Chapter Three: A Number Worth Asking For
794 Words
Lily's POV
The lecture hall was already half full by the time Lily slipped through the door.
"I'm so sorry I'm late," she whispered, carefully making her way to the empty seat beside her best friend, Ava.
Ava leaned closer with a teasing grin.
"You actually made it."
Lily let out a small sigh.
"Barely."
The professor glanced around the class before continuing his lecture.
"For today's practical, you'll work in pairs."
The room immediately erupted into chatter as students searched for partners.
Lily quietly opened her notebook and focused on writing down every instruction.
She wasn't the loudest person in class. She preferred to stay unnoticed.
By the end of the practical session, nearly two hours had passed.
As students packed their bags, Ava stretched her arms.
"I'm starving."
Lily laughed softly.
"When are you not?"
"Let's go to the cafeteria."
"You go ahead. I need to return these books to the library."
Ava groaned dramatically.
"You and your books."
"They're due today."
"Fine. Don't take forever."
"I won't."
With a smile, Lily picked up her backpack and hugged three library books against her chest.
---
The university library was unusually quiet.
The cool air and faint scent of old books made it one of Lily's favorite places on campus.
She returned the books, borrowed two more for her upcoming assignment, and thanked the librarian before stepping back outside.
The afternoon breeze brushed against her face.
She decided to take the longer path through the university garden.
It was peaceful.
Students sat beneath trees chatting, reading, or laughing with friends.
Lily smiled to herself.
For a brief moment, life felt normal again.
She reached into her bag for her earphones.
Just then...
"Excuse me."
She stopped and turned around.
Standing a few steps behind her was a tall young man dressed in a simple white shirt and dark jeans.
He looked to be around her age.
He smiled politely.
"Hi."
Lily blinked.
"Hi..."
"I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"No... it's okay."
He scratched the back of his neck nervously.
"This is probably going to sound strange."
Lily waited quietly.
"I've seen you around campus for a while."
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
"You have?"
He nodded with a shy smile.
"We're both in the Faculty of Business, though we're in different classes."
"Oh..."
"I'm Daniel."
He stretched out his hand.
"Lily."
She shook it gently.
"It's nice to finally know your name."
There was an awkward silence before Daniel chuckled.
"I've been trying to gather the courage to talk to you."
"You have?"
"You're always either reading, studying, or rushing somewhere."
Lily laughed softly.
"I guess I do that a lot."
"I was beginning to think I'd never get the chance."
She looked down, smiling.
Daniel took a small breath.
"I think you're really nice... and I'd like to get to know you better."
Lily's heart skipped.
No one had ever approached her like this before.
She wasn't the kind of girl boys usually noticed.
"I... um..."
"If you're not comfortable, I understand."
He smiled reassuringly.
"But... would it be okay if I had your number?"
Lily stared at him for a moment.
Then, without realizing it, a blush spread across her cheeks.
She quickly looked away, trying to hide her smile.
"I... I guess that's okay."
Daniel's face lit up.
"Really?"
She nodded.
He handed her his phone.
Trying to calm her racing heart, Lily carefully typed in her number before giving it back.
"There."
"Thank you."
His smile was genuine, warm, and kind.
"I promise I won't spam you with messages."
Lily laughed.
"I'll hold you to that."
"I should let you go before I keep you any longer."
"Alright."
"It was really nice meeting you, Lily."
"You too."
Daniel waved before walking away, unable to stop smiling.
Lily stood there for a few seconds, watching him disappear into the crowd.
She touched her warm cheeks and let out a small laugh.
"I can't believe that just happened."
Her phone vibrated.
A new message appeared.
Unknown Number: "Hi, Lily. It's Daniel. Just wanted to make sure you didn't give me the wrong number. 😊"
She couldn't help but smile.
Before she could reply, another message from Ava popped up.
Ava: Where are you? Don't tell me you got lost in the library again!
Lily giggled and began walking toward the cafeteria.
She had no idea that, from the top floor of the administration building across campus, a pair of cold gray eyes had just noticed her laughing with another man.
Damian Knight stood silently by the window.
His expression remained unreadable.
But for the first time in years...
Something unfamiliar stirred within him.
It wasn't curiosity.
It wasn't admiration.
It was something much darker.
And he didn't like it one bit.
- Writer
