Chapter 3

ADINA

The air in the hallway of Bocconi university carried a different charge today. It usually smelled like expensive perfumes and old money. But today it smelled like scandal. As I walked towards my locker, whispers followed me like a shadow I can’t out run.

“Did you see the video?” A boy whispered as I passed. “ She looked at him dead in the eyes and told him to go cry to his mommy.”

“ She’s so brave,” another replied. “ Or stupid. You don’t just humiliate a Malvetti and just… get away with it.

I felt stares following me at every step I took to my locker.

Aurora was already there, leaning against the metal door bedside hers, scrolling through her phone while waiting for me.

“ Good Morning, celebrity,” she drawled looking up at me. “Adina, you’re the number one trending topic on the campus forum under the #CoffeeGate and # ScholarshipSavage.” She hissed her voice a mix of terror and awe.

I exhaled through my nose. “ Fantastic.” My invisible amor; the quiet, scholarship student persona I had spent my freshman year constructing wasn’t just cracked. It was shattered, thanks to Giovanni Atticus Malvetti.

“Adina, they are calling you the Ice Queen. You, my friend , have officially disrupted the natural order of the university.” Aurora said, reading through the comments of the video.

“ The natural order of this university is garbage, Aurora, I muttered, tightening the grip of my backpack.

We reached my locker to find a sleek matte black shopping bag hanging from the handle of my locker. It was the kind of bag that cost more than my monthly rent. A small gold logo, embossed in the Conner; Lora Piano. One of Milian’s most exclusive high Fashion brands.

Aurora's head snapped up. “Holy shit is that… ? No way, she gasped, her jaw dropping.”

I didn’t answer her, I reached out and pulled the bag off the locker's handle. Resting inside layers of soft tissue was a white cashmere sweater. It was so soft it felt like the cloud against my skin, tucked the folds of the sweater was a small green card, handwritten masculine and sharp:

I'm sorry for the hallway incident. I was out of line. And please take this sweater as a replacement for the one my tires ruined—Giovanni.

My stomach tightened.

A familiar scent hit me before I could even turn around.

Cedar wood. Clean. Expensive.

I turned around, my heart pounding fast against my chest. Giovanni was leaning against the locker next to mine, arms crossed, posture lazy but perfect, his blonde hair perfectly styled, and his crispy midnight blue shirt made his blue eyes look like a shard of ice. He looked like he had just stepped out from a fashion magazine.

“ Good morning, Ice Queen,” he said, voice low and smooth.

“ What are you Giovanni? And what’s this?” I held the bag out like it contained a bomb.

He pushed off the locker and stepped closer to me, invading my personal space. He watched me carefully, gauging my reaction as he leaned in.

“ It's an apology,” he said softly. “I wanted to apologize for yesterday.” His blue eyes held mine. “I’m sorry for driving roughly and splashing mud on you. I’m also sorry for grabbing your wrist and letting my temper speak for me.

“Try it on. It’s your size I checked.”He gestured towards the bag dangling from my fingers.

Aurora’s jaw paraticlly dropped, her eyes flicked between us as if she was watching a tennis match.

“ Thank you, but I don’t need this.” I said, voice cold.

He tilted his head slightly. “ Come on Ice Queen, it’s just an apology.”

I extended the bag towards him, arm straight. Take it back, I don’t need it.”

He didn’t accept it, instead he leaned in another inch, dropping his voice low, whispering so only me could hear. “It’s an apology gift, Ice Queen, not a charity. There’s a difference.

“My name is Adina, not Ice Queen. And I don’t accept gifts from people I don’t like.” I said, my voice steady.

“I’m not asking you to like me he replied”, a smirk playing on his lips. “I’m asking you to accept a piece offering. Consider it a way to right a wrong”.

Aurora made muffled sounds behind me, but I ignored her.

I stared at Giovanni for a few seconds, and without a word I walked five steps towards the nearest trashcan I could find and I emptied the entire bag inside the overflowing trash can.

I didn't wait to see his reaction. I grabbed Aurora's hand and walked away.

“Oh my God,” Aurora whispered as we got to our class. “Are you insane Adina? You actually did it, you actually trashed Giovanni's gift. Oh my God, I think I'm going to have a heart attack.” Aurora said, holding her chest dramatically.

A FEW MINUTES LATER

I needed to use the restroom before professor Moretti arrived, for some weird reason he's late. I went into a single occupancy restroom, I pushed the door open without knocking and the scene in front of me made me freeze.

Giovanni had a red haired girl pressed against the wall. Her skirt was rucked up around her hips, his hands on her thighs and his mouth devouring hers. The girl giggled, making my stomach twisted with disgust.

They didn't notice me at first, but as I was about to leave the girl's eyes flicked open and she gasped against his lips startled by my presence. Giovanni slowly lifted his head, he pulled away from the red haired girl immediately his gaze met mine.

The girl squirmed, tugging her skirt down. I didn't blink, instead I tilted my head, my expression full of disgust.

“ Oh, please excuse me, you don't have to stop on my account. I was just about to leave” I said flatly.

“ You two looked busy when I walked in, I'm just going to take my leave so you guys could continue. Once again I apologize for interrupting. I said, bowing my head dramatically.

I stepped aside holding the door open like a gracious hostess. “ Carry on, guys. And oh do have a lovely day.”