<h4>Chapter 78: Why In His Presence?</h4>


    <strong><i>{Elira}</i></strong>


    ~**^**~


    I woke up before the sun.


    Not because of the rm on my smartwatch, or the chimes of morning announcements. I just... couldn’t sleep anymore.


    My body knew it was Sunday. And something in my chest knew it was the day I’d be leaving ESA—if only for a night.


    The dorm room was still quiet. I sat up slowly, pushing the duvet down to myp, and listened.


    The soft rhythm of Cambria’s breathing from the bunk above me. Juniper’s asional turn in bed. Even Nari’s light snore in the distance.


    Everyone was still lost in sleep.


    I stood and tiptoed across the room, grabbing my towel and outfit for the day.


    I chose a simple cream blouse and a long ck pleated skirt — nothing fancy, but it made me feel neat, proper and prepared.


    I showered quickly. The water was warm, but the tile beneath my feet was cold, and it reminded me I was awake.


    By the time I came out, a faint golden hue had started to filter through the curtains.


    Back in the room, I packed a few items into my backpack—my student ID, the red envelope for some reason, a notebook, a textbook, ab, and Rennon’s clean macaron box.


    I had washed it after eating thest of the delicious pastry.


    I wasn’t sure if I’d be returning with anything new, but something told me to leave space.


    As I was zipping up my bag, Cambria stirred on her bunk and leaned over the edge to look at me.


    "You’re leaving now?"


    I nodded.


    Her eyes were still puffy with sleep, but her voice was clear. "Be safe, Elira."


    "I will try," I said, offering a small smile. I meant that as a joke, by the way.


    She jumped down from her bunk and walked over to me without another word. Then, she hugged me.


    "Don’t let anyone talk down to you," she said softly. "I will miss you."


    I closed my eyes, holding on a second longer. "Thank you."


    Juniper stirred next, mumbling, "Is it already seven?"


    Cambria answered for me. "She’s leaving early."


    "Right..." Juniper sat up and blinked at me. "Don’t forget us."


    I chuckled nervously. "I won’t."


    "Why are you all acting like she’s nevering back?" Nari rolled over and groaned, "Can someone tell her to bring back tea on the way? And more Macarons"


    Laughter broke softly between us, and it was the perfect kind of goodbye.


    By 7:25 AM, I was out of the room and heading down the stairwell.


    The air outside was still fresh. I stood just outside, hugging my backpack against my chest, and waited.


    And then I heard it — a low purr of a car engine, distinct and smooth. My eyes followed the ck vehicle pulling up to the curb.


    It was him.


    His presence, even in the early light, had the gravity of thunder held in a single breath.


    "Good morning, Sir," I said quickly, trying not to show how fast my heart was beating.


    "Get in," he said simply after rolling down the window.


    I climbed into the passenger seat. The interior smelled of leather and his familiar oud and ck pepper scent.


    I missed it.


    We didn’t speak as we left the school gates.


    He didn’t ask if I’d slept well, and I didn’t ask what was waiting for me when we arrived.


    The silence inside the car was beginning to press into me like a second skin.


    It wasn’t tense—at least, not outwardly. But being alone in the car with Zenon, had a way of making even silence feel... sharp.


    The hum of the engine, the rhythm of tires brushing over asphalt, the asional click of the indicator—all of it filled the air instead of conversation.


    I stole a nce at him. He looked perfectlyposed, one hand resting lightly on the steering wheel, the other shifting gears with fluid ease.


    His expression was as unreadable as ever. Calm. Focused. Slightly broody, maybe.


    I pressed my lips together and looked out the window again.


    Then it happened. A loud growl rumbled from my stomach, the kind that echoed.


    My eyes widened in horror. ’<i>No. Please, no.’</i>


    Zenon turned slightly, his eyes flicking away from the road just long enough to nce at my face—and then lower to my stomach.


    I did what anyone would do. I immediately pped both hands over the traitor below my ribs like I could somehow hide the sound that had already happened.


    I didn’t dare meet his eyes, not after that.


    He didn’t say a word, but I saw his lips part slightly. He let out a slow, deep sigh and returned his gaze to the road.


    My face burned. Not with embarrassment alone—no, this was a slow-cooking, full-body shame.


    And the worst part? I wasn’t even that hungry.


    I had junks in my shelf. I’d just forgotten to eat something light before leaving. That was all.


    <i>Why now, stomach? Why in his presence?</i>


    I shifted in my seat, hugging my bag closer, and spent the next ten minutes trying to pretend I didn’t exist.


    So when the car suddenly pulled into a turn and rolled into the lot of a modest roadside restaurant, I blinked.


    I looked up, confused, just in time to see him easing the vehicle into a space near the entrance.


    He parked the car, turned off the engine, and then, without even looking at me, said, "Are you not getting out?"


    I blinked again. <i>Wait... did he just—?</i>


    I scrambled to unbuckle my seatbelt. "Yes. I-I am."


    Outside the car, the morning air smelled faintly of coffee and butter and something grilled.


    It wasn’t a fancy ce—just a cozy buffet spot tucked neatly under a flowering tree—but it felt like a surprise.


    We stepped inside together. The warmth from the open kitchen greeted us first, followed by the scent of eggs, syrup, and freshly baked bread.


    Zenon walked ahead and paid at the counter. I trailed behind, unsure whether to speak or thank him.