Lost in the Devil's Heart

​The University of Business Management was a prestigious institution, a well-known gathering hub for the children of the ultra-wealthy. Within our campus sat a luxurious restaurant that had now become the regular hangout spot for my three closest friends and me: Al, Marco, Pita, and myself. We had been inseparable since our very first year at the university. ​I was the youngest of the group. Everyone always teased me about having a petite, delicate face and a slender figure. Being exceptionally brilliant since childhood, my primary school teachers had allowed me to skip two grades, putting me well ahead of my peers. Pita was the other beauty of our group. While our appearances were somewhat similar, our personalities were polar opposites. Pita was sharp-witted and fierce, choosing to socialize only with those she genuinely liked. I, on the other hand, was down-to-earth and friendly with everyone. However, I only revealed my playful, childlike side to those I was truly close with. ​Meanwhile, Al and Marco were the top students of the university and undisputedly the school's biggest heartthrobs. Al was a notorious playboy with a long string of girlfriends. Marco was a complete contrast—a perfect gentleman who flirted playfully but had never been seen seriously seeing anyone. ​"So, are you going to accept that underclassman's invitation?" Pita asked, turning her sharp eyes toward me. ​Today, yet another admirer had approached me. In the past, there had been a never-ending line of suitors trailing after me, begging for a lunch date. Though the crowd had thinned out recently, today a brave junior had finally stepped up to ask me out, clearly wanting to pursue me as his girlfriend. ​"I'm not sure yet," I replied, swirling my drink. "I already turned down his confession, but he still kept insisting on us just having a meal together." ​"It's good that you rejected him," Marco chipped in. "We're about to graduate anyway. If you date him, you'll only end up heartbroken. He's going to meet plenty of other beautiful girls around here." He offered his perspective as a protective friend, thinking ahead to save me from heartache later on. ​"That's exactly why I said no," I agreed, nodding. ​"But you're still considering going to lunch with him?" Marco pressed for clarification. ​"Probably. I just don't want to be too harsh and completely crush his spirits." ​"Oh? Look at you, being so considerate of his feelings," Pita teased playfully, unaware that her words were hitting a nerve with someone sitting right at our table. "Do you actually secretively have feelings for him?" ​"Don't be ridiculous!" I shot back, my cheeks flushing slightly. "You know I've never given these things a second thought." ​"What year is he in anyway? Which department?" Marco asked, entirely certain that someone at the table was dying to know the answer. ​"Third year. He studies in Building B," I answered honestly. ​"Is he handsome?" ​"He's decent, I guess." ​Slam! ​The violent thud of a book being slammed onto the table sent shocks through the three of us, startling us completely. Silence fell over the table instantly as we stared at Al, who had been quiet the entire time. I wondered why on earth he had suddenly snapped. ​"I'm leaving," Al said coldly. His tall, striking figure stood up abruptly, drawing the eyes of almost everyone in the restaurant. ​"Hey, Al... what's the rush today?" Marco called out. ​"Um." ​"In that case, I'll go with you! Brother Vi couldn't make it to pick me up today anyway," I said, standing up to join him. My brother had to attend an event, which was why he couldn't come for me. ​"No way! Don't you have a date?" Al snapped at me coldly, his eyes piercing through me. "Why are you tagging along with me?" Without waiting for my answer, he turned and stormed out. ​"What is wrong with him today? Out of nowhere, he just barks at you like that," Pita grumbled, pulling me back down into my seat. Al's sudden outburst had clearly left me upset and shaken, a heavy lump forming in my throat. ​"Don't worry, I'll drive you guys home instead," Marco volunteered warmly. Looking at me, he gave a sympathetic smile. I was completely stunned, unable to utter a single word after Al yelled at me—something he had absolutely never done to me before. ​"Wait here for a moment. I'll be right back from the restroom," Marco said, quickly leaving the restaurant. ​From what Marco told me later, he headed straight in the direction where he knew Al would be. Catching up with him, Marco grinned. "I knew it... You're heading over to intimidate the kid, aren't you?" He managed to intercept Al just as he was marching toward Building B. ​"Mind your own business," Al muttered, pushing forward without any intention of stopping. ​"Are you doing all this out of pure jealousy?" ​"What are you talking about? I'm just protecting her because she's our friend," Al countered defensively. "You see how young she is—she's two years younger than us. She's too innocent to see through the intentions of a guy like that." ​"Is that really all it is?" Marco challenged. ​Al halted in his tracks, turning to glare at Marco with an expression as dark and fierce as a demon's. ​"Alright, alright. I'll come along and help you then. After all, I'm her friend too," Marco said with a smirk. ​With that, the two walked side-by-side to track down the brave junior who had dared to flirt with me. Once the matter was thoroughly settled, they went their separate ways—Al headed home, while Marco went back to play chauffeur and drive Pita and me home safely. ​The auditorium was alive with the roaring chatter of students preparing for our graduation ceremony. The air was filled with a mix of anxiety and excitement, but none of the noise seemed to register with the four of us. Our minds were entirely preoccupied with planning our upcoming vacation for the next day. ​"Decide quickly, guys! Where are we actually going? My brother is going to be here any minute," I urged anxiously, checking my phone. I was dying to go on this trip with them, but a part of her was terrified that my protective brother wouldn't allow it. Because of that, I had made up my mind to sneak out without letting him know. ​"Let's leave the final decision to her," Marco suggested. "Let her choose where she wants to go most, especially since she's risking everything by running away from home for this." He willingly handed me the deciding vote, knowing this was my very first time traveling far away with them. ​"Okay! Let's go to the beach. It'll be so much fun, and honestly, it's been forever since I last saw the ocean." ​"Hah! Every time she is the one to decide, I never stand a chance against you, Al," Marco groaned, playfully acting disappointed at his friend. I had picked the beach just as Al wanted, completely shutting down Marco's dream of an adventurous trek into the forest. ​"Look out, here he comes," Pita whispered urgently, nudging my arm as she spotted our formidable adversary—my brother—walking toward us from a distance. ​"He's here. Everyone, act natural and shut up," Al commanded under his breath.