Stole My Heart 💕

5 - Masterplan

The Next Morning...

Candice walked briskly down the pristine corridor of the school's administrative wing, the heels of her shoes tapping with a crisp rhythm that echoed off the walls. Her posture was impeccable—back straight, shoulders squared, chin lifted—but inside, unease coiled in her gut like a storm preparing to break.

This isn't good, she thought, swallowing hard. Mr. Potts didn't summon people this early unless something was brewing. And something in her gut told her she wasn't going to like it.

She opened the door to Mr. Potts' office, and immediately, her eyes narrowed.

Nick was already there.

He lounged against Mr. Potts' desk like he had all the time in the world, arms folded across his chest, wearing a smirk that screamed smug superiority. He looked like he'd been waiting for her, like this moment was something he had choreographed.

Mr. Potts looked up and smiled warmly. "Ah, Candice. Right on time. I have an important task for you."

Her eyes flicked back to Nick, whose grin stretched a little wider, practically radiating arrogance. Her jaw tightened, hands curling into fists at her sides.

"I need you to work with Nick on organizing the upcoming cultural festival," Mr. Potts said, as though it was the most natural request in the world.

Candice felt her stomach plummet like an anchor. Her reaction was immediate, instinctive.

"No."

The word cracked through the air like a whip.

Nick blinked, his smirk slipping for the briefest second. "What?"

Mr. Potts raised a brow, clearly not expecting resistance. "Excuse me?"

Candice folded her arms, glaring at Nick like she wanted to set him on fire. "I'm sorry, but I have no interest in working with an arrogant, self-absorbed prince charming."

And with that, she turned on her heel and strode out of the office, her head high, her mouth curled in a small, satisfied smirk.

Nick let out a low chuckle as she disappeared. The smirk returned—cocky, intrigued. He pushed off the desk and followed her into the hallway.

"You know," he called after her, "if this is some elaborate tactic to get my attention, it's working."

Candice stopped and turned, laughing—a clear, sharp sound that sliced through the air. "You think I want your attention? Oh, please."

She stepped closer, her voice dipping into a velvet-soft mockery. "Are you really that confident? Do you think every girl just melts under your gaze—especially me?"

Nick's jaw tightened. A flicker of something darker flickered in his eyes, but before he could respond, she turned and walked away without looking back.

He stood frozen for a moment, her words reverberating in his mind. The nerve of her.

And yet...

Something about her defiance sparked more than irritation. It fascinated him.

Later That Day...

Nick wandered into Hanna's classroom, carrying his usual air of relaxed charisma. As soon as he entered, a stir swept through the students. Girls sat straighter, smiled brighter, whispered behind notebooks.

But Nick's gaze wasn't for them.

He scanned the room like a hawk. And then he saw her—Candice. Seated at the back with her friend, laughing at something. Genuinely laughing.