Adrian leaned back in his chair, the soft glow of sunrays spread across the room. Elena’s phone rested in his hand, the Star Group chat still open on the screen. He scrolled through the endless exchange of emojis, jokes, and inside references between Gabriel, Andrew, and Elena.
He hated how cheerful her replies seemed, especially when compared to her quiet demeanor in class. Was she always this lighthearted around them? His eyes narrowed as he reread a particularly playful exchange:
Andrew: Star, if you fail this exam, we’re going to ban your favorite milk tea for a month.
Elena: You wouldn’t dare!
Gabriel: Watch us.
Adrian tossed his phone onto the desk, annoyed at himself for even caring. “Her boyfriends,” he muttered, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Maybe they should teach her how to pass a class.” He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. What did it matter?
The thought lingered as he closed his laptop and headed to the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was bustling with noise, a mix of clattering trays and chattering students. Elena hesitated at the entrance, her fingers clutching the straps of her bag. She was back in her usual modest outfit her only clean set of clothes and the difference was noticeable.
Mia spotted her almost immediately, her eyes gleaming with malicious intent. She leaned closer to her group of friends, her voice loud enough to carry.
“Well, well, look who’s back to her usual style,” Mia said with a mocking laugh. “What happened, Elena? Did your boyfriends decide to stop funding your wardrobe?”
The comment drew the attention of several students nearby, and a few laughed along. Elena’s face turned crimson as she froze in place. She opened her mouth to respond but couldn’t find the words.
“Must’ve been a short-lived sponsorship,” Mia continued, flipping her hair smugly. “Guess you’re not worth the investment.”
Before Elena could stammer a reply, a sharp voice cut through the noise.
“Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Mia.”
Gabriel stood a few feet away, his arms crossed and his expression hard. Andrew was beside him, his normally easygoing demeanor replaced with a protective glare.
Mia’s smirk faltered. “Jealousy? Of what?” she shot back, her voice less confident.
“Of someone who doesn’t waste their time tearing other people down,” Gabriel said coolly. He stepped forward, his gaze locking onto Mia’s. “Why don’t you worry about your own life?”
Andrew didn’t say a word but his presence was enough to make Mia shift uncomfortably. Gabriel turned to Elena and motioned for her to join them.
“Come on,” he said, his tone gentler now.
Elena hesitated for a moment before walking toward them. Gabriel and Andrew flanked her on either side, shielding her from the lingering stares and whispers.
As they walked out of the cafeteria, Andrew ruffled her hair, his expression softening. “Ignore her, Star,” he said. “She’s just bitter because no one cares enough about her to fund anything.”
Elena managed a small smile, though her cheeks still burned with embarrassment. “Thanks,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Gabriel slung her bag over his shoulder. “You okay?” he asked, glancing at her with concern.
“I’m fine,” she said quickly, though the lump in her throat betrayed her.
From a distance, Adrian watched the scene unfold, his jaw tightening with every passing second. He told himself it wasn’t his business, yet he couldn’t tear his eyes away from the way Gabriel and Andrew hovered over her. Their bond, the way they touched her shoulder or adjusted her bag it frustrated him.
He clenched his fists, forcing himself to turn away.
Later that afternoon, Adrian was in his office when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and saw his father’s name flashing across it.
“Dad,” he greeted, his tone carefully neutral as he picked up the call.
“How’s it going?” his father asked without preamble. “Any progress on the situation?”
Adrian leaned back in his chair, his free hand rubbing his temple. “It’s going fine,” he replied. “I’m still working on the details.”
His father’s tone sharpened. “You’ve been there long enough to get things moving. Don’t let distractions slow you down.”
Adrian’s grip on the phone tightened. “I’m not distracted,” he said evenly.
“Good,” his father replied. “Keep it that way. This is too important to mess up.”
The call ended abruptly, leaving Adrian staring at the phone in his hand. The weight of his father’s expectations pressed heavily on his shoulders, a constant reminder of why he was here.
He exhaled slowly and glanced at the papers scattered across his desk. His thoughts, however, strayed elsewhere.
In the library, Elena sat at a corner table, her math book open in front of her. Her pen hovered over the page as she tried to solve a problem, but the numbers blurred together.
She let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing her temples. The pressure was getting to her. Between Mia’s taunts, her family’s expectations, and her struggles in class, she felt like she was drowning.
A shadow fell over her desk, and she looked up to see Adrian standing there. His expression was unreadable, but his presence alone made her a heart race.
“Still stuck on the basics, Miss Harper?” he asked, his tone cold.
Elena’s cheeks flushed. “I… I’m trying,” she stammered.
Adrian raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking to the notebook in front of her. He let out a sigh, pulling out the chair opposite her. “Move over,” he said, his voice clipped.
Elena blinked in surprise but obeyed, scooting her things to the side. Adrian picked up her pen and began scribbling on the page, explaining the problem in a low, steady voice.
His tone was sharp, almost condescending, but his explanations were clear. Elena found herself following along despite her nerves.
“See? It’s not that hard if you actually pay attention,” he said, sliding the notebook back to her.
Elena bit her lip, unsure whether to feel grateful or insulted. “Thank you,” she said quietly.
Adrian stood, brushing off his hands. “Don’t thank me. Just do better.”
With that, he walked away, leaving Elena staring after him.
Adrian returned to his office, his thoughts once again drifting to the morning’s events. He unlocked her phone and opened the Star Group chat, scrolling through the messages with a scowl.
His irritation only grew as he saw how easily Elena interacted with Gabriel and Andrew. Their jokes, their nicknames it all felt too familiar.
He muttered under his breath and set the phone down, only to pick it up again moments later. He opened Elena’s phone settings, connecting her GPS to his own device. It was an invasion of privacy, but he justified it as a precaution.
“Now,” he murmured to himself, saving her number in his contacts. “Let’s see what you’re up to, Miss Harper.”
For reasons he couldn’t explain, his chest felt lighter as he put the phone away.