Chapter 8

Drasa’s POV 

I thought I was weird, but fuck, he’s a weirdo. I straightened my body from his head, glaring at his handsome face.

Oh no! His smiling face.

“Thanks for helping me, but I’m not interested in staying close to you,” that’s all I said before turning to walk away.

I wanted to run, but my legs felt weak, and my heart still beat faster from the encounter. How could I feel so loose just by resting on his chest?

But for real, I had never felt so peaceful in my life. Resting on his chest brought some strange relief to my body, and his cologne had done the perfect job, serving my nostrils the best defense ever.

I thought he’d follow me, but I turned to see him still standing in the same spot, his eyes following every one of my moves.

I felt so uncomfortable with that gaze, like he was daring me to take another step.

Without a second thought, I fastened my step the way I could, heading to my hostel.

I got inside my hostel, banging the door closed like he might run after me.

I let out a soft breath, pushing myself toward the bed, and I fell down on it heavily. My body felt heavy, and I tried to close my eyes, but his face kept flashing across my mind, the smirk on his lips, the smile, how he spoke so softly but still carried a weight of command. Everything kept replaying, and I cursed inwardly, forcing myself up from the bed.

I thought of a way to distract myself, but nothing came up. I checked my wristwatch, but it was just past 12, and my next lecture was around 2.

I dropped my bag nearby, pulling out everything inside it.

My plan was to go through some notes, but what I saw made my eyes widen.

A car key? What the heck? I picked it up, my hand shaking. Even though I tried remembering how the key got into my bag, nothing came up.

Who the heck put this in my bag?

Wait… could it be Elara?

I stared at the key again. Maybe it was just to implicate me or something?

But I’m not sure. She and her errand girls didn’t come near my bag—just when they kicked it away.

But how come?

Wait!

I jumped on the bed, my eyes staring at the key as the pieces started forming.

Can this… be Cassian?

The name echoed in my head, and I was shocked when a loud noise erupted from my door, jerking me to the other side of the room.

Who the heck!?

I walked to the door, hoping for the worst, but when I opened it, I was shocked to see a girl standing there. She was my age, with black short hair, her face held a tight smile. I traced her hand down to see she was holding a luggage.

“How can I help you?” I raised an eyebrow.

“You can’t help me with anything. I’m just your roommate,” she replied, pushing the door wide open and stepping in.

I swallowed hard before nodding awkwardly.

I watched her scan the room, then nod.

“You seem neat, anyway. Nice having you as my roommate.” She walked to the other side of the room where another bed stood.

I couldn’t even dwell much on it because of what was on my mind.

I mean… I don’t even know.

I strode to sit down on the bed, holding the key and staring at it like this was my first time seeing a car key.

“Wait…” my new roommate’s voice trailed off. I raised my head to see her staring at the key in my hand.

She quickly picked up her bag and brought out her phone, walking closer while staring at the screen.

I wondered what she was up to.

“This looks alike… or am I seeing things?”

She stretched her phone forward, and my eyes glued to the screen to see Cassian.

He was standing beside a blue car, his eyes off to the side, and he was holding a car key, just like the one I was holding.

I wasn’t mesmerized by the whole thing, just his face. He looked so innocent, and if I hadn’t seen him before, I’d almost pick him as a goddess.

“Why are you staring so much? Is that not Cassian’s key?”

Her voice jolted me back, and I flung up from the bed.

She must have been a great Cassian fan to use him as her wallpaper.

“I’m not sure.” I stood up and darted out of the room, my legs moving fast, even though I could hear her screaming inside.

How did his key end up in my bag?

I looked around like I’d see him if I stared long enough, but all I saw were dozens of unfamiliar faces.

What the heck was he trying to do—putting his key in my bag? Is he serious right now?

I stared at the key again in my hand with a scoff.

For real, if he wanted me to be thinking about him, then he just succeeded.

“Hey!” I heard a voice behind my back, and I turned to see a familiar face.

If I wasn’t mistaken, he was the one with Cassian in the morning?

He smiled at me, then walked closer. “Kai.” He tapped his chest, and I nodded.

“Drasa,” I replied simply.

We stayed silent for a while. I didn’t really know what to say or how to start communicating. All I wanted from him was to help return the key.

“Can you… please help in giving this back to your friend?” I said, stretching the key forward. I watched him stare at the key, then he raised an eyebrow, followed by a soft smile.

“I’m sorry, but I have somewhere to go. But I can help you with the direction of where you can find Cassian,” he explained, and my eyes widened.

“What? Find?” I asked in disbelief.

“Yeah. I’m sure he’d be looking for you too. The key… he has somewhere to go,” he explained.

“So I should take the key to him?” I questioned, and he nodded.

I don’t know when a sudden laugh fell from my lips.

“You can’t be serious, are you?”

“Of course I am.”

I stopped smiling and gave him a serious face. I could see the shift in his eyes. “I mean, he was the one who dropped the key into my bag, and now I have to look for him to give it back? Is that what you mean?!” My voice fell out in a sharp tone.

“Oh, don’t be offended. I didn’t mean to,” he apologized, bringing out his phone.

“I guess that’s your hostel?” He gestured toward my hostel, and I nodded.

“Good. Let me call Cassian so he can come and get the key from you, in your room. That way you want.  You don't have to stress yourself,” he said simply, scrolling through his contacts.

“No!” I yelled. I didn’t mean to, but I can’t let Cassian know my hostel. The thought alone made my skin crawl.

“I will… I will take the key to him,” I forced the words out of my lips.

He smirked with a nod, then returned his phone.

“Come, let me show you the direction.” He gestured forward, and I followed, my heart racing with each step.

We walked for some minutes until we reached a giant building made of glass.

“This. He’s inside,” he smiled, and I nodded.

“But I thought you said you were going somewhere?” I smiled at him, and I watched the switch in his face.

“Oh! That! I… I’ll be on my way now. Good luck.”

He tapped my shoulder and rushed off.

I watched his retreating body before turning to the building.

I don’t really know what Cassian is planning, but all I know is, I’m going to go inside that building, drop the key, and walk away.

I pray it’s as simple as that.

I walked closer to the building, knocked on the door for a while before his familiar voice roared:

“Come in,” was all he said, like he’d been expecting me.

I swallowed hard before pushing the door open and stepping in.

The sight that greeted me made my eyes widen in shock.

The sitting room was surprisingly cozy and stylish. The walls were painted in warm tones, and there were soft, plush sofas arranged neatly around a low coffee table. A few modern lamps added a gentle glow, giving the room a relaxed vibe.

How could a building like this exist inside the school?

 Cassian sat on one of the couches, casually holding a cigarette, the smoke swirling around him as he puffed away like he’d been doing it all his life.

Inhaling the smoke made me cough. I could barely stand the smell.

“Oh, you don’t like this?” He raised the cigarette, and I wiggled my head.

“You don’t have to worry. I’m here to drop this.” I walked to the middle of the room, dropping the key. “Take this as repayment for helping me twice,” I murmured, ready to turn but before I could even attempt it, he was suddenly beside me, his body nearly pressing against mine. I walked back, and he followed until my back hit the wall.

My eyes held his gaze, his cologne filling my nostrils. I could feel the heat in my body and a sudden sickness in my stomach. My legs weakened.

“Planning to run away?” he asked, his face leaning forward, his nose resting on mine, his eyes on my lips. Like he was holding himself back from devouring me.

“I don’t know what you’re planning, but can you let me go?” I asked, but he didn’t seem like he was listening. His body pressed more tightly into mine.

“It’s hard to ignore…” his voice dragged. “I mean, your lips… they look soft, and I wonder what they taste like.”

He ghosted his lips over mine.