Kai Anderson had learned many things since starting university.
How to survive on four hours of sleep.
How to memorize an entire chapter of anatomy while working a restaurant shift.
How to make instant noodles taste almost respectable.
And, most importantly, how to recognize when trouble was approaching.
Unfortunately, trouble had a very familiar face.
Adrian Blake.
Kai spotted him the moment he entered the university cafeteria.
The CEO stood near the windows with two men in suits, speaking quietly while several students tried—and failed—not to stare.
Kai immediately turned around.
Ethan caught his arm.
“Where are you going?”
“Somewhere else.”
“Why?”
“There’s a disease in here.”
Ethan looked around.
“Where?”
Kai pointed discreetly.
“Black suit.”
Ethan looked.
Then grinned.
“Oh.”
“Don’t sound excited.”
“I am.”
“Why?”
“Because this is better than television.”
Kai pulled his arm free.
“I’m eating outside.”
“You hate eating outside.”
“I hate him more.”
“You’ve only known him for a week.”
“Exactly. And somehow he’s already ruined seven days.”
Ethan laughed and followed him.
They found an empty table near the far wall.
Kai dropped his bag onto the floor and opened his lunch.
He had barely taken two bites when a shadow fell across the table.
He didn’t look up.
“No.”
“Good afternoon to you too.”
Kai closed his eyes.
Of course.
He looked up.
Adrian stood there.
“You have a talent for appearing where you’re least wanted.”
Adrian pulled out the chair opposite him.
“May I?”
“No.”
Adrian sat anyway.
Ethan nearly choked on his drink.
Kai stared at him.
“You asked.”
“I heard the answer.”
“And ignored it.”
“Yes.”
Kai sighed.
“What do you want?”
“Lunch.”
Kai looked at the cafeteria around them.
“There are approximately two hundred empty seats.”
“I prefer this one.”
“Why?”
Adrian’s eyes settled on him.
“Because you’re here.”
Ethan slowly lowered his cup.
Kai stared.
For once, he had no immediate response.
Adrian seemed almost amused.
Then he looked at Ethan.
“Do you always talk this much?”
Ethan smiled.
“Only when I’m awake.”
Adrian nodded.
“I see why you’re friends.”
Kai frowned.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.”
Before Kai could argue, someone called his name.
“Kai?”
He turned.
A tall student approached their table carrying a tray.
Daniel Brooks, one of Kai’s classmates, smiled.
“You disappeared after the research event yesterday.”
“I had work.”
Daniel glanced at Adrian.
His smile faded slightly.
“Oh.”
Kai noticed.
“Daniel, this is Adrian Blake.”
Daniel’s eyes widened.
“The Adrian Blake?”
Adrian nodded once.
Daniel immediately straightened.
“Sir.”
Kai almost laughed.
Sir?
Adrian looked at him.
“You’re laughing.”
“No.”
“You are.”
“I’m not.”
Daniel looked between them.
“Are you two friends?”
“No,” Kai answered.
“Yes,” Adrian said at exactly the same time.
Kai turned toward him.
“What?”
Adrian calmly picked up his glass.
“Acquaintances.”
Kai narrowed his eyes.
“That was not what you said.”
“You heard incorrectly.”
Ethan covered his mouth.
Daniel smiled awkwardly.
“Well… I was actually looking for you, Kai.”
“Why?”
“The study group tonight. We’re reviewing pharmacology before Monday’s test.”
Kai nodded.
“I’ll come.”
“Great.”
Daniel smiled.
“I’ll save you a seat.”
He glanced briefly at Adrian before leaving.
Adrian watched him go.
Kai noticed.
“Something wrong?”
“No.”
“You looked annoyed.”
“I wasn’t.”
“You were.”
Adrian looked back at him.
“Does he like you?”
Kai nearly dropped his fork.
“What?”
“Daniel.”
“Why would you ask that?”
“Because he does.”
Ethan’s eyebrows shot up.
Kai looked toward Daniel’s retreating figure.
“He’s my classmate.”
Adrian’s expression remained unreadable.
“That wasn’t my question.”
Kai leaned back.
“You’re strangely interested in my classmates.”
“I’m interested in people who are interested in you.”
Silence.
Ethan suddenly became very interested in his food.
Kai stared at Adrian.
“What exactly does that mean?”
Adrian didn’t answer.
His phone rang.
He stood.
“I have to go.”
Kai blinked.
“That’s it?”
“Yes.”
“You just interrogated me and then you’re leaving?”
Adrian looked down at him.
“You’re very observant.”
“And you’re very annoying.”
A faint smile touched Adrian’s lips.
“I know.”
Then he walked away.
Kai watched him leave.
Ethan waited exactly three seconds.
“You’re in trouble.”
Kai looked at him.
“What?”
“That man is jealous.”
“He’s not jealous.”
“He absolutely is.”
“Adrian Blake doesn’t get jealous.”
Ethan pointed toward the exit.
“Then explain that.”
Kai looked.
Adrian had stopped near the doors.
He was speaking to someone, but his gaze had returned to the cafeteria.
Straight toward Kai.
Their eyes met.
Adrian held his gaze for a moment.
Then he left.
Kai slowly looked back at Ethan.
Ethan grinned.
“You were saying?”
Kai stabbed his fork into his food.
“I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.”
Unfortunately, Kai couldn’t decide whether he hated Adrian more.
Or whether he was beginning to enjoy the attention.
⸻
That evening, Kai arrived at the university library for the study group.
Daniel had kept his promise.
A seat beside him was empty.
“Here.”
Kai sat down.
Daniel pushed a set of notes toward him.
“I marked the difficult sections.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
The study session began.
For nearly an hour, everything was normal.
Until Kai noticed Daniel looking at him.
“What?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Nothing.”
“You’ve been staring at me.”
“I was thinking.”
“About?”
Daniel smiled nervously.
“You.”
Kai blinked.
“Oh.”
Daniel rubbed the back of his neck.
“I know you’re busy. And I know you probably don’t have time for this.”
“For what?”
“I like you.”
Kai went still.
Daniel quickly continued.
“You don’t have to answer now. I just thought you should know.”
Kai stared at his notes.
He wasn’t offended.
Daniel was kind.
Respectful.
And, unlike a certain CEO, surprisingly normal.
“Daniel…”
Before he could finish, his phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
Adrian: Are you still at the university?
Kai frowned.
He typed:
Kai: Yes. Why?
The response came almost immediately.
Adrian: Don’t leave alone.
Kai stared at the screen.
He typed back.
Kai: I can take care of myself.
Three dots appeared.
Then disappeared.
Another message arrived.
Adrian: I know.
Kai’s fingers paused.
Then:
Adrian: That’s not what I’m worried about.
Kai looked up.
Through the library’s glass wall, a black car was parked outside.
And standing beside it was Adrian Blake.
Watching the building.
Watching him.
Kai’s heartbeat changed.
For the first time, he wondered whether Adrian’s attention wasn’t simply curiosity.
Perhaps it was something far more dangerous.
And perhaps Daniel’s confession had arrived at exactly the wrong time.