Chapter 116 116
Jacqueline sat in the far corner of the library, her books spread open in front of her, attempting somewhat heroically to prepare for the test scheduled for the next day.
She wasn’t the type to study consistently. No, she thrived on adrenaline the glorious panic of last-minute preparation. If an exam loomed, she would begin studying exactly one night before and somehow still walk out with impressive grades.
That didn’t mean she wasn’t intelligent. On the contrary, she was sharp naturally so. In their group, Gilles undoubtedly ranked lowest academically, while Fanny was the undeniable bookworm. Laurent, Thérèse, and Jacqueline comfortably occupied the middle ground.
“Fanny, please…” Gilles begged, his eyes wide and pitiful, attempting his best imitation of a wounded puppy.
Fanny didn’t even glance at him.
She had been urging him to study for the past two days, but he’d ignored her completely. And now, on the eve of the test, he wanted her to perform a miracle preferably some enchanted spell that would download every topic straight into his brain.
If only such magical technology existed. Jacqueline almost snorted at the thought.
“You’re disturbing me,” she said quietly but firmly.
Gilles rolled his eyes. “Don’t act superior just because you’ve got a slightly sharper brain,” he muttered.
She stared at him in disbelief.
Was he actually serious?
“Shut up,” she grumbled.
The faint sound of approaching footsteps made her glance up. The second she recognized the familiar figures, she sighed internally.
There went her productivity.
Thérèse and Laurent slid into the seats beside them, grinning, and immediately launched into whispered chatter that was anything but subtle. Studying around them was impossible like expecting snowfall in the middle of summer.
Jacqueline lasted exactly two minutes.
“I cannot study near you chipmunks,” she muttered, standing up and gathering her things. “Excuse me, sweethearts.”
“Don’t call me that!” Gilles and Laurent snapped in unison, their raised voices earning sharp glares from nearby students.
Jacqueline smirked triumphantly and walked away, leaving them flustered. Fanny shot her a desperate look one that screamed save me but she only chuckled in response.
As she headed toward the exit, something or rather, someone caught her eye.
Damien.
He was seated at a table tucked behind a row of shelves, deliberately removed from the crowd. The moment she noticed him, something shifted in her mind. Before she could talk herself out of it, she altered course and walked straight toward him.
She pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down quietly.
She didn’t look at him immediately, but she felt it the weight of his gaze resting on her as she opened her book and pretended to immerse herself in it.
A few seconds later, the intensity faded.
Slowly, she lifted her eyes.
He was looking down at his own book again.
For reasons she didn’t care to analyze, she couldn’t stop staring at him.
He wore a fitted white T-shirt that clung to his frame like a second skin. She had never been curious about seeing a man shirtless before, but for the first time, the thought crossed her mind. His muscles were defined, solid, undeniable.
Then there was his beard.
She’d never had a boyfriend, so she didn’t know her preference clean-shaven or bearded but on him, the beard worked. It sharpened his masculinity, complemented by thick brows and that perpetually unreadable expression. And his olive eyes… those were something else.
Usually, they were glacial. Cold enough to intimidate anyone.
But she remembered seeing something different once at that street café. Pain. Sadness. A depth that contradicted the icy exterior.
The way he ignored her only fueled her curiosity.
With thick black hair, a sharp jawline, and a towering six-foot-two frame, he was undeniably striking.
She was so lost in observing him that she nearly jumped out of her skin when his eyes suddenly met hers.
He had been staring at her.
Directly.
Her throat went dry.
So he had noticed her examining him this entire time.
Brilliant, Jacqueline. Perhaps go bury yourself in a ditch now.
She cleared her throat and quickly looked back down at her book. But why should she feel embarrassed? It wasn’t illegal to look at someone.
“Hi,” she said, lifting her gaze again and offering him a smile bright and warm, though mischief flickered in her eyes.
“What’s up, my knight in shining armor?” she added, wiggling her brows playfully.
He closed his eyes for a second, and she couldn’t help but think of a sloth retreating into itself.
When he opened them again, he simply returned his attention to his book.
Ignoring her.
Completely.
“Ignorance,” she muttered under her breath. “I seriously need to do something about your ignorance.”
He must have heard her.
He still said nothing.
“I hope you don’t mind if I call you Mr. Frosty,” she added casually, testing him.
No reaction.
It was like conversing with a particularly handsome statue.
“Mr. Frosty,” she continued, leaning forward slightly, “by any chance are you interested in me?”
That finally earned her something.
He looked up slowly and fixed her with a flat, unreadable stare.
And then, without a word, he stood. He picked up his book, slung his bag over his shoulder, and walked away.
Just like that.
She blinked after him.
That stung.
Why, Jacqueline? Why do you insist on saying the most ridiculous things?
With a sigh, she forced herself to focus on her studies. Home was too distracting; the library was her only option.
The next day, the test went smoothly for her and Fanny at least.
Gilles, however, sulked dramatically after discovering he’d gotten two answers wrong. Fanny was more upset than he was; she had tutored him thoroughly. Their dynamic often resembled that of an exasperated teacher and a perpetually underperforming student.
By the final class of the day, Jacqueline was counting the minutes until freedom.
“Class, it’s time for the assignment,” the professor announced.
A collective groan rippled through the room.
“And this time, you will not be choosing your partners.”
Another wave of protests followed.
“Ella and Laurent. Rex and Dex. Gilles and Fanny …”
Names were called one by one.
Jacqueline was already pouting internally. Of course Gilles and Fanny ended up together again.
And then
“Jacqueline and Damien.”
Silence.
Well.
That was unexpected.