SEVEN

The King brothers strolled into the mall, their eyes scanning the bustling surroundings as they silently agreed on a single mission—get what Kayla needed. While they were used to extravagant shopping trips filled with luxury items for themselves or gifts for business acquaintances, this time felt different. It was personal.

They wanted to spoil her. But not too much.

Kayla was quiet, reserved, and they could tell she wasn’t the type to accept lavish gifts easily. If they overwhelmed her, there was a chance she might retreat, and the last thing they wanted was to push her away.

“We’ll keep it simple,” Victor said, his deep voice steady. “But thoughtful.”

Alistair nodded. “Agreed. Let’s each pick out something useful for her.”

Without further discussion, they split up, each brother heading to a different section of the store.

Victor walked confidently toward the shoe section, his keen gaze inspecting the orderly shelves. The aroma of new leather permeated the atmosphere as he strolled by lines of heels and boots, looking for something that felt suitable.

He recalled earlier at the café, thinking about how red and sore Kayla’s feet appeared in those old shoes she constantly wore. He felt a slight tightening in his jaw at the recollection. She merited more—something cozy and functional, yet still fashionable enough to fit her.

His gaze fell upon a pair of silver ballet flats placed on a lower shelf. They were straightforward yet refined, featuring a subtle shine that reflected the light without being overly ostentatious.

Excellent.

He gathered them, sliding his thumb across the smooth material. They appeared cozy enough for her to put on throughout the day without causing any discomfort to her feet. Pleased, he held them as he walked to the checkout counter, a slight grin pulling at the edge of his mouth.

At the same time, Alistair positioned himself before a coat rack, his brow knitted in focus. His fingers glided over the material, inspecting each one meticulously.

It wasn’t that he lacked shopping skills—he indeed had them—but selecting an item for Kayla seemed harder than he had anticipated. He desired her to be warm, naturally, but also to feel at ease and assured.

After a few minutes of consideration, he ultimately chose three distinct coats.

The initial piece was an elongated, navy-blue wool coat—traditional and enduring. The second was more compact, a beige trench coat featuring a belted waist, ideal for wet days. The third item was a laid-back, roomy gray coat that appeared very comfortable.

As he pivoted to depart, his gaze was drawn to a little purse dangling on a nearby stand. It was a gentle, subdued hue of cream that would complement the beige coat perfectly.

He seized it eagerly, lifting it up to examine it more closely. It was the perfect size—not overly large, but sufficiently spacious for Kayla to hold a few necessities. He nodded inwardly, pleased with his decisions.

Elliott strolled into the bag area, his gaze instantly captivated by the bright hues surrounding him. In contrast to his brothers, he was not as systematic regarding shopping. He chose to trust his instincts, and at this moment, his intuition suggested he should discover something that matched Kayla's character.

He reflected on her typical bag—the one she took with her for her books and laptop. It was used, the material tattered at the edges from excessive wear.

She required a more robust option, one that would endure.

His eyes focused on a lavender leather bag. It was a rich hue of plum, not overly vivid but still noticeable. He recalled noticing Kayla don numerous shades of purple—be it her scarf, her notebook, or the little keychain dangling from her bag.

“This one,” he whispered, lifting it. The bag was durable but gentle, featuring ample sections for her belongings. It was ideal.

The siblings regrouped at the front of the shop, each holding their selected goods. Victor displayed the silver flats, while Alistair showcased the coats and handbag. Elliott set the purple bag on the counter with a pleased grin.

"She will definitely adore these," Victor stated assuredly.

“Let’s wish she doesn’t consider it excessive,” Alistair remarked, his tone careful.

Elliott laughed softly. "If we hadn't held ourselves back, we likely would have purchased everything in the store." “This is perfectly adequate—considerate yet not excessive.”

The cashier scanned their items, putting everything into stylish shopping bags.

As they exited the store, Victor looked at his siblings. "We'll hand these to her later." “No stress, no major presentation.”

Alistair acknowledged with a nod. "Precisely." “Simply a couple of things to simplify her life.”

Elliott grinned. "And perhaps—just perhaps—it will demonstrate to her that her value is greater than she realizes."

The brothers exited the mall, their steps matching, each quietly wishing their simple act would help Kayla feel more appreciated.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kayla entered the lecture hall, her steps soft on the tiled floor. The buzz of discussion permeated the spacious area as students gathered in groups, conversing and laughing. She lowered her gaze, looking for a seat that was not too far back but also not in the front row. She favored a location that was moderately distanced—sufficiently far to evade notice but near enough to jot down clear notes.

Her gaze focused on a place near the window, a desk partially covered by the afternoon illumination filtering through the blinds. Flawless. She settled into the seat and set her bag on the ground.

Kayla propped herself up and placed her head on the desk, her arms crossed underneath her. Weariness wrapped around her like a thick quilt. The previous night was difficult. Another bad dream had jolted her from sleep, causing her heart to race and her thoughts to be troubled. Regardless of her efforts, sleep would not come back. She dedicated the remainder of the night to her books, studying until it was early morning.

The classroom slowly became silent as the professor walked in—a tall figure with glasses resting on his nose, his demeanor serious yet still friendly. He started the lecture, his tone firm and distinct, drawing Kayla’s focus back to the moment.

Luckily, the subject was simple, and she realized she could keep up without difficulty. Her pen glided consistently over her notebook, jotting down important notes. She didn't have to raise her hand or inquire today. That brought a sense of ease. She despised bringing attention to herself during class.

Nevertheless, even with her concentration, her mind continually wandered to the upcoming class.

Professor King.

A peculiar flutter arose in her chest at the idea of meeting him again—or perhaps all three of the King brothers. She couldn't clarify the reason, yet their presence remained in her thoughts. There was an undeniable quality about them, something captivating and powerful.

As the initial lecture concluded, Kayla hurriedly gathered her belongings. She lowered her head while moving toward the door, disregarding the murmurs and soft laughter from her classmates.

"Cool hair, weirdo," someone whispered from behind her.

She tightened her jaw but didn’t look back. It was pointless. She had listened to worse in the past.

She walked faster, feeling somewhat relieved as she exited the lecture hall and entered the corridor. She wandered through campus, her pace firm yet tinged with a sense of eagerness she wasn't fully prepared to acknowledge.

The classroom for her upcoming session was smaller yet equally packed. She entered quietly and located a spot close to the front, sensing a strange excitement rise within her. She looked at the clock on the wall, realizing that there were still a few minutes left before class started.

Her fingers fidgeted with the strap of her bag as she waited, eyes flicking toward the door every few seconds. The air in the room felt charged, though she couldn’t say why.

The brothers always seemed to carry an air of authority and mystery with them, commanding attention without even trying.

Kayla felt her cheeks heat at the thought. Why am I even thinking about them like this? she scolded herself, shaking her head.

Still, she couldn’t deny the tiny spark of excitement.

She straightened in her seat as footsteps echoed down the hall. The door swung open, and her breath caught in her throat.