Jaeala's POV

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It's been two days since Cleia didn’t attend our classes. She's still recovering from the drug that attacked her. I’ve been watching over her subject, Zae Caius Maximo, in the meantime.

I entered the gymnasium, scanning the area for my forgotten tumbler. I spotted it on a bench, but just as I was about to grab it, I heard the distinct sound of basketballs being taken out of their storage. Turning around, I saw Sheena and her friends approaching, each holding a basketball.

"What are you doing here, Jaeala?" Sheena sneered, her voice dripping with malice.

"Just getting my tumbler," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "I left it here earlier."

Without warning, Sheena hurled a basketball at me. I instinctively raised my arm to shield my face. "What the hell is your problem?" I shouted, but my voice was drowned out by their laughter.

"Problem? You and your friends are the problem!" Sheena yelled back, her eyes filled with malice.

They continued their assault, each ball landing with painful precision. I dropped my tumbler, trying to protect myself, but they were relentless, hurling insults as cruel as their attacks.

"Just stop it already!" I pleaded, my voice breaking.

"Pathetic," one of Sheena's friends sneered. "You and your friends should transfer into another school. You don't belong here!"

"What's going on here?" a commanding voice demanded.

The girls froze, their faces pale with fear. I looked up, surprised to see Gian, one of the campus royalties—the same guy I had accidentally bumped into in the hallway earlier.

"She started it," Sheena stammered, her voice trembling. "We're just giving her what she deserves."

"Lairs," I muttered, but Gian’s intense gaze silenced everyone.

"Go to Building 3, now!" Gian ordered, pulling out his phone. He spoke briefly into it, his expression is so dark. After the call, he turned to me, his eyes softening slightly.

"Can you stand?" he asked.

"I... I think so," I replied, still shaken.

Gian picked up my tumbler and helped me to my feet, guiding me out of the gym. I was bewildered, not knowing where he was taking me. "Where are we going?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Just follow me," he replied.

We arrived at the main building and took the elevator to the fifth floor. Gian opened a door, revealing a space that looked like a penthouse. The double doors bore the inscription "Stellaris Royalties." He led me to a couch and then disappeared into another room.

"Sit," he instructed, disappearing into another room.

As I wandered into the living room, my eyes were immediately drawn to the photos hanging on the wall. There were pictures of Zae and his friends, moments captured in time that spoke of their close bond. I studied each one, my gaze finally landing on a photo of Gian. He was undeniably handsome, though he always seemed to have a stern expression.

I found myself staring at his picture longer than the others, lost in thought. "He really is good-looking," I murmured. "But why does he always look so serious?"

Before I could dwell further, a voice broke through my reverie. "Enjoying the gallery?"

Startled, I turned to see Gian standing there, his usual stern expression softening slightly. "I—uh, I was just looking," I stammered, feeling my cheeks heat up.

Before I knew it, Gian reappeared and pulled me back to the couch, startling me out of my thoughts. "Stay still," he ordered, setting a first aid kit and an ice pack on the table.

"Really, it's just a few bruises. You don't have to—" I began, but his glare silenced me.  I sighed and placed the ice pack on my forehead, feeling the cool relief immediately.

"I want to," he insisted, gently applying ointment to my cuts. His touch was surprisingly tender, and I couldn't help but feel a strange flutter in my chest. My heart raced as I watched him, the sensation both familiar and foreign.

I couldn't help but speak my thoughts aloud. "This is strange," I murmured.

Gian paused, looking at me with curiosity. "What is?"

"This...feeling," I admitted. "It's something I haven't felt in a long time."

He raised an eyebrow, his hands stilling on my arm. "What kind of feeling?"

I bit my lip, trying to find the right words. "It's...like my heart is racing, and I can't control it. I felt this way once before, with Zander. But this is different, more intense."

Gian's expression softened a bit, he bowed his head and I saw him smirked.

I knew it was more than that. There was something about Gian that drew me in, something I couldn't quite explain.

Silence settled between us as he finished bandaging my wounds. I watched his every movement, the way his brow furrowed in concentration, the gentle touch of his hands. When he finally finished, he sat back and sighed, seemingly relieved.

"There," he said, his voice is softer now. "All done."

"Thank you," I replied, my voice equally soft. "You didn't have to, but...thank you."

Gian shrugged, a faint smile playing at his lips. "It's nothing. Just take care of yourself, okay?"

I nodded, feeling a strange mix of emotions. "I will," I promised.

He stood up, preparing to leave. "If you need anything else, just let me know."

As he turned to go, I couldn't help but call out to him. "Gian?"

He stopped, looking back at me. "Yeah?"

"Why are you so nice to me?" I asked, genuinely curious.

He seemed taken aback by the question, but after a moment, he answered. "Because I care," he said simply. "We all do. I am a campus royalty and it's our duty to punish students like them, Jaeala. And...maybe more than that."

My heart skipped a beat at his words. "More than that?"

Gian nodded, his eyes holding mine. "Yeah. More than that."

My heart felt like it might burst from my chest. The intensity of his gaze, the sincerity in his voice—it was overwhelming. "Thank you," I managed to say, my voice choked with emotion.

He gave me a small smile, finishing up with the bandages. "You need to rest," he said. "I'll be back. I'm going to the third building to check on something."

I nodded, watching him leave the room. As the door closed behind him, I leaned back on the couch, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings. Was I really falling for Gian? The thought both thrilled and terrified me. But for now, all I could do was wait and see where these new emotions would lead.

I didn't have the answers yet, but one thing was clear: Gian had stirred something in me that I hadn't felt in a long time. And as confusing as it was, it also felt...right.

I woke by a startled by a gentle tap on my shoulder. Blinking, I realized I had dozed off on the couch for what seemed like hours. It was late, and panic surged—had Cleia been looking for me?  I rubbed my eyes, realizing it was already late evening. "I should go," I muttered.

"Wait," Gian said softly, his hand gently resting on my arm. "Your friends went home earlier. I told them I'll drive you home."

Relief washed over me, though I couldn't ignore the flutter of unease in my chest. Gian had a way of making my heart race, and I wasn't sure how to handle it.

My heart fluttered, unsure how to respond to his unexpected kindness. "You didn't have to do that," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

"It's okay," he assured me, leading me out of the Royal room towards the parking lot where his car awaited. The cool night air wrapped around us, a stark contrast to the warmth of the party inside.

As we walked, I stole glances at him, wondering what was going through his mind. Gian was always a mystery—a mixture of charm and intensity that both intrigued and unsettled me. Yet, tonight, his demeanor was different, softer somehow.

Reaching his car, Gian opened the door for me, a gesture that caught me off guard. "Are you hungry?" he asked, slipping into the driver's seat.

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "A little."

"Let's grab something to eat before I take you home," he suggested, his smile gentle yet confident.

Against my better judgment, I agreed, the prospect of spending more time with Gian is strangely appealing. The drive to the mall was quiet, tension simmering between us like a hidden undercurrent.

At the restaurant, Gian ordered for us both, his choice of dishes surprisingly aligned with my preferences. We talked easily, the conversation flowing from casual banter to deeper topics effortlessly. I found myself opening up in ways I hadn't expected, sharing stories as if we'd known each other for years.

"You have a way of surprising me," I admitted, stirring my drink thoughtfully.

Gian chuckled softly. "You too. I never know what you're going to say next."

The evening slipped by in a blur of laughter and shared moments. By the time we finished our meal, I realized with a start just how much time had passed. "I should really head home," I said.

Gian nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Let go then," he offered quietly, his gaze steady on mine.

I hesitated, torn between the desire to stay and the uncertainty of where this unexpected connection might lead. "Okay," I finally agreed, my heart pounding in my chest.

The drive back was quiet, the night wrapping around us like a cocoon of possibilities. As we approached my house, Gian parked the car and turned to face me. "Thank you for tonight," he said softly, his eyes searching for mine.

I smiled, a mix of nerves and anticipation swirling inside me. "Thank you for dinner and ride" I replied, the words feeling inadequate to express the whirlwind of emotions within me.

Gian leaned closer, his hand brushing against mine. "Jaeala, good night" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the soft hum of the engine.

I held my breath, my pulse racing as our eyes met, a silent understanding passing between us. In that moment, I realized I was falling for him, despite my best efforts to resist.

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