Ethan didn't remember leaving the club.
What he remembered was the weight in his arms.
Lia was light—lighter than he expected—her head resting against his chest, her breathing uneven but calm. He held her carefully as he took her home, one hand steadying her back, the other gripping her waist as if afraid she might disappear if he let go.
When he reached her apartment, the place was quiet. Too quiet.
He unlocked the door, carried her inside, and gently laid her on the bed. The room smelled faintly of lavender and clean laundry. He adjusted the blanket over her shoulders, then stood there longer than he should have—just staring.
Her lashes were long, resting softly against her cheeks. Her lips were slightly parted. Peaceful. Vulnerable.
"She doesn't even know what almost happened to her," he muttered.
Ethan turned away sharply and left the apartment.
He didn't waste time at the chemist.
"I need something for drug exposure," he said calmly, already listing symptoms. "Dizziness, muscle weakness, disorientation—but no alcohol intake. Something to prevent migraines after she wakes up."
The nurse blinked.
Then blinked again.
She stared at him like he'd walked out of a magazine cover.
"Oh—uh—sir," she said flustered, nearly handing him the wrong medication.
Ethan raised a brow. "That's the wrong one."
She flushed bright red. "S-sorry!"
After paying, Ethan stepped outside and called his assistant.
"Leon," he said. "Bring me fresh clothes. Now."
"Yes, boss."
Back at Lia's place, Ethan took a quick shower. The bathroom was small but clean, the apartment cozy in a way he wasn't used to. When he came out, his attention drifted to the fridge.
He opened it.
Cola chicken.
He reheated it in the microwave, took a bite—and froze.
"…Damn."
It was incredible.
He ate quietly, then called Leon again. "Get me cola chicken. Same kind."
When it arrived, Ethan carefully replaced the portion he'd eaten, cleaned everything spotless, left the medicine on the table with instructions, and disappeared before dawn.
The next morning…
Lia woke up slowly.
Her head felt light. Dizzy—but no headache.
That was strange.
She sat up, frowned, then shook her head. I must've just been tired. Whatever happened last night was a blur, so she chose to forget it.
After tidying up, she opened the fridge.
"…Huh?"
The cola chicken was in a different container.
She checked the sink.
Everything was clean.
Confused but hungry, she ate anyway. It tasted… different. Better, somehow. She shrugged it off.
Soon, she was dressed—navy blue skirt, white shirt, school jacket, hair tied neatly into a ponytail. No makeup. Simple. Perfect. Soft stockings and loafers completed the look.
She grabbed her bag and rushed for the bus.
At school, Ava ran toward her immediately.
"I'm so sorry!" Ava said dramatically. "I don't even remember how I got home!"
She shoved a cupcake into Lia's hands. "Peace offering."
Lia laughed. "It's fine."
Then she froze.
Ryan was standing by the hallway.
He waved casually. "Hey."
"You're… here?" Lia asked, shocked.
Ryan smiled smoothly. "My uncle paid my fees."
Something about it felt off—but before she could ask more, Ava dragged her away.
"Stay away from him," Ava whispered. "Actually—stay away from both of them."
"Both?" Lia asked.
Too late.
She reached her seat.
Someone was already there.
Ethan.
He had his head resting on his desk, eyes closed—no mask.
Lia stopped breathing.
He was… unreal. Sharp jawline. Perfect nose. Calm strength. Like a movie star accidentally placed in a classroom.
She stared.
Then his eyes opened.
Dark. Sharp.
He leaned closer. "What?"
Lia startled. "I—nothing!"
"Why are you staring at me?" he asked flatly.
Her face burned red.
Then he scoffed. "Shy girls are annoying. If you're scared of people, don't sit next to them."
The words hit harder than she expected.
"Oh," Lia said softly.
Her excitement shattered.
So people were right about him, she thought.
Class started, but peace didn't.
Ryan kept turning back, smiling at her, passing notes. Ava shot Lia warning looks. Ethan kept tapping the desk.
"Rule one," he whispered. "Don't talk."
She ignored him.
"Rule two," he added coldly. "Don't breathe so loudly."
She clenched her fists.
By lunch, she was exhausted.
Ava leaned in. "I tried to change your seat. It failed."
Lia sighed.
"Good news?" Ava added. "You only sit with him for normal classes."
Ethan smirked slightly. "Rule three—don't sigh. It's distracting."
Lia snapped. "Do you make rules for everyone or just me?"
He looked at her—really looked.
"…Just you."
And that somehow made everything worse
.The bell rang sharply, slicing through the low hum of the classroom.
Lia flinched.
Ethan straightened in his seat like nothing had happened, his expression already bored, distant—like the earlier moment of eye contact never existed. He slid his chair back slightly, creating a clear, deliberate gap between them.
"Rule one," he said under his breath, not even looking at her.
"Don't stare."
Lia's ears burned. She nodded quickly, fingers tightening around her notebook.
As the teacher walked in, Ryan turned in his seat from the row ahead, flashing Lia a lazy smile that made a few girls whisper.
"Morning, Lia," he said, voice smooth. "You look… different today."
Ava leaned over instantly. "Don't," she whispered sharply. "Just—don't."
Lia offered Ryan a small, polite smile and looked away. That was enough to make him grin wider.
Ethan scoffed softly beside her.
"Rule two," he continued, flipping open his book.
"Don't smile at idiots."
Her head snapped toward him. "Excuse me?"
He finally looked at her then—really looked. His eyes were sharp, unreadable, a little too intense for eight in the morning.
"You heard me," he said calmly. "You're too… quiet to deal with people like him."
Too quiet.
The words stung more than she expected.
Lia pressed her lips together, staring straight ahead as the teacher began the lesson. Her chest felt tight. So this was Ethan—the rude, controlling boy everyone whispered about. The handsome face really was a trick.
Good, she told herself.
Stop thinking about his looks.
But it was hard when she could feel his presence, steady and unbothered, like he owned the air around them.
Halfway through class, a folded note slid onto her desk.
She hesitated, then opened it slightly.
Ryan:
Meet me after class. Cafeteria. I owe you lunch
Before she could react, Ethan reached over, plucked the note from her desk, and tore it cleanly in half.
"Rule three," he muttered.
"No passing notes."
Her eyes widened. "You can't just—!"
"Watch me."
Ava kicked Lia's shoe lightly under the desk, a silent stay calm.
When the bell rang again, signaling the end of class, Lia stood up quickly, gathering her things. She needed air. Space. Distance from both of them.
Ryan caught up to her near the door. "Ignore him," he said softly. "He thinks he owns the place."
Before Lia could respond, Ethan's voice cut in like ice.
"She's not interested."
Ryan's smile faded. "And who asked you?"
Ethan stepped closer, towering slightly. "Me."
The tension was thick enough to choke on.
Ava grabbed Lia's arm. "We're late," she said quickly, pulling her away. "Next class."
As they walked, Ava leaned in. "Listen to me," she whispered. "Both of them are trouble. Different kinds—but still trouble. I don't like the way Ryan looks at you… and Ethan?"
She glanced back once.
"He's worse."
Lia swallowed.
She didn't know why her heart was suddenly racing—or why, despite everything, she found herself wondering if the boy who gave her rules in class was the same one who carried her home in the dark.
And somewhere across the hallway, Ethan watched her leave, jaw tight, fists clenched.
Because Lia Vale wasn't just some shy girl anymore.
She was a problem.
And problems had a way of changing everything.