Monday morning arrived with an unpleasant surprise. Kai’s alarm didn’t ring. He opened his eyes at 8:17 a.m. For three full seconds, he stared at the ceiling. Then he sat upright. “Oh, no.” He grabbed his phone. Four missed calls. Two messages from Ethan. One from his restaurant manager. Kai jumped out of bed. His first lecture had already started. By the time he reached the university, he was breathless, annoyed, and carrying absolutely no breakfast. Ethan was waiting outside the lecture hall. “You’re late.” “I noticed.” “You look terrible.” “I also noticed.” “Did you sleep?” Kai gave him a look. “That question is becoming insulting.” Ethan laughed. “Come on. Professor Carter hasn’t started the practical yet.” They hurried inside. For the next several hours, Kai buried himself in his studies. There was no Adrian. No black luxury car. No unexpected phone call. And Kai was grateful. After the previous week, he had decided that perhaps Adrian Blake had finally returned to his own world. A world of boardrooms, investors, and people who probably drank coffee that cost more than Kai’s lunch. That was exactly where Adrian belonged. Not here. Not in Kai’s university life. And definitely not in Kai’s head. Unfortunately, Kai was about to discover that avoiding someone didn’t necessarily make them disappear. ⸻ Across the city, Adrian Blake sat in a private conference room overlooking downtown. The meeting had lasted two hours. It should have ended twenty minutes ago. Nobody dared mention it. Adrian closed the final document. “The acquisition is approved.” Several executives exchanged relieved glances. Marcus collected the papers. “I’ll have the legal team prepare everything.” “Do that.” The executives began leaving. One remained behind. Victor Hale, the CEO of a competing medical technology company, leaned against the table. “You’re moving quickly with the university partnership.” Adrian looked at him. “It’s a strategic investment.” “That’s what you call it?” “Yes.” Victor smiled. “I heard a student impressed you.” Adrian’s expression didn’t change. “Rumors travel quickly.” “Especially when they’re about you.” Victor pushed away from the table. “You’ve never been interested in students before.” “I’ve never been interested in your opinions either.” Victor laughed. “Still the same.” He walked toward the door. Then stopped. “Be careful, Adrian.” Adrian looked up. “With what?” “People around you.” Victor smiled faintly. “Not everyone who approaches you wants something from you. Sometimes they want you.” The door closed behind him. Adrian remained still. His thoughts, annoyingly, went somewhere they shouldn’t. To a stubborn medical student with messy hair and a mouth that seemed incapable of staying quiet. He reached for his phone. Opened Kai’s contact. Stared at it. Then locked the screen again. “Ridiculous.” Marcus, standing outside the room, heard him. He wisely said nothing. ⸻ That evening, Kai finished his shift at the restaurant just after nine. He stepped outside into the cool night air and stretched his shoulders. His feet hurt. His back hurt. His brain had given up somewhere around six. But at least he had earned enough to cover part of the rent. He checked his phone. A message from his mother waited. Mom: Don’t come home too late. Kai smiled. Kai: I’m on my way. He slipped his phone into his pocket. “Kai.” He turned. Daniel stood near the entrance. “You’re still here?” “I had a study session nearby.” Daniel smiled. “Want me to walk you home?” Kai hesitated. “You don’t have to.” “I know.” That answer made Kai smile. “Fine.” They started walking. Daniel talked about their upcoming exam, complained about Professor Carter’s impossible questions, and somehow managed to make Kai laugh twice. It felt easy. Normal. Kai liked normal. Halfway down the street, Daniel suddenly stopped. “Kai.” “Hm?” “There’s something I wanted to ask you.” Kai turned toward him. Daniel looked nervous. “Would you go out with me sometime?” Kai blinked. “Like… a date?” Daniel nodded. Kai wasn’t sure what to say. Daniel immediately raised both hands. “You don’t have to answer now.” “I wasn’t going to reject you.” Daniel looked surprised. “You weren’t?” Kai smiled. “I said I wasn’t going to reject you. I didn’t say yes.” Daniel laughed. “Fair enough.” They continued walking. Neither noticed the black sedan parked across the street. Inside, Adrian sat in silence. He hadn’t planned to be there. He had just finished a late meeting nearby when he noticed Kai walking along the sidewalk. Then he saw the other man. Adrian’s gaze hardened. Marcus glanced at him from the driver’s seat. “Should we leave?” “Yes.” A pause. “Immediately?” Adrian looked through the window one last time. Kai was smiling. Not the dangerous, challenging smile he usually gave Adrian. Something softer. Adrian looked away. “Yes.” Marcus started the car. After a moment, he asked carefully, “Who was that?” Adrian’s expression was cold. “I don’t know.” Marcus almost smiled. “Of course.” Adrian’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t.” “I didn’t say anything.” “You were going to.” “I’ve learned my lesson.” The car pulled away. Behind them, Kai continued walking without ever knowing Adrian had been there. And perhaps that was for the best. Because Adrian Blake had just discovered something he wasn’t prepared to admit. He didn’t like seeing someone else make Kai smile. Not even a little.

A Meeting Outside the University