Nora's POV:

"Thank you. Do visit again, Nora," Zoe said warmly from behind the counter, flashing me a familiar smile.

I returned it with one of my own.

Zoe was a couple of years older than me—kind, witty, and strong. A single mom working hard to support her kid. Over the past three years, I'd become a regular at this little bakery, and through countless casual chats over the counter and shared complaints about life, we’d grown into something like friends.

Also, I might be slightly addicted to their chocolate pastries. Honestly, they’re divine.

Just as I turned to leave, a loud voice echoed through the bakery.

I turned around and saw Mr. Walter—the hotel manager—shouting at a boy who looked about my age. He had his back to me, slumped slightly in the chair, his posture screaming disinterest. I couldn’t see his face, but the annoyance in Mr. Walter’s voice told me this wasn't going to be a friendly exchange.

Then the boy stood up, turned to face the manager—and I gasped.

Of all people.

It was him.

Ryan Knights. The arrogant, rude, ridiculously good-looking jerk from college.

He stood there coolly, completely unfazed by Mr. Walter’s outburst, his hands shoved in the pockets of his hoodie, as if he couldn’t be less bothered.

I turned to Zoe. “What’s going on?”

She grinned mischievously. “Oh, the hottie? Apparently, he forgot his wallet. Says he’ll come back to pay tomorrow.”

She shrugged as if this sort of thing happened every day.

Without thinking, I said, “I’ll pay for him.”

Zoe raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Hmm. Seems like someone’s got a crush.”

I rolled my eyes. “It’s not like that. He goes to my college. That’s all.”

“Sure,” she teased, but rang up the bill anyway.

I handed her my card, swiped it, and with one last glance toward Ryan—who hadn’t even noticed—I walked out.

The evening air was cool, and my mood lightened. I was already picturing myself curled up in bed, devouring chocolate pastries while watching my favorite K-drama.

Then—

“You shouldn’t have done that.”

I jumped about a foot in the air.

A loud scream tore from my throat before I realized who it was.

Ryan stood beside me, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, the other resting at his side, a smug half-smirk playing on his lips. A few passersby turned to stare, likely drawn by my scream—and his unnervingly calm presence.

I clutched my chest, heart racing. “Are you insane? You nearly killed me with shock!”

He raised an eyebrow. “Did I scare you?”

I shot him a murderous glare. “Of course, you did! You should make your presence known. Unless you want to be responsible for someone dying of a heart attack!”

He chuckled. “Noted.”

I began walking again. “About the payment... I figured you’d do the same if I forgot my wallet.”

“Nope,” he said casually, matching my pace. “Why would I pay for the girl who randomly came up and kissed me?”

I stopped mid-step, eyes wide. “It was a dare!”

“So?”

I had no answer. My mouth opened and closed like a fish, but no words came out. Instead, we walked on in silence, the bustle of the street around us. Strangely, despite his irritating presence, it didn’t feel uncomfortable.

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

“Long time no see, Knights.”

A group of four tall guys stood blocking our path. Their expressions were hostile. Tension radiated from them like a physical force. Though they looked attractive enough, something about them set my instincts on edge.

Ryan’s face hardened.

“I figured we'd meet again,” he muttered, his voice low and cold. “Didn’t think it'd be this soon.”

One of the guys finally noticed me and looked me up and down, his stare lingering too long.

“Your girlfriend’s quite a catch,” he sneered.

“Mind sharing her with us?” another one added with a disgusting grin.

Revulsion crawled under my skin. I instinctively stepped back—but before I could react, Ryan’s hand reached for mine, warm and strong, fingers locking around mine tightly.

There was a spark. I wasn't sure if it was just adrenaline or something else entirely.

Without a word, he pulled me into a run.

We darted through the street, weaving between people, ignoring their confused stares. My lungs burned, and my legs protested, but we didn’t stop. Fear and adrenaline pushed us forward.

My hair had come undone during the run. The bun unravelled, and my long brown hair flowed behind me. We turned sharply—left, then right—and finally ducked behind a parked car in a shadowed alley.

Ryan finally let go of my hand. Oddly enough, I felt a little... disappointed.

I turned to him, teasing, “Didn’t take you for the type to run from a fight.”

I hadn’t realized how close we were. My breath caught.

“I ran... because you were with me,” he said quietly, avoiding my gaze.

I murmured under my breath, “Using me as an excuse.”

“I heard that.”

He looked straight at me then, serious. “I didn’t want you to get hurt because of me.”

My heart did a strange little flip. I quickly looked away.

“I know how to fight, you know.”

He scoffed. “Yeah, sure. You fight girls, maybe.”

“I’m serious.”

“Oh, I believe you,” he said with a dramatic roll of his eyes.

Then, without warning, he reached up and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. My cheeks exploded with heat. I was certain I resembled a tomato.

Before I could say anything, I looked down and remembered the plastic bag in my hand.

My pastries.

I pulled out the box and opened it. Devastation.

Crushed. Flattened. Ruined.

A pitiful groan escaped me.

Ryan laughed. “You can’t be serious. We just outran a group of creeps and this is what makes you cry?”

“Don’t. You. Dare,” I warned, holding up a finger. “Because of you, my babies are dead.”

He chuckled again and—without mercy—took the box and tossed it over his shoulder.

“You monster!” I cried.

A voice interrupted our moment.

“I hope I’m not interrupting something,” said a familiar low voice.

We both froze.

One of the guys had found us. He stepped out of the shadows with a sick grin on his face.

Ryan and I stood slowly. The guy cracked his knuckles like he was ready to finish what he’d started.

I walked up to him with a sweet smile, wrapping my arms around his neck, blinking innocently.

“I want to give you something.”

“NORA!!!” Ryan shouted in shock behind me.

It was the first time he ever said my name. And it sounded... perfect.

But wait—how did he know my name?

The guy grinned. “Yeah? What’s that?”

Without warning, I drove my fist into the side of his head. He crumpled to the ground instantly.

Perks of having a best friend like Harry—he and I (and Sarah) practiced self-defense regularly. Apparently, it paid off.

Ryan stared at me like I had grown three heads. His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. He looked completely dumbfounded.

“Let’s go,” I said confidently, flipping my hair over my shoulder. “Never underestimate a girl. Especially me.”

And with that, I strutted off—leaving Ryan Knights stunned and speechless behind me.