1. The unexpected weekend

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The air was crisp and tinged with the scent of damp leaves, a hint of autumn settling into Soysalan University. The trees, dressed in fiery shades of orange and gold, whispered secrets as students milled about the campus, their chatter echoing off the brick buildings. Asi walked briskly across the courtyard, her curly black hair bouncing with each step. She loved this time of year; the cool weather made her feel alive, and the vibrant colors always sparked her creativity.

Today, however, she felt a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. The last thing she wanted was to be partnered with anyone for the new project, especially someone from the Soysalan family. The Soysalan name was synonymous with wealth and privilege, and Asi wanted nothing to do with it. She had always steered clear of the rich kids, who floated through life as if the world were their playground.

As she entered the classroom, the chatter faded, and the professor's voice filled the space, commanding attention. "For this semester's project, you will be working in pairs on a weekend retreat at the cabin owned by the Soysalan family." The professor's gaze swept across the room, landing on Asi and a few others. "You will explore teamwork and creativity while living together. You will present your findings upon your return."

A murmur of excitement rippled through the students, but Asi's heart sank. The Soysalan cabin? She felt her stomach twist. Just then, the professor continued, "Asi, you'll be paired with Alaz Soysalan."

The room seemed to tilt on its axis. Asi's eyes widened in disbelief. Alaz Soysalan-the flirty, sassy, spoiled rich kid she had heard so much about but had never encountered. Just the thought of spending an entire weekend with him sent a wave of frustration coursing through her. She wanted to roll her eyes, but she swallowed hard, focusing on the professor's instructions about packing essentials and preparing for the retreat.

As the class ended, she made her way out of the room, determination coursing through her. "I'll just keep my distance," she muttered to herself. The thought of Alaz lounging around, flaunting his wealth and charm, made her stomach churn. She was not about to be charmed by someone who had everything handed to him.

Meanwhile, Alaz strolled through the campus, his short brunette hair tousled by the breeze. He relished the idea of the cabin retreat but not for the reasons everyone else did. His eyes gleamed with mischief as he thought about how easy it would be to annoy his new partner. He had heard the rumors about Asi, the girl with the rebellious spirit who didn't fit into the typical mold of university girls. Intrigued by her reputation, he felt a spark of excitement-she would be fun to mess with.

On the day of the retreat, the sky was overcast, and a chill lingered in the air, promising rain. Asi packed her bag with a flurry of activity, throwing in her favorite oversized sweater, a notebook, and a few snacks for the weekend. She didn't own much, but the few items she had were special to her. As she zipped her bag shut, she felt a mixture of anticipation and dread.

When she arrived at the meeting point, she spotted Alaz leaning casually against his sleek black car, the epitome of effortless cool. His playful smirk and confident stance grated on her nerves. "You must be Asi," he drawled, his voice smooth as silk. "Ready for a weekend of fun?"

"Not at all," she shot back, crossing her arms defiantly. "I'm not here for fun; I'm here to complete this stupid project."

He chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Well, I hope you can keep up. I'd hate for you to slow me down."

The drive to the cabin was filled with awkward silence punctuated by Alaz's occasional attempts at small talk, all of which Asi dismissed with a huff or a noncommittal grunt. She focused on the scenery, the rolling hills and the trees lining the winding road. With each passing moment, the cabin loomed closer, and her anxiety about sharing space with Alaz grew.

As they pulled up to the cabin, nestled among the trees and surrounded by the vibrant hues of fall, Asi's heart raced. It was a beautiful place, far removed from the chaos of university life. But she felt trapped, knowing she'd have to face Alaz for the entire weekend. "Great," she muttered, "just what I wanted."

Alaz hopped out of the car, stretching his arms above his head. "Welcome to my family's little slice of paradise. You're going to love it here," he said, glancing back at her with that infuriating grin.

Asi rolled her eyes and grabbed her bag, stepping out into the cool air. "I doubt it," she replied, unable to hide her annoyance.

With each step toward the cabin, tension crackled between them. The world around them was stunning, but the hostility was palpable. Little did they know, beneath the surface of their animosity lay a journey of discovery-one that would reveal their shared passions and secrets, intertwined like the branches of the trees overhead.

And as they entered the cabin, the door creaking open, the autumn chill whispered of changes yet to come.

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