The Alpha's Second Chance

THE ALPHA'S SECOND CHANCE Chapter 1 — The Girl Who Hated Noise Some people enter your life quietly. Others arrive like a walking disaster with a pretty face, an oversized ego, and absolutely no respect for personal space. Setting: Bangkok, Thailand Five years before the reunion. --- 7:15 AM | Rattanakul International University Kung may isang bagay na hindi kayang tiisin ni Aylin Theeraphat Rattanakul sa mundong ito, hindi iyon traffic sa Bangkok, hindi ang endless meetings ng kanilang family business, at lalong hindi ang mga taong nagpapanggap na matalino sa harap niya. It was noise. Unnecessary, irritating, headache-inducing noise. Especially early in the morning. At exactly seven fifteen, tahimik na nakaupo si Aylin sa isang corner table ng university café, one hand holding a cup of black coffee while the other scrolled through the financial report on her tablet. She was wearing the university's white blouse beneath a fitted navy blazer, paired with a dark pleated skirt and polished black shoes. Her long black hair fell neatly past her shoulders, and her expression was as unreadable as ever. At twenty-one, Aylin was already a name that carried weight around campus. Fourth-year Business Administration student. Consistent dean's lister. President of the university's Business and Investment Society. Heiress to the Rattanakul Group, a family-owned conglomerate with investments in real estate, luxury hotels, and international retail. Beautiful? Unfortunately for everyone trying to concentrate around her, yes. Intimidating? Absolutely. Approachable? Only if you considered a locked bank vault approachable. "Aylin." Hindi siya tumingala. "Aylin, I know you're listening." Wala pa ring sagot. "Girl, kung hindi mo ako papansinin, I swear, I'll start singing." Dahan-dahang ibinaba ni Aylin ang tablet niya. "Try it, Narin. I'll have the security escort you out." A handsome young man sitting across from her burst out laughing. "See? This is why I love you. You're so full of affection." Aylin stared at him. "Do you want to lose that affection permanently?" "Okay, okay. Sorry, Your Majesty." Narin Vachirawit, twenty-two, was Aylin's closest friend and the only person on campus who could annoy her without immediately regretting his life choices. He was the son of a prominent hotelier, a law student by family expectation, and a professional nuisance by personal choice. Beside him sat Phakin 'Kin' Anurak, twenty-one, a quiet computer science student who usually acted as the group's unofficial mediator. Kin adjusted his glasses while looking at Aylin's tablet. "May board meeting ka ba mamaya?" "Ten." "Then why are you here this early?" "Because unlike you, I value my time." Kin nodded thoughtfully. "Fair enough." Narin leaned forward, lowering his voice as if he were about to reveal classified government information. "Speaking of valuable time, may narinig ka na ba?" Aylin resumed reading. "If this is about your latest breakup, I don't care." "It's not about me." "Then I care even less." "Someone new is arriving today." Aylin didn't react. "An exchange student," Narin continued. "From the Philippines." "Congratulations to the university." "Half Thai, half Filipino. Apparently, she studied in Manila, speaks Thai and English, and she's joining the International Business program." "Wonderful." "You're not even curious?" "No." "She's supposedly very pretty." Aylin took a sip of coffee. "Most people have faces, Narin." Kin coughed to hide his laughter. Narin placed a hand over his chest. "Sometimes I wonder why I keep you in my life." "Because your other friends are afraid of you." "That's actually true." Aylin returned her attention to the tablet. Conversation over. At least, that was what she thought. Because somewhere outside the café, a certain exchange student was about to make her peaceful morning a historical event. A national disaster. A personal tragedy. And eventually, the greatest love story of her life. But Aylin didn't know that yet. For now, she only wanted her coffee in peace. Unfortunately, the universe had other plans. --- 7:32 AM | The University Entrance "GUYS! WAIT LANG! MY BAG IS TRYING TO KILL ME!" Napahinto ang ilang estudyante sa entrance ng university. A girl came running through the gates, carrying an oversized cream-colored tote bag, a backpack, and an iced coffee that looked dangerously close to spilling. Her light-brown hair was tied into a messy ponytail, with loose strands framing her face. She wore the university's white blouse, navy ribbon tie, and pleated skirt, but her uniform was anything but perfectly arranged. Her tie was slightly crooked. One sock was higher than the other. And there was a tiny sticker of a smiling cat attached to her phone case. She looked like someone who had woken up late, fought with her alarm clock, lost the battle, and decided to blame the universe. Which was exactly what had happened. "PUTANGINA, KIRAN! I told you to prepare your things last night!" That was Beatriz 'Bea' Santos, twenty, a Filipino exchange student and Kiran's childhood friend who had accompanied her to Thailand. Bea was studying International Relations and had known Kiran long enough to understand that her friend possessed two major talents. One: making friends with practically anyone. Two: creating problems that did not exist five minutes earlier. Kiran stopped running and bent forward, gasping for breath. "Girl, good morning din sa'yo." "Good morning? We are seven minutes away from being late!" "Seven minutes is a lifetime." "Not when the professor locks the door!" "Then I'll climb through the window." "YOU'RE ON THE SECOND FLOOR!" Kiran straightened. "Okay, so maybe not." Behind them, another girl approached while calmly sipping bottled water. Mali Chayaporn, twenty-one, was Thai, studying Marketing, and serving as their unofficial translator whenever Kiran's Thai vocabulary abandoned her at the worst possible moment. She had shoulder-length hair, a sharp sense of humor, and the patience of a saint. Unfortunately, even saints had limits. "Kiran," Mali said sweetly, "if you run again while holding that coffee, I'll personally make sure you drink it through your nose." Kiran looked at her cup. Then at Mali. Then at the coffee again. "That's violence." "That's friendship." Bea grabbed Kiran's wrist. "Come on!" "WAIT! I need to check my schedule!" "You checked it last night!" "I forgot!" "HOW DO YOU FORGET YOUR OWN SCHEDULE?" Kiran grinned. "Because I'm pretty." Mali nearly choked on her water. "That doesn't even make sense!" "It makes sense to me." And with that, the three girls rushed into the building. Kiran Sutham was twenty-two years old, half Thai and half Filipino, born into a family that had spent years moving between Bangkok and Manila. She had grown up speaking English and Filipino at home, while her Thai improved considerably whenever she wanted something from her grandmother. She was charming, stubborn, affectionate, and completely incapable of entering a room without making at least one person look up. Some people called her a ball of sunshine. Others called her a walking headache. Both descriptions were accurate. But beneath the laughter and endless jokes was a girl who took friendship seriously. Kiran could forgive someone for insulting her outfit. She could laugh off a stranger calling her annoying. She could even tolerate people making fun of her terrible sense of direction. But hurt her friends? Now, that was an entirely different conversation. Kiran Sutham might look harmless. But the moment someone crossed the people she loved, the sunshine disappeared. And God help whoever was standing in front of her. For now, though, she had more immediate concerns. Like finding her classroom. "Bea," she whispered. "What?" "Nasaan tayo?" Bea stopped walking. Mali closed her eyes. Then both girls slowly turned toward Kiran. "YOU'RE KIDDING ME," Bea said. Kiran smiled. "Good news! We're not late anymore." "WHY?" "Because we're lost!" Mali stared at the ceiling. "Lord, give me strength." --- 7:45 AM | Business Administration Building, Room 408 By some miracle, Kiran and her friends found the correct classroom before the professor arrived. They slipped into the back row, trying to look like responsible university students who had definitely not been running through the campus five minutes earlier. Kiran dropped her bag beside her chair. "Okay. New rule." Bea raised an eyebrow. "Another one?" "From now on, we wake up early." Mali looked at her watch. "You said that yesterday." "And I meant it yesterday." "What about today?" "Today is a new day. We learn from our mistakes." Bea stared at her. "You were born from a mistake." Kiran gasped. "Mahal mo ako." "Unfortunately." Mali laughed as the classroom door opened. Their professor entered, carrying a stack of papers. "Good morning, everyone." The students stood. "Good morning, Professor." "Please take your seats. Before we begin, we have a new student joining our class this semester." Kiran immediately sat up. New student? Interesting. She loved meeting new people. Maybe they would become friends. Maybe they would invite her to lunch. Maybe— "Miss Sutham." Kiran blinked. "Yes, Professor?" "You're smiling. Would you like to introduce our new student?" "ME?" "Yes. Since you appear particularly enthusiastic this morning." Bea covered her mouth. Mali turned toward the window, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. Kiran stood, adjusted her crooked tie, and flashed the professor her most innocent smile. "Of course, Professor. I'd be honored." The door opened again. And a woman walked in. Tall. Elegant. Long black hair. A perfectly fitted navy blazer. A calm expression that gave absolutely nothing away. She carried a leather folder beneath one arm and wore the kind of confidence that didn't require attention because it already commanded it. For a moment, the classroom fell silent. Kiran forgot what she was about to say. The woman looked at the professor. "Good morning." Her voice was low, smooth, and composed. Not loud. Not particularly warm. But somehow, Kiran felt the sound directly in her chest. The professor smiled. "Class, this is Miss Aylin Theeraphat Rattanakul. She's a fourth-year student and will be assisting with today's joint seminar on corporate strategy." Aylin nodded politely. "Please don't let me interrupt your class." Her gaze swept across the room. And then, for half a second, her eyes met Kiran's. Kiran's brain immediately stopped functioning. Ay. AY. AY, LORD. The woman looked away. Kiran inhaled sharply. Bea leaned closer. "Girl." Kiran didn't answer. "Girl, blink." Nothing. Mali nudged her. "Kiran, your mouth is open." Kiran snapped it shut. "Oh my God." Bea followed her gaze. Then slowly turned back. "Oh, no." Kiran finally found her voice. "Who is she?" Mali whispered, "Aylin Rattanakul. Fourth year. Business Society president. Rattanakul family." "Is she single?" "Kiran!" "What? I'm asking a normal question!" "She hasn't even finished introducing herself!" "Exactly. I need to know whether I should prepare myself emotionally." Bea looked at her with concern. "You're falling in love again." "I AM NOT!" "You met her twelve seconds ago." "Thirteen, actually." Mali covered her face. "Lord, this semester will be exhausting." At the front of the classroom, Aylin was discussing the seminar with the professor. She had no idea that three rows from the back, a half-Thai, half-Filipina exchange student was already imagining their wedding. Or perhaps she did. Because just as Kiran was whispering something about Aylin's beautiful hands, the senior turned around. Their eyes met again. Aylin's expression remained neutral. Kiran smiled. A big, bright, absolutely shameless smile. Aylin looked at her for one second. Then she turned back to the professor. Kiran's smile widened. "Oh, my God." Bea sighed. "Here we go." Kiran clasped her hands beneath the desk. "Guys, I think I'm in trouble." Mali patted her shoulder. "You're always in trouble." "No. I mean real trouble." She watched Aylin return to her seat near the front. "That woman is going to ruin my life." Bea stared at her. "You don't even know her." Kiran smiled dreamily. "Exactly. Imagine how much worse it will get when I do." --- 8:20 AM | The First Conversation That Wasn't a Conversation The seminar ended forty minutes later. Students began packing their bags while the professor reminded everyone about their upcoming assignments. Aylin collected her folder and checked the time. She had another meeting in twenty minutes. Plenty of time to reach the Business Society office. Plenty of time to grab another coffee. Plenty of time to avoid unnecessary conversations. Then— "Senior!" Aylin stopped walking. She didn't turn around. Perhaps the person was calling someone else. "Senior Aylin!" Definitely not someone else. She closed her eyes briefly. Please. Not today. Kiran appeared beside her, practically radiating enthusiasm. "Hi!" Aylin looked at her. "Hello." Kiran nearly fainted. She had spoken! The woman had actually acknowledged her existence! This was not a drill. "You're Aylin, right?" Aylin glanced at the folder in her hand. "The professor introduced me." "Right! Of course! I was there. I was actually sitting there." Kiran pointed behind her. "The one with the beautiful—" She stopped. Aylin raised an eyebrow. "The beautiful what?" Kiran's brain scrambled. "The beautiful... presentation!" Aylin stared at her. Kiran nodded enthusiastically. "Yes. Your presentation was beautiful." "I didn't give a presentation." "Exactly. Very minimalist. Very avant-garde." For a moment, Aylin said nothing. Then she turned and continued walking. Kiran followed. "Senior, wait!" Aylin didn't slow down. "I'm Kiran Sutham. Half Thai, half Filipino. Exchange student. International Business. Twenty-two years old. Single. Very friendly. Excellent cook, although my friends say otherwise." "Congratulations." Kiran blinked. "Thank you?" Aylin continued walking. Kiran kept pace. "So, Senior, can I ask you something?" "You just did." "Okay, another thing." "No." "You don't even know the question!" "I know the answer." Kiran stopped walking. Aylin continued down the corridor. For three whole seconds, Kiran simply watched her. Then she turned around and hurried after her again. "Senior! That's so mean!" Aylin didn't look back. "Then stop following me." Kiran gasped. Grabe. She's cold. She's beautiful. She's mean. I need her number. --- 8:35 AM | The Business Society Office Narin was halfway through eating a sandwich when Aylin entered the office. He looked up. Then looked behind her. Then looked at her again. "Why do you look like you want to murder someone?" "Because someone has been following me." Narin's expression brightened. "Oh?" "Don't." "Who?" "A student." "Male or female?" Aylin gave him a look. Narin immediately raised both hands. "Okay. Female. Interesting." Kin looked up from his laptop. "Is it the exchange student?" Aylin froze. Narin slowly lowered his sandwich. "Wait. You met her?" "Unfortunately." Narin's mouth fell open. "YOU MET HER?" "Must you shout?" "YOU ACTUALLY TALKED TO HER?" "Regrettably." Kin leaned back in his chair. "What happened?" Aylin removed her blazer and draped it over the back of her chair. "She talked." Narin stared. "That's it?" "She talked. Then she continued talking. Then she followed me while talking." Kin nodded. "Sounds normal for a social person." "She introduced herself by telling me her age, nationality, course, relationship status, and cooking abilities." Narin nearly spat out his drink. "HER RELATIONSHIP STATUS?" Aylin shot him a warning look. He covered his mouth, shoulders shaking. "Sorry. Sorry. I'm being serious." "No, you're not." "You're right. I'm not." Kin looked thoughtful. "Maybe she's just trying to make friends." "Then she should try making friends with someone else." Narin leaned forward. "Why?" "Because I don't like people who talk too much." "She's probably nervous. New school, new environment, different country." "Then she should learn to be quiet." Kin slowly closed his laptop. "That's a little harsh." Aylin's gaze shifted toward him. "Would you prefer that I lie?" "No. I prefer that you stop acting like a seventy-year-old woman trapped in a twenty-one-year-old's body." Narin burst out laughing. Aylin stared at both of them. "Meeting adjourned." Narin looked around. "We're in an office, not a courtroom." "Out." "This is my office too!" "Not anymore." Kin quietly picked up his laptop. "I'll go before she has us both expelled." Narin followed him toward the door, still grinning. Before leaving, he turned around. "For what it's worth, Aylin, maybe this girl will be good for you." Aylin didn't even look up. "Then I hope she transfers." The door closed. Silence returned. Finally. Aylin exhaled and reached for her tablet. But for some inexplicable reason, she remembered the exchange student's bright smile. The way she had looked at her as though Aylin were the most fascinating person in the world. The ridiculous compliment about a presentation that had never happened. Aylin frowned. Annoying. She opened her tablet. Very annoying. And yet, for the first time that morning, she caught herself smiling faintly. She immediately stopped. Absolutely not. Whatever that girl was, Aylin wanted no part of it. --- 9:00 AM | Campus Café — Kiran's Emergency Meeting "WE NEED TO TALK." Bea nearly dropped her fork. Mali looked up from her phone. Kiran slammed both hands on the table and sat down. "Emergency meeting." Bea sighed. "Did you lose your student ID?" "No." "Did you lose your wallet?" "No." "Did you lose your mind?" Kiran pointed at her. "Actually, yes." Mali pushed a cup of water toward her. "Drink first. Then explain." Kiran took a sip. Then another. Then she placed the cup down with great seriousness. "I have met the woman I'm going to marry." Bea stared at her. Mali blinked twice. Then both girls spoke simultaneously. "NO." "ABSOLUTELY NOT." Kiran leaned back in her chair. "You haven't even heard the details!" "We don't need details," Bea replied. "We saw your face when she entered the classroom." Mali nodded. "You looked like you had just seen the face of God." "She's beautiful!" "So are many women." "She's different!" "You've known her for thirty minutes." "Thirty-five." Bea buried her face in her hands. "Lord, please give me patience." Kiran ignored her. "She's smart, elegant, tall, intimidating, and she has this voice—" She lowered her voice dramatically. " 'Then stop following me.' " Mali burst out laughing. "STOP." Kiran clutched her chest. "She told me to stop following her." "And did you?" Bea asked. Kiran looked offended. "Of course." Bea nodded approvingly. "Good." "Then I followed her from a distance." "THAT IS NOT THE SAME THING!" Mali was laughing so hard she had to put her phone down. Kiran pouted. "You're both terrible friends." Bea reached across the table and patted her hand. "We love you. That's why we're telling you this: leave the woman alone." "But—" "No buts." "But she's my senior!" "That's not a reason!" "She's five years older than me!" "That's not a reason either!" "She's single!" Bea stopped. "How do you know?" Kiran smiled proudly. "I don't." Mali threw a napkin at her. Kiran caught it and laughed. "Okay, okay! I'm joking." But then her smile softened. "Seriously, though. There's something about her." Bea studied her face. For once, Kiran wasn't joking. "I don't know," Kiran admitted. "Maybe it's the way she carries herself. Parang she doesn't need anyone's approval. She doesn't try to impress people. She just... exists. And everyone notices." Mali nodded slowly. "That's true. Aylin is known around campus. She's intelligent, but she's also very private." "Exactly!" Kiran exclaimed. "She's like a locked room, and I want to know what's inside." Bea gave her a flat look. "That's how horror movies start." Kiran laughed. "You're so dramatic." "Look who's talking." Mali leaned forward. "Just promise us one thing." "What?" "Don't fall in love with someone who clearly doesn't want a relationship." Kiran's smile faded slightly. She looked down at the table. Then, after a moment, she shrugged. "Relax. I haven't even fallen in love." Bea narrowed her eyes. "Kiran." "Okay, fine. Maybe a little." Mali groaned. "KIRAN!" "What? I can't control my heart!" "You can control your feet!" Bea said. "Stop chasing her around campus!" Kiran laughed so hard that a student at the next table turned around. She waved apologetically. "Sorry!" Then she leaned toward her friends. "Okay. New plan." Bea immediately stood. "No." "You haven't heard it!" "I don't want to." Mali grabbed her bag. "I'm going to class." Kiran caught both their wrists. "GUYS. PLEASE. I NEED YOUR SUPPORT." Bea sighed. "Fine. What's the plan?" Kiran smiled. "We're going to become friends." Mali stared at her. "With Aylin?" "Yes." "The woman who told you to stop following her?" "Exactly." Bea slowly sat back down. "You know what? I take back what I said earlier." Kiran beamed. "You're supporting me?" "No. I think you need professional help." --- 10:30 AM | The University Courtyard Aylin was walking toward the library when she heard her name. Again. She stopped. Not because she wanted to. Because she was beginning to suspect that ignoring the voice would only make it louder. "Senior Aylin!" She turned. Kiran was standing near the courtyard fountain, holding two iced coffees. One in each hand. Her smile was bright enough to rival the morning sun. Aylin stared at the drinks. Then at Kiran. Then at the drinks again. "What?" Kiran hurried toward her. "I bought you coffee!" "I didn't ask for coffee." "I know. It's a gift." "I don't accept gifts from strangers." Kiran placed a hand over her chest. "Strangers? Senior, we've already spoken." "Against my will." Kiran gasped. "That's so hurtful." Aylin looked at her for a long moment. Up close, Kiran had a small beauty mark near her cheek and eyes that seemed to brighten whenever she smiled. She also appeared physically incapable of standing still. She shifted from one foot to the other while waiting for Aylin's response. Aylin sighed. "What do you want?" "Nothing." "Then why are you here?" "Because I saw you." "That explains nothing." Kiran grinned. "Okay, fine. I wanted to give you coffee." "Why?" "Because you look like someone who needs coffee." "I'm already holding coffee." Kiran glanced at the cup in Aylin's hand. "Oh." Silence. Then Kiran slowly lowered the second drink. "Well, now you have two." Aylin closed her eyes. Unbelievable. Kiran looked at the cup in her hand, then back at Aylin. "Do you want it?" "No." "Are you sure?" "Yes." "Because it's good coffee." "Kiran." The sound of her name coming from Aylin's lips made Kiran freeze. Aylin looked directly at her. "Listen carefully. I appreciate the gesture, but I prefer to be alone. Please stop following me around campus." For once, Kiran didn't immediately answer. Her smile weakened. "Oh." Aylin noticed. And for some reason, the sight made something uncomfortable settle in her chest. But she pushed the feeling away. Kiran recovered quickly, lifting her chin. "Okay, Senior. I understand." Aylin nodded. "Good." Kiran held out the coffee one last time. "Can I at least leave this with you? You can give it to someone else." Aylin hesitated. It was such a small gesture. Such a harmless request. She could refuse again. She should refuse again. Instead, she accepted the cup. "Thank you." Kiran's eyes widened. Then she smiled. Not the loud, exaggerated smile from earlier. A smaller one. A genuine one. "You're welcome." For a second, Aylin forgot what she was supposed to say next. Then Kiran stepped backward. "I'll leave you alone now." She turned and walked away. Aylin watched her go. One step. Two steps. Three. Kiran suddenly spun around. "BUT IF YOU EVER NEED A FRIEND, I'M AVAILABLE!" Aylin's expression hardened. Kiran laughed and ran off before she could respond. Aylin stared at the coffee in her hand. Then at the direction Kiran had disappeared. She let out a long, exhausted breath. "Unbelievable." But she didn't throw the coffee away. --- 11:00 AM | The Business Society Office Narin noticed the coffee immediately. He was sitting on the sofa, scrolling through his phone when Aylin entered. He looked at the cup. Then at her face. Then at the cup again. "What's that?" "Coffee." "I can see that." "Then why ask?" Narin stood. "Wait a minute." Aylin ignored him and placed the drink on her desk. Narin approached it as though he were examining evidence at a crime scene. "Is this the exchange student's coffee?" Aylin looked up sharply. "How do you know that?" "Because I saw her buying two coffees earlier." Kin looked up from his laptop. "She bought you coffee?" Aylin resumed working. "She insisted." Narin's grin widened. "And you accepted?" "She was being persistent." "So?" "So I accepted it to make her leave." Narin placed a hand over his heart. "That is the most romantic thing I've ever heard." Aylin stared at him. "Would you like me to make you leave too?" "No, thank you." Kin examined the cup. "At least she remembered your order." Aylin frowned. "She doesn't know my order." "Then how did she know what to buy?" Aylin paused. She looked at the cup. Black coffee. No sugar. No milk. Exactly how she liked it. For the first time, she wondered whether Kiran had asked someone about her preferences. The thought was strangely unsettling. And oddly flattering. She immediately rejected both possibilities. "Coincidence." Narin laughed. "Of course." Aylin opened her laptop. "Both of you have work to do." Kin nodded. "Yes, ma'am." Narin returned to the sofa, still grinning. But as Aylin began reviewing a report, her gaze drifted toward the coffee again. She took a sip. It was good. Very good, actually. She hated that she liked it. Because if there was one thing Aylin Theeraphat Rattanakul understood about life, it was this: Some people were difficult to avoid. And some people were even more difficult to forget. Kiran Sutham, apparently, was going to be both. --- 12:15 PM | The University Canteen Kiran was halfway through her lunch when she noticed a familiar figure entering the canteen. Aylin. Walking beside two people Kiran recognized from the Business Society. Narin was talking animatedly, while Kin listened with an amused expression. Aylin, as usual, looked like she would rather be anywhere else. Kiran immediately straightened. Bea noticed. "No." Kiran blinked innocently. "No what?" "Whatever you're planning." "I'm eating." "You're staring." "I'm observing." "You're crushing." Kiran gasped. "Can you stop exposing me?" Mali followed her gaze. "Oh. Aylin." Kiran nodded. "She's so beautiful." Bea placed her spoon down. "Can we eat in peace for once?" "No, because love is happening." "Love is not happening. You're having a crush." "A very serious crush." "You met her this morning!" "And what a productive morning it has been." Mali laughed. Kiran watched Aylin approach the counter. A group of female students nearby immediately began whispering. One of them waved. "Aylin! Are you joining us later?" Aylin gave a polite nod. "I'll check my schedule." The woman smiled brightly. "Okay! I'll message you." Kiran's smile disappeared. Her eyes narrowed. Bea noticed the change immediately. "Oh, no." Kiran looked at her. "What?" "That face." "What face?" "The face you make when someone takes the last piece of fried chicken." Mali glanced toward Aylin. Then back at Kiran. "Don't even think about it." Kiran lifted her chin. "I'm not doing anything." "Good." "I'm just wondering why she's so popular." "Because she's pretty, smart, rich, and apparently terrifying," Bea replied. Kiran sighed dreamily. "God really has favorites." Mali shook her head. "You know, I support women loving women, but I do not support you losing your mind before lunchtime." Kiran laughed. Then her gaze returned to Aylin. The senior was sitting at a table near the window, listening to Kin explain something on his phone. For a moment, Aylin smiled. It was brief. Barely noticeable. But Kiran saw it. And suddenly, her entire world went quiet. Oh. So she does smile. The realization struck her harder than it should have. Because now Kiran had a new mission. She wanted to see that smile again. Not the polite smile Aylin gave professors. Not the distant expression she wore around strangers. That one. The small, unguarded smile that appeared when she forgot to be intimidating. Kiran leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. Bea followed her gaze. Then sighed. "You're finished." Kiran didn't look away. "Completely." ---