The morning sunlight slipped through the thin curtains, yet for Reina, its light felt dull. She sat at the edge of the bed with swollen eyes, last night's tears still evident. Her phone lay on the bedside table, empty of notifications, its black screen seemed to mock her.
She stared at that black screen for a long while. "Why aren't the calls and messages showing up anymore? Last night Mr. Ryuu kept spamming me with calls… Eh?! Why am i still thinking about him nonstop? Hufft…" she sighed softly.
With a heavy heart, she rose from the bed. Morning classes awaited, and later that night—her shift at work. Yet throughout the lecture, her mind never truly stayed in the classroom or on the lessons. Her notes were nothing but scribbles, her eyes far more often darting to the silent phone screen.
When break time came, Yuki who seated beside her desk, suddenly shoved a straw of iced coffee into Reina's mouth.
"You've been staring at your phone all morning… like some girl in a long-distance relationship with her K-pop oppa, you know?"
Reina blinked, choking a little in surprise. "Yuki!"
Yuki grinned, patting her shoulder. "Relax. But seriously, Rei… you can't keep doing this. If he really cares, he'll reach out again. If not? Then you've gotta move on before you turn into the campus zombie.."
Reina let out a long breath, forcing a small smile though her chest felt tight. She didn't answer, only lowered her gaze while stirring the iced coffee Yuki had given her.
"Thanks, Yuki, for the coffee.." she stared at the liquid in the cup.
Yuki leaned back in her chair with a grin. "Well, don't worry... That coffee's on me." her wide smile finally made them both chuckle a little. At least for that morning, Yuki's antics managed to lighten her mood.
---
That night, smoke from cigarettes clouded the suffocating air of a downtown bar. Daniel sat on a high stool, tie loosened, shirt rumpled, face tired yet eyes burning with restrained emotion.
The champagne glass before him sat empty for the third time. He stared at the last drops inside as though searching for answers.
"You look messed up, Dan," said William—his friend, who happened to be at the bar too. He raised an eyebrow. "So, how's your girl doing these days?"
Daniel scoffed, tapping his finger against the counter. "Fuck.. we broke up a few days ago," he said with faint irritation. "But that girl is still mine. Nobody gets to take her from me."
William chuckled, half-drunk. "But reality says otherwise, bro. She already left you. Not to mention, you're the one who betrayed her for your cheap side fling." his eyes flicked toward a girl approaching them. "Maybe you already lost."
The words struck like a whip. Daniel's grip on the glass tightened until it cracked. "Lost? Me?" Reina's face flashed briefly in his mind—her sweet smile, her doe eyes—and then another image intruded: Ryuu's unfamiliar silhouette.
Daniel's jaw hardened. "If she thinks she can escape me, she's dead wrong. I'll take her back… in my own way, Will.." he said, his tone was firm.
In his eyes, obsession rekindled. That night, Daniel was drunk not only on alcohol—but on vengeance.
Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around him from behind. He turned his head, his eyebrows raised in surprise at the familiar girl behind.
"Clarissa?"
"Hay, darling... Surprise..!" said the woman with a playful smile.
"Hey, weren't you supposed to be out of town until next week?" his voice held genuine surprise as he shot to his feet.
Meanwhile, William watched the scene with a frown, as if already predicting what would come between them. "Ugh, bro, I'll head out. Got urgent business."
Daniel gave him a brief nod, then turned back to the girl before him. "Clarissa?"
"I came back earlier than planned… and besides, I've missed you so much. Haven't you..?" she raised an eyebrow teasingly, her hand lifting to stroke his chin.
Daniel swallowed hard. "Of course I've missed you, but–" his reply came too quickly, too eager.
"Shh, Well then, babe… let's go to my apartment. Much more private there…" her voice was soft, sultry, her fingers trailing across his chest.
At such an invitation, Daniel didn't resist. He led her out of the bar toward his car in the parking lot, a faint smirk curling at the corner of his lips during the drive to her apartment—as if Reina's image had already been replaced in his mind that easily.
---
Meanwhile, at the Lancaster mansion, the atmosphere was entirely different. Quiet. Elegant. Yet cold.
Ryuu sat in his private study, still clad in a black suit, his hair slightly disheveled. Piles of business documents covered the desk, though his focus was elsewhere.
On the other side of the desk, a small monitor displayed the interior of Reina's apartment—a hidden CCTV he had installed days ago. On the screen, Reina was seen asleep at her study desk, notebook still open. Occasionally, she shifted restlessly, her face still pout—carrying sadness.
Ryuu's gaze lingered on the screen, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk. "So you're still sulking, Reina… but why didn't you answer my calls last night?" he muttered.
He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes briefly. But the shadows of the past refused to leave him in peace. Sayaka's image slipped back into his mind—her laughter, her gaze once so close.
Suddenly, soft knocks broke the silence of the study door.
"Ryuu?" a woman's voice—gentle, yet cutting.
He opened his eyes, glancing toward the door. It cracked open slightly, revealing a figure in an elegant dress that accentuated her curves. A sweet smile curved her lips, though in her eyes flickered something else.
Ryuu stiffened, his fingers ceasing their tap against the desk. "What is this, Sayaka?"