The Bride: A Sequel to Hwarang: The Saga of the Sooks Book #7

Chapter 2: First Impressions

She was mortified. She didn't want him to know how attracted she was to him. Especially since she was to be his first victim. Er, pupil.

She sighed heavily as she headed back to her table. Part of her couldn't wait to be seated next to him. She could happily gaze into those beautiful, jade eyes forever. But the rest of her was just plain nervous now. Which made it easy to ignore her hungry tummy. For it was now turning somersaults.

Ae Ri chatted in her ear for the remaining time. But even that incessant prattling couldn't distract Ni Na from her consciousness of that gentleman's presence on the other side of the classroom door. Or from her eagerness to enjoy his company again.

Jung Sook approached her a few minutes later. "Ni Na, gather your belongings and come sit at that table in the corner." The teacher was indicating an isolated corner of the room at the front of the classroom.

Ni Na felt her cheeks blooming. She just knew that all eyes would be on her and the handsome man as they sat there. At least, she could seat herself facing forward. So she wouldn't see their probing eyes.

As the teacher wandered away, Ae Ri arched one delicate eyebrow. "Are you in trouble?" Then she furrowed her elegant brow. "But why?"

"I'm not in trouble. The gentleman that visited our class this morning is here to give us private tutoring sessions. I am his first pupil."

Ae Ri's face split into a wide grin. "Lucky you! Ooh! I am so jealous now!" She sighed deeply. "Maybe he'll fall madly in love with you and ask you to marry him," she dreamed graciously for her best friend.

Ni Na shot her a startled glance. "I doubt very much such a thing would ever happen, Ae Ri! The man is probably already promised to a wealthy heiress."

Ae Ri's eyebrow bobbed up again. "Like you, you mean?" she uttered dryly.

Ni Na cleared her throat. "And she's probably shockingly beautiful too," she continued as though her friend hadn't spoken.

"Also you," Ae Ri commented sweetly.

Ni Na's lips curved into a smile. "That must be why you're my best friend," she murmured quietly.

"What?" the other girl queried as she crammed a bite of rice into her mouth.

"Because of the way in which you see me." Ni Na beamed at her. "I do love you for it!"

"What are you talking about? You are beautiful. And Park Chan Woo agrees with me."

Ni Na rolled her eyes as she gathered her belongings. "You know that boy is a year younger than I."

"Doesn't change the fact that he's a dream come true," Ae Ri sighed.

Ni Na's lips quivered in a silent laugh. "I know you think so. But I'm looking for someone...more mature," she breathed as the outer door suddenly opened.

And someone more mature stepped back into the classroom. Her eyes collided with his again. And she felt...breathless...once more.

She stood up and headed for the far table.

"See you later," her friend called from behind her.

But Ni Na didn't look back. Her eyes were trained on the table. She could feel heat rising in her cheeks as she set her lunch bowl on the table. She settled her bag of scrolls on the floor next to her chair. But before she could pull that seat out, a masculine hand found its back and tugged it away from the table.

"Allow me," spoke that soothing voice.

For just an instant, she closed her eyes and dreamt of a life in which she could awake to that lovely voice each day. Then her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled up at him.