Dana POV

　　"She's mingling with the influential,"

　　"Yeah, what makes her so special?" one voice piped up. "Sure, she seems nice, but she's just an ordinary girl. Does she deserve all these privileges?"

　　Their laughter cut through the air, but Anna's response was swift and decisive, her authoritative stance silencing them with a single look.

　　"Why waste your time gossiping instead of enjoying your meal?" I attempted to placate Anna, but she remained resolute, her determination unwavering.

　　The culprits, clearly intimidated, made a hasty retreat, leaving an indelible impression of Xia's fury and her readiness to confront them.

　　"Anna..." I whispered.

　　She dismissed the departing girls with a roll of her eyes.

　　"I'll teach them a lesson later," she declared, running her fingers through her hair.

　　I offered a sheepish smile. "That's not necessary-"

　　"This is why you struggle to assert your strength; you're too accepting of others' pointless judgments," she interjected, leaving me speechless.

　　"I'm sorry-"

　　"You mentioned wanting to talk to my brother," she hesitated. "While I'm curious about the reasons, I believe it's a wise decision," she approached me.

　　"You can confide in me, Dana, whenever you feel ready," she reassured, placing her hands on my shoulders. Her gesture brought a smile to my face.

　　"Of course," I replied, though nerves tinged my voice, which I couldn't conceal from her.

　　"There's nothing amiss," I attempted to reassure her, downplaying my previous night's actions with a laugh.

　　"You're free to go," she encouraged, offering me an opportunity to depart from the uncomfortable situation.

　　With a nod, I turned away, leaving the cafeteria behind. My heart raced as I grappled with the overwhelming events, stirring up a storm of fears and uncertainties within me.

　　The thought of jeopardizing my relationship with Bathel was unbearable, especially with the rumors and negative talk swirling around me. Despite feeling undeserving of any goodness, according to the whispers, Bathel was my solace, the one who made me feel secure. The risk of souring what we had was something I couldn't face.

　　I stood outside his office, contemplating whether to knock or retreat. Fear gripped me, holding me back from taking the next step. Memories of Ares and his betrayal of Blaire flooded my mind, the pain still fresh and raw. I couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal, but I had to remind myself that Bathel was not Ares. Despite the fear gnawing at me, I knew I had to confront him.

　　I shouldn't be concerned about whether he's with someone else now. It's not his burden to bear my traumas. I find myself repulsed by my feelings.

　　Just as I was about to leave, turning back towards the hallway, I didn't anticipate him standing there, looking impeccably dressed in formal attire. His presence caught me off guard, freezing me in place as I struggled to process the unexpected encounter.

　　"Dana? Why are you here?" he inquired, his voice breaking the tense silence that enveloped us.

　　"Bathel," I stuttered, overwhelmed by his familiar scent, which weakened me.

　　"Do you need something?" he began to ask, his tone neutral but with a hint of curiosity, as if trying to understand the reason for my presence.

　　"No," I said, shaking slightly. "I just... I need to talk to you," I managed to add.

　　He looked puzzled. "About what?" He seemed to have forgotten our recent troubles, leaving me unsure whether to feel relieved or not.

　　"I despise this feeling," I admitted softly, looking away.

　　Facing him once more, I murmured an apology. "I'm sorry if I'm intruding," I conceded, feeling a pang of guilt for potentially disrupting his peace.

　　He suggested another time, but insisted, "No, talk to me now," his authoritative tone rendering me powerless.

　　I gathered my courage, aware of the palpable tension. It was a mix of fear and anticipation.

　　"I hate this awkwardness," I confessed. "You're not even smiling at me, which feels like I've lost a friend. It angers me because I shouldn't be feeling this way!" I blurted out.

　　"I might be overreacting since it's only been a few hours since we last spoke, but I've thought about this deeply. Your demeanor and gaze have changed, and I fear losing people, especially as I grow closer to you," I revealed, embarrassed yet noticing his attentive gaze.

　　Before I could continue, he softly asked, "Friends?"

　　My heart raced. "I'm not sure if you see me that way-"

　　"I like you, Dana," he cut in, his gaze steady and earnest, showing no signs of nervousness.

　　My heart fluttered, our eyes locked. In that moment, it felt like our hearts were intertwined, his every word etching into my memory.

　　"Ever since you saved me, I've been looking for you. You pulled me back from the brink of despair," he said with a significant pause, his eyes conveying deep emotion.

　　"I once thought we were destined for each other, but you're bound to someone else..." His voice faltered, unable to form a response, paralyzed by fear.

　　"After thinking I could move on without seeing you again, something unexpected happened," he admitted, his tone reflecting a mix of vulnerability and awe. "I ended up being there for you when you needed help like fate had a hand in it." His eyes softened as he spoke, drawing nearer as he shared this revelation as if wanting to bridge any distance between them.

　　"Bathel..." I whispered, lowering my gaze.

　　"I understand," he replied gently. "You don't have to reciprocate my feelings, knowing your heart belongs to someone you've grown up with-"

　　"Bathel, stop," I interjected, our eyes meeting again.

　　Feeling his hand brush against mine, a surge of courage coursed through me, and without hesitation, I clasped his hand firmly in mine.

　　My heart raced, caught off guard by his unexpected admission. "What if I told you..." I started, my voice trembling slightly with nerves, "That I've been feeling the same way?" The confession felt like a weight lifted off my chest, laying bare the emotions I had been holding back.