The Alpha's Second Chance

Chapter 5 — Don't Fall for Me

THE ALPHA'S SECOND CHANCE

“You told me to stay away. Now that I'm finally learning how to do that, why are you the one coming closer?”

7:00 AM | A Different Kind of Morning

The morning sun was already shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Aylin's bedroom.

Tahimik ang buong penthouse.

Except for the occasional notification coming from her phone, which had been vibrating on the bedside table for almost five minutes.

Aylin slowly opened her eyes.

She reached for her phone without bothering to sit up.

Narin — 6:45 AM

Narin: Good morning, Your Majesty.

Narin: Are you alive?

Narin: Or are you still thinking about someone?

Kin: Don't disturb her. Baka nananaginip pa tungkol sa exchange student.

Narin: HAHAHAHAHA.

Aylin stared at the messages.

Then slowly closed her eyes.

"Idiots."

She tossed her phone onto the mattress.

But just as she was about to get up, another image flashed through her mind.

Kiran.

Her smile.

Her voice.

The way she had looked at her during the welcome mixer.

Senior, why are you suddenly here?

And then those words.

I won't bother you anymore.

Aylin sat up.

She ran a hand through her long black hair.

For several seconds, she simply stared at the floor.

It was ridiculous.

She had spent weeks avoiding that girl. Now, she couldn't stop thinking about her.

And what irritated her even more was the fact that Kiran seemed perfectly capable of enjoying herself without her.

Especially with that Win guy.

Aylin reached for her phone again.

She opened the university's event photographs.

There it was.

A picture of Kiran laughing with P'Win.

Aylin zoomed in.

Her lips pressed into a thin line.

"What's so funny?"

She immediately locked her phone.

Then she stood up and walked toward the bathroom.

But before entering, she stopped.

A thought crossed her mind.

A very unfamiliar thought.

Maybe I should approach her.

Not through messages.

Not through some ridiculous university announcement.

Personally.

Slowly.

Aylin looked at herself in the mirror.

"Fine."

She adjusted her hair.

"Let's see how long you can ignore me, Kiran."

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

And for the first time in a long while, Aylin Sutham had a personal mission that had absolutely nothing to do with business.

### 8:15 AM | The Morning Committee Meeting

"Good morning!"

Narin entered the student council room carrying two cups of coffee.

Kin followed behind him, holding a folder.

Aylin was already seated at the head of the conference table, reviewing documents on her tablet.

Narin stopped.

He looked at her.

Then at Kin.

Then back at Aylin.

"Something's wrong."

Aylin didn't look up.

"What?"

"You're smiling."

"I'm not."

"Exactly. That's what's suspicious."

Kin chuckled and placed the folder on the table.

"Maybe she finally slept properly."

Aylin continued scrolling.

"Can we start the meeting?"

Narin pulled out a chair.

"Sure, Madam President."

Aylin gave him a warning look.

"One more word."

"Okay. Silent na ako."

Kin laughed.

The meeting started with the usual discussion about the upcoming university cultural festival.

Several student representatives were expected to attend, including members of the international exchange program.

Aylin reviewed the attendance sheet.

"Who's handling the international student coordination?"

Kin checked his notes.

"Beatriz and Mali are assisting. Kiran is also part of the event's cultural performance committee."

Aylin's fingers stopped moving.

"Kiran?"

Narin immediately looked up.

"Ah."

Aylin glanced at him.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing."

Kin smiled.

"Should we call her?"

Aylin nodded.

"Yes. Ask her to attend the afternoon coordination meeting."

Narin leaned back.

"Personally?"

Aylin looked at him.

"Through the committee."

"Right. Through the committee."

He exchanged a grin with Kin.

Aylin ignored them.

But deep inside, she was already wondering what Kiran would say when she saw her.

Would she smile?

Would she greet her?

Or would she simply pretend she wasn't there?

For some reason, the last possibility bothered her more than it should.

### 9:00 AM | Operation: Be Normal

Meanwhile, at the university cafeteria...

"Excuse me!"

Bea raised her hand.

"One iced americano, one strawberry milk, and one Thai milk tea!"

Mali looked at her.

"You're ordering drinks for the entire university?"

"Of course. Hydration is important."

Kiran laughed while arranging the books inside her bag.

"Bea, you're going to spend all your allowance."

"Don't worry. I'm financially irresponsible, but emotionally stable."

Mali burst out laughing.

"That's not something to be proud of."

Kiran shook her head.

"You're both impossible."

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind them.

"Good morning."

Kiran turned.

P'Win.

She smiled.

"Good morning, P'Win."

He pulled out the chair beside her.

"Can I sit?"

"Of course."

Bea immediately looked at Mali.

Mali looked at Bea.

Both exchanged the same expression.

Here we go again.

P'Win placed a small paper bag on the table.

"I brought you something."

Kiran looked at it.

"What's this?"

"Breakfast."

She blinked.

"Breakfast?"

"You said yesterday that you skipped breakfast because you were late."

Kiran slowly opened the paper bag.

Inside was a croissant and a small box of fruit.

Her eyes widened.

"Oh!"

She looked at him.

"You remembered?"

Win smiled.

"Of course."

Bea practically melted.

"Excuse me. That's so sweet."

Mali nodded.

"Green flag."

Kiran laughed.

"Guys!"

Win chuckled.

"Don't mind them."

Kiran picked up the croissant.

"Thank you, P'Win. That's really thoughtful."

"You're welcome."

He watched her take a bite.

"By the way, are you free this Saturday?"

Kiran looked at him.

"Saturday?"

"There's a small art exhibition near Siam. I thought maybe you'd like to come with me."

She swallowed.

"An art exhibition?"

"Yeah. Then we could have dinner afterward."

Bea almost dropped her drink.

Mali kicked her under the table.

"Ouch!"

Kiran looked at them.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" Bea quickly replied.

Win smiled.

"So?"

Kiran thought for a moment.

She liked spending time with him.

He was kind, attentive, and never made her feel like she was asking for too much.

Unlike someone else.

Kiran smiled.

"Sure. I'd love to."

Win's face brightened.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Great. I'll message you the details."

"Okay."

Bea waited until Win left before grabbing Kiran's arm.

"GIRL!"

Kiran laughed.

"What?"

"Saturday!"

Mali joined in.

"Art exhibition!"

"Then dinner!" Bea added.

Kiran covered her face.

"Please. It's just a date."

Bea gasped.

"JUST A DATE?"

Mali laughed.

"Let her breathe!"

Kiran shook her head.

But she couldn't hide her smile.

For once, she was excited about something that had nothing to do with Aylin.

Or at least, that was what she wanted to believe.

### 10:30 AM | The Unexpected Encounter

Aylin was walking along the university corridor with Narin and Kin.

She was discussing the upcoming festival schedule when she suddenly noticed a familiar figure near the lockers.

Kiran.

She was standing with Bea and Mali, laughing at something on Bea's phone.

Her light-brown hair was tied loosely.

She wore the university's white blouse beneath her navy blazer, paired with a pleated skirt.

Aylin slowed down.

Narin noticed immediately.

"Oh?"

Kin followed her gaze.

"Well, well."

Aylin ignored them.

She adjusted the folder under her arm and continued walking.

But this time, she didn't intend to pass without saying anything.

"Kiran."

The younger woman didn't hear her at first.

Bea was too busy showing her a video.

"KIRAN! LOOK AT THIS!"

Aylin stopped a few steps away.

"Kiran."

This time, the girl heard her.

She turned.

And immediately straightened.

"Oh."

Her friends also turned.

Bea's eyes widened.

Mali pressed her lips together.

Aylin looked at Kiran.

"Good morning."

Kiran blinked.

Then politely smiled.

"Good morning, Senior."

There was something different about the greeting.

It was respectful.

But distant.

Aylin noticed.

"Do you have a moment?"

Kiran looked at her.

"Is there something you need?"

Aylin paused.

Narin lowered his head to hide his smile.

Aylin ignored him.

"About the cultural festival. We need to discuss the international students' performance schedule."

Kiran nodded.

"Sure. You can send the details to our committee group chat."

"I'd prefer to discuss it personally."

Kiran raised an eyebrow.

"Personally?"

"Yes."

Bea looked at Mali.

Mali looked at Bea.

Both were practically screaming internally.

Kiran, however, simply nodded.

"Okay. You can talk to our coordinator. She's handling the schedule."

Aylin's expression remained composed.

"I'd like to speak with you."

Silence.

Bea almost choked on her drink.

Kiran looked at Aylin for a few seconds.

Then she smiled politely.

"Okay, Senior. I'll check my schedule."

And just like that, she turned back to her friends.

Aylin stood there.

Narin slowly leaned toward Kin.

"That was painful."

Kin whispered.

"Very."

Aylin turned.

"Both of you. Walk."

They immediately followed.

But Narin couldn't resist.

"Rejected by your own junior. That's new."

Aylin gave him a deadly look.

"Do you want to be transferred to another committee?"

Narin grinned.

"No, thank you."

to be continued