Isabella let out a shaky breath, trying to ease herself from the tension weighing on her. It was the first day of lectures, and she had already found her way to the classroom listed on her schedule. But when she saw who was standing at the front as their class representative, her stomach dropped. Kayla Rowan?

Right then, she knew that a rough thorny path was what was ahead of her.

The class was easy since it was just an introduction to the course. There weren't any eyes on her, cause they were all focused on the female lecturer speaking, including her.

Then she heard her phone buzz on the desk.

She glanced down at the screen and froze. The text was from an unknown number but she knew exactly who it was from.

“Listen carefully, Isabella. Remember, you’re my brain. Meet me at the relaxation center near the Internet café. Do you understand?”

Isabella’s eyes lifted, and sure enough, Kayla was staring right at her. The moment their eyes met, Kayla looked away.

Isabella let out a disheartened sigh, already feeling trapped, wondering how she was gonna get out of Kayla’s sharp claws.

"Hey, are you okay?” Olivia asked, noticing the distant look on Isabella’s face.

Isabella forced a small scoff. ‘I’m so far from okay.’ But she simply nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Olivia gave her a little smile, satisfied with the answer.

Two hours later, the lecture ended. Students packed their bags and drifted out of the room. Olivia and Julie stood up too, but frowned when they noticed Isabella still sitting at her desk.

“You’re not coming?” Julie asked. “Let’s go.”

Isabella looked up at them, hesitating. “I… I have something I need to take care of. You guys should go ahead without me.”

Olivia and Julie exchanged confused looks.

“Something? What kind of thing?” Olivia pressed.

Isabella bit her lip, mind scrambling for a lie. She wasn’t used to this. “I…”

"Let’s give her some space, Liv,” Julie gently cut in. "Just call us when you're free. And be careful, Isa, okay?”

Isabella let out a small, relieved smile, grateful to Julie for stepping in. She really seemed to have a talent for saving her, and Isabella gave a small nod of thanks.

From the moment she met Isabella, Julie had a feeling the girl would need friends, and someone to protect her. She was small, fragile, the kind of person who might get overlooked or pushed around in college.

It made Julie wonder how she’d even made it through high school.

Watching Juli and Olivia walk away, Isabella noticed Kayla and her friends were gone from the classroom.

She stuffed her books into her bag, stood up, and headed toward her next destination… the relaxation center.

______

"Hey.”

Luc stopped mid-step and looked down at the girl standing in front of him, smiling. He sighed, already knowing what was coming. The same old thing. He had never met a woman who would see him and just mind her own business.

“What is it?” he asked bluntly.

Her eyes seemed trapped in his piercing green gaze. He looked so perfect it was almost unfair. “I… I wanted to know if you got my gift. I sent it to your office.”

Luc looked away with furrowed brows. "Hmm… I get a lot of gifts. I don’t know which gift..." He trailed off looking back at her.

"Mirabel..."

"I don’t even check names. I either hand them to my staff or toss the useless ones.” His voice was calm, yet cutting like a sharp knife.

Mirabel’s expression faltered at the words. He was mean, but she knew that already, but... “I just wanted to…”

"Stop sending gifts. Stop wasting money,” Luc interrupted sharply. “I’m not some trophy one can easily get. Understand?”

Her eyes glistened with tears as she froze, hating the ache spreading through her chest. She was hating the feeling she was having.

The reality of being rejected danced mockingly in front of her, as if it took pleasure in the ache twisting through her chest.

Yes. He had shattered her heart completely.

Luc tilted his head, unfazed by her reaction. This was something she should have expected, and with work waiting, he left her.

He’d had his share of girls, and each one had learned the hard way that Luc wasn’t someone to fall for. He doubted any girl could ever make him fall in love.

In truth, he wasn’t even sure he was capable of love, or that he could find someone who might prove him wrong. He wasn't sure he was ever going to find the one meant for him.

The only connection he allowed with anyone was physical, sexual. Emotions weren’t part of the deal.

Tears streamed freely down Mirabel’s face, and her friends, watching from a distance, rushed over. “Mirabel! Mirabel, are you okay?”

She shook her head, still crying. “Do I look okay? He rejected me!” she cried out loud.

Her friends sighed, a mix of sympathy and frustration in their eyes. “That’s what we expected, Mirabel. We warned you.”

Then one of them pulled her into a hug, letting her cry on their shoulder, offering the comfort she desperately needed.