That evening, Katrina was in her room when the maid knocked gently on the door.
"Miss Katrina, dinner is ready."
"I'm coming," Katrina replied.
She walked downstairs and sat at the dining table.
Just as she was about to start eating, her phone rang.
It was her father.
Katrina immediately picked up the call.
"Hi, Dad. How are you?"
Her father's voice sounded warm but tired.
"I'm good, dear. How are you?"
"I'm good too," Katrina said softly. "When are you coming home?"
There was a short pause.
"I'm really sorry, dear," he replied. "I have a lot of work right now. If I get some free time, I'll come soon."
Katrina forced a small smile even though he couldn't see it.
"Oh, that's okay, Dad. I know you're very busy."
Her father sighed.
"Take care of yourself, okay?"
"Okay. Bye, Dad."
"Bye, dear."
The call ended.
Katrina slowly put her phone down.
Her father was a very successful businessman, and her mother was a famous interior designer. Both of them were always busy with their work.
Because of that, Katrina had grown up spending most of her time alone.
She was used to it… but sometimes the loneliness still hurt.
After finishing her dinner, she quietly returned to her room.
She studied for a while and then got ready to sleep.
Katrina lay down on her bed and closed her eyes.
But sleep didn't come.
After a few minutes, she opened her eyes again.
Why can't I sleep? she wondered.
She tried again.
Thirty minutes passed.
Still no sleep.
Finally, Katrina sat up.
"What should I do now?" she murmured.
She got up and walked toward the balcony.
It was already past midnight.
The street outside was silent and peaceful. The cool night air brushed gently against her face.
Katrina felt a little calmer.
Then her eyes drifted toward the house across the street.
Ethan's house.
His window was open.
The lights in his room were on.
But he wasn't there.
For some reason, Katrina felt a strange disappointment.
A few minutes later, Ethan entered the room and sat down at his study table.
He opened a book and started studying quietly.
Katrina watched him from her balcony.
This was the first time she had seen his face in two days.
A quiet sense of relief spread through her heart.
Why does it feel like I'm seeing him after so many years? she thought.
It's only been two days.
Suddenly she realized something.
Ethan could look up and see her if he wanted.
Embarrassed, Katrina quickly went back inside her room.
She lay down on her bed again.
This time, she slowly fell asleep.
The Next Day
The next morning, Katrina got ready for university and got into her car.
As the car approached the university gate, her eyes instinctively looked toward the place where Ethan usually stood.
But he wasn't there.
Maybe he isn't coming today either, she thought.
Her car entered the university campus.
Katrina walked into the classroom with Arice and Ella.
The moment she stepped inside, her eyes went straight to Ethan's desk.
She froze.
Ethan was sitting there.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
She quietly walked to her seat and sat down without saying anything.
The lecture began.
But Katrina couldn't focus.
Her eyes kept drifting toward Ethan.
He was sitting quietly, writing something in his notebook, completely focused.
Cafeteria
After the class ended, the students went for their break.
Katrina went to the cafeteria with Arice and Ella like always.
But today, Ethan didn't come.
Katrina noticed it immediately.
After lunch, the three girls walked toward the university garden.
But as they passed by the library, Katrina suddenly stopped.
Through the glass window, she saw Ethan sitting alone at a table inside.
He was quietly studying.
Something about him felt different today.
More distant.
"Katrina? What happened?" Arice asked.
Katrina quickly looked away.
"Oh… nothing."
Ella glanced at the library.
"Do you want to go inside?"
Katrina hesitated.
What should I do? she wondered.
Then she nodded.
"Yeah… sure."
The three girls entered the library.
Arice smiled.
"I was actually thinking of coming here anyway."
"That's great then," Katrina said.
Arice and Ella walked toward the bookshelves to pick some books.
But Katrina's attention was somewhere else.
Her eyes kept drifting toward Ethan.
Arice suddenly noticed him sitting alone.
Without thinking, she shouted loudly,
"Katrina!"
The entire library turned quiet.
Arice immediately covered her mouth.
"Oh no… I shouldn't have shouted."
Katrina quickly rushed toward her.
"Arice! What's wrong with you?" she whispered urgently. "Why did you call my name so loudly?"
Arice pointed subtly.
"I'm sorry… but I wanted to tell you something. Look… Ethan is here too."
Katrina pretended to act normal.
"Oh… really?"
As if she hadn't already noticed.
The three girls sat at a table nearby.
Meanwhile
Ethan noticed Katrina entering the library.
His heart skipped slightly.
He was about to get up and leave.
But before he could stand, someone suddenly pulled the chair beside him and sat down.
It was Eric.
"So… you're here, Ethan," Eric said casually.
This time, Eric was alone.
Ethan didn't say anything.
He just returned to his book.
After a moment, Eric's eyes wandered across the library.
Then he saw Katrina.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Hey Ethan… look who's here."
Ethan didn't react much.
Eric laughed softly.
"You're so boring."
Then he leaned back in his chair.
"What do you think? Should I go talk to her?"
When Ethan heard that, he felt a strange pain inside his chest.
He stayed silent.
Deep inside, he knew something.
Eric was handsome, confident, and popular.
If Eric approached Katrina… she would definitely notice him.
Something Ethan could never do.
Across the library, Katrina and her friends were partially hidden by the tall bookshelves.
Eric stood up and began walking toward them.
Ethan quietly watched him go.
But when Eric got closer, he suddenly stopped.
He had just noticed something.
Ella was there too.
Eric's expression immediately changed.
He turned around and walked back to his seat.
Ethan looked up as he returned.
Eric sighed and said casually,
"I didn't know Ella was there too."
He leaned back in his chair again.
But Ethan knew the real reason.
Eric wasn't afraid of Katrina.
He was avoiding Ella.
And somehow… Ethan felt strangely relieved.