The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Mooncrest Villa.
For the first time in two days...
Ishira actually felt better.
The fever was gone.
The headache had disappeared.
And the unbearable weakness had reduced significantly.
She stretched lazily before sitting up in bed.
A mountain of empty chocolate wrappers immediately greeted her.
"...Oops."
Just then, her bedroom door opened.
Kiara walked in carrying two coffee mugs.
The moment she saw the wrappers—
She froze.
Then stared.
Then stared some more.
"What."
Ishira looked innocent.
Very innocent.
"You ate all of them?"
"No."
Kiara pointed at the evidence.
"The wrappers are literally behind you."
"Maybe someone framed me."
Kiara threw a pillow at her.
"Psychopath."
Ishira laughed.
A real laugh.
One she hadn't had in days.
Seeing her smile, Kiara visibly relaxed.
"Feeling better?"
"Much."
"Good."
They quickly got ready for college.
After breakfast, both girls climbed into Kiara's car.
The Manhattan roads were already crowded.
Music played softly as they drove toward Blackwood University.
"So..."
Kiara suddenly began.
Ishira narrowed her eyes.
"No."
"You don't even know what I'm asking."
"I know exactly what you're asking."
A grin appeared on Kiara's face.
"Professor Mehra."
"No."
"Professor Mehra."
"No."
"The Devil."
"No."
"The Mafia King."
"No."
"The guy who—"
"KIARA."
Kiara burst out laughing.
The reaction alone was enough.
Meanwhile, Ishira looked outside the window.
Trying very hard not to think about a certain cold-eyed man.
Unfortunately...
The memory of a late-night phone call kept appearing in her mind.
And that only annoyed her more.
A short while later, Blackwood University came into view.
Students filled the campus grounds.
Cars lined the entrance.
The usual chaos.
Kiara parked the car.
The two girls stepped out.
Everything felt normal again.
Or at least...
Until a familiar black luxury car entered through the university gates.
The moment it appeared—
The atmosphere changed.
Girls immediately started whispering.
Students looked toward the entrance.
And Ishira already knew who it was before the car even stopped.
Kiara noticed too.
"Oh."
"Don't."
"Ohhh."
"Kiara."
"The Devil has arrived."
Ishira rolled her eyes.
But despite herself...
Her gaze still shifted toward the black car.
And somewhere deep inside—
Her heart betrayed her by beating just a little faster.
The black luxury car came to a smooth stop near the main building.
Almost instantly, whispers spread across the campus.
"That's him."
"Professor Mehra."
"Oh my God, he's so handsome."
"Look at him."
Every girl's attention shifted toward the car.
The driver stepped out first.
Then—
Ivaan Mehra emerged.
Black shirt.
Black coat.
Black watch.
The Devil himself.
His cold expression remained unchanged as he walked through the campus.
Students automatically moved aside.
Nobody dared block his path.
Not because he was a trustee.
Not because he was a professor.
But because there was something about him that demanded space.
Demanded respect.
Demanded fear.
Kiara watched everything with amusement.
Then slowly looked toward Ishira.
And immediately started smiling.
A dangerous smile.
"No."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were about to."
"I wasn't."
"You were."
Meanwhile—
Ivaan's sharp gaze swept across the crowd.
Only once.
That was all it took.
His eyes landed on Ishira.
Standing beside Kiara.
Completely fine.
No fever.
No weakness.
No pale face.
Healthy.
For the first time since yesterday.
Something inside him settled.
Though his expression remained as cold as ever.
As if nothing had happened.
As if he hadn't spent half the previous day taking care of her.
As if he hadn't stayed awake until three in the morning.
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
The Devil wore his mask perfectly.
Then—
Without warning—
Ivaan changed direction.
And started walking straight toward them.
The girls nearby almost stopped breathing.
"Oh my God."
"He's coming here."
"No way."
"Is he?"
Kiara immediately looked at Ishira.
Then took a very strategic step backward.
"Kiara."
"Good luck."
"KIARA."
Too late.
She was already escaping.
Traitor.
Within seconds, Ivaan stopped in front of Ishira.
The campus noise seemed to disappear.
His eyes traveled over her face.
Observing.
Checking.
Making sure she was actually alright.
Finally—
"Better?"
The question was simple.
But it carried more concern than he would ever admit.
Ishira crossed her arms.
Immediately defensive.
"Yes."
"Medicine?"
"Taken."
"Food?"
"Taken."
"Chocolate?"
Ishira glared.
Ivaan smirked.
A very small smirk.
Gone before anyone else noticed.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"I hate you."
"No, you don't."
The exact same answer as before.
Which only annoyed her further.
Before she could reply—
The university bell rang.
Students immediately began moving toward their classrooms.
Ivaan checked the time.
Then looked at her one last time.
"Good."
"What?"
"You look better."
For some reason...
That simple sentence affected Ishira more than it should have.
And before she could find a reply—
The Devil turned around and walked away toward the academic building.
Leaving behind hundreds of staring students.
One shocked Kiara.
And one very confused Butterfly.
The lecture was boring.
Painfully boring.
At least according to Ishira.
She had been trying to focus for the last twenty minutes, but her mind kept wandering.
To yesterday.
To chocolates.
To late-night calls.
And unfortunately...
To a certain Devil.
Annoyed with herself, she shook her head.
"Focus, Ishira."
A few minutes later, she suddenly felt uncomfortable.
A horrible thought immediately crossed her mind.
What if my pants got stained?
Her eyes widened.
Without wasting another second, she grabbed her phone and quietly left the classroom.
The moment she entered the restroom, she checked.
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
A relieved sigh escaped her.
"Great. I scared myself for no reason."
After washing her hands, she walked back toward the academic building.
Her attention was completely on her phone.
Big mistake.
Because someone was walking from the opposite direction.
And neither noticed the other.
Until—
THUD.
Ishira crashed directly into a solid chest.
Her phone almost slipped from her hand.
Strong hands instantly grabbed her shoulders to steady her.
For a second, everything froze.
Then a familiar voice spoke.
"Butterfly."
Ishira closed her eyes.
Of course.
Slowly looking up, she found herself staring straight into Ivaan's cold eyes.
Perfect.
Just perfect.
"I wasn't looking."
"No," Ivaan replied dryly.
"I noticed."
Ishira rolled her eyes.
"You don't have to be sarcastic."
"You literally walked into me."
"You could've moved."
One eyebrow lifted.
"I should move?"
"Exactly."
The answer was so ridiculous that a faint smirk appeared on his face.
Ishira hated that smirk.
Mostly because it looked good.
Which was unfair.
Very unfair.
Ivaan's gaze briefly scanned her face.
"You look better."
"I know."
"The fever is gone."
"I know."
"The attitude isn't."
"I know."
The smirk grew slightly.
Then his eyes shifted toward the nearly empty corridor.
Most students were already inside their classrooms.
Including hers.
His gaze returned to her.
"So why are you roaming around the hallways?"
"I went to the restroom."
A second passed.
Then another.
And suddenly realization flashed across his eyes.
Ishira immediately understood what he was thinking.
"Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Think."
"Too late."
"Ivaan."
"Butterfly."
His expression remained perfectly calm.
Which somehow made everything worse.
Ishira groaned dramatically.
"I regret talking to you."
"No, you don't."
There it was again.
That answer.
The same answer every single time.
Before she could argue further, the bell rang across the building.
Both looked toward the classroom wing.
Then back at each other.
For a brief second, neither moved.
Then Ivaan stepped aside.
"Go to class."
The command made her narrow her eyes.
"You sound like a dictator."
"And you sound like trouble."
Without waiting for her response, he walked past her.
Black shirt.
Cold expression.
Hands in pockets.
The Devil of Manhattan once again.
Meanwhile, Ishira stood there watching him disappear down the corridor.
Only realizing several seconds later that she had been staring.
And that realization annoyed her more than the collision itself.
The corridor incident had delayed Ishira even more.
By the time she returned, students were already settling into their seats.
Fortunately, it was only a few minutes before class started.
She slipped into her seat beside Kiara and immediately pulled out her phone.
"What happened?" Kiara whispered.
"Nothing."
"That face says otherwise."
"Kiara."
"Okay, okay."
The classroom door suddenly opened.
Instant silence.
Every student immediately knew who had arrived.
Ivaan Mehra.
Black shirt.
Sleeves rolled up.
Cold expression.
The entire classroom stood up at once.
Every single student.
Well...
Almost every single student.
Ishira was completely focused on her phone.
Scrolling.
Typing.
Reading messages.
Absolutely unaware of what was happening around her.
Kiara's eyes widened.
"Oh no."
"What?"
"Stand up."
"Why?"
Before Kiara could answer—
A dangerous silence spread through the room.
The kind that made everyone nervous.
Slowly...
Very slowly...
Ishira looked up from her phone.
And froze.
The entire class was standing.
Everyone.
Except her.
And standing near the professor's desk was Ivaan.
Watching her.
The room felt ten degrees colder.
Kiara looked ready to disappear.
Several students exchanged nervous glances.
A few girls looked delighted.
Finally.
Someone else was in trouble.
Ishira slowly stood up.
The silence continued.
Then Ivaan spoke.
"Interesting."
Nobody breathed.
Nobody moved.
His cold gaze remained fixed on Ishira.
"Miss Sharma."
The entire class looked toward her.
Wonderful.
Exactly what she needed.
"Yes, Professor?"
"Did I interrupt something important?"
A few students lowered their heads to hide smiles.
Ishira immediately understood what he was doing.
"Oh, absolutely."
Several people nearly choked.
Nobody spoke to Ivaan Mehra like that.
Nobody.
One dark eyebrow lifted.
"Really?"
"Yes."
The classroom became even quieter.
Kiara looked ready to faint.
Then—
To everyone's shock—
A faint smirk appeared on Ivaan's face.
Gone instantly.
So quickly most students missed it.
Most.
Not Ishira.
"Then perhaps," he said calmly, "you can share with the entire class whatever is more important than Criminal Psychology."
The challenge was obvious.
Ishira narrowed her eyes.
And just like that—
The battle began.
Again.
The entire classroom was silent.
All eyes were on Ishira.
Some students looked nervous.
Some looked entertained.
And a few girls looked way too happy to see someone being questioned by Ivaan Mehra.
For a brief moment, Ishira considered arguing.
Then she remembered she was already standing in the middle of the class while everyone watched.
Wonderful.
Taking a deep breath, she looked at him.
"Sorry, Professor."
The room became even quieter.
Because nobody expected Ishira Sharma to apologize.
Especially not to him.
Ivaan stared at her for a few seconds.
Then gave a short nod.
"You should be."
The answer instantly irritated her.
Very irritated.
But before she could say anything—
"Sit down."
His voice was cold and professional.
No smirk.
No teasing.
Nothing.
Just a professor addressing a student.
Ishira clenched her jaw.
Then slowly sat down.
The moment she did, Ivaan turned toward the board and began the lecture as if nothing had happened.
As if he hadn't just embarrassed her in front of the entire class.
As if he hadn't put every eye in the room on her.
The nerve.
The absolute nerve.
Beside her, Kiara was trying very hard not to laugh.
Very hard.
Unfortunately, she failed.
A tiny laugh escaped.
Ishira immediately looked at her.
"Don't."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Kiara bit her lip.
"I swear I'm not."
Another laugh escaped.
Traitor.
Meanwhile, at the front of the class, Ivaan continued explaining criminal behavior patterns.
Calm.
Collected.
Focused.
But every now and then, his gaze shifted toward the second row.
Toward one particularly angry student.
Who was glaring holes into the back of his head.
The sight almost made him smirk.
Almost.
And that only made Ishira more annoyed.
Because somehow...
The Devil looked entirely too pleased with himself.
The moment the bell rang, the entire classroom came alive.
Students immediately started packing their bags.
Conversations filled the room.
Chairs scraped against the floor.
And within seconds, everyone was heading toward the door.
Including Ishira and Kiara.
"I am starving," Kiara declared dramatically.
"You are always starving."
"That's not the point."
"It literally is."
The two girls left the classroom and started walking toward the cafeteria.
Halfway there—
They noticed something unusual.
A huge crowd had gathered near the Student Affairs Building.
Students were whispering excitedly.
Some were taking pictures.
Others were discussing something intensely.
Kiara frowned.
"What happened?"
"No idea."
Curious, she stopped a passing student.
"What's going on?"
The girl immediately replied,
"You didn't hear?"
"Hear what?"
"The Student Council President position is vacant now."
Both girls exchanged confused looks.
"What?"
The student continued excitedly,
"Ethan officially left Blackwood."
Silence.
Both froze.
"What?"
The student nodded.
"Nobody knows the exact reason."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. The announcement was released this morning."
Then the student hurried away to join the crowd.
For several moments neither Ishira nor Kiara spoke.
Because this was unexpected.
Very unexpected.
Kiara finally broke the silence.
"That was sudden."
"Very."
Neither knew what to think.
Especially Ishira.
The timing felt strange.
Too strange.
But before either could discuss it further—
Kiara grabbed her arm.
"Cafeteria."
"Food again?"
"Food always."
A few minutes later, they entered the crowded cafeteria.
Students filled almost every table.
The smell of coffee and snacks filled the air.
Finally finding an empty table, both girls sat down.
Kiara immediately started talking about random university gossip.
Trying to distract herself from the Ethan news.
Meanwhile, Ishira stared absentmindedly at her juice.
Because despite everything...
A certain cold-eyed Devil unexpectedly crossed her mind.
And for some reason—
The news about Ethan leaving Blackwood didn't feel like a coincidence at all.
Kiara was in the middle of explaining some random campus gossip when Ishira's phone suddenly vibrated.
A message.
Without much interest, she glanced at the screen.
The moment she saw the sender's name—
Her eyes narrowed.
😈 Devil
Kiara immediately noticed.
"Ohhh."
"Don't start."
"Is that him?"
"No."
"It is."
Ishira ignored her and opened the message.
Devil: Come to my office.
That was it.
No greeting.
No explanation.
Just an order.
Typical.
Ishira immediately typed a reply.
Butterfly: No.
The response was sent instantly.
Kiara almost choked on her drink.
"You said no?"
"Yes."
"To him?"
"Yes."
"You have courage."
"I have anger."
A few seconds later another message arrived.
Devil: Interesting.
Ishira rolled her eyes.
Then another message appeared.
Devil: Five minutes.
Butterfly: Not coming.
The reply was immediate.
Almost aggressive.
Kiara was enjoying this way too much.
Then—
Another message.
Devil: Three minutes.
Butterfly: Still no.
For nearly thirty seconds, nothing happened.
Ishira smirked proudly.
Victory.
Finally.
Then her phone vibrated again.
She opened the message.
And immediately regretted it.
Devil: Fine.
Devil: Should I come to the cafeteria instead?
Devil: In front of everyone.
Devil: And personally escort you to my office?
Silence.
Complete silence.
Kiara leaned closer.
Read the message.
Then burst out laughing.
"Oh my God."
"Not funny."
"It is very funny."
Ishira glared at the phone.
Then at the cafeteria.
Then imagined Ivaan actually walking in here.
In front of hundreds of students.
Absolutely not.
Never.
Not happening.
Another message appeared.
Devil: Two minutes.
Ishira clenched her jaw.
The man was impossible.
Completely impossible.
Finally—
She stood up.
Kiara immediately smirked.
"Going somewhere?"
"No."
"Really?"
"Shut up."
"You lost."
"I hate him."
"Sure."
With one last murderous glare at her phone, Ishira grabbed her bag and started walking toward the Trustee Office.
Meanwhile, inside Blackwood's Trustee Wing—
Ivaan looked at the final message she had sent.
Nothing.
Because she hadn't replied.
Which meant she was coming.
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
Exactly as expected.
The stubborn Butterfly always argued.
But eventually...
She came anyway.
The large office door flew open.
Without a knock.
Without permission.
Without even a second thought.
Ishira stormed inside.
The anger from the classroom incident still fresh in her mind.
Ivaan was seated behind his desk, reviewing documents on his laptop.
Not even looking up.
As if he had expected this exact reaction.
The moment she reached the desk—
THUD.
Her bag landed on the table.
Several papers shifted.
A pen rolled off the desk.
Silence.
Dangerous silence.
Finally, Ivaan looked up.
His expression remained calm.
Cold.
Unbothered.
Which only made Ishira angrier.
"What was that?"
Ivaan raised an eyebrow.
"What was what?"
"The class."
"Ah."
The single word irritated her even more.
"Don't 'ah' me."
A faint smirk threatened to appear.
He hid it quickly.
"I see you're upset."
"Upset?"
She pointed toward herself.
"YOU embarrassed me in front of the entire class."
"You embarrassed yourself."
"Ivaan!"
"Professor."
That did it.
Ishira looked ready to throw something.
Possibly him.
Unfortunately, he seemed completely relaxed.
Leaning back in his chair.
Watching her reaction.
Studying it.
Enjoying it.
Which was even worse.
"You could've ignored it."
"I could have."
"Then why didn't you?"
A brief silence followed.
Then Ivaan calmly closed the file in front of him.
His attention fully shifting toward her.
"Because every student stood up."
"So?"
"Except one."
"That one was busy."
"Clearly."
The sarcasm made her glare harder.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Ivaan slowly stood up from his chair.
Immediately changing the atmosphere of the room.
Because standing—
He was somehow more intimidating.
More dangerous.
And annoyingly taller.
He walked around the desk.
Slowly.
Stopping a few feet away.
"Ishira."
"What?"
"You said sorry."
The anger in her eyes flickered.
"Because everyone was staring."
"And?"
"And I had no choice."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"Good."
She blinked.
"What?"
"You apologized when you were wrong."
Now she was confused.
And somehow more annoyed.
"That's why you called me here?"
"No."
"Then why?"
Ivaan reached toward his desk.
Picked up a small paper bag.
And placed it in front of her.
Ishira frowned.
"What is this?"
"Open it."
Suspiciously, she opened the bag.
Inside—
Chocolate.
Lots of chocolate.
Her anger immediately lost some strength.
Not all.
But some.
Just enough for Ivaan to notice.
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
And for the first time since entering the office—
The Devil looked entirely too pleased with himself.
The chocolates had done their job.
At least partially.
Ishira sat comfortably in the chair across from Ivaan's desk, eating chocolate while pretending she wasn't enjoying it.
The anger from the classroom incident was still there.
But it was becoming difficult to stay angry while eating expensive chocolate.
Very difficult.
Meanwhile, Ivaan was busy reviewing files on his laptop.
The office remained quiet.
Until—
RINGGGG!
The university bell echoed across the campus.
Signaling the end of break time.
Students immediately started returning to their classrooms.
Ishira glanced toward the window.
Then back at the chocolate in her hand.
Priorities.
A few seconds later, a cold voice broke the silence.
"Class."
She continued eating.
"I'm aware."
Ivaan looked up.
"It's my lecture."
"I know."
"Then go."
"No."
Silence.
Ivaan slowly closed the file in front of him.
A very bad sign.
Ishira ignored it.
"I'm angry."
"I noticed."
"So I'm not coming."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You are."
The argument continued exactly as expected.
Ishira crossed her arms.
"No."
One dark eyebrow lifted.
"No?"
"No."
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Ivaan stood up from his chair.
Immediately making the room feel smaller.
More dangerous.
He slowly walked around the desk.
One step.
Then another.
Stopping directly in front of her chair.
Ishira immediately looked up.
And regretted it.
Because that look in his eyes never meant anything good.
"Butterfly."
"No."
His expression remained calm.
Far too calm.
"Attend the lecture."
"No."
"Ishira."
"No."
A dangerous silence followed.
Then—
"I can always mark you absent."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You wouldn't."
"I would."
"You won't."
"I will."
She immediately sat straighter.
The man was impossible.
Completely impossible.
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
Victory was near.
"I hate you."
"No, you don't."
There it was again.
That answer.
The same answer every single time.
Ishira groaned dramatically.
Then stood up.
Grabbing her bag from the table.
The chocolates too.
Obviously.
Very important.
Ivaan watched the entire scene with satisfaction.
"Good choice."
"Don't talk to me."
"See you in class."
"I'm still angry."
"I know."
"And I'm not forgiving you."
"We'll survive."
That earned him a glare.
A very dangerous glare.
Unfortunately, it had absolutely no effect on Ivaan Mehra.
A few moments later, Ishira stormed out of the office.
While behind her—
The Devil returned to his files.
Looking entirely too pleased with himself.
Write a comment ...