"Did you get in?" Jake's voice buzzed through the phone speaker as I balanced my laptop on my bed, frantically typing away on my energy balance assignment. Six days had passed since he left for Texas, and while I was surviving these early weeks of college, it still felt strange not having him around.
"Nope," I replied, smiling wryly. "I changed my mind. I didn't audition."
"Why not?" His tone carried surprise. "I thought you wanted it."
"I do." I sighed, leaning back against my pillows. "I'd love to play the piano with a full orchestra, but there's this guy from South Korea who's… insane. And I'm nothing compared to him." I laughed, trying to sound casual.
"You're joking, right?" He paused. "You didn't really want it?"
"The team's so driven," I explained. "They participate in competitions constantly. I just… I don't want that kind of pressure. I'd rather enjoy music as a hobby."
"As you wish, Lia," Jake laughed. "So, how's college life treating you so far?"
"So far, so good," I replied, biting the end of my pen as I scanned the rest of my homework. "But this research assignment the lecturer gave us? It's… brutal." I groaned. Overthinking came naturally to me, and right now, I felt like my brain was on fire.
"Well?" Jake's voice cut through my thoughts. He had always been such a good listener.
"How am I supposed to predict the world's energy supply and demand for the next ten years?" I asked, incredulous.
Jake chuckled, and I growled in frustration. This was the kind of question I wished he'd give me one of his brilliant, off-the-wall answers for.
"I could give you a long speech about it," he said casually, "but honestly… why should I, when someone like Damien could probably do better?"
I froze. "What do you mean?" I asked. That name again.
"He's done that kind of research before. Impressive stuff."
Of course. Damien. Everyone always praised him, and now I was curious. What could I possibly learn from him?
"Anyway, I gotta go," Jake said suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts. "My boss is calling me."
"Okay, go," I urged, smiling softly. Despite the long distance, I was so happy to hear he was thriving in Texas. But knowing Jake, losing wasn't an option in his vocabulary.
---
The next evening, I stepped out of the shower, slipping into comfortable leggings and a loose sweater. I tied my hair back into a ponytail, facing the mirror. Just as I was about to settle down with my laptop, the doorbell rang, making me jump.
Who could it be?
I shuffled to the door, opening it to find familiar standing there, Damien looking slightly annoyed. "Someone said it's an emergency," he muttered.
I rolled my eyes. Jake, of course. "Sorry. As always, he exaggerates," I said softly. "Do you have time?"
Damien smirked. "I came all this way," he said, stepping inside.
We spread out my research materials in the living room, and I couldn't help but stare. The man had an encyclopedic knowledge of the subject. His explanations were flawless, precise, and professional, leaving me in awe.
"Now that you've gathered all the data," he said, pointing to my spreadsheet, "you can create a balance for every region. Infrastructure, supply, demand—it all lines up neatly."
I blinked. This was far beyond what the professor expected.
"That old man is pushy," Damien added casually. "First-year students shouldn't be doing this yet."
"Everyone says so," I muttered. My cheeks flushed. He looked… incredible. Handsome, smart, commanding. How did he know so much? Connections, maybe.
"Thanks, Damien," I whispered. "This… this is more than I could've asked for."
"Anytime," he said, leaning back in his chair, legs crossed, still focused on his notebook.
I hesitated before asking, "Did you apply for your internship?"
"Yes," he replied casually. "Here, in Boston. Pearl Oil's R&D center."
A wave of relief washed over me. He wasn't leaving.
"And… did you get it?" I asked, my heart starting to race.
"Not yet," he said flatly. "I have an interview and presentation tomorrow morning. That's when they'll decide."
I gasped. "Tomorrow morning?" I shot a glance at the clock—past midnight. We had spent hours working on my research.
Damien noticed my panic and chuckled softly. "Don't worry. Just finish your part. My presentation comes first."
I sighed, already dreading the long night ahead.
---
Hours later, I woke to the sound of chirping birds and the faint crash of distant waves. Blinking, I realized sunlight was streaming through the living room windows. I had fallen asleep mid-assignment.
The blanket draped over me made me realize someone had tucked me in. Damien. I searched for him, but he was gone. My watch read 7:30 AM. Crap.
Panic surged as I spotted his notebook on the armchair. Guilt gnawed at me, but instinctively, I grabbed it. Inside were pages full of carefully organized notes for his presentation—everything he needed to succeed.
My hands shook. I had less than an hour to get this to him. Without thinking, I grabbed my keys and dashed out, gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white. GPS guided me through the unfamiliar streets of Boston, and after some wrong turns, I finally reached Pearl Oil R&D.
After navigating the security protocols, I ran to the lobby, breathless. 8:45 AM. I fumbled through my phone, sending frantic messages:
Damien, you forgot your notebook. I'm in the lobby.
No reply. Of course, he was probably presenting.
I sank into a sofa, heart racing, clutching the notebook. The thought of him possibly struggling without it made me anxious. He was smart, brilliant—but what if I messed this up for him?
---
By 10:30 AM, I was still waiting, glued to my seat. My worry made me restless until a voice finally called, "Amelia?"
I looked up. Damien stood a few feet away, flawless in a navy suit, hair slicked back, the embodiment of effortless charm.
Before I could think, the words slipped out: "Wow… you look good."
He paused, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "What are you doing here?"
"Didn't you get my texts?" I asked, urgency in my voice.
His eyes fell on the notebook in my hands, and he stopped mid-sentence.
"You left this at my house," I explained, handing it over. "I tried to contact you, but… I failed."
"You came all this way for this?" he asked, incredulous.
"Yeah…" I muttered, feeling suddenly foolish.
He chuckled, that familiar smirk curling his lips. "Come on. I had it all in my head."
"Presentation… did you get in?" I asked, barely able to breathe.
"I nailed it," he said, eyes glinting with amusement. "The board loved it. And yes… I got the internship."
I let out a shaky sigh, relief flooding me. "Oh, thank God," I whispered.
"I should treat you then," he said, tilting his head, playful. "Brunch?"
"Treat me?" I echoed, cheeks burning.
"You came all the way for me. I can't not," he teased.
I glanced down at my casual outfit—leggings and a sweater—and felt underdressed. But looking at him… I didn't care.
"Let's go," he said, voice low, commanding. "I'm starving."
I laughed, guilt and excitement mixing in my chest. Sushi, he said. I couldn't resist.
And in that moment, the fact that he was my b
rother's best friend made everything feel a little… dangerously thrilling.
---
💖✨ TBC