Claudia stormed down the hallway, her feet pounding the floor in rhythm with her racing thoughts. She was so caught up in her anger that she forgot to breathe – until she saw him. Easton stepped out of the science lab, his messy brown hair falling across his forehead, and Claudia's lungs suddenly remembered they needed oxygen. She felt a flutter in her chest as their eyes met, and for a moment, time stood still.But before she could process the sparks flying between them, the science lab door swung shut behind Easton, and Miguel emerged from the lecture room.
Claudia's eyes widened as she took in his chiseled features and piercing gaze. Whoa, Miguel was looking particularly fine today. Easton might have been cute, but Miguel was on a whole different level.Claudia's gaze drifted back to Easton, and she could've sworn he was watching her.
She rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool, but her heart was racing. Why did he have to look at her like that? Irritation pricked at her, and she quickly turned her attention to Miguel, who was now walking towards the water fountain.
"Hey, Miguel!" Claudia called out, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in her stomach.But Miguel didn't even glance her way. He just kept walking, his eyes fixed on some point ahead, and Claudia felt like she'd been punched in the gut.
"What the...?" She felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her, followed by a crushing sense of rejection.
Broken, she watched as Miguel disappeared into the crowd, wondering what she'd done wrong.
~~~~
Isabella slipped her phone from her pocket, thumb already scrolling through a carousel of sun‑lit selfies on Instagram.
A blush crept up her cheeks when a text popped up on her screen.
"I love imagining what our next kiss will be like."
"What the fuck?" She jolted when Diana exclaimed.
She had peeped into her phone screen.
"Damn, what exactly are you, Diana? You don't peep into phones like that."
~~~~~
Miguel settled into the plush corner of the sofa, the mug of hot chocolate warming his hands as the faint scent of vanilla curled around him. He watched the steam rise, tracing lazy spirals, while his mind drifted to the night ahead. From upstairs came the soft hiss of the shower, a rhythmic backdrop that made the house feel oddly intimate.
A sudden, gentle creak of a floorboard broke the silence. Miguel's heart quickened. He turned his head just as Gabriela emerged from the hallway, the light catching her in a way that made time seem to pause.
She wore a sleek crop top that left a sliver of toned midriff exposed, the silver belly‑chain glinting like a constellation against her warm skin. The fabric hugged her shoulders, then fell just enough to hint at the curves beneath. Her pencil skirt—mid‑length, dark as midnight—swayed with each step, accentuating the killer silhouette of her hips and legs. Her hair was pulled into a relaxed, messy bun, stray strands framing her face, softening the sharp line of her jaw. A toned‑down red lipstick added a subtle, confident pop to her look, making her lips irresistibly kissable.
For a heartbeat, Miguel could only stare, the world muffling into a distant hum. The moment stretched, a silent tableau of admiration and longing.
"Hey, you okay?" Gabriela's voice, smooth and teasing, snapped him back. She stepped forward, perching beside him on the sofa, and snapped her fingers lightly, the sound cutting through his reverie.
Miguel blinked, a grin spreading across his face. "You—wow. You're stunning."
She laughed.
"Really? That's not new. I hear that everyday." Gabriela shrugged.
"Shall we?" She raised a brow and Miguel nodded a little.
Gabriela got up and went to the drawer to pack the files.
Miguel shifted the mug of cooling chocolate onto the coffee table, the clink echoing softly in the now‑quiet living room. Gabriela set her laptop on the sofa, opened a sleek folder brimming with printed charts, and spread the papers out like a makeshift storyboard.
"Okay, so the seminar's on Cyber Security — the 28 topics list from Collegelib," she began, tapping the first page. "We've got Blockchain security, AI in cyber defence, IoT threats… the faculty's really pushing for something fresh, something that can actually make an impact."
She flipped to the next sheet, a bright infographic titled "Project — Boosting Campus Tech Startup Sales." Her finger traced a flowchart that branched from Market Research → Design Prototype → Digital Advertising → Launch & Metrics.
"Here's the idea," Gabriela continued, eyes sparkling. "We create a mini‑campaign for a local tech startup. First, we run a quick survey to pinpoint pain points—most of them are small businesses scared of cloud migration. Then we design a series of short, snappy video ads that highlight simple, one‑click security solutions. We'll use carousel posts—all native to the platforms students already scroll on."
Miguel nodded, his gaze drifting to the subtle movement of her lips as she spoke. He caught a faint trace of her citrus shampoo mixing with the lingering caramel scent, grounding him in the moment.
Gabriela turned another page, this one filled with wireframes of a new media kit. "For the design side, we'll adopt a bold, futuristic aesthetic—dark teal accents, neon glitch effects, and a custom mascot—a tiny shield‑wearing robot that pops up in every ad. It gives the brand personality while reinforcing security."
She paused, glanced at Miguel, and smiled. "We'll also leverage micro‑influencers—tech YouTubers who focus on cybersecurity tips. A single shout‑out from them can drive a spike in website visits. And we'll set up a referral code system—students get a discount on the startup's first subscription, which in turn fuels word‑of‑mouth promotion."
Miguel leaned forward, his eyes flickering between the diagrams and Gabriela's expressive hands. "So we're tracking conversion rates, click‑throughs, and maybe a QR code that redirects to a demo video?"
"Exactly," she said, flipping to a graph that projected a 30 % increase in trial sign‑ups over eight weeks. "We'll run a pilot in two campus labs, compare the results, and then present a full rollout plan to the department head. If the numbers hold, we could even get funding for a larger campaign next semester."
She turned the page once more, revealing a mock‑up of a poster. "And here's the launch poster—notice the subtle animation when you hover over the QR code. It's a small touch, but those little details make the whole package feel premium."
Miguel chuckled softly, the sound barely rising above the hum of the air conditioner. "You've got it all mapped out. I'm impressed."
Gabriela's cheeks flushed a light pink, matching the muted red of her lipstick. "Thanks. I think if we nail the storytelling—show the real‑world impact—students will actually care. Plus, it gives us a solid case study for the seminar paper."
She closed the folder, the rustle of paper punctuating the moment. Miguel's eyes lingered on the curve of her lips as she added, "What do you think?"
He smiled, feeling the weight of the project lift like a web‑line in the wind. "Let's start with the script. I'm all ears—and eyes."
Gabriela flipped open the thick, glossy file on the table, the soft rustle of pages punctuating the quiet hum. The clock on the wall ticked rhythmically, but neither she nor Miguel seemed to hear it.
"Okay, Miguel," she began, her eyes scanning the first page. "For advertising, we need to start with a hook that tells the story of Flores Corp—something that connects emotionally with our audience. Think 'heritage meets innovation.' We'll use a narrative arc where the customer sees themselves as part of the growth journey."
She turned the page, a bright infographic flashing the headline
*"Know Your Audience."*
"Segment your market into three buckets: Enterprise decision‑makers, Mid‑size business owners, and Tech‑savvy professionals. Tailor the messaging: for enterprises focus on ROI and risk mitigation; for mid‑size, emphasize ease of use and cost savings; for techies, highlight cutting‑edge features and integrations."
Miguel nodded, jotting notes. Gabriela continued flipping, each page revealing a bold tip:
'Leverage Social Proof'
"Insert client testimonials, case studies, and trust badges right after the value proposition. People trust peers more than any ad."
*Interactive Demo*
"Create a 2‑minute interactive walkthrough on our website. It increases time‑on‑page by 40 % and lifts conversion rates."
-
She paused on a page titled
*"Sales Playbook."*
"Close with a value‑based pricing model. Offer three tiers: Basic, Pro, and Enterprise. Bundle a free cyber‑security audit for the first 30 days—creates urgency and perceived value."
Miguel looked up, eyes bright. "Got it. And the cyber‑security advice for the magazine?"
Gabriela smiled, flipping to the next section.
Miguel listened intently, his gaze never wavering from Gabriela's lips as she explained each point. When she reached for a pen to underline a statistic, he instinctively reached out, tucking a stray lock of her hair behind her ear.
Gabriela glanced up, a faint smile crossing her lips. "Focus, Miguel. We're not done yet."
~~~~~~~~
"You girls never listen, do you?"
"What are you saying?" Rafael was staring right into Isabella's boring eyes at a bar table.
"You were here on Saturday and I heard there was chaos with Gabriela getting drunk and a guy trying to take advantage of her." Isabella's eyes widened a little.
"Really? I didn't know about that. I only texted Miguel to pick her up when I couldn't find her anywhere. I was not drunk, though."
"And now you're here to drink?"
"That's none of your business." She rolled her eyes.
"Why are you suddenly being mean? You said we were cool."
"Cool until you kissed me and sped off like you stole something. I was going to ask why you did that." She pouted.
"Hm, well you did steal something. Your chance."
"Hello, miss. What would you like?" The bartender faced Isabella.
"One...one of your strongest drinks." The bartender nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait, one? Two. I'll pay for both." Rafael handed him his card and the bartender left. Isabella frowned.
"What for?" Rafael dodged the question and was looking around.
"The people here are a bit too much, don't you think?"
"This is a small bar. Allow the people here to have fun."
"They should go somewhere else. Hey!" He called the bartender who came to drop the tray of drinks and cups.
"How many reservations and diners do you have tonight?"
"About twenty-six, sir."
"I'll pay for all the drinks and soups. I can see your customers are having lots of fun. But that has to stop. Cancel those reservations too. I'll pay for them all. I want this place empty in a sec. Just us." The bartender was amused.
"Okay, sir." Isabella was surprised to see the people leaving after a brief announcement and exactly one minute later, she realized it was just them. The bartender also vanished.
"Now, what? Should I leave too?"
"No way. I did this all for you." He smiled gracefully.
"Its – expensive."
"But they are just twenty-six." He shrugged. Rafael watched her gulp the drink.
"C'mon, Isabella. Don't rush. Just sip it. That's the right way to enjoy it." Isabella was annoyed.
"I thought I came here to have alone time."
"Now you have it, we are alone. That explains why your friends aren't here to drink with you."
"Yeah."
"Do you want to talk about the kiss?" He wiggled his eyebrows.
"Yes." Rafael's heart skipped.
"Wow. So...."
"So, I can't date you." His smile wavered.
"What the hell? Why?"
"My mom says that guys who hover around you at this stage is because they want to take advantage of your innocence, money, influence and turn you into one of those empty clay pots. I don't even trust you. You're just a flirt. You say you're not a playboy anymore but I don't believe it."
"Really? What will I do just to clear your doubts?"
"I don't know. There's obviously nothing for you to do. Just...leave me alone. Stop texting me. You probably ran away that night because you felt guilty for kissing me along with other side attractions." Rafael laughed.
"Side attractions?" Isabella nodded.
"You mean your ideal type is someone who focuses on just you?" She nodded again.
"If I stop flirting around and try to be with just you, you'd fall for me?"
"I would. If I trust you."
"I see. You need time to build your trust. I understand." His voice was laced with disappointment, but he continued.
"On the most serious note, I like you."
"Yeah, right." Isabella sighed.
"I can't fall for you because of your money because I'm a hundred million times richer."
"Here we go again."
"I have a multibillion dollar company to inherit and I can take care of you."
"Hmmm...."
"You sound dissatisfied. I think I'll have to read you like a book anyway. Just to know what you'd like. So easy to love, but hard to get."
"Are we done?" She sipped her drink.
"Nope. Why does your phone keep beeping every twenty seconds?"
"I can't fall for nosy guys." Rafael giggled.
"Really? Tell me – just this one."
"I'm leaving the country after graduation."
"Why? Where?"
"You said, just this one. I won't answer any other question."
"Please, Isabella."
"Actually, my sister has been jailed in China and its my fault."
"Your sister is in China? You never told me that."
"I don't share personal stuff with people I don't trust." Rafael rolled his eyes.
"C'mon, just pretend you trust me."
"Dad wanted one of us to study there and I forced her to go instead of me. Because I thought there were better ways for me to succeed in U.S. I was too selfish, I didn't even think about what she wanted. Now she's based there and she's in trouble." Isabella spoke sadly.
"Why are you so bothered about that? She got herself in trouble. Why are you leaving the country because of that?"
"I have no choice. I have to continue the work. Being the head of the administrative departmet of our company's branch in China. And get my sister out."
"You're not going anywhere. I'm sure you'll find another way."
"I just feel guilty that she's spending the night in jail because of me."
"Trust me, we'll find a way to close this case without....."
"I don't trust you."