Damian's phone buzzed softly.
He glanced at the screen.
Janaya.
For a second, his expression softened—just slightly.
But he didn't reply immediately.
He was still in the car, heading home, his mind half-occupied with everything that had happened earlier.
War.
Ethan.
The tracker.
And somehow… her name sitting right in the middle of it all.
He exhaled quietly and leaned back.
Not now.
It wasn't until he got home that he finally picked up his phone again.
Loosening his tie, he typed with one hand—
"Looks like someone is missing me."
A faint smile played on his lips.
He barely dropped his phone on the table before it buzzed again.
Immediate.
On the other end—
Janaya lay on her bed, legs swinging slightly in the air, her face lighting up the moment his reply came in.
"You didn't bother to check up on me today… so I had to."
Damian chuckled softly under his breath.
"Something came up, babe."
Janaya's smile faded just a little.
"Tell me what it is. I want to know."
Damian paused.
His fingers hovered over the screen for a second.
Then—
"Don't worry, it's settled."
A short pause.
Then another message came in from him—
"Did you notice anything unusual on campus today?"
Janaya frowned slightly, shifting on the bed.
"Am I supposed to notice something?"
"No," Damian replied almost immediately.
"Just asking."
There was a brief pause between them.
Then—
"Don't you think we should see each other tomorrow?" he added.
Janaya smiled again, this time wider.
"I would see you every day if I could."
Damian's eyes softened.
"Then let's make tomorrow happen."
A small pause.
"But this time, you pick the place."
Janaya sat up slightly, excitement flashing across her face.
She didn't even think twice.
"Your place."
A beat.
"I want a private moment."
Damian froze mid-motion.
Then let out a short breath.
"Be serious."
Janaya laughed softly, biting her lip.
"I am serious."
A pause.
"Let's meet at your place after my class tomorrow."
Another pause—
"Will you come pick me up?"
Damian leaned back slightly, a small smile forming again.
"I'll be honored to."
He added—
"Just text me when you're ready."
There was a short silence.
Then—
"See you tomorrow."
"Goodnight."
Janaya dropped her phone beside her and turned onto her side, smiling into her pillow.
Sleep came easily.
Light.
Happy.
Damian, on the other hand, didn't move immediately.
He stared at his phone for a second longer before placing it on the table.
Maya!!!"
Janaya's voice cut through the hallway the moment she spotted her.
Heads turned.
But she didn't care.
"Where have you been? You've missed like two lecture days. I texted, called—nothing!" she rushed out, already pulling Maya into a tight hug.
Maya hugged her back just as tightly.
"You called me?" Maya shot back, pulling away slightly. "I was actually pissed you didn't check on me properly."
Janaya blinked.
"Excuse me?? I practically harassed your phone."
They both stared at each other for a second
Then burst into laughter.
"Big head," Janaya muttered, linking arms with her. "So tell me, what happened? Why weren't you in class? You look fine now."
Maya shrugged casually, but there was a slight pause.
"Just needed a break. Wasn't feeling too good."
Janaya narrowed her eyes.
She knew that tone.
But before she could dig deeper—
"And how did your date with Tan go?" Janaya suddenly switched, her face lighting up. "Don't even talk—show me pictures first."
Maya didn't hesitate.
"He cancelled."
The smile on Janaya's face dropped instantly.
"…what?"
"You mean Tan cancelled on you?" she asked again, slower this time, like maybe she heard wrong.
Maya nodded, expression flat.
"Yep."
A brief silence settled.
"And you're just standing here like that?" Janaya frowned. "No drama? No crying? No revenge plan?"
Maya scoffed lightly.
"I don't even believe in love like that. Maybe it's not meant to be."
That didn't sit right with Janaya at all.
"Maya—"
"Maya!" Jason's voice interrupted as he jogged toward them, the others right behind him.
"You don't look happy. What happened?" he asked, scanning her face.
Janaya didn't even let Maya speak.
"Girl stuff. Learn to mind your business," she said, throwing him a sharp side-eye.
Timothy leaned in dramatically.
"Is she pregnant?"
Silence.
Then—
The three guys burst out laughing.
"It's not funny!" Janaya snapped, though she was already trying not to laugh. "Her date cancelled."
Jason froze.
"Oh."
Timothy blinked.
"Wait—the guy you said you were taking things slow with?"
Daniel added, "The one that bought the necklace at the auction??"
Maya looked at all of them.
Then—
"Well…" she started slowly.
They leaned in.
"That was a prank."
And before their brains could process it—
She took off running.
"GIRLLLLL!!!" Janaya screamed, immediately chasing after her.
"I knew something was off!" Jason shouted, running after them.
"I'm never believing any of you again!" he added dramatically.
"Come back here!" Timothy yelled, laughing as he followed.
Maya finally stopped near the lounge area, slightly out of breath, laughing.
"You guys are too easy!"
Janaya caught up and lightly smacked her arm.
"You're wicked! My heart actually dropped."
"Good," Maya said proudly, flipping her hair as she dropped onto the couch.
The others gathered around, still catching their breath.
"Okay, now gist us properly," Timothy said, pointing at her. "No more pranks."
Maya opened her mouth—
Then paused.
Her eyes flicked to Janaya.
A slow smile formed.
"Actually… Janaya, why don't you tell us about your date?"
Janaya froze.
"Wait—no—"
"WAIT!" Jason suddenly yelled, covering his ears. "I don't want to hear anything about my brother's soft life. Please."
Daniel leaned forward instantly.
"Did you guys kiss?"
Timothy added, "And what was that red dress situation Maya was shouting about in the group chat??"
Maya grinned.
"He got it for her."
The boys went silent for half a second—
"Arghhhh!!" Jason groaned, tightening his grip over his ears. "This is disturbing."
Janaya buried her face in her hands.
"Can you people relax??"
"No, we cannot," Timothy said. "Continue."
Janaya sighed, trying to stay composed.
"Nothing serious happened. We just talked and—"
"Kissed." Timothy finished confidently.
Daniel snapped his fingers. "I knew it."
Jason screamed, "I SAID I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THIS!!!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
"Okay, okay," Maya said, standing up. "We have class in like five minutes. Let's continue this gist later in the group chat."
"True," Timothy nodded. "And Jason, you'll explain what's going on with Elena too."
Jason instantly straightened.
"That's different. Nothing is happening."
"Sure," Janaya smirked.
"That's because unlike some people…" Jason added, grabbing his notes, "…we're not out here kissing CEOs."
"OHHHH!" the group reacted.
"You're just jealous," the girls said in unison.
"I am NOT jealous!" Jason fired back as they all started walking toward class.
But the laughter didn't stop.
And neither did the tension quietly building beneath it all.
The lecture finally came to an end.
And almost immediately—
Janaya's entire expression changed.
It was subtle, but obvious.
The slight lift of her lips.
The way she straightened in her seat.
The quiet excitement sitting behind her eyes.
She had been waiting.
Before the lecturer was even fully out of the class, she had already reached for her phone.
Hey! I'm done with class. Let me know when you're around :)
She hit send, staring at the screen for a second longer than necessary, a soft smile forming on her lips.
That smile didn't go unnoticed.
From behind—
Jason leaned in and swiftly snatched the phone from her hand.
"Who is making you smile like this—"
He paused.
"…Damian??"
His brows shot up instantly.
"He's coming here?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief—and a hint of irritation.
Janaya rolled her eyes, reaching for her phone.
"Give me that."
Jason handed it back like it offended him.
"Please take your phone. I doubt I'll ever heal from this," he muttered dramatically as he walked out of the classroom.
Janaya couldn't help but laugh.
Her phone buzzed almost immediately.
"I'll be at your place in 10 minutes"
Her heart skipped.
Too fast.
Too easy.
Too real.
"Maya," she called, quickly walking over.
"I'm meeting Damian today… and I might spend some time at his place," she said, trying to sound casual—but failing completely. "Just in case I doze off, call me later to remind me about the assignment tomorrow."
Maya blinked.
Then blinked again.
"Wait—come again?" she said, grabbing her arm. "The cold billionaire? You? His place? Spending time??"
Her voice dropped into excitement.
"Ahh—this is getting serious!"
Janaya tried to maintain composure, but the smile gave her away.
"Just remind me about the assignment, please."
Maya placed a hand over her chest dramatically.
"I will, your highness. Go and enjoy your soft life," she said, already backing away like she had better gist to process.
Janaya shook her head, laughing softly as she stepped out of the building.
Her phone buzzed again.
Hey babe, I'm at your college parking lot. Black Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.
Her smile deepened.
She stepped into the parking lot, eyes scanning through the cars—
Then she saw it.
Sleek.
Bold.
Impossible to miss.
And just as she spotted it—
Damian stepped out.
No guards.
No distractions.
Just him.
He moved around the car, already reaching for the passenger door—
But before he could open it,
Janaya closed the distance and wrapped her arms around him.
It caught him off guard for half a second.
Then—
His arms came around her naturally.
Steady.
Secure.
Like it already belonged there.
Not too far away—
Jason stood watching.
And for some reason…
It annoyed him.
He couldn't explain it.
He just turned away with a slight frown.
"Hey, babe," Janaya said softly as she pulled away, sliding into the car.
Damian walked around, getting into the driver's seat.
He didn't start the engine immediately.
Instead—
He leaned slightly toward her.
"Hey."
She didn't hesitate this time.
Not like before.
Like she already knew what came next.
Their lips met.
Soft.
Familiar.
But still carrying that quiet intensity that made everything else fade for a moment.
It wasn't rushed.
It wasn't shy.
It was… intentional.
They pulled apart slowly.
Just enough to breathe.
"How did your day go?" Damian asked, his voice calm as he reached for his seatbelt, like nothing had just happened.
But everything had.