Vrie raised an eyebrow and called Stefan.


    The call was answered almost immediately, followed by a nervous voice. "V- Veevee? You''re calling me?"


    "Did I interrupt anything?" Vrie asked.


    "N-No! Not at all! I''m just surprised, that''s all," Stefan replied.


    Vrie smiled. "Have you eaten yet?"


    "I... uh... n-not yet... There''s a new menu in the cafeteria. It''s really good. Want toe try it?" Stefan asked.


    His cautious, hopeful tone tugged at Vrie''s heart.


    "Sure. Give me 20 minutes," Vrie said.


    After hanging up, she drove straight to Saintosh University.


    ...


    The moment Vrie parked near the entrance, she saw Stefan walking toward her.


    She stepped out of the car and met him halfway. "Have you been waiting for me this whole time?"


    Stefan shook his head. "No, I just got here."


    As he spoke, he avoided her gaze, his eyes darting nervously.


    They walked across campus together, Stefan eagerly pointing out buildings andndmarks.


    Vrieughed. "You know, I actually attended here too."


    Stefan froze. "Wait. Seriously?"


    "Yeap. So technically, I''m your senior," Vrie said.


    "Nice to meet you, senior!" Stefan greeted with a smile.


    They exchanged grins. As they passed familiar campusndmarks, Vrie mused, "Things have changed a lot since I was a student here."


    "I can give you a tour after we eat," Stefan offered.


    Vrie chuckled. "Sure. I''ll leave it to you then, junior."


    ...


    Brandon was reviewing documents when his secretary, Charlie, knocked and entered.


    "Mr. Sumner, Ms. Weir went to Saintosh University after work," Charlie reported.


    Brandon''s grip on the papers tightened. His voice turned cold. "She''s seeing that guy again, isn''t she?"


    "I''m not sure. Would you like me to look into it?" Charlie asked.


    "No need. You can go," Brandon dismissed.


    Once the door closed, he set the file down and picked up his phone.


    After a moment''s hesitation, he sent Vrie a message.


    Brandon: [Vrie, are you free tomorrow? I reserved a table at that steakhouse you wanted to try. Let''s have lunch together?]


    The message was sent, but there was no response.


    Half an hour passed. Still nothing.


    A sense of unease gnawed at him. He grabbed his coat, ready to leave, when his phone rang.


    It was Jayden.


    "Brandon, Michelle got hurt because


    of you! She''s still in the hospital. Never mind that you didn''t visit you haven''t even called to check on her. Don''t you think that''s a little heartless?!" Jayden demanded.


    "I have things to do," Brandon replied tly. "Tappreciate what she did, and if she needs anything, help But. I''m not going to see her."


    Jayden''s voice turned furious. "What the hell? She got hurt for you! We''ve been friends for years, and you''re willing to throw that all away for Vrie?!"


    Brandon stopped in his tracks, his voice firm. "Between Vrie and Michelle, I choose Vrie."