But as luck would have it, it looks like I wasn't fated to have it at all, Adrian muttered in a daze as he remembered the university taking them on a hiking trip, where things unfolded like…
A few hours ago....
"Be careful, students," the teacher called out as she led the group along the rocky mountain path. One side dropped into a steep ridge, but with stairs and railings in place, the climb was safe enough. The students—most around sixteen—didn't take the warning too seriously.
"I've been here twice already with my parents," a boy boasted, his smug grin almost daring the others to be impressed. "The view from the top is breathtaking. Trust me, you'll never get enough of it."
A blond-haired boy snorted dismissively. "Please. It's nothing special. I've been here countless times. Honestly, I'm sick of it. If you want real beauty, Hawaii is far better. And as for mountains? Banff National Park outshines this place a hundred times over. I went there last summer."
His name was Jonathan—rich, striking, and always eager to remind everyone of both.
"Wow, really, Jonathan?" gasped Mina, her eyes sparkling. She was one of the class beauties and a devoted admirer of his. To her, his wealth and good looks were proof that he was someone worth chasing.
Jonathan smirked, puffing himself up under her attention. "Of course. Just last week I was on my family's yacht for a week-long tour. We even visited the Great Barrier Reef. The sight was unforgettable—so much better than these little countryside mountains. And yet…" His eyes slid toward Marcus, who had been boasting earlier. "…some people act like this place is worth bragging about."
Marcus's face flushed. He fell silent, shrinking under Jonathan's mocking gaze. Mina quickly chimed in, siding with Jonathan. "Yeah, some people just don't know what they're talking about." She turned to him, smiling sweetly. "Anyway, Jonathan, when are you going to take us somewhere exciting? You will, won't you?" Her voice dripped with expectation, her expression softening into pleading, puppy-like eyes.
"Haha, of course," Jonathan laughed, waving his hand as if it were already decided. "Next summer I'll plan another trip at sea. I'll invite a few of you."
as he spoke, his eyes wandered—drawn toward a girl ahead of them. Celeste. Her light-brown hair shimmered softly in the sun, her pearl-blue eyes clear as the sky itself. She was laughing with a dark-haired boy whose sharp features and obsidian-like eyes made him striking in his own right. Together, they looked so natural, their laughter ringing lightly between them.
They looked perfectly at ease together, their laughter grating on Jonathan's nerves.
Jonathan's smile faltered. His jaw tightened. The sight made his chest tighten with something hot and unpleasant. Clicking his tongue, he forced a stiff smile "Celeste, you're invited too."
Mina's expression soured instantly. Why her? she seethed silently. So what if she's a little prettier? Our families are equals—if not mine richer. Why her, when she doesn't even care about you at all?
But she didn't voice her jealousy. Instead, she turned her gaze toward the boy beside Celeste. He was even more handsome and capable than Jonathan, the class's—and even the school's—legendary genius. But he was poor. An orphan.
For someone like Mina—who adored beautiful things but worshiped wealth even more, though she was already rich—he wasn't worth a second glance, even if she felt quite attracted to him.
Celeste, meanwhile, blinked in confusion, clearly not understanding why Jonathan had suddenly singled her out.
Noticing her puzzlement, Mina leaned closer and explained smoothly, "Jonathan was talking about taking a few of us on a summer trip to the sea. He's inviting you."
"Oh," said Celeste softly. Then she shook her head, her tone polite but firm. "Thank you for the invitation, Jonathan, but I already have other plans with my family. I won't be able to join you."
She didn't linger on the subject. Instead, she turned back to Adrian beside her. "So, where exactly are we now?"
Adrian smiled faintly and pointed upward. "Almost at the top." The two of them continued chatting as they climbed, leaving Jonathan, Mina, and Marcus behind.
Marcus, unlike the others, didn't appear upset. He simply smiled faintly at the sour look on Jonathan's face before moving on.
Celeste and Adrian climbed quickly to catch up with the rest of their class, who had already gone ahead.
But just as they neared another section of the stairs, the rock above—already cracked and loosened from the mountain—seemed unable to hold any longer. The fractures deepened, and with a final strain, a chunk of stone gave way and broke loose above them.
Adrian, who always had sharp instincts, felt them flare with warning. His keen hearing caught the crackle of shifting rock. He looked up—and horror struck him as he saw a massive boulder about to fall on them. Without a thought or moment's hesitation, he grabbed Celeste, who was a step ahead on the stair—the very spot the boulder would strike.
He pulled her back onto the adjoining stair just as the huge rock tore free, crashing down with brutal force, smashing the steps and plunging into the ridge below.
Celeste, who had been smiling as she ascended the stairs, was stunned when Adrian suddenly pulled her back. She opened her mouth to question him—but before she could speak, a massive boulder crashed down.
The stair she had just been on shattered into fragments and tumbled into the ridge below. Horror washed over her as she realized what would have happened if Adrian hadn't yanked her to safety at the last possible moment.
She wanted to thank him, but the words caught in her throat when she felt his breath brush against her neck. He was holding her tightly, and the strength of his grip sent a shiver through her. Despite the danger they had just escaped, she blushed—this was the first time anyone outside her parents and grandparents had ever embraced her.