ed closer. The pull surged violently. "Wait," he said, reaching out instinctively, not to grab, but to stop her from leaving. Aria froze when she felt his presence too close, her heart stuttering for reasons she refused to understand. She tried to step back, but the air between them felt charged, heavy. Kael met her gaze, his eyes darkening. For a brief moment, he forgot where he was... who he was supposed to be. "Don't you feel it?" he asked quietly, his voice low. "This connection. Whatever this is between us, it's not normal. We're fated"...... That was when she snapped out of it. Aria shoved him away with both hands, her eyes blazing. "Fated to be together?" she scoffed. "What, do you think this is some kind of werewolf supernatural fantasy?" She pointed at him angrily. "Listen carefully. Leave me alone, or I will report you to the school authorities. I'm not interested in your delusions." Without waiting for a response, she stormed out of the office, the door slamming shut behind her. Kael stood there in silence. He dragged a hand down his face and exhaled slowly. "First day," he muttered, "and I already messed it up." Yet despite himself, a slow smile curved his lips. Annoying. Hot-headed. Sharp-tongued. ...Cute. Lunch Break The canteen buzzed with noise, laughter, clattering trays, overlapping conversations but Aria barely noticed any of it. She stabbed her fork into her food with unnecessary force. "Such a delusional man," she snapped. "I still can't believe he said he wanted us to be friends." Lili, seated across from her, raised a brow as she sipped her drink. "Well," she said slowly, "maybe he likes you." Aria scoffed. "Likes me? Please. Men like him don't like people. They chase." Lili leaned forward, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "I mean... think about it. He went through all that effort to call you into his office. That's not normal." "Or it's creepy," Aria shot back, chewing angrily. "Either way, not my problem." Lili hesitated, then added, "I tried searching him online. Nothing. No social media, no articles, no background. It's like he doesn't exist." Aria paused for half a second, then shrugged. "Rich mogu