The Love We Never Expected

Chapter 2 — Partners in Disaster

Alessandra's POV

There are approximately eight billion people in the world.

Millions of them live in the Philippines.

Thousands attend the University of San Aurelio.

And somehow, out of all those people, the universe decided to pair me with Sebastian freaking Villareal.

Wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful.

"You're being dramatic," Kiara said as we walked toward the university cafeteria.

I turned to her, completely offended.

"Dramatic? Kiara, I spilled coffee on that guy less than two hours ago, and now I'm supposed to work with him for an entire semester!"

She shrugged. "At least he's handsome."

I stopped walking.

"Are you seriously defending him because of his face?"

"Have you seen his face?"

"Unfortunately."

"And?"

"And what?"

She grinned. "He's handsome, isn't he?"

I rolled my eyes and continued walking.

"His personality ruins everything."

Kiara laughed as she followed me.

"You know what they say. The more you hate someone—"

"Finish that sentence, and I'll throw you into the nearest fountain."

She immediately raised both hands.

"Okay, okay! No need to get violent."

I sighed.

I wasn't usually this irritated.

Actually, that was a lie.

I got irritated quite often, especially when I was hungry, tired, or dealing with arrogant people.

And today, I was experiencing all three.

"Anyway," Kiara continued, "did Professor Miranda tell you when your first meeting is?"

"Four this afternoon."

"Where?"

"The Architecture Building."

She suddenly stopped walking.

I glanced at her.

"What now?"

"You're going to the Architecture Building?"

"Yes?"

"Where Sebastian spends most of his time?"

I narrowed my eyes.

"Kiara."

She smiled innocently.

"What?"

"Stop making this sound like the beginning of a romance novel."

"But what if it is?"

I stared at her.

Then I walked away.

"Alessa! Wait!"

I ignored her.

Because if my life really were a romance novel, I would like to request a different male lead.

Preferably someone polite.

Someone kind.

Someone who didn't treat a coffee stain like a national emergency.

Unfortunately, the universe had other plans.

And I was about to discover just how terrible those plans could be.

### 3:45 PM — Architecture Building

I arrived fifteen minutes early.

Because unlike certain people, I actually took my responsibilities seriously.

The Architecture Building was one of the most beautiful places on campus.

Large glass windows covered the front of the building, allowing the afternoon sunlight to illuminate the spacious hallways. Architectural models were displayed behind glass panels, and detailed sketches decorated the walls.

Everything looked expensive.

Even the chairs looked like they had better financial stability than I did.

I checked the message Professor Miranda had sent earlier.

Project Meeting — Room 405, Fourth Floor.

Great.

Fourth floor.

Of course.

After climbing what felt like a thousand stairs, I finally reached the room.

I knocked twice.

No answer.

I slowly opened the door.

And froze.

Because sitting near the window, with one leg casually crossed over the other, was Sebastian Villareal.

He was wearing a plain black shirt with the sleeves slightly rolled up. His dark hair was messy, and he was studying something on his laptop.

He looked annoyingly comfortable.

I considered turning around.

Maybe I could pretend I had entered the wrong room.

Maybe I could transfer universities.

Maybe—

"Are you planning to stand there all afternoon?"

His voice interrupted my thoughts.

I blinked.

He hadn't even looked up.

"Excuse me?"

Sebastian finally lifted his head.

His eyes met mine.

And then—

He smiled.

Not a friendly smile.

Not a welcoming smile.

The kind of smile that immediately told me my afternoon was about to become a nightmare.

"Well, well," he said. "If it isn't Miss Coffee Disaster."

I closed my eyes.

Lord, give me patience.

Because if you give me strength, I might throw something.

"My name is Alessandra."

"I know."

"Then use it."

He leaned back in his chair.

"Would you prefer Coffee Girl?"

I stared at him.

"Would you prefer Stained Jacket?"

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then he laughed.

A real laugh.

It caught me off guard.

His expression changed completely when he laughed. The cold, intimidating look disappeared, replaced by something unexpectedly warm.

I hated that I noticed.

"You're always this difficult?" he asked.

"Only around difficult people."

"Interesting."

"Annoying."

"You're welcome."

I took a deep breath and walked toward the table.

There were several empty chairs.

Naturally, I chose the one farthest from him.

Sebastian watched me.

"Am I contagious?"

"No. Just irritating."

"That's unfortunate."

"Tragic, really."

He shook his head, still looking amused.

I placed my notebook on the table and opened my pen case.

"Can we please act professionally? We're here for a university project."

"Of course."

"Good."

"Although..."

I slowly looked up.

"What?"

His eyes flickered toward the iced coffee beside my notebook.

"Should I be worried about that?"

I followed his gaze.

Then looked back at him.

"Oh, grow up."

He laughed again.

And somehow, that irritated me even more.

Ten minutes later, the other project members arrived.

There were six of us in total.

Three students from the Education Department and three from Architecture.

Aside from Sebastian and me, the group included Ethan Ramirez, a friendly architecture student named Daniel Reyes, and two education students named Sofia Lim and Camille Torres.

Ethan immediately recognized me.

"Hey! Coffee Girl!"

I groaned.

"Not you too."

He laughed and pulled out a chair.

"Sorry. I couldn't help it. You made my morning."

"Glad my suffering entertained you."

"Very much."

Sebastian glanced at him.

"Ethan."

"What?"

"Sit down."

Ethan grinned.

"Yes, boss."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Does everyone here follow his orders?"

Ethan leaned closer.

"Pretty much."

"How unfortunate."

"I heard that," Sebastian said.

"Good. I wasn't whispering."

Daniel chuckled.

"This project is going to be interesting."

I sighed.

Interesting wasn't the word I would use.

Exhausting?

Definitely.

A disaster waiting to happen?

Absolutely.

Sebastian stood and connected his laptop to the projector.

The screen displayed the project title.

PROJECT LIWANAG: Creating Better Learning Spaces for Children

I straightened in my seat.

Okay.

This was actually interesting.

"Our university has partnered with a small public elementary school outside the city," Sebastian began.

His voice was calm and confident.

"We'll be designing and improving a reading corner and a multipurpose learning area for the students."

He clicked to the next slide.

Photographs of a small classroom appeared.

The walls were faded, the shelves were old, and the reading corner consisted of a few plastic chairs and a small table.

My heart softened.

Sebastian continued.

"The Architecture Department will handle the design, layout, and materials. The Education Department will identify what the children need and recommend learning activities."

I raised my hand.

Sebastian looked at me.

"Yes, Alessandra?"

"Have we already assessed the students' learning needs?"

"Not yet."

"Then shouldn't that be our first step?"

He paused.

I continued.

"We can't design a learning space without knowing who will use it. We need to consider the children's ages, reading levels, interests, and learning difficulties."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Sebastian studied me.

I waited for some sarcastic response.

Instead, he nodded.

"That's a good point."

I blinked.

Wait.

What?

He clicked something on his laptop.

"We'll schedule an observation visit before finalizing the design."

I stared at him.

He looked back.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Surprised?"

"About what?"

"That I can agree with you?"

I crossed my arms.

"A little."

His lips curved.

"Don't get used to it."

And just like that, the annoying Sebastian was back.

### 5:10 PM — After the Meeting

The meeting ended later than expected.

Everyone began gathering their things while Sebastian assigned our individual responsibilities.

"Sofia and Camille, you'll work on the student activity proposals."

They nodded.

"Daniel and Ethan, handle the initial measurements and materials research."

"Got it," Daniel replied.

Then Sebastian looked at me.

"Alessandra, you'll work with me on the main project proposal."

I froze.

"I'm sorry?"

"The main proposal."

"I heard that."

"Then why are you asking?"

I took a deep breath.

"Why do I have to work with you?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Because you're representing the Education Department, and I'm leading the design team."

"Can't I work with Daniel instead?"

Daniel immediately looked up.

"Hey, don't involve me."

Ethan started laughing.

Sebastian crossed his arms.

"Do you have a problem working with me?"

Yes.

A very big problem.

A walking, talking, sarcastic problem.

But I couldn't exactly say that in front of everyone.

So I forced a smile.

"Of course not."

Sebastian smiled back.

"Excellent."

I wanted to scream.

"Let's meet tomorrow at five," he continued.

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"I have work."

His expression changed slightly.

"Work?"

"At a café."

Ethan suddenly looked interested.

"Wait. You work at a café?"

"Yes."

He grinned.

"That's ironic."

I pointed at him.

"Don't."

He raised his hands.

"Didn't say anything."

Sebastian glanced at his phone.

"What time does your shift end?"

"Eight."

"Then we'll meet at eight-thirty."

I stared at him.

"Excuse me?"

"Eight-thirty."

"At night?"

"No, Alessandra. Eight-thirty in the morning of yesterday."

Ethan nearly choked laughing.

I glared at Sebastian.

"You're not funny."

"Wasn't trying to be."

I grabbed my bag.

"Fine. Where?"

"Moonlight Café."

I stopped.

Slowly, I turned around.

"How do you know about Moonlight Café?"

He shrugged.

"I've been there."

"That's where I work."

"I know."

My eyes narrowed.

"How?"

He picked up his laptop.

"Small city."

Something about his answer bothered me.

But before I could question him further, he walked toward the door.

"See you tomorrow, Coffee Girl."

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"

He didn't turn around.

But I could have sworn he was smiling.

### 6:30 PM — Moonlight Café

"Alessa, table five needs their order!"

"Coming!"

I grabbed the tray and carefully carried two cups of hot chocolate toward the table.

Moonlight Café was my favorite place in Baguio.

It wasn't particularly big or fancy, but it had warm yellow lights, wooden furniture, bookshelves, and large windows overlooking the street.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee always made me feel at home.

I had been working there for almost a year.

The owner, Mrs. Elena Santos, was a kind woman in her fifties who treated her employees like family.

"Are you okay, dear?" she asked when I returned to the counter.

I smiled.

"Just tired, Ma'am."

"Long day?"

"You have no idea."

She chuckled.

"Well, take a short break after serving the next customer."

"Thank you."

The bell above the café door suddenly rang.

I looked up.

And nearly dropped the tray.

No.

Absolutely not.

Standing near the entrance was Sebastian Villareal.

Again.

He was wearing a dark jacket, with one hand in his pocket and his phone in the other.

He glanced around the café.

Then his eyes found mine.

And that irritating smile appeared.

I stared at the ceiling.

Why me?

He approached the counter.

"Good evening."

I forced the most professional smile I could manage.

"Welcome to Moonlight Café. What would you like to order?"

He examined the menu.

"Hmm."

I waited.

He continued studying the menu.

I waited some more.

Finally, he looked at me.

"What do you recommend?"

"Water."

He blinked.

Then laughed.

"Water?"

"Yes. It's refreshing, affordable, and impossible to spill coffee on someone with."

He leaned against the counter.

"Still upset about this morning?"

"Still talking about it?"

He smiled.

"You're entertaining."

"And you're holding up the line."

He glanced behind him.

There was no one there.

He looked back at me.

"What line?"

I closed my eyes.

I was going to lose my job because of this man.

"Just order something, Sebastian."

His expression shifted.

For some reason, hearing me say his name seemed to surprise him.

Then he smiled again.

"One iced caramel macchiato."

I typed the order.

"Anything else?"

"Yes."

I looked up.

"What?"

"Your name."

I stared at him.

"You already know my name."

"I know."

"Then why are you asking?"

He pointed at my name tag.

"Just checking if they spelled it correctly."

I looked down.

ALESSANDRA

I looked back at him.

"You're unbelievable."

"So I've been told."

"That'll be one hundred and sixty pesos."

He handed me his payment.

Our fingers accidentally brushed.

It lasted less than a second.

Nothing special.

Nothing important.

Yet I immediately pulled my hand away.

Sebastian noticed.

Of course he did.

But for once, he didn't say anything.

Twenty minutes later, the café had become quieter.

Most customers had already left, and I was wiping the tables near the windows.

Sebastian was still there.

Sitting alone.

His laptop was open, but he wasn't typing.

Instead, he was staring at his phone.

I wasn't planning to look.

Really.

But when I passed his table, I noticed something unusual.

His expression was completely different.

No teasing smile.

No arrogance.

No sarcastic remarks.

Just a tired, distant look.

His phone rang.

He stared at the screen for several seconds before answering.

"What?"

His voice was cold.

I continued wiping the nearby table.

I wasn't eavesdropping.

I was working.

There was a difference.

"I already told you," he said quietly. "I'm not going."

A pause.

His jaw tightened.

"Then stop pretending you care."

Another pause.

"Do whatever you want."

He ended the call.

For a moment, he didn't move.

He simply stared at the dark screen.

I looked away.

Something about seeing him like that made me uncomfortable.

Not because I was afraid of him.

But because, for the first time, he looked...

Lonely.

I hesitated.

Then walked toward his table.

"Would you like anything else?"

He looked up.

The cold expression disappeared almost instantly.

"Why? Planning to spill another drink on me?"

There he was.

The annoying Sebastian Villareal.

I rolled my eyes.

"Forget I asked."

I turned to leave.

"Alessandra."

I stopped.

"What?"

He looked at me for a moment.

Then glanced at the empty chair across from him.

"Are you always this busy?"

I frowned.

"Usually."

"Doesn't it get exhausting?"

I blinked.

That wasn't the question I expected.

"Sometimes."

"Then why do you do it?"

I looked down at the cleaning cloth in my hand.

"Because some things are worth getting tired for."

He remained silent.

I continued.

"My education. My family. My future."

Something softened in his expression.

"That's a good answer."

I shrugged.

"It's the truth."

He nodded slowly.

Then, unexpectedly, he said, "You're different."

I raised an eyebrow.

"From what?"

"Most people I know."

I laughed.

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Maybe."

"Well, you need to work on your compliments."

His lips curved.

"I'll keep that in mind."

I started walking away.

Then he spoke again.

"Alessa."

I froze.

Not Alessandra.

Not Coffee Girl.

Alessa.

The way he said it sounded strangely natural.

I turned around.

"What?"

He held my gaze.

"Don't overwork yourself."

For a second, I didn't know what to say.

Then I frowned.

"Are you feeling okay?"

He laughed.

"Goodnight, Alessa."

I shook my head and returned to the counter.

Weird.

He was so weird.

And yet...

I found myself smiling.

Just a little.

### 8:15 PM — Outside Moonlight Café

My shift ended fifteen minutes later than usual.

The evening air was cold, and the streets were quieter than they had been earlier.

I pulled my cardigan closer around myself.

"Finally," I whispered.

I checked my phone.

Three messages from Kiara.

Kiara: Are you alive?

Kiara: Did Sebastian annoy you again?

Kiara: HELLO??? DON'T TELL ME YOU FELL IN LOVE ALREADY.

I laughed.

Ridiculous.

I quickly typed a reply.

Me: I'm alive. And no, I did not fall in love with anyone.

Before I could send another message, I heard a familiar voice.

"Talking about me?"

I nearly jumped.

Sebastian was standing a few feet away, holding his car keys.

I placed a hand over my chest.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!"

He raised an eyebrow.

"You're easily startled."

"And you're easily annoying."

He smiled.

"Where are you going?"

"Home."

"Alone?"

I frowned.

"Yes?"

He glanced toward the street.

"It's getting late."

"It's eight-fifteen."

"Exactly."

I crossed my arms.

"Sebastian, I've been going home by myself long before you decided to enter my life and ruin my peace."

He laughed softly.

"Fair enough."

I started walking.

"Goodnight."

"Alessa."

I stopped again.

Seriously.

Did this guy enjoy making me turn around?

"What now?"

He held up a small paper bag.

"You forgot something."

I looked at it.

"What's that?"

"Food."

I blinked.

"Food?"

"Very good. You know your vocabulary."

I glared at him.

He smiled and handed me the bag.

Inside was a sandwich and a small chocolate muffin.

I stared at them.

"Why are you giving me this?"

He shrugged.

"You didn't eat during your break."

My eyes widened.

"How do you know?"

"I was sitting near the counter."

"So?"

"So I noticed."

I didn't know what to say.

For once, Sebastian Villareal had managed to silence me.

I looked down at the bag.

"I can't accept this."

"Why not?"

"Because I didn't ask for it."

"I know."

"Then—"

"Alessa."

I looked up.

His expression was unusually serious.

"It's just food."

I hesitated.

Then slowly accepted the bag.

"Thank you," I whispered.

He nodded.

"You're welcome."

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

The cold breeze moved through the street.

Somewhere nearby, a car passed.

Then Sebastian stepped back.

"Get home safely."

I nodded.

"You too."

He smiled.

And this time, it wasn't sarcastic.

It was small.

Genuine.

Almost gentle.

I turned around and started walking.

But after a few steps, I stopped.

"Sebastian!"

He looked back.

"What?"

I held up the paper bag.

"Does this mean you're finally forgiving me for the coffee?"

He laughed.

"Not even close."

I groaned.

"You're impossible!"

"See you tomorrow, Coffee Girl!"

I shook my head and continued walking.

But this time...

I was smiling.

And that was the problem.

Because somewhere between the sarcastic comments, the unexpected kindness, and the way he said my name...

I had started to wonder whether Sebastian Villareal was really as terrible as I thought.

I immediately pushed the thought away.

No.

Absolutely not.

He was still arrogant.

Still irritating.

Still the last person I would ever fall for.

At least...

That was what I kept telling myself.

### Sebastian's POV

I watched Alessandra disappear around the corner.

Ethan's voice suddenly came through my phone.

"Dude, where are you? We've been waiting for you."

I leaned against my car.

"Something came up."

"Something? Or someone?"

I sighed.

"Ethan."

He laughed.

"Don't tell me you're still with Coffee Girl."

I glanced toward the street where she'd disappeared.

"No."

There was a pause.

Then Ethan spoke again.

"Sebastian, you've never stayed at a café for almost two hours just to drink one coffee."

I remained silent.

"And you definitely don't buy food for random girls."

"She isn't a random girl."

The words left my mouth before I could stop them.

Silence.

Then—

"Oh."

I closed my eyes.

"Ethan, don't."

"Oh, this is interesting."

"Shut up."

"You're interested in her."

"I'm hanging up."

"Wait! Does she know about—"

I ended the call.

My smile faded.

For a moment, I stared at my phone.

Then another message appeared.

Dad: We need to talk about the arrangement. You cannot avoid this forever.

I clenched my jaw.

Not tonight.

I wasn't dealing with that tonight.

Instead, I opened the university project folder.

Alessandra's name appeared beside mine.

Project Leaders: Sebastian Villareal and Alessandra Monteverde.

I stared at the screen.

Then smiled faintly.

"Well, Miss Monteverde," I murmured, "this semester just got interesting."

But what I didn't know then was that getting close to Alessandra would become the one thing I couldn't afford.

Because my family had already made plans for my future.

And those plans didn't include her.

End of Chapter 2.