The class ended with the usual hum of chatter and the sound of shuffling feet. Students exited in groups, their conversations mixing into a lively din. Amidst this, Winter, Marco, and Luca walked out together, casually bantering. Winter ran his hand through his platinum blond hair, an aura of effortless charm surrounding him, though the faint bruise near his lips hinted at the drama earlier.
"Where's Ami?" Winter suddenly asked, scanning the hallway.
Luca shrugged and replied, "She had training earlier. She had training earlier. She might be coming soon."
Marco smirked and added in his usual cheeky tone, "Speak of the devil, and she enters."
Both Winter and Luca turned their heads to see where Marco was pointing. At the far end of the hallway, a figure in an oversized T-shirt and baggy pants, caramel skin with cool undertones walked in, her energy radiating confidence and coolness. Her slightly tousled hair and sharp gaze made her stand out in the crowd.
Winter's entire demeanor changed in an instant. The composed and charming young man everyone admired transformed into a playful, excitable child. His eyes sparkled, and a wide grin spread across his face. Without a moment's hesitation, he spread his arms and bolted toward the figure, his voice echoing in the hallway.
"WAMIKA!"
From a distance, Wamika's expression softened into a bright smile as she spotted Winter running toward her. Her aura of fierceness melted away for a brief moment. Marco and Luca exchanged amused glances, chuckling as Winter practically leaped onto her.
Winter jumped into Wamika's arms, wrapping both his arms and legs around her like a koala clinging to a tree. Despite his height and weight, Wamika effortlessly held him, her stance steady as though she had done this countless times before. Her laugh was soft and genuine as she patted Winter's back.
"Where were you? I missed you, Ami," Winter said in a playful, baby like voice, with pouty lips, burying his face in her shoulder.
"I missed you too, a lot, you brat" she teased, cradling him in her arms like he was a baby.
Luca and Marco exchanged knowing looks, both used to Winter's behaviour with Wamika. It was clear that she held a special place in his heart.
The moment, however, didn't last long. As Wamika glanced at Winter, her eyes landed on the faint bruise near the corner of his lips. Her laughter stopped, replaced by an icy silence. Her expression shifted from warmth to something far more dangerous.
"What's this?" she asked, her voice calm but cold as her fingers gently traced the bruise on Winter's cheek.
Winter stiffened. He felt a shiver run down his spine, the same shiver Marco and Luca experienced just by watching her. Everyone in their group knew one thing for certain, when Wamika got angry, there was no stopping her.
"It's nothing, Ami," Winter tried to deflect, his voice unusually soft.
Wamika's eyes narrowed slightly. She wasn't buying it. "Who?" she asked again, her tone firmer this time.
Winter opened his mouth to answer, but Luca, unable to bear the tension, blurted out, "Lucia made a scene."
Wamika's gaze flicked to Luca, "She did this?"
"No, no!" Luca quickly shook his head, pointing to Marco. "A guy did."
Marco took the cue and added, "Yeah, Lucia was getting on Winter's nerves, so he put her in her place. Out of nowhere, some guy came and punched Winter, lecturing him about morals or something."
Wamika turned her icy gaze toward Winter, silently asking for confirmation.
Winter sighed. He knew what was coming. He didn't want her involved, but he had to tell her the truth.
"I didn't humiliate her... but yeah, I let her know her place. I didn't expect a random guy to step in like that," Winter said nonchalantly, trying to brush it off.
Wamika's eyes darkened with a dangerous intensity. "She said what about you?" Her voice was dangerously low now, her fingers curling into fists.
Winter winced slightly, realizing that mentioning Lucia's words would only make things worse. But he had to be honest with her, especially when it came to something like this.
"She... she said something about my dad. And she tried to blackmail me... saying she'd say everyone...if I break up."
Winter's voice faltered at the mention of his father, the wound still fresh.
Wamika froze. Her anger flared, but her eyes burned with a deeper fury than Winter had ever seen before. "Whta did she say?" her voice was deadly quiet, laced with barely contained fury.
Before Winter could reply, she let go of Winter, causing him slid down her body until his feet touched the ground. "Where is that bitch? WHERE THE HELL IS THAT WHORE? I'm going to make her pay for what she said." her words were a promise, a deadly one.
"Ami!" Winter wailed, sat on ground, quickly wrapping his arms around her legs, clinging to her like a child who want to stop her from storming off. "Ami... baby, don't. Please. I already dealt with her. She won't bother me again."
Wamika looked down at him, her anger gradually subsiding as she sigh deeply. "Fine," she muttered. "But if she tries anything again..."
"She won't" Winter interrupted quickly, a bright grin returning to his face.
"Good," she said, ruffling Winter's hair with a small smile. "Now stand up. Let's go eat. I'm starving."
Winter beamed and jumped to his feet, grabbing Wamika's arm as they began walking toward the cafeteria.
"You're going to live for a thousand years, Ami," Winter teased, pinching her cheek affectionately.
She swatted his hand away with annoyed expression. "Geez, never going to happen."
Marco and Luca followed behind, laughing at the duo's antics.
"Look at those two, who gonna believe he is 23 year son of Kingsley's family" Marco said, shaking his head. "Ami spoils him way too much."
"Yeah, and he acts like a five year old around her," Luca added, though his tone was filled with fondness.
As the group walked through the hallway, students couldn't help but turn and stare. They both are university students. Yet joking around each other like they were kids.
By the time they reached the cafeteria. the atmosphere between them was light and carefree. Winter pulled out a chair for Wamika, earning an eye roll from her as she sat down.
Marco and Luca grabbed seats across from them, still chuckling at their banter.
"Alright, let's eat!" Winter declared, rubbing his hands together as he scanned the menu.
"I'm paying for mine," Wamika said casually, leaning back in her chair, as Winter every time pay for her.
Winter pouted. "But Ami..."
"No buts," Wamika cut off with a smirk.
As they placed their orders, the students around them continued to watch, whispering among themselves about the group. The four friends were lost in their own world, enjoying each other's company. But deep down, Winter couldn't shake the feeling that the guy from earlier and Lucia's threat were far from over.