Zaira
 
It’s been a while since everything happened. Days of visiting the psychiatric clinic have passed, but thankfully, I’ve made progress. Slowly, I’ve been moving on from what happened with Shin. She’s now in custody under Zion Blackwell’s watch.
But even as I move forward, I can’t shake the ache or the sting of disappointment whenever I remember what Thorne said. I don’t even know why. I should’ve been relieved, even happy about it, but instead, it persists, chipping away at me in ways I can’t explain.
The school declared no classes, it was today’s opening of the family week. There's even a family ball later, in which student's parents will gather around to join their children. It's a tradition at the Academy. It was an opportunity to move on between the tension of Thorne and I. 
The students were bustling repairing and helping each other’s club stalls, Apothecary department is the one in charge for the evening’s event. After my morning walk, I immediately went towards my dorm. As I closed the door behind me. I saw Callista painting his toes with nail polish. 
She paused to see “There you are! I've been looking all over for you!” she said, as she continued painting her nails. 
“What's up? I was doing my morning walk” I said, getting some water. 
“I was worried about what you're going to wear tonight. I was wondering if we could help each other out. I'm a little indecisive about what to wear” she said. 
I was silent looking at her. “I wasn't planning to go,” I said. 
She looked at me raising a brow “Well, you can’t do that. Stella’s parents requested to meet us. I didn’t know she’d been talking about us, especially since we've been together,” she said.
My eyes widened in surprise. “You're kidding!” 
She was about to say something when someone immediately opened the door. Stella was frustrated when she closed the door. 
“Speaking of the devil,” Callista said. 
“What's wrong, Stel?” I asked. 
“I really convinced my father not to come, but my stupid brother insisted that he should meet my friends and to make sure that I picked the right ones!” she said in frustration. 
Stella and his brother, Slater Von Stein—he was the first in line to the throne, the general of Chivalric Order. They are known to be so close and according to Stella he was over protective towards her. I mean very—very protective. 
Callista looked at me mouthing ‘I told you’ I sighed. I am not ready for that, and on top of that I don't have something formal to wear when meeting the king. 
“It's alright hon, We'll make sure that we will be in our best behavior” Callista said. Stella looked at her, raising her brow.
She sighed “Including me, I'll try to minimize my mouth during a formal conversion—and that includes no inappropriate and cursing words” she said. 
Stella and I laughed. “Alright, I'm convinced,” Stella said. 
“So you're ready tonight right? I heard Ainsley was really stressed out and even released a few cursing words” Stella said. 
Callista and I were surprised, we've known Ainsley for being gentle and soft—It’s rare for her to curse towards someone. 
“Yikes! goodluck with them” Callista said. 
“And as for your question, no, because Miss Zaira over here is planning not to come and she doesn't have a dress yet!” Callista said. 
Stella looked at me. “I have a few dresses at my dorm, I'm sure we have the same sizes” she offered. 
“I couldn't—” 
“Problem solved, Zai!” Callista blurted out. 
“I can't, I'm sure I have something here in my closet” I lied. I don't have anything, but I can't just borrow a princess’s dress. 
“Zai, please, you can borrow just for once. I really want them to meet you all. If I don't prove to them that you're not a troublemaker—even if you really aren't one. They could pull me out and I don't want that” Stella said as her eyes pleaded. 
“Alright! alright! stop with the puppy eyes!” I exclaimed. 
They both exclaimed, and they even gave themselves a high five. Stella stood up “I have to go get ready, I'll ask someone to deliver the dresses for you. I'll see you later tonight” she said walking out. 
I saw Callista walk towards me holding both of my shoulders. “Don't worry so much, you have a lot of helpers” then, she winks. 
                              Thorne
I entered the venue of the Family Ball, which I wasn't planning to attend. I was too busy making plans for my target. Amd Blackwell and Astrid keep bugging me about it. I was at our table and Astrid, together with her husband, they're chattering about their upcoming pregnancy. I was silent, flooding my system with liquor.
It's been a week that I haven't seen her, and that means having a hell of a weak—my mind has been bugging about Zaira’s presence. Body tingles craving for her white, jasmine scent. Liquor helps me get over it temporarily. 
I stood up away from the table and excused myself. I didn't want myself surrounded by people. I sighed as I drank another—until out of the corner of my eye I saw her. Zaira 
Her pale skin stood out against that dark blue dress. Subtle sparkles catching the light. Her sleeves draped down her shoulders. The bodice hugged her waist perfectly. She was smiling towards her friends. She was beautiful and stood out in the huge crowd. 
“Ackerman” 
I broke down in my daze when I heard Blackwell’s voice. He looked good with that matte tuxedo of his. Customized with the famous designer in this realm, more expensive than any mortal can get. 
“What?” I asked. 
“Mathilda is looking for you, the ceremony is about to start” he said. 
“I see, I'll follow,” I said. 
This event wasn't just a fucking getting together with their families. It's also a competition where elites bet their sons and daughters that who has the best performance in classes. And I’m one of the professors to call those students out since I'm handling one of the major subjects. 
I followed Blackwell and some time later, the principal called my name to call who’s the student who stands out from my class. And it was obvious. 
“Good evening ladies and gentleman, I am thankful to witness the efforts, hard work, and perseverance of your children. However stands apart as a role model inspiring her peers for greater success” 
“May I call Zaira Winter Coffey” I called out. The sound of applause reached my ear, As I saw her walking at the corner of the eye, smiling in the crowd—beautiful as a flower in a cold snow. Beautiful as the winter in mid-year. 
As she gave her inspiring speech, I was speechless, glancing at her. After that, I gazed at her secretly. Her steps as she walked cascading through the stairs and hurriedly went to her friends. 
I immediately walked away from the stage, my desperation crawled within me—I needed to talk to her, I am dying to let this be. 
                                 Zaira
A while later our presence was requested by the King and Calista was holding it in for us, and luckily the king is in a really good mood, with Stella beside her wearing her signature color pink. She was absolutely beautiful. 
“Congratulations on receiving the certificate of recognition, Zaira, I heard that you're one of Thorne Ackerman’s students” He said smiling. 
Hearing his name sent my pulse quickening, A memory of him flashed, those blank and cold eyes were gazing at me. He looked breathtaking with that customized suite of his. 
I snapped back as I looked at the king smiling. “Thank you, your highness, but I believe I was just working hard to reach my dreams” I answered. 
“That is an admirable goal” he said as he raised his red wine. “Your last name is very familiar. I heard it somewhere” he said thinking. 
I smiled. “I assume you're familiar with Doctor Zainab Coffey” I said. 
“Ahh yes! she's one of my wife’s friends, are you her daughter?” He was intrigued by the conversation. Stella looked at me with surprise. 
I am not surprised by her reaction, my aunt was the best doctor in the Kingdom. And so was Stella's mother. 
“I am her niece, your highness” I replied.
“I was surprised by the news of her death. I assume that your parents are here with you, I'd like to meet them” he asked, hoping we would meet them 
“I apologize, but my parents passed away when I was three, there was a fire in our house and I was the only one left alive,” I explained flatly, looking at them blankly and then I forced myself to smile. 
The table felt silent, My friends were speechless and so was the king. “Apologies, how rude of me” he said. 
“It's alright your majesty” I said. 
Later on, Stella immediately carried the conversation, we all had a good laugh. But after the story I've given to the king my stomach was rumbling and I felt so sick.
I immediately went to the bathroom and fixed myself, realizing that I needed some fresh air. The moon lights up beautifully, I was in the small garden of Hipocralis with beautiful flowers and roses planted. The water in the fountain sparkled under the moonlight. 
As I was about to go back, A shiver crawled to my spine. I heard footsteps and I immediately looked. Surprised, as he stepped towards the moonlight. Those Raven black eyes admiring the full moon, he looks striking in his tuxedo with his hair neatly styled. Until—his gazes locked on mine, my pulse pounded wildly, as my heart became deeper. 
“Professor” 
“Hello, Flower” a smile crossed his face as his hands were in his pockets. His presence was the only comfort I needed—the comfort that I miss. 
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice barely audible. Each step of his made my pulse quickened. My breath hitched when he stopped in front of me. That sophisticated leather scent lingers in the air. 
“I came to see you,” he said, his voice sounding like a whisper.
I was taken aback by what he had said, out of the corner of my eye I saw the beautiful woman Astrid with her burnt orange dress, looking so beautifully as she stood-out from the crowd. 
“You should go back, Miss Astrid is looking for you” I insisted. Those words that escaped from my lips felt bitter.
“Miss Astrid Dali is busy announcing their pregnancy together with his husband,” he said. 
Speechless as I looked at him. I was about to lock away. I don't want to be captivated by those eyes of his. 
“Look at me, Zaira, focus on me and don't you dare look away” he said firmly, his tone authoritative. 
“Why are you doing this Thorne? you suddenly shut me out after the incident and here you are walking in my life again like nothing had happened” 
I didn't even know why I was feeling so irritated, I should've ignored his presence or maybe run away from it in the first place but yet, I didn't. 
"You keep calling me nicknames, treating me like I’m special. Do you act this way toward your past students too?" My voice trembled slightly, but I refused to back down. This confusion, these tangled thoughts, is needed to end.
He didn't say anything “We should stop, you should stop giving me this special treatment. We shouldn't be like this, you're my professor and I'm your student, that's all it should be.” I said, still looking at his eyes. 
“The way you deliver it, I think I caught some feelings that it's forbidden, so stop, you can date any woman you like and I'll do the same—” 
“The fuck you will” His gaze grew darker, his voice tinged with irritation. 
"Flower, I don't get jealous easily, but the thought of you dating another man? Do you really think that would work—no!"
"Thorne, stop! You're my professor—you'll lose your license!" I protested.
"To hell with my license, Flower. I'd break every rule if it meant making you mine," he said, his voice firm and unwavering.
I opened my mouth ready to argue but before I did his mouth crashed mine. Part of me has awakened something—his kiss was soft like craving it for a long time. A sense of longing and craving for this feeling. 
I should have pushed him away and run away but instead—my lips moved instinctively as if they had their mind on their own. It wasn't just a kiss; it was a silent confession, a craving that echoed in every part of me, begging for more—more of him, more of this moment. 
But then, just as I thought I might lose myself to him, a sudden laugh rang out nearby. My heart skipped a beat and before I could react, he pulled away sharply, his grip firm yet gentle, as through pulling me into a hidden space out of sight.