Steal His Innocence - Completed

CHAPTER 18: Muffins

ASHER'S POV

Foundation Week cleanup finally ended, and for the first time all day, I had the chance to breathe. The campus grounds were still noisy—students laughing, chairs scraping against cement, banners being rolled up—but my attention wasn't on any of that.

I was scanning the crowd.

Where is she?

Viana was beside me just a few minutes ago, complaining about how unfair it was that "cleanup" meant actual cleaning. Then she disappeared. Again.

"Don't worry, tol. Walang lalaki 'yun!" Patrick said, dropping his arm over my shoulder like he understood the situation perfectly.

I shot him a look. "She said she's just buying food. We're supposed to go home together."

A small smile betrayed me. She probably found some random stall selling street tacos or milk tea and forgot about time. That's very Viana.

Patrick snorted. "I know, I know. Hinalikan ka pa nga, 'di ba? Do you even realize how many guys here envy you? Hot kaya ng chikababes mo."

I ignored the plural implication. There's only one girl everyone's referring to.

Yeah, she's hot. Gorgeous. Confident in ways most girls aren't.

But she's not my type.

I've always said I prefer someone softer. A modern Maria Clara. Calm. Polite. Traditional.

So why does my chest feel restless when she disappears from my sight?

"Maybe you're just falling in love," Paulo chimed in, wrapping his arm around his new girlfriend and kissing her temple. "Love is unexpected, bro."

Unexpected.

I've always believed attraction is a choice. You feel something, then you decide whether to nurture it or kill it before it grows. Falling in love isn't accidental. It's deliberate.

Right?

"Have you seen Viana?" I asked Paulo's girlfriend.

"Yeah! Andun siya kasama 'yung Student Council President."

I straightened slightly. "Jason?"

She nodded casually.

Why is she with him?

"Paktay, may iba na!" Paulo teased.

I gave him a warning glare.

Before I could move, Hailey approached me. "Mr. White Ms. Chelly is asking for you."

I inhaled. "Alright."

I forced myself to walk toward the faculty office, pushing away the image of Viana laughing with the SC President.

It shouldn't bother me.

It does.

Ms. Chelly gestured for me to sit the moment I entered. She had that composed, professional look she always wore when she was about to discuss something serious.

"Mr. White," she began, pulling out some papers. "You've always been one of our top students. But recently, your performance has slightly declined."

I kept my expression neutral. "It's personal, Ma'am."

"Is it because of Ms. Tuazon?"

The way she said Viana's name made something inside me bristle.

"Mr. White," she continued, "this is for your own good. It might be better if you take some space away from her. Your future—"