Adrián stopped in front of the classroom door for a few seconds before entering.
For the first time, he understood something clearly: much of Astrid's antipathy toward him hadn't been personal. It had been wear and tear. Whispers. Glances. Jokes repeated to exhaustion.
Being made the topic of conversation every day had to be unbearable.
I can't blame her, he thought.
He took a deep breath.
His priority lay elsewhere. Avoid unnecessary conflicts. Live without disturbances. He had more than enough money, a solid family, and a practically guaranteed future. What sense was there in risking it all for a ridiculous rivalry… or for a woman?
If someone else wanted her, fine. The world didn't run out of options because one was lost.
The old Adrián would have done foolish things for Astrid. He would have insisted. Pressured. Confused pride with desire.
But that Adrián no longer existed.
He didn't have to replay a script he hadn't written.
Leo walked beside him in silence. Since the reprimand a few minutes ago, he seemed unable to understand what had changed. The obsessive Adrián had disappeared without warning, and it unsettled him.
They entered the classroom.
Adrián walked to his seat and sat down calmly. As soon as he set his backpack down, he felt it.
A gaze.
Not curiosity.Not discomfort.
Hatred.
He raised his eyes just enough to identify the owner.
In one of the back rows, a boy was staring at him. Slim build, attractive features despite obvious fatigue. His uniform was correct but worn, out of place in an institute where everything seemed tailored.
Oliver.
The student at the bottom of the rankings.
And what's wrong with this one…? Adrián thought, emotionless.
Leo, Marco, and Bruno noticed it too. Instinctively, they moved, closing ranks and blocking Oliver's line of sight.
Adrián didn't even turn.
Not necessary, he said quietly.
The three hesitated, then obeyed.
Oliver looked away, though the tension didn't fully disappear.
This time, Adrián observed him from the corner of his eye, with cold attention.
He was attractive. Not polished, but unrefined. Like someone who didn't fully belong there. In an institute reserved for elite families, his mere presence seemed like an administrative error… or something more.
Interesting, he thought.
He couldn't do anything for now. Nor did he intend to.
If a "hero" truly existed, there would always be an obstacle in front of him. And if that obstacle disappeared, the world would create another.
Adrián had no intention of taking that role.
At least, not voluntarily.
Second rule, he reminded himself as he opened his notebook:
Do not interfere.Do not provoke.Do not play someone else's game.
For now.
The bell hadn't rung yet when the classroom door opened again.
Astrid Roche entered with calm steps, carrying a couple of books against her chest. The usual murmur died down the moment she crossed the threshold. It wasn't immediate, but it was inevitable: some eyes lifted, others pretended not to.
Astrid was used to it.
She walked down the central aisle without haste. Her expression was neutral, though her attention was alert. She knew, even without looking, where Adrián was.
She spotted him from the corner of her eye.
Still at his seat. Back straight. Eyes down. No sign of anticipation.
That was… odd.
Normally, he would have already looked up. Or pretended indifference too strongly. Or worse, triggered a chain reaction through his friends.
None of that happened.
Astrid barely frowned, imperceptible to almost everyone, and took her usual seat two rows ahead.
The classroom slowly resumed its rhythm: pages turning, chairs scraping, muted conversations.
Then, someone stood.
Oliver.
The sound of his chair sliding was subtle but sufficient. Adrián felt it without raising his gaze. He didn't need to. The weight of the movement was enough.
Oliver walked down the side aisle, his steps uncertain at first, gaining confidence as he approached the center of the classroom.
Several students exchanged glances.
Is he crazy…? someone whispered.
Leo tensed first. Marco stopped writing. Bruno looked up.
Everyone knew what was coming.
Oliver stopped at Astrid's desk.
"Hey… Astrid," he said quietly, trying to sound natural. "About the history assignment… could you—"
The classroom held its breath.
This was the moment.
The exact instant Adrián Valmont would stand. One word would suffice. A sarcastic comment. A cold glance. Anything to remind Oliver of his place.
But it didn't happen.
Adrián didn't move.
He stayed seated, flipping through his notebook calmly, as if the scene didn't exist. As if Oliver were air.
The silence became uncomfortable.
Astrid blinked, confused. Her first reaction was to turn her head… not toward Oliver, but toward Adrián.
Nothing.
Not a glance.
That unsettled her more than any interruption could have.
"The assignment…" Oliver repeated, noticing the silence around him. "The teacher said that—"
"I know," Astrid interrupted, this time in a colder tone than usual. "We'll check it after class."
Oliver hesitated.
He expected resistance. Mockery. Intervention.
There was none.
"Ah… right," he murmured. "Thanks."
He stepped aside, returning to his seat with evident stiffness in his shoulders.
The murmur returned, but different. Quieter. Heavier.
Leo looked at Adrián, incredulous.
"Boss…" he whispered.
Adrián looked up for the first time and stared at him expressionless.
Leo shut his mouth.
Astrid, for her part, didn't look at Oliver again. Her attention, against her will, kept returning to Adrián's seat.
She couldn't understand what had just happened.
It wasn't relief.It wasn't triumph.
It was… bewilderment.
At that moment, the classroom door opened again.
Heels echoed on the floor with a confident rhythm, announcing presence even before the face was seen.
The teacher entered.
Tall. Elegant. Skirt fitted just right, accentuating long, firm legs without exaggeration. She walked with the assurance of someone who knew they didn't need to raise their voice to command silence.
And, indeed, the classroom went silent.
"Good morning," she said, setting her bag on the desk. "Take your seats. Let's begin."
Adrián closed his notebook gently.
The scene had ended.
But something had changed.
Astrid knew it.Oliver felt it.And the entire classroom, though unable to explain it, did too.
Adrián Valmont hadn't done anything.
And yet, he had shifted the board.