006

Rosalie's POV

Friday.

The word alone was enough to make my stomach twist into a thousand knots.

I buried my face deeper into my pillow, squeezing my eyes shut like that would somehow make today disappear.

No. I wasn't going.

There was absolutely no way in hell I was stepping foot into Westfield today. Not when Caleb Kingston was going to be there.

It was not after everything that had happened between us. Not after I'd practically died of embarrassment at breakfast.

Nope.

I was staying right here. My phone buzzed on the bedside table. I reached for it lazily.

Emily: Morning, sleepyhead. You're coming today, right?

I stared at the message for a few seconds before replying.

Me: Not feeling too well.

The three little dots appeared almost immediately.

Emily: Seriously?

Then another message popped in.

Emily: Dad's coming today, remember? Need to collect those gifts from him before he flies out again.

My chest tightened. Right. He was travelling after today. Good. Maybe I'd never have to see him again.

I quickly typed another reply.

Me: You can collect them. I'll see you next week.

Barely two seconds later, my phone rang.

Emily.

I groaned. There was no escaping her. I answered anyway.

"What?"

"Get dressed."

"No."

"You are coming."

"I said I'm not feeling well."

There was a brief silence. Then she laughed.

"You are the worst liar I've ever met."

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

I buried my face into the pillow again.

"Emily..."

"I don't even care about sitting through Dad's lecture."

She sounded genuinely uninterested.

"I just need those gifts before he leaves London again. You know how impossible he is to pin down."

I didn't say anything.

"And besides..."

Her voice softened.

"I don't really want to go alone."

Damn her. She knew exactly which buttons to press.

"You owe me."

I frowned. "Owe you?"

"Yes."

"I carried your heartbroken self for two days."

I rolled my eyes despite myself. "So today..."

She continued dramatically. "...you'll carry me."

I sighed loudly. "You are unbelievable."

"I know."

"So..."

Another sigh escaped me.

"Fine."

She squealed so loudly I had to pull the phone away from my ear.

"I'll pick you up in twenty minutes!"

The call ended before I could change my mind.

I stared at the ceiling.

What exactly was I doing?

The drive to school was unusually quiet.

 Emily had the radio playing softly while tapping absentmindedly against the steering wheel. Every now and then she'd hum along.

I simply stared out the window. "You've gone quiet again."

"Hmm?"

She smiled knowingly. "I miss my chatty best friend."

"She's on annual leave."

Emily laughed.

"I'll allow it."

A few seconds passed.

"You know..."

She glanced at me briefly. "Everyone's making a huge deal about Dad's lecture."

"I noticed."

"They always do."

She shrugged. "I honestly don't get it."

I looked at her. "What do you mean?"

"He talks business."

She scrunched up her nose. "People act like he's some celebrity."

I almost choked.

Well...He kind of was.

"I just need my jewelries."

She shrugged again. "Once I get them, I'm happy."

That sounded exactly like Emily.

She was not in a mood for unnecessary drama—a practical woman. 

Lucky her.

I wished today was that simple for me.

The moment we stepped onto campus...I knew it wasn't.

Students crowded every pathway. Groups stood beneath trees. Others leaned against walls and almost every conversation sounded exactly the same.

"Did you hear Caleb Kingston's here?"

"They said he's worth billions."

"My cousin interned at Kingston Holdings."

"I heard he's terrifying."

"My sister says he fired a manager during a board meeting without raising his voice."

Someone else laughed. "They call him the Ice King."

My heartbeat picked up. Emily leaned toward me.

"See?"

"I told you."

"They're obsessed."

I forced a smile.

If only they knew. If only they knew what I'd done with their precious Ice King.

Heat rushed straight to my cheeks.

God. Please don't let me embarrass myself today. The lecture hall was already packed. Much fuller than usual.

Students from other departments had squeezed themselves inside. Even some lecturers occupied the back seats.

Emily whistled softly. "I've never seen this place this full."

Neither had I.

We managed to find two empty seats somewhere in the middle.

Perfect. It was not too close and not too far. Or so I thought.

Five minutes later, Our Business Administration lecturer walked inside.

The room immediately quietened. He adjusted the microphone before smiling warmly.

"Good morning, everyone."

"Good morning, sir."

"As you all know..."He continued. "...today is a very special lecture."

The entire hall became even quieter.

"It is my honour to introduce a man whose name has become synonymous with excellence in modern business."

He went on listing achievements. Founder of Kingston Holdings. International investor. Award-winning entrepreneur. Business strategist.

Every accomplishment made my stomach twist tighter.

Finally...He smiled toward the entrance.

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

"Please welcome..."

"Mr. Caleb Kingston."

Applause erupted. My heart stopped. The doors opened. He walked in. Black tailored suit. White shirt. Black tie.

Every inch of him radiated confidence and power. 

Control.

The applause somehow grew louder. Girls openly stared.

Even some of the lecturers looked impressed. He acknowledged everyone with nothing more than a polite nod before walking toward the podium.

My breathing became shallow.

Don't look at him. Don't—

His eyes found mine but only for a second.

Then they moved away as though I were no different from everyone else.

Why did that sting?

The lecturer shook his hand and exchanged a few words. Then quietly stepped aside.

Caleb faced the class. The silence that settled over the room was deafening. 

Instead of speaking, he stepped away from the podium. My brows knitted together. Where was he going?

He walked slowly between the rows of seats. Students watched curiously. Every step he took made my pulse pound harder.

No.

Surely not. He's not coming here. He couldn't be.

Please… Don't.

My breathing hitched. He kept walking. Closer. Closer.

Until polished black shoes stopped beside my desk. The entire classroom seemed to disappear.

I slowly looked up. His expression revealed absolutely nothing.

Those impossible blue eyes held mine for one long second. Then, in that deep, calm voice that still haunted my dreams, he asked,

"What's your name, young lady?"

My throat went dry. Every pair of eyes in the lecture hall turned toward me.

"I..."

I swallowed hard. "Rosalie."

My voice barely came out. "Rosalie Smith."

He gave a single nod.

"Interesting."

Then he turned away, leaving me completely frozen in my seat.

What did he mean by interesting?

I watched him as he walked back toward the podium. I finally remembered how to breathe.

This was going to be the longest lecture of my life.