Ruthless Lady Series : The Ruthless Comeback

y and quiet companionship. The library became their sanctuary, a place where they spent hours poring over book

. Sometimes, when Avyanna struggled with a passage, Kairus would lean in just a little too close, his voice low as he explained, his breath warm against her chee

et conversations and the occasional clink of coffee cups provided a comforting backdrop to her studies. Kairus had started ac

ut except for a few lingering patrons. Avyanna let out a deep sig

ed, closing his book for

"Says the guy who nearly fell

ly. "That was different. You were b

café's hanging lamps softened her features, making her look almost ethereal in the quiet glow. Kai

se, her fingers tracing absent patterns on the wooden

ically. "All night? Y

odd sense of warmth settle in his chest. He didn't mind losin

uctant. "But only if you promise to b

smirked.

anding up as if to make good on his words. That was when Avyanna

. "Wait a minute... You're serious? D

head slightly as if considering it, b

. "Oh, come on

getting for free? The water, the air conditioning, the Wi-Fi..." He co

sing her arms. Oh... The business-mind

e deep in thought before flashing him a teasing smile

ointing an accusatory finger

fectious. Kairus tried to hold his serious expressi

ed against the table, the screen lighting up with an incoming call.

el

?" Huan-Yue's voice came

, who was behind the counter, preparing the coffee w

oo?" Huan-Yue's teasi

back to Kairus, who, despite seeming focused on the coffee machine

.." Avyanna cleared her

er end. "Ohhh, a classmate, huh? And wh

h a small smile played on her

meone I know! Wait,

game, Avyanna quickly cut her off. "I'll

ineee, but this conv

as she hung up,

d, placing the steaming cup

d, wrapping her hands aro

ow. "Let me guess-they

er first sip. "W-What? No!

tugging at his lips. "B

ing her coffee a little too aggr

taking his seat acro

ously, making sure to say it loud enough for th

just as Huan-Yue's voic

a, who'

words faltered when she saw Kairus' hand stretched out in front of her, palm up, fingers curling in a s

at him. "Are

ngers impatiently. "B

ull out some cash, grumbling under her br

s said smoothly, slipping the money i

hter rang out. "Ohhh, I knew it

able. "Goodnight, Huan-Yue." She ended the call b

own coffee with an amused glint in his eyes. "So, are

him a look. "

ep-only the occasional flicker of a streetlamp and the distant hum of passing cars disturbed the stilln

the soft scratching of pens against paper. Kairus sat across from her, flipping through his notes

ing her chin on her

oked up.

et, the warmth surrounding them. "This. S

re you saying you

rolling her eyes.

a moment, a fleeting second, his expression softened-as if he, too, wa

ld outside, they continued-studying, teasing, and sharing unspoken m