patch? You were the one who kept telling me to talk to him, even when I didn't want to." Amara's voice was calm but firm—classic Ama, lecturing me about Adrian.
"Sometimes, I doubt whether you're my sister or his." I taunted because she always tries to take his side, no matter how ridiculous he acts.
"Of course I'm yours. That's why I'm saying this. He's genuine—just a little cocky—but he really cares about you. Remember your training program? It was freezing, you had barely any layers, and he crossed half the city to buy you a coat. Don't pretend you don't remember." Ama's eyes softened. "He cares, Jia."
"He is just a little spoiled kid of his parents, maybe that's why he acts like this, but he cares. He cares about you," she said, taking my hand between hers.
Ama's words were annoyingly reasonable."Fine," I muttered, yanking my phone from my pocket. "I'll talk to him. Happy now?"
Ama grinned. "Ecstatic. Go."
I rolled my eyes but headed toward the science block, where Adrian usually hung out between classes. My heart thudded faster than I liked to admit. Okay, Jia, just talk. No drama.
But halfway down the courtyard, I froze.
Adrian leaned against the railing, an easy smile on his face, chatting with a girl I didn't recognize. His voice—low, playful, teasing—was the same one that always managed to pull a reluctant laugh out of me.
The girl laughed, touching his arm.
My stomach clenched. Seriously?So much for talking.
I spun on my heel and walked away, my boots echoing on the stone path.
"A little fast for a casual stroll," Ama called, jogging up behind me.
"Ask your charming Adrian why," I said through gritted teeth.
"What happened now?"
"Nothing. Exactly nothing." I shoved my hands in my pockets. "He's just being… Adrian."
Ama gave me a knowing look and murmured, "What did you do now, Adrian?"
I stayed silent.
"Jiaaa," she sing-songed, falling into step beside me. "Wait,"
"Don't run after me," I snapped.
Ama smirked. "Right. And I hate coffee."
I quickened my pace. "I'm going home."
"Fine," she sighed. "But if he comes, give him a chance."
Adrian's POV:
I caught a flicker of her hair disappearing around the corner."Jia?" My voice carried, but she didn't slow.
A sharp pang shot through my chest. Great. Trouble, and it's my fault.
"Gracie, we'll finish this later," I muttered to my lab partner, already moving.My steps quickened, heartbeat louder than the echoing hallway.
I finally spotted her near the library steps, moonlight pooling across the stone."Jia, wait—please."
She didn't turn. The night breeze lifted a strand of her hair like it was daring me to catch it.
"Jia, at least let me explain." I reached her at last, breathless.
She faced me then, eyes sparking. "Explain what? Don't you have something great to do—like you were just doing?"
"That?" I stepped closer, my words softer. "She's just a project partner. Nothing more."
"I didn't ask who she was." Her gaze slid away, but the hurt lingered.
"I know," I said quietly, "but I need you to know. When I say nothing, it means… nothing. Not even a friend."I took out my phone, thumb hovering.
"Gracie," I said into the line when she answered, "I can't continue with the project. You'll need another partner."I ended the call.
Jia's head snapped toward me, eyes wide. "Adrian—what did you just do?"
"I ended the reason you're upset. If someone makes you feel even a little unwanted, they're not worth a single word from me."
Her breath caught. "You didn't have to—"
"I wanted to," I said, softer now. "I talk too much, flirt too easily. I'll change that if it means keeping you near. Just… don't shut me out."
She blinked, the tension in her shoulders slowly unwinding."You don't need to change anything," she whispered. "You're… you. And I— I like that."Her voice faltered, warm and unsure. "I just… felt invisible for a second."
I tilted her chin gently until our eyes met, the world shrinking to her and the quiet night."You could never be invisible to me," I said. "You are the most wanted person in my entire life, Jia. Always."
Her breath caught, barely audible. "Adrian…"The way she said my name made something deep inside me shift.
"You can't just drop a project partner because of me," she whispered, though her voice trembled.
"I didn't drop anything," I said, my own voice low and steady. "I made a choice. And it's you. It's always you."
The world around us seemed to hush—the distant chatter, the wind through the trees, even the soft thud of my heart felt louder.I reached for her hand, slow enough for her to pull away. She didn't. My fingers slid against hers, warm and careful.
Her lashes lowered, a flush rising on her cheeks. "I was jealous," she admitted, barely louder than the breeze. "When I heard you laugh with her, it felt like… maybe I wasn't special. Maybe I was just another person you talked to."
I stepped a fraction closer, our hands fitting together like they'd been waiting. "Jia," I breathed, "you could never be just someone. You're the thought that starts my morning and the reason I stay late just to catch a glimpse of you. You're the person I'd cross a city for—again and again."
Her eyes lifted to mine, wide and luminous, and I swear the whole campus tilted."You always know exactly what to say," she whispered.
"Only because it's true." My thumb traced slow circles over her knuckles, tiny sparks where skin met skin.
The corner of her mouth curved, the tension melting like snow in sunlight. "Okay," she said softly, as though the word itself was fragile. "I believe you."
Relief—bright and dizzying—flooded me. "So… we're okay?"
Her smile deepened, sweet and a little shy. "We're okay. But you still owe me," she teased, tilting her head. "Coffee. And maybe… something more."
I leaned in just enough for the air between us to hum. "How about coffee first," I murmured, "and then a walk under the stars? Just us."
Her breath hitched, the softest sound. "Deal," she said, a spark in her eyes that made everything inside me feel like wings.
For a heartbeat, neither of us moved—hands clasped, hearts racing—while the evening light wrapped around us, as if the whole world had paused to listen.
"Join the dinner at 6 pm, if you get a break from your romance with your girl." A message popped up on my phone from Ama.
"Ama wants us to join the dinner," I told Jia, who was busy thinking about something.
"Okay," She replied with the sweetest voice.