Chapter 1: Graduation Surprise
Lavender Christ groaned as the morning sunlight filtered through her bedroom curtains, tickling her face. Her hair was all frizzy since she slept without a haircap and was still slightly damp from the late-night showers, and the faint scent of champagne lingered on her fingers from the impromptu celebration with her friends. They hadn't slept a wink. How could they It was graduation, well, mostly because they'd toasted to the end of college with more energy and excitement than was probably legal at that hour.
"Lav!" a voice squealed, dragging her fully into the day. "You look insane. In a good way."
Her best friend, Mara, waved a sparkling glass in the air. Lavender laughed. After trying on all options, she picked the black bodcon cocktail dress, slowly slipping into the dress. Today was graduation, and she was glowing inside and out, or at least trying to convince herself she was.
By the time they arrived at the auditorium, the buzz of chatter and clicking cameras made her heart race. She smiled nervously as her name was called, climbing the stage with practiced grace. Applause rang in her ears, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Today was supposed to be about her accomplishments... and maybe a little about surprises she hadn't expected.
After the ceremony, she weaved through the crowd, hunting for her parents. Her chest tightened. They had said someone special would be here. Someone she hadn't seen in years.
And then
"Flower!"
Her head snapped up. The nickname froze her in place, a memory she hadn't allowed herself to revisit in years. Only one person had ever called her that.
She scanned the crowd, heart thudding. There he was, Rhydian Hart. His sharp suit, perfectly tailored, did nothing to soften the shock of seeing him. His eyes, still the same piercing blue, held a mischievous glint, and that familiar smirk tugged at her chest in ways she wasn't ready to admit.
"You..." she whispered, a mix of disbelief and nostalgia lacing her voice. "Rhydian."
He stepped forward, lowering his voice as he leaned toward her. "Come with me. I have a surprise for you."
Lavender blinked, torn between curiosity and the instinct to run. But before she could protest, she found herself waving goodbye to her parents and following him outside.
The private jet was waiting. Sleek. Silent. The cabin smelled faintly of leather and pine, everything immaculate.
"Thirty minutes," Rhydian said casually as she fastened her seatbelt, "just enough time to get you somewhere special."
She raised a brow. "Somewhere special? Or somewhere terrifying?"
I feel like I've been kidnapped she says.
He chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "Safe. Trust me, you're safe with me."
For a long moment, she studied him, the man who had once been her childhood mentor, friend, and, oddly, a crush. Now he was older, more confident, and undeniably intimidating.
"You've... changed," she said finally.
"And you haven't," he countered smoothly, his tone teasing, though his eyes softened. "Still stubborn. Still a little mistrusting. Still trying to prove the world wrong by being amazing."
Lavender flushed, gripping the edge of her seat. "I've had to."
"I know," he said simply, leaning slightly closer. "I've been keeping tabs. Not creepy, I promise."
She laughed nervously. "Through my parents?"
He shrugged, smirk widening. "Mostly. But I want to know you. Not just what your parents tell me. The real Lavender."
By the time the jet touched down, her pulse had slowed, replaced by an uneasy curiosity. Rhydian led her through a quiet street to a Korean restaurant. At first, she thought it was closed the lights off, chairs stacked—but then he waved a hand.
"Not closed. Just... ours for the night."
Lavender blinked. "Ours?"
He shrugged. "Call it an early graduation gift." One of them anyway, he smirked
Inside, the soft hum of K-pop filled the air. "Number one girl" by Rose played softly, followed by a gentle Blackpink playlist mixed with group songs and their solo ones. Her favorite songs. He remembered. he paid so much attention to detail.
"You really remembered all of this," she said, sliding into the booth.
"Of course," he replied, settling opposite her. "Some things don't leave you, Flower."
Lavender's breath caught. Flower. Again.
They ordered hot pot. The servers brought bowls of udon and ramen, plates of bok choy and fresh vegetables, thinly sliced meats, and a sizzling stir-fry dish, her favorite, flown in from Seoul just for tonight.
laughing at small things, teasing, sharing stories. Rhydian's eyes never left her face. He asked about her college experience, her degrees, and then—carefully—about her startup.
"I've been secretly investing in it," he admitted casually. "Through my company. I wanted it to succeed before you even knew."
Her mouth went dry. "You... what?"
"Relax," he said with a grin. "You're safe. I'm not here to control anything. Just... to support."
Lavender stared. "You're ridiculous."
"Maybe," Rhydian said, dropping shrimp into the bubbling broth. "But I know what you like."
As they ate, conversation unfurled softly, hesitant at first, then easier, brighter. He told her how he'd kept up with her through her parents, how proud he was of her degrees, her drive, her independence. She tried to keep her walls high, but his gentleness tugged at places she thought she'd buried.
Hours slipped past. Champagne glasses emptied, the music softened, and her laughter echoed in the quiet restaurant.
Her walls, though still standing, began to crack. She found herself laughing more freely, leaning in closer. The world outside disappeared.
When they stepped back into the night, Rhydian lingered by the car. His voice dropped low.
"One more thing before we fly home."
Lavender tilted her chin, wary. "What is it?"
"A kiss." His eyes searched hers, not demanding, just waiting. "Just one. To prove you still know me."
Her heart stuttered. She should say no. She should run. But instead, she rose to her toes and brushed her lips against his. Soft. Careful. Dangerous.
When they pulled apart, her mind spun.
Back on the plane, staring out at the streak of stars beyond the window, the thought burned in her chest:
Am I really going to marry this man? Or should I run before he ruins me all over again?
End of Chapter 1.