Chapter 9

POV - (Point of View) Aurora Navarro

Today, honestly, is not my day.

I pray for time to pass quickly and for a new day to begin, but there was still a long way to go before the nightmare would end.

I threw the coffee cup that Genevieve handed me out of the blue into a trash can after leaving Tristan's office.

I'm not concerned about the situation between Tristan and me. He can continue following me and researching my life; eventually, he'll get tired and set his sights on another girl.

"Sister!" I called out to Adelaide as I opened the back door of the restaurant leading to the kitchen. All the cooks stopped what they were doing and looked at me. I smiled awkwardly. "Have you seen Adelaide around?"

"Aurora?" Adelaide said. I spotted her in front of a counter. I ran up to her and stopped in front of her. "What are you doing here?"

"Long story. To sum it up, I'm having a terrible day!" I said, teary-eyed, hugging my sister, who quickly pushed me away.

"You're so dramatic."

"My life is a drama."

"And I'm too busy to be a supporting character in your 'drama'," she said, turning me around and pushing me towards the exit.

She stopped pushing me and opened the door, only to come face to face with Kai, the Chinese guy who raised an eyebrow.

"Hello, dear Kai!" I waved, and he rolled his eyes.

"I told you not to call me 'dear'," he said, passing by me and moving away from the two of us.

I looked at my sister. She was watching Kai as he went to grab an apron and put it on. I snapped my fingers near her ear, but she was still in her own "pink world."

"Do you still like him? I thought you were interested in Griffin," I said, and when my sister heard the doctor's name, she turned to me nervously.

"W-What about Griffin?" she stuttered, and I chuckled softly. My sister is in love with two guys!

"I understand, Sister." I put my hand on her shoulder. "Your feelings are confused, especially because it's a tough decision. We're talking about a hot doctor and a handsome cook."

"Aurora! Speak more quietly," she warned, pushing me out until I passed through the door.

"So, is that it? Am I being kicked out of this place?" I asked indignantly. Adelaide forced a smile and closed the kitchen door, leaving me speechless.

***

What a terrible day!

First: I wasted my divine coffee by throwing it on Tristan's car. Second: The persistence and shamelessness of Mr. Arrogant. Third: Adelaide refused to listen to my venting and kicked me out of the restaurant.

It can't get any worse!

I entered the college campus with firm and quick steps. My bad mood was evident, attracting unnecessary attention, but I ignored all of it.

I entered the classroom and sat in the back row, placing my laptop on the desk and turning it on. The bell rang promptly, and the professor entered the room, starting the class.

When I thought it couldn't get any worse, the universe had a trick up its sleeve! I forgot to do the college assignment for today. I had to beg the teacher to let me turn it in tomorrow without fail. Thank heavens she allowed it, but it wouldn't count for the same grade.

Apart from that little argument at the beginning of class, the rest of the hours went by normally. I took some notes on my notebook and then paid more attention to the explanation, putting the device aside.

Towards the end of the class, I couldn't resist and grabbed the device again, but it wasn't to take notes for the class. I opened a tab and searched for "Tristan Callahan."

Seconds later, the result appeared. The information was scarce and useless, things I could extract from him at any time.

Name: Tristan Callahan;

Age: 25 years old;

Place of birth: New York;

President of Callahan's company.

I looked at some pictures of Tristan, mostly wearing a suit, but there was one in particular that I couldn't help but take a good look at. He was shirtless.

Involuntarily, I ran my tongue over my dry lips.

"Miss Navarro," the teacher called out. I quickly raised my head, realizing that everyone in the room was looking at me. "Are you paying attention in class?"

"Yes, ma'am," I smiled awkwardly and closed my notebook.

"Then repeat what I just said."

"Miss Navarro. Are you paying attention in class?" I managed to draw some laughs from the students and a displeased expression from the teacher. "Just kidding, teacher. I promise I'll pay attention," I smiled, pretending to be innocent. The teacher ignored it and continued with her class.

***

After leaving the classroom, I walked calmly towards the library. I need some books for the college assignment and I plan to finish everything today.

I entered the place where few people were present. I walked amidst the huge bookshelves, scanning the covers until I read the name of the book I had been searching for. I stood on tiptoes to reach it, but it was a failed attempt.

I jumped countless times, but I couldn't reach that damn book! I'm not that short; the problem is that the book is in a high spot on the shelf.

"Argh!" I grumbled, stomping my foot on the ground.

Before taking another jump, I saw the strong arm of someone behind me grabbing that cursed book.

"Let go of the book! I saw it first and..." I turned around, ready to argue with that person, but I fell silent when I saw their face so close to mine. My heart beat faster, and I felt my cheeks burn, which is very rare.

"I don't want the book, I'm just helping you," Alex said, extending it to me with a huge smile. That other damn smile!

"T-Thank you!" I took the book and quickly moved away, going to a table. I know you're not supposed to run away from Kim Alexander like that, but I don't like being seen blushing. It's ridiculous and embarrassing.

I sat at an empty table and threw my backpack on it. I opened the book and immediately started reading the first page.

I wasn't interested in that reading to the point of getting distracted by anything around me. I diverted my attention from the book more than three times because I heard footsteps nearby. It was always students who went to sit at a table far from mine, until one of them caught my attention—the same one who helped me earlier and whom I have a platonic crush on.

To my surprise, when he saw me, he smiled beautifully and came towards me.

Did he really make that gesture for me?!

I looked back to make sure it was indeed meant for me. There are a few guys at a table not too far away, but I didn't think Alex signaled them because in seconds, he sat in the chair in front of me with a book in his hands.

"I didn't know you liked this kind of book," Alex commented, observing the book I was reading.

"I don't like it, I'm kind of forced to read it and take notes," I rolled my eyes, making him laugh. That laughter was like music to my ears.

The two of us started reading quietly, not just because it was a library, but the supervisor demanded complete silence, and if you made any noise, you'd get a lecture right away.

In the middle of the book, I decided to take a quick glance at Alex and was surprised to realize that he was already looking at me. How long had he been doing that?

After all, why did he suddenly decide to talk to me out of nowhere?

I hid my face behind the book after feeling my cheeks start to burn again. His laughter was heard once more.

"Quiet!" demanded the supervisor, and we lowered our heads, silencing ourselves. At the same time, we looked at each other again and chuckled softly at the man.

***

Alex and I left the college laughing a little too loudly. We were talking about the library supervisor who didn't stop grumbling and cursing at us for laughing for no reason all the time.

"Can I walk you home?" Alex scratched his head, nervously smiling. He was shy. "I don't want to leave you alone, and we live close to each other. I thought it would be a good idea."

"I would love to have your company," I opened a small smile, and we started walking along the sidewalks.

My day was terribly terrible! But... Alex showed up and turned that "almost worst day ever" into a wonderful day.

***

"Thank you for accompanying me," I say, smiling kindly at the boy who returns the gesture.

"I'll see you tomorrow at college," Alex waves, starting to move away.

"Okay, see you tomorrow," I wave back, watching him head towards his house.

I let out a long sigh with a big smile and entered my building. I looked like one of those teenagers with their first love. I smiled at nothing and was almost skipping wherever I walked.

I entered the elevator and pressed the button for my floor, causing the doors to close. Soon, they opened again, and I walked up to my apartment door.

I was so distracted that I only noticed a particular individual leaning against my door when we stood face to face.

"Who was that guy?" Tristan asked.