---
"Ahhhh! Move out of the way!" a woman screamed while running at full speed. Her face was pale with panic, her steps chaotic, and sweat trickled down her temples. Behind her, a small dog chased her relentlessly.
BANG!
She crashed into a young man who was strolling casually with his headset on. Both of them fell hard to the ground. In that split second… their lips accidentally brushed against each other.
Silence. The world seemed to freeze.
"I-I… I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—" the woman stuttered as she scrambled to her feet. But the words died in her throat the moment she clearly saw the man's face.
"You?!" Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Damn it… why did my first kiss have to be stolen by you, of all people—the arrogant jerk!" She wiped her lips roughly, as if she could erase the memory.
The man stood up, dusting his pants. His eyes were cold, his voice low and cutting.
"Tch. Alien girl, you're the one who crashed into me. And for your information, that was my first kiss too. Can't believe it had to be with you!"
Her name was Putri Anggun Cahyani. Sweet and elegant as her name might sound, she was the complete opposite. A tomboy to the core—short hair, bare face without makeup, always dressed in worn-out T-shirts, old Levi's jeans, and a pair of battered Converse sneakers. She was far from girly, both in looks and personality.
Despite coming from a humble family, she was brilliant. Thanks to a scholarship, she managed to enter the country's most prestigious university—a place usually reserved for the rich and powerful.
And the man she had just kissed by accident? Putra Andri Pratama—the third-richest heir in the entire nation. Cold, aloof, and antisocial, he was always seen with his headset on, keeping the world at bay. Many thought he was arrogant, but in truth, only two friends had stayed by his side since childhood: Rangga and Cristian. Though born into unimaginable wealth, Putra never flaunted his riches.
"Get off me! Let go!" Putra suddenly barked.
To his annoyance, Putri had clung onto him again—arms wrapped tightly around his torso, legs trembling as she held on for dear life. Her eyes squeezed shut, her body shaking.
"I-I'm scared… I have a phobia of dogs…" she whispered, trembling like a leaf.
Putra let out an exasperated sigh. "Seriously? It's just a Chihuahua! That thing's the size of a potato, and you're acting like it's a tiger! I can't breathe, alien, get off already!"
Before he could pry her away, another man ran over and quickly shooed the dog. His eyes widened when he saw the scene.
"Putri, what the heck are you doing??" he demanded.
The voice was familiar. Putri turned sharply. "Bay! This isn't what it looks like, I swear! The dog… I panicked!" she explained in a rush, still clinging to Putra.
That man was Bayu Ramanda, Putri's childhood friend—technically since before birth, as their mothers had been best friends while pregnant. Bayu was no ordinary guy; he was a decorated taekwondo athlete with several gold medals to his name. All his life, he had been Putri's shield.
Flustered, Putri stammered through an explanation about the crash, the accidental kiss, and the panicked hug. Bayu listened silently, but his eyes betrayed an emotion he didn't voice.
By then, the spectacle had already drawn a crowd. Right at the university gates, students gathered, whispering and snickering at the bizarre scene.
Soon, Putra's two close friends, Rangga and Cristian, arrived. They patted his shoulder, making sure he was fine.
Putri tugged at Bayu's arm, desperate to escape the humiliating attention. But just before leaving, Bayu stopped right beside Putra. He leaned closer, his voice low and threatening.
"You'd better not mess with Putri. If you do, you'll answer to me."
Putra turned his head slowly, his cold eyes locking onto Bayu's. He didn't speak a word, but his piercing gaze was sharper than any blade.
Putri froze, caught between the two of them, clueless about how the small accident today… would soon turn her entire life upside down.
(To be continued in Chapter 2…)
---