Ficool

Chapter 7 - Chapter 4:- He’s Trouble… But So Charming (part-1)

The hallway was quiet at this hour—long, dim-lit, and humming faintly with the low, mechanical buzz of the ceiling lights. Aurora's footsteps were soft against the polished floor; her body cocooned in the oversized cream hoodie she often wore when she needed to feel invisible. Her fingers gently gripped the strap of Mochii's carrier, the little rabbit inside settled but still shifting occasionally, ears flicking with every muffled sound.

She let out a breath, warm and slow, watching it ghosts faintly in the cool air as she walked. The stillness of the corridor echoed something inside her—something reflective, tender.

Her mind wandered back to earlier that evening, just before she'd stepped out their dorm building and the campus behind, she has now made her way back to Pinecrest Apartments…

"You sure?" Van had asked, plopping down dramatically on the edge of her twin-sized bed, already in her pyjamas, hair tied into a lazy top knot. "I mean, there's space—Rhee can sleep on the floor. Or I can. We'll do musical beds."

Rhee had flopped onto the small shag rug with a groan of protest. "Rude. You guys act like I'm made of stone. I'm very comfy and floofy, thank you."

Aurora had smiled then, genuinely. Their energy was a warm pocket of chaos she always enjoyed being around. But as she stood there, bag still slung over her shoulder, eyes scanning the small room barely able to fit two beds and a desk, she knew she couldn't stay.

"I can't let one of you sleep on the floor," she had said quietly, not scolding, just sincere. "Tomorrow's a long day. You both have morning classes. I'd feel awful if someone woke up sore or cranky just because I couldn't figure my night out."

Van had tried to protest again, but Aurora shook her head, soft but firm. Her voice barely above the hum of the mini fan sitting by the window.

"It's okay. Really. I've got it. It's not even that late."

The girls had finally let her go with reluctant nods and one final tight hug from Rhea, who muttered, "If anything creepy happens on your way back, remember you've got a killer bunny as your bodyguard."

Now, in the quiet of her apartment building's hallway, Aurora smiled faintly at the memory. Her hand shifted slightly to peek inside the carrier bag.

"See, Mochii? You're famous," she whispered. The bunny gave a half-lidded blink but didn't move.

She adjusted the strap on her shoulder, the soft creak of the carrier's leather brushing against her hoodie. The apartment numbers passed slowly—202… 204… 206…—the quiet rhythm of her steps soothing her nerves.

Maybe it would've been easier to just crash in their room. But she couldn't.

It wasn't about being polite. It was something deeper—something in her chest that couldn't rest if someone else had to stretch, curl up, or make space just for her. Maybe it was because she herself had spent so many nights feeling like the third wheel in a room too small. Or maybe it was because this dorm, these halls, this little corner of her life… still didn't feel fully hers yet.

She just didn't want to be a burden.

Her fingers tightened gently around the strap.

"I'll figure it out," she murmured softly to herself. She always did.

The hallway turned at the end, where her room waited—small, quiet, hers. At least for now.

Aurora's footsteps echoed softly as she made her way to the footstep of her apartment the quiet corridor of Pinecrest Apartments, the evening light slipping through the windows in pale gold ribbons. In her arms she cradled Mochii, nestled snugly inside a soft, pastel pink carrier bag—his little nose twitching at each new scent. The world felt hushed around her; campus was far behind now, but she could still feel the energy of those split moments, but all she wanted now was the sanctuary of her tiny apartment.

She fumbled with her keys, one hand still steadying Mochii's bag against her side, when she heard a voice so familiar it made her blood stutter.

"Missed me?"

She froze, heart in her throat. There, leaning casually against the opposite wall, stood Leo—tall, effortlessly lithe, face half shadowed by the soft glow of the corridor light. His mouth curved in that lazy, knowing smile that made her insides melt like sugar in tea.

"M Mr. Callahan," she managed, cheeks flaming. "I—how—"

He straightened, stepping forward so that the space between them seemed charged with electricity. Mochii peeked out of the bag, whiskers quivering as if sensing the flutter in Aurora's pulse.

"Just thought, I'd walk your home," Leo said, voice low and warm. "Can't have you wandering the dark all by yourself… especially not with that adorable sidekick."

Aurora's breath caught. He reached out, fingers brushing the soft fabric of her carrier bag as if drawn by magnetism. "He looks comfortable. You take diligent care of him."

She swallowed, words turning to silk on her tongue. "Th thank you." Her hand curled protectively around Mochii. "It's late. I should—"

"Hold that thought." Leo closed the distance, so near she could smell the faint hint of his cologne—cedar wood and something sweeter. He rested one hand against the wall beside her head, framing her. "Give me just a moment."

Aurora's legs trembled. The corridor light glinted off his hazel eyes, and he leaned in until she could feel the warmth of his breath.

"You looked stunning today," he murmured, voice barely above her heartbeat. "That? That pink hoodie… it suits you. But I'd rather see you in something less… covering."

She flinched as heat flared through her, but not because of how he flirts but because of How he flirts… her stomach didn't twisted with butterflies rather it was more of disgust. Mochii gave a disgruntled squeak and wriggled, as if scolding them both for getting too intimate.

Leo laughed, soft and playful, bending to stroke Mochii's head before rising to meet Aurora's astonished gaze.

"See?" he whispered, lifting her chin with the gentlest touch. "Even he agrees. I'm not done with you yet."

Aurora's pulse thundered in her ears as the corridor seemed to tilt around them. She barely registered the click of the elevator doors opening behind him, the world collapsing until there was only the two of them—standing on the threshold of her home and something infinitely more intoxicating.

Leo watched the elevator doors slide open with the softest whoosh, the chrome frame capturing the fading glow of the corridor light. His gaze flicked to the small apartment door just opposite—Aurora's sanctuary.

In one swift motion, she appeared, cheeks still flushed from their whispered moment, clutching Mochii's carrier in one hand and her keys in the other. Her stride was determined but hurried, the hem of her pink hoodie swaying as she darted forward.

His lips curved into a slow, amused smile. She moved like a startled songbird—part clumsy, part graceful—unlocking her door in a flurry of jumbled keys.

Thump.

The door swung shut behind her so quickly he almost missed the clicking sound of her door.

For a heartbeat, the corridor was still.

Leo chuckled, the sound warm and lightly musical in the hush. He stepped into the elevator—his back to the silent doors—leaning one shoulder against the brushed steel wall.

She's so damn cute, he thought, watching her apartment's tiny peephole as if it contained all the secrets of the universe.

He pressed the button for his own floor, but his mind lingered on her retreating figure. She'd give him the slip this time—he knew it. But Leo Callahan had never been one to simply give up.

The elevator hummed its way downward, lights pulsing gently in sequence. And as the doors opened again to the lobby's soft glow, Leo stretched straightened, t- shirt sleeves sliding back to reveal muscular biceps.

Tomorrow, he decided, he'd catch her before she vanished behind that door. He'd have to—because now, he was undeniably, irrevocably invested.

After all, some games were far too enchanting to let go.

More Chapters