✨ Episode 5 – "Coffee, Chemistry, and Chaos" ✨
The next morning at the campus café, Alecia arrived early—hair in a loose braid, her hoodie slightly oversized, glasses fogging up from her coffee.
She wasn't meeting Elián. She told herself that three times. She was just here because… caffeine.
And yet, her eyes kept flicking to the door.
Her friends spotted her from across the room. Lana raised a brow. "Tutoring again, huh? At the exact same café Mr. Billion-Dollar Smile just happens to frequent?"
Jessa smirked. "Girl, you're acting like you're hiding a second life or something."
If only they knew.
Before Alecia could respond, the door swung open, and in walked Elián—tall, radiant, and wearing the same lazy grin that made hearts malfunction. He headed straight for her table, hands casually tucked in his pockets.
"Hey, Alecia," he said. "No tutoring today?"
Alecia froze with her cup mid-sip. "No. I mean, yes. I mean… I'm just—coffee."
Jessa nudged Lana under the table. This was way better than reality TV.
Elián laughed and slid into the seat across from her without asking. "Good. Then I can sit with you."
Alecia blinked. "Are you always this persistent?"
"I prefer the word 'curious.'" He leaned in slightly. "You intrigue me."
Her cheeks warmed, but before she could form a response, her emergency pager buzzed again.
Alecia stood up so fast she nearly spilled her drink. "I—I need to go. My professor… he needs help… with his heart."
Elián raised a brow. "Your professor's having a heart problem?"
"Yes!" she said, grabbing her bag. "Academically."
She bolted.
Elián watched her go, clearly amused. "What is up with that girl?"
Meanwhile, Alecia was already racing toward her hidden elevator again, thinking:
This man is going to ruin my cover—and possibly my sanity.