Julian Whitmore entered the Harrison mansion with a wide smile stretching across his face. The family was gathered around the breakfast table, laughter and chatter filling the room.
"Good morning!" he greeted loudly, his voice booming with excitement.
Bella jumped up first, rushing to him and throwing her arms around him. Mia wasn't far behind, and soon the three of them were tangled in a tight group hug. Abby and Jake also stood to greet Julian, each patting his back warmly.
Once everyone settled, Julian finally shared his news.
"I got my admission in London! I'll be leaving in two days."
The table erupted with joy and congratulations. Abby leaned back in his chair, smiling.
"That's amazing. I'm already living in London—you can stay with me if you like."
Julian grinned. "Thanks, but we have a Whitmore house there. Still, it'll be good knowing you're close."
While everyone was happy for him, Bella and Mia suddenly grew quiet. Their eyes glistened, and without another word, they hugged Julian again—this time tighter, sadness seeping into the embrace. He hugged them back, his smile dimming a little.
Mia, ever the problem-solver, quickly came up with a plan. "Alright, listen. I'll help Julian with all the shopping and packing. Bella, you'll attend classes and I'll copy your notes later."
Bella nodded reluctantly, agreeing.
After breakfast, Mia and Julian headed out for shopping, while Bella made her way to Space. She tried focusing in class, but without her two partners-in-crime, the day felt dull. She yawned endlessly, barely paying attention.
By mid-break, she gave up and dragged herself to the café. Instead of ordering anything, she rested her head on the table, letting sleep take over as she missed her best friends deeply.
Meanwhile, across campus, Sebastian Whitmore was heading toward the basketball court, which lay on the left side of the science department.
But as he walked, unbidden images of the mysterious girl flashed in his mind—the girl who had sprayed him that day, the girl with eyes like the ocean. He slowed his steps.
Where is she? he thought, irritation and curiosity battling inside him. I don't even know her name… but why do I keep thinking about her?
On impulse, he changed direction, entering the science department corridor. He spent nearly half an hour walking the halls, scanning faces, trying to catch even a glimpse of her.
But she was nowhere to be found.
Annoyed, Sebastian finally abandoned his search. Hunger gnawed at him, so he turned toward the science café, unaware that fate was about to play another trick on him.
When Sebastian entered the café, his brows furrowed. A girl was sleeping on one of the tables, her head resting on folded arms. Break ended more than fifteen minutes ago… why is she still here?
He sighed, intending to wake her up. But as he stepped closer, his heart skipped a beat.
It was her.
The same girl who had sprayed him in the corridor. The same girl whose face had haunted him every night since.
Sebastian froze, then crouched down beside her table, unable to stop himself from staring. Up close, her features were even more striking.
Her tiny button nose twitched softly in sleep, and her thick eyelashes fanned against her rosy cheeks. Those cheeks—soft, plump, so inviting—that he shamefully admitted he wanted to bite. His gaze slipped lower, to her pouty lips, slightly parted in her slumber. Glossy, pink, and utterly irresistible.
Damn it, Sebastian… control yourself. What the hell are you thinking?
But his control faltered. His hand clenched into a fist as if fighting himself, but he still leaned forward, closing the distance. Without even realizing, he brushed a quick kiss against her cheek.
Bella stirred. She opened one eye lazily, thinking she was home on her bed and that it was her father, Abby, or Jake disturbing her. But when she turned—
Her eyes flew open.
It was that same angry man. And he was kissing her cheek.
Shocked, she shoved him away. Sebastian stumbled, landing on the floor with a thud.
Reality crashed into him.
Reality crashed into her too—only hers turned to pure fire.
Bella grabbed the nearest jug, full of water, and flung it onto him. The cold splash drenched Sebastian, his jaw tightening, his eyes blazing as he glared at her.
Before she could escape, he was on his feet. With swift precision, he caught her wrist and yanked her back toward him.
"Leave my hand! Let me go!" she shouted, struggling against his iron grip.
"Do you really think I'll let you go after what you've done?" Sebastian's deep voice dripped with fury.
Bella's eyes widened, then narrowed with equal anger. "What I've done? You were the one kissing my cheek! Not me! So it's your mistake, not mine!"
Her words hit him like fire. No one—especially not a girl—had dared raise their voice against him. Rage flared inside him.
He pushed her back against the wall, caging her in with his piercing eyes. She avoided his gaze, trembling as his presence consumed the space around her. He leaned closer, his breath warm against her skin.
Bella shut her eyes tightly, hoping it would end. But curiosity forced them open again—straight into his.
Her heart stuttered.
Sebastian leaned closer, his lips hovering dangerously near hers.
"What are you doing?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
His lips curled into a smirk. "What do you think I'm doing?"
Her cheeks flushed. She tried to keep her tone steady. "Let me go. I'm getting late for class."
He braced his arms on either side of her head, trapping her. "Not until I'm done." His face dipped lower, the space between them shrinking.
Desperate, Bella blurted out, "Do this with your girlfriend, not me!"
Sebastian froze, his smirk faltering. "How do you know I even have a girlfriend?"
Bella's voice was soft, innocent, almost childlike. "Well… you're older… and handsome. At your age, everyone has a girlfriend. So… it's obvious, right?"
Her words hit him differently this time. Amusement flickered in his eyes, but then reality slammed into him.
She's just a child. What the hell am I doing?
Ashamed, he released her abruptly, stepping back with a jerk. Without a word, he stormed out, leaving her stunned and confused.
Bella shook her head, still trying to process what had just happened, before heading to class.
Meanwhile, Sebastian stalked toward the basketball court, his mind in chaos. He grabbed a ball and began playing furiously, trying to drive her image away.
What's wrong with you, Sebastian? Why couldn't you control yourself?
He remembered her eyes—the depth, the spark, the power that disarmed him completely. Her voice still rang in his ears. Her innocence, her fire, the way she had dared to defy him.
"I will never go near her again," he muttered under his breath, hurling the ball across the court. "I don't want to see that girl who makes me lose control. She's just a kid. Sixteen. And I… I'm twenty."
Still, his lips curved unconsciously at the memory of her flushed cheeks.
Just attraction, he told himself harshly. That's all it is. Forget her. Focus on your exams, Sebastian. Focus.
But deep inside, he knew—forgetting her would be impossible.
Bella hurried to get ready, humming as she tossed on a bright top and jeans. Completely carefree, she didn't even think about the café incident earlier—today was all about helping Julian pack at the Whitmore Mansion.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Whitmore sat in his room, restless. Her eyes, her defiance, the fire in her voice—he couldn't get her out of his mind. Focus, Sebastian. Exams first. She's just a girl. But even as he tried, the memory tightened in his chest, unshakable.
Downstairs, Julian and Mia waited impatiently. "Where is she?" Julian muttered. Mia grinned. "Knowing her, she's probably changing outfits."
Finally, Bella appeared, bright and cheerful. "Let's go! Time to help pack!"
Julian cheered, Mia laughed, and Sebastian… well, he sat there, storming silently, still haunted by her presence. Their worlds were set to collide again—and neither would be the same.