I nodded. "There was something off about Elena''s behavior. She clearly didn''t like me, so why would she go out of her way to be nice? I knew she had to have an ulterior motive."


    "I think you should take a few days off and rest," L suggested, standing up. "How about I cover your shift at the coffee shop tomorrow?"


    I hesitated.


    "The exams areing up soon, Serena. How''s your revision going?" L''s tone turned serious when she noticed my hesitation. "If you don''t start revising soon, do you think you''ll be able to pass?"


    I thought about it for a moment and realized she had a point.


    "Besides, I can''t do this for free," she added, switching to a more cheerful tone. "I got a look at how much money you have now. Sharing is caring, right? How about you treat me to a big meal?"


    "No problem," I agreed, standing up. "Let''s go."


    L covered my shift at the coffee shop the next day while I stayed in the dorm and studied all day. By the time she returned, it was already dark.


    "Serena, Serena!" L rushed over as soon as she opened the door, shaking my


    arm.


    I was so deep in my studies that I didn''t react right away. My eyes zed over as I mumbled, "What''s wrong?"


    L sat down and chugged half a bottle of water before finally catching her breath. "There''s a new person working at the coffee shop today."


    "Oh?" I replied absentmindedly.


    The coffee shop was close to the university, so it wasmon for new employees toe and go.


    "This new employee started chatting with me right away and asked about you," L said seriously.


    "What do you mean?"


    L continued, "The new guy didn''t know anyone else at the shop, but he pulled me aside and asked if therewas someone named Serena working here."


    I stared at L in surprise. "So this new person... He went there for me?"


    L nodded. "His name is Kevin. He''s "His


    25 and a grad student. That''s all I could dig up today. I didn''t want to get too close to him. I was afraid of giving anything away, so I stuck to small talk. But trust me, this guy is definitely up to something.


    I nodded. "He came to look for me? Why?"


    "I''ve been thinking about it," L said,


    in in you and wants to get


    changing her clothes. "He''s either


    closer, or he''s up to no good."


    I furrowed my brows. "Do you think—"


    Before I could finish, L cut me off, "I think it''s more likely to be the second possibility."


    That was interesting. I twirled the pen in my hand.


    When I arrived at work the next day, I noticed a tall guy standing behind the


    counter before I even stepped inside. That had to be Kevin.


    I deliberately walked in without saying a word.


    "Wee! What can I get you?" he asked.


    He didn''t recognize me. Just as L had warned, he was definitely here for me and up to no good.


    "I''m actually a staff member here," I replied, pushing open the door to the counter.


    "A staff member?" Kevin looked at me in confusion.