UNWANTED DEVOTION

THE SAME UNIVERSITY...

He placed the book on the desk and stood up straight, walking toward the window. The book lay open, its pages fluttering in the breeze coming through the window. He gazed at the dark, starry night, which looked beautiful—just like the night when he met her, just like when he found her...

...

Giggling, a girl ran as fast as she could, chased by a toddler who was no more than three years old. The little boy struggled to keep up.

"Catch me, and I'll buy you that!" the girl teased, pointing at a chocolate stall. The boy tried his best but eventually plopped down on the grass and started to cry. Panicking, the girl rushed over and scooped him up, patting his back.

"Okay, okay, I'll buy it for you. Let's go, alright?" she said soothingly. The toddler looked at her for a moment before scrunching up his face to cry again. Quickly realizing what he wanted, she dashed toward the store, bought a small lollipop, and handed it to him. The boy popped it into his mouth and stopped crying immediately.

"Phew! Is your mom or dad going to pay me back for this candy?" she muttered with an exaggerated eye-roll as she walked out of the park.

"Thank you, Helan," a woman in her thirties called out.

"It's alright, ma'am," Helan replied with a smile before handing the baby over to his mother. After receiving payment for taking care of the child, Helan sighed, the money in her hand, and turned to walk away.

As she neared her home, a boy in his twenties came running toward her. She smiled and waved.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, still smiling.

"I needed the notes," he replied, ruffling his hair. Helan grinned and gestured for him to come inside.

"Mom!" Helan called. A woman in her fifties emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her dress. When she saw the boy, her lips curved into a smile.

"How are you, Aron?" she asked warmly.

"I'm good, Aunty," Aron replied with a grin. Helan's mother nodded, then glanced at her daughter, who was rummaging through her backpack for the notes. Sighing, she turned back to Aron and whispered, "Does she have a boyfriend?"

Aron chuckled and shook his head, having been asked the same question a hundred times by now.

"No, Aunty," he replied with amusement.

Helan, placing her hands on her hips, called out, "Mom, I've told you, if I find a boyfriend, you'll be the first to know!"

Her mom shook her head, heading back toward the kitchen.

"Aron, stay for dinner tonight," she called over her shoulder.

Aron glanced at Helan. "Sure, Aunty."

Helan arched an eyebrow. "Aren't you scared of your dad?"

Aron smirked, stepping closer to Helan and whispering in her ear, "I'm not afraid of anything when it comes to you."

Helan awkwardly smiled, then pushed a notebook into Aron's chest. "Go."

Aron chuckled, waved goodbye, and turned around—just in time to see Helan's father arriving home, his expression serious. Aron bowed his head and quickly took his leave.

"Helan, bring me a glass of water," her father said, sitting down. Helan nodded and ran to the kitchen to fetch the water.

Meanwhile, Aron walked down the peaceful street with a big smile on his face. But as soon as he reached his house, the smile vanished. His expression turned cold as he walked inside, where the first thing he saw was his father sitting in the hall with a red file in hand. Aron approached and sat on the other side of the sofa.

A maid handed him a glass of water, but he gestured for her to leave. He was about to take a sip when his father spoke.

"Did you go to that girl's house again?"

Aron choked and quickly set the glass down. "Yes."

His father's anger flared as he threw the file at Aron. "I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE HER!" he shouted.

"And I TOLD YOU I WON'T. I LOVE HER!" Aron yelled back, storming out of the room.

...

Ryan watched the argument between his brother and father with a smirk. "Loser," he muttered under his breath.

The next day...

Ryan and Aron both got ready for college. Ryan slid into the car while Aron took out his bike, heading in the opposite direction. Ryan shot a disgusted look at Aron in the side mirror.

Aron stopped his bike in front of a small house, waiting for a few minutes. Helan rushed out, dressed in her uniform. She hopped onto the bike, gave Aron a playful pat on the back, and said, "Let's go, we're already late, stupid!"

Aron glanced at her through the side mirror, lowering his helmet's visor. The bike roared to life, and Helan quickly wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. Within minutes, they were parked at the college.

Helan hopped off the bike, clutching her bag straps, and ran inside the campus. Aron chuckled and followed her.

"What's the rush?" he asked as they jogged side by side.

"I haven't finished the assignment! I'll do it in the library," Helan shouted over her shoulder. Aron laughed, deciding to spend the day with her there.

Helan found a seat at one of the tables, pulled out a file, and began scribbling furiously. Aron sat across from her, his bag on the floor, and silently watched her, his eyes dreamy.

"Not going to class?" Helan asked, not looking up.

"Nah, I've got better things to do," Aron replied in a deep voice.

"Like staring at me?" she teased.

"Exactly," he said, making her fall silent as she focused on her assignment, letting him gaze at her in peace.

"Let me inform you first—Kian's parents, Crystal's parents, and Aron all attended the same college."