After class, however, I ran into Kael.
He stood in a corner by the roadside, surrounded by a group of girls.
Kael was tall and muscular. Even with his clothes on, the firm, bulging muscles beneath were impossible to miss.
I knew exactly how impressive his body was-we’d slept together several times.
He was an exceptional lover, both in size and skill. No wonder girls went crazy for him.
But there would be no more contact between us.
Surrounded by admirers, he shone like a walking spotlight, drawing attention wherever he went.
The moment I appeared, his eyes locked onto me as if guided by a tracking device.
Our gazes met, and I saw a glimmer of golden light in his eyes, tinged with what seemed like sadness.
My heart began to race, and a faint buzzing filled my ears.
For some reason, I felt a wave of melancholy.
Damn it, why did my reaction to Kael still feel so intense?
I couldn’t truly become cold-hearted, nor could I remain indifferent to his actions.
I should have stayed away from him, but my footsteps hesitated for a moment.
Quickly, though, I snapped out of it. I looked away, pretending not to see him, and hurried off.
Even as I walked briskly, I could feel Kael’s gaze still fixed on me.
Strangely, without turning back, I sensed a deep sadness in his eyes.
But I kept walking, leaving the scene behind.
I could also feel some unfriendly stares directed at me from the surroundings, but I chose to ignore them.
“Seraph, did you notice? Kael couldn’t take his eyes off you. He likes you,” Evelyn turned to ask me. “But you seem so cold.”
“Do I?” I couldn’t help but let out a cold smile. “He just wants me to become his plaything.”
Even as I recalled the way he looked at me, a pang of sadness crept into my heart.
But my rational mind kept warning me to stay away from Kael. We were never meant to be together.
Whether it was his identity as a werewolf or his status as a campus star, neither matched someone like me-an ordinary girl.
I still couldn’t accept the idea of werewolves.
Legends said they transformed under the full moon, losing their rationality.
They would undoubtedly hurt those around them.
Evelyn changed the subject. “Alright, let’s not think about that. Since class is over, how about we grab something to drink? Judy’s coming to meet me too.”
“Sure.”
We went to a nearby restaurant, my favorite Italian place.
Evelyn was thoughtful, and she ordered my favorite mac and cheese.
We also got bruschetta, mushroom risotto, clam pasta, and a Margherita pizza.
We even ordered wine.
This restaurant felt much more authentic than the one I’d taken Magnus to before.
The value for money was incredible.
Soon, Judy arrived.
She looked as cool as ever, dressed in a black leather jacket and dark jeans. I noticed she’d added piercings to her nose and lips, making her look even edgier.
“Hey, Evelyn, Seraphina, good afternoon,” Judy greeted us with a smile as she sat down beside Evelyn.
I returned her greeting.
Judy then wrapped an arm around Evelyn’s shoulders and kissed her.
Evelyn, who wasn’t very tall, looked even more delicate next to Judy, like a small bird nestled close.
Once seated, Judy poured wine, and our glasses clinked together with a crisp sound.
We all took a sip.
Judy suddenly asked me, “Seraphina, I saw those photos of you and Kael online. Are you two really together?”
“We’re not involved,” I replied.
I’d tell Evelyn the truth, but with others, the fewer people who knew, the better.
“That’s a shame. Kael’s so handsome and strong. Honestly, if you’ve slept with him, you’ve hit the jackpot!” Judy shook her head, sounding almost regretful.
“Let’s not talk about that. Let’s eat,” Evelyn quickly changed the subject.
When the food arrived, she placed the mac and cheese in front of me. “Seraph, this is your favorite.”
“Thanks,” I said, though my mind was elsewhere.
Even though I was having a pleasant meal with friends, I couldn’t shake my unease.
I had to go to the Eagle Club later that afternoon.
How was I supposed to face those people?
It felt like walking into the eye of a storm.
And I’d inevitably have to see Kael there.
Kael held absolute authority at the Eagle Club. He could influence anything, including my job. If he wanted to get close to me, I couldn’t stop him.
Why wouldn’t Kael leave me alone?
I was just an ordinary human who wanted an ordinary life.
I deeply regretted ever getting involved with him.
I should have found another job sooner and left this place behind.
I hated my poverty. If I had some savings, I could leave immediately.
But for now, I couldn’t.
After the meal, Evelyn and Judy planned to go shopping and visit the amusement park.
I, on the other hand, had to head to the Eagle Club for work.
Evelyn looked at me with concern. “Seraph, maybe you should take a few days off?”
“I can’t. That would just make those jerks think I’m scared,” I forced a smile. “You two go have fun. Don’t worry about me.”
With that, I turned and walked toward the Eagle Club.
I knew that there, I wouldn’t just face the stares of others-I’d also have to deal with Lucian and Magnus.
I thought back to what Magnus had said last night. Was he joking, or was he serious?
After he’d blurted it out, I realized I wasn’t opposed to the idea.
Being with him did feel more comfortable.
But I wasn’t sure what our relationship really was.
Even though I had strong feelings for Magnus, I wasn’t ready to consider a relationship again.
Being hurt and deceived by men time and time again-hadn’t I learned my lesson yet?