Chapter 3
1019 Words
For a few seconds, Sophia couldn't move.
She simply stared at the orange stain spreading across Ethan Lockwood's perfectly clean white shirt.
The cafeteria, which had been filled with laughter and conversations just moments ago, suddenly became completely silent.
Everyone was watching.
Some students looked shocked.
Others looked excited, as though they were witnessing the beginning of a dramatic scene.
Sophia's heart beat faster.
Of all the people in the entire university...
Why did it have to be him?
Ethan slowly looked down at his shirt.
His expression didn't change.
Somehow, that made it even worse.
Sophia immediately grabbed some tissues from the table.
"I am so sorry."
She stepped forward.
"It was an accident. Let me help you clean it."
Before she could touch his shirt, Ethan stepped back slightly.
His cold brown eyes met hers.
"Don't."
His voice was quiet, but the warning in it was clear.
Sophia stopped.
She slowly lowered the tissues.
"I said I was sorry."
Ethan looked at her for a moment.
There was no anger on his face.
No embarrassment.
Just that unreadable expression everyone knew him for.
"Do you always walk around without paying attention?"
The words immediately irritated her.
Sophia blinked.
"I'm sorry?"
"You heard me."
A few students around them exchanged glances.
Everyone knew Ethan Lockwood wasn't someone who tolerated mistakes.
But Sophia Clark wasn't someone who stayed quiet either.
"I already apologized."
"And that changes what happened?"
Sophia stared at him.
"I didn't spill it on purpose."
"I didn't say you did."
"Then why are you talking to me like I committed a crime?"
The cafeteria became even quieter.
Lily, who had just returned, froze when she saw the scene.
"Oh no..."
She knew that expression on Sophia's face.
Sophia was irritated.
And when Sophia was irritated, she forgot who she was talking to.
Ethan looked at her calmly.
"You should be more careful."
Sophia crossed her arms.
"And maybe you should learn how to accept an apology."
A few people gasped.
Nobody spoke to Ethan Lockwood like that.
Nobody.
Ryan, who was still sitting nearby, looked between them with interest.
It was the first time he had seen someone challenge Ethan without fear.
Ethan stared at Sophia.
Most people avoided his gaze.
But she didn't.
She stood there confidently, her hazel eyes filled with annoyance rather than fear.
For some reason, that surprised him.
"You have a lot to say," Ethan said.
Sophia smiled slightly.
"And you have a lot of attitude."
Lily quickly walked over.
"Sophia."
Her voice was a warning.
But Sophia ignored her.
"I apologized. I didn't mean to spill the drink on you, but I won't stand here and let you talk to me like I'm some criminal."
Ethan looked at her silently.
Then he glanced at the orange stain on his shirt again.
"This shirt costs more than your entire lunch."
Sophia's eyebrows lifted.
There it was.
The arrogance.
She let out a small laugh.
"Of course."
"What?"
"You had to mention money."
Ethan frowned slightly.
Sophia picked up her tray.
"You know, Ethan Lockwood, being rich doesn't mean everyone has to bow down to you."
The students around them fell silent.
Lily looked as though she wanted to disappear.
Ethan's expression remained calm, but something changed in his eyes.
Interest.
Just for a second.
Most people either admired him or feared him.
Sophia Clark did neither.
She was annoyed.
Actually annoyed.
And somehow, that was more surprising than the drink itself.
"Let's go," Sophia told Lily.
Lily quickly followed her.
As they walked away, Sophia could feel everyone's eyes following them.
The moment they were far enough, Lily grabbed her arm.
"Are you crazy?"
Sophia looked at her.
"What?"
"You just argued with Ethan Lockwood."
"I apologized."
"That wasn't the problem."
"Then what was?"
"You challenged him."
Sophia rolled her eyes.
"Someone needed to."
"Sophia..."
"What?"
"Do you know how many people would do anything just to have a conversation with him?"
"Then they can have him."
Lily sighed.
"You really don't like him."
"No."
Sophia looked back briefly.
Ethan was still standing where she had left him.
Surrounded by people.
Yet somehow completely alone.
She quickly looked away.
"I don't understand why everyone acts like he's perfect."
Lily smiled.
"You know, sometimes I think you're the only person in this university who isn't impressed by him."
"Good."
They continued walking toward their next lecture.
Neither of them noticed that, behind them, Ethan was still watching.
Ryan walked over to him with an amused expression.
"Interesting."
Ethan looked away.
"What?"
Ryan smiled.
"Nothing."
"Say it."
"You finally met someone who doesn't care about your last name."
Ethan's expression remained blank.
"She's just reckless."
"Reckless?"
"She argues too much."
Ryan laughed.
"Most people are too afraid to even look at you."
"That's their choice."
"But she isn't."
Ethan didn't answer.
His eyes drifted toward the direction Sophia had disappeared.
For the first time in a long while...
Someone had spoken to him without wanting anything.
No hidden intentions.
No fake smiles.
No attempts to impress him.
Just honesty.
And Ethan wasn't sure whether that annoyed him...
Or interested him.
---
The rest of the day passed normally.
Sophia tried to forget what had happened in the cafeteria, but every time she remembered Ethan's expression, she became irritated all over again.
"He's unbelievable," she muttered as she packed her books.
Lily looked at her.
"You've mentioned him five times today."
"Because he deserves it."
"Or because you can't stop thinking about him?"
Sophia immediately looked at her.
"Don't start."
Lily laughed.
"I'm just saying."
"You're wrong."
"Sure."
Sophia rolled her eyes.
She didn't understand why everyone found Ethan fascinating.
To her, he was simply a rude, arrogant man who thought money could solve everything.
And she had no intention of ever getting close to him.
Little did she know...
That one day, the same person she disliked so much would become the person she couldn't imagine living without.
But for now...
They were nothing more than two people who couldn't stand each other.
And their story had only just begun.
To be continued…
- Writer
