Her heart started racing before she even realized it.

She was staring hard-completely lost in him.

God really took His time with this one.

She licked her lips, eyes drifting from the sharp lines of his jaw to the soft curve of his mouth.

Those lips kissing her right now... 

How would it be?

Her cheeks went hot instantly.

And then she caught it again. That damn lollipop tattoo on his neck.

She gulped.

What if her mouth was there instead... leaving a hickey so glaring he couldn't hide it?

Oh, f*çking hell.

His stupid hotness was the exact reason she fell for him at first sight.

Sure, she was still pissed about her ruined phone. But if she peeled back that anger, what she really wanted was for him to be hers.

Now that he's her coach, they'd be spending time together.

Her lips curled into a smirk.

Nyssa, you're about to get yourself a boyfriend.

She giggled inwardly but frowned right after.

Why won't he just look at her?

She cleared her throat and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Since you're my coach, can we start the training now?" she asked, polite but expectant.

Silence.

She raised a brow, about to speak again-

When the door creaked open behind her.

She turned.

A tall, brown-skinned guy walked in.

Handsome enough to make her blink.

His hair was either in braids or dreads. It's hard to tell.

Their eyes met.

He gave her a small, easy smile.

She returned it before he looked away, walking towards the treadmill beside hers.

Her attention shifted back to Tavian, who was still busy with pull-ups like she didn't exist. She sighed and turned to the buttons on the treadmill. Her fingers hovered uncertainly.

Which one am I supposed to press? She thought.

The brown skinned guy was now on the treadmill, turning to Nyssa, observing her.

"You don't know how to use it?" he asked, voice deep and calm.

She glanced at him, sheepish.

"I'm new. Not my first time in a gym, but I've never really worked out"

He mouthed an "oh"

"I was told I'd have a coach but..."

Her eyes slid toward Tavian.

"He won't talk to me" she pouted.

The guy blinked, confused.

"Coach? He's not a coach here. I am. There are three of us. One's coming soon, and the other's out of town"

Nyssa choked on air and started coughing.

Was she hearing that correctly??

"Whoa, you good?" He stepped off his treadmill and moved closer, climbing onto hers carefully.

"You okay?" he asked again, brows drawn together in concern.

"I think so" she said between coughs, trying to breathe normally.

Tavian dropped down from the pull-up bar. He picked up his towel and phone from the floor, then wiped the sweat off his face and neck.

The guy turned and noticed a water bottle on the floor in front of Tavian

"Hey, man. Mind if we borrow your water?" he asked casually.

Nyssa turned her head to Tavian.

He didn't answer.

He slung the towel around his neck, picked up the bottle, and walked toward the exit without once looking back.

The guy blinked. 

"What was that?" He muttered.

Nyssa stared at Tavian's retreating back, jaw tight.

Okay, sure-she might be falling.

But let's not ignore the fact that he's cold and has zero empathy 

She clenched her jaw.

Orchid House - Zara's Room.

Zara stood on the balcony, her eyes wide as she stared at her phone screen.

"He followed me back?" she whispered, stunned.

A small smile formed on her lips as she lowered the phone.

Behind her, a soft meow broke the silence. She turned to see a ginger-furred kitten padding toward her.

Her face lit up instantly. She took a few steps closer and crouched down, running her fingers through its soft fur.

"Ohayou," she greeted gently in Japanese.

Translation: Good morning.

The kitten swished its tail, adorable as ever.

"Kawaii," she giggled.

Translation: Cute.

Scooping the kitten into her arms, she rose to her feet and stepped back inside her room, heading straight for the door.

Just as she gripped the knob, twisted, and pulled it open-

She flinched, jerking back.

"What the hell?!"

Standing right outside was Sun.

Hair disheveled, dark circles under her eyes and last night's party dress still clinging to her body. She looked like a hot mess...literally.

"My head's banging" Sun muttered, not even making eye contact.

Zara hugged the kitten closer. "And that's my problem because...?"

"Headache. I have a headache," Sun repeated, pressing a hand to her temple.

Zara sighed and moved to squeeze past her, letting her shoulder bump Sun's just enough to make her stumble.

She stepped into the hallway.

Sun followed instantly.

Then dramatically-Sun dropped to her knees, blocking Zara's path.

Zara stared down at her, blinking slowly. 

"What are you doing?" she asked.

Sun wrapped her arms around Zara's legs, resting her chin on them. Her pout was full-on theater.

"I swear, I can't feel my head" she groaned, her lashes trembling.

"Let go" Zara said sharply.

"Onegai!" Sun whined.

Zara raised a brow. "When did you even learn that word?"

"Don't ask. Just please make me hangover soup," Sun pleaded. 

"I'll even give you all the money Dad sends me this week" she added.

Zara narrowed her eyes. 

"Seriously?" She muttered.

"Largest yes, I swear "Sun said, looking up with big eyes.

Zara let out a dramatic sigh. Sun slowly grinned.

A few hours later, Nyssa stepped out of the gym building, the brown-skinned guy from earlier walking in step with her.

He had a black hoodie on, backpack slung over one shoulder.

They walked side by side along the sidewalk.

He glanced at her. She glanced at him.

Their eyes met and both let out quiet chuckles.

"I ain't even gon' lie, your eyes fine as hell" he said smoothly.

Her cheeks heated instantly. God, he's sweet.

"Thanks, Asel" she said shyly.

He raised a brow. 

"Ain't no way you forgot my name that fast?"

"C'mon, I said it right!" she teased, eyes on him.

"It's Ansel" he corrected, smirking.

"Oh. Forgot the 'n'"she said, laughing lightly.

He smiled.

So pretty, he thought.

"Didn't forget a single letter in yours. Nyssa, right? N-Y-S-S-A?"

She nodded, eyes still fixed on him.

"See? I got it right" He raised one brow sexily.

Nyssa gulped.

Shit... that was hot.

"Can I have your phone?" he asked, looking ahead.

"Left it at home. Why?"

"Hmm. Never mind. You on IG?"

"Yeah. Username's Nysserly"

"Spelling?" he asked, glancing at her again.

She smirked and shook her head. 

"Find out yourself" she winked.

"Oh" he chuckled.

She looked forward.

They had already reached her house.

She stopped walking. So did he.

"Welp, I'm gonna say bye here" she said, and jogged toward the building without waiting for a reply.

Ansel watched her go, then called out, 

"Yo...this where you live?"

"Find out, Asel!" She shouted back without turning.

"Fuck-it's Ansel" he muttered under his breath.

But she already went in.

He stood still for a moment, then smiled to himself. His eyes drifted to the carved stone in front of the building.

"Orchid House" he read aloud.

𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝐴𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑙

Later That Day

The entrance door of Orchid house creaked open.

Nyssa stepped out, dressed in a light purple sleeveless dress that flared around her knees. The neckline dipped low, proudly showing off her cleavage-just one of her unapologetic habits.

Her dark curls hair wasn't styled or pinned. It flowed freely down her shoulders, swaying with every step. Her phone was in her hand, but for once, she wasn't glued to it.

She was heading to the local library nearby...one that might just have the coding books she was dying to find. Books on ethical hacking, cybersecurity frameworks, white-hat skills-the real stuff she needed as a cybersecurity student who took her grind seriously.

She walked steadily down the sidewalk, eyes focused ahead.

She heard a familiar sound behind her.

Turning, she saw a sleek black motorbike speeding up the road.

Her eyes met the rider's and her throat went dry.

A mask covered most of his face ...but those eyes?

Unforgettable.

They locked eyes for a moment, and she swore she felt goosebumps.

Then the bike zipped past her.

It wasn't dangerously close, but just near enough to make her heart jolt.

She bit her lip, still staring at the bike fading in the distance.

This weird guy just loves messing with her.

Now ,why does she suddenly want to know everything about him... even the things she's better off not knowing?

A smirk suddenly formed on her lips.

Just then, a taxi sped by. Her eyes went wide.

Shit. That can't leave.

"Taxi!!" she screamed, bolting after it.

"Taxiii"

The car came to a stop.

A minute later, she reached it breathlessly, without wasting time, she yanked the door open, and slid inside.

The Korean young handsome driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror. 

"Where to, miss?" He said in an American accent.

"Oppa, just drive! Follow the bike ahead " she said in a rush, eyes locked forward.

But the bike was already gone.

Of course it was. This wasn't some slow-mo Indian movie.

She hissed.

The driver looked ahead, confused. "I don't see anything..."

"Just go straight. Fast-pali!" she ordered, her chest heaving.

With a quick nod, he stepped on the gas. The engine roared.

_____________

An hour later, Inside the dimly lit VIP section of a nearby clubhouse, the music thumped low and wild. 

About fifteen people were there-some sitting , chatting in small groups, others dancing under the flashing lights. 

In a quiet corner, Tavian sat by himself.

His mask was off now. His smooth, handsome, and sharp face was finally out in the open. He wore a loose dark blue top and black pants.

Headphones rested snugly over his ears, but he wasn't nodding to music.

His eyes were locked on the screen in front of him.

A laptop rested on his lap, lines of code racing across the screen. His fingers moved fast, tapping the keys like he didn't even need to think. He barely blinked, looking so focused.

Across the room, in a different corner, Nyssa sat, drinks on the table in front of her.

She wasn't dancing. She was doing nothing.

Her eyes were only fixed on him.