Chapter 8 Seraphina hiding in the bathroom

Inside the washroom of Boston University, the cold splash of water did little to calm Seraphina Holland's frazzled nerves. The reflection staring back at her in the mirror was one of a woman caught in a storm of emotions, each droplet cascading down her face mirroring the turmoil within. The reason for her distress was no mystery to her best friend, Monika, who, upon entering the washroom, immediately spotted Seraphina's distressed figure by the sink.

In the dimly lit washroom of Boston University, Seraphina Holland found herself battling a whirlwind of emotions, her nerves frayed from her latest encounter with Armin Rodríguez. She stood before the sink, splashing cool water on her face in a futile attempt to quell the storm raging within her.

As if sensing her distress, her best friend Monika burst into the washroom with a boisterous laugh, her amusement evident in the sparkle of her eyes. "Well, well, well, look who we have here," Monika chimed, her laughter echoing off the tiled walls.

Seraphina shot her friend a withering glare, her annoyance palpable. "What's so funny?" she demanded, her voice tinged with exasperation.

Monika, undeterred by Seraphina's ire, sauntered closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Why do you always turn into a nervous wreck whenever Armin crosses your path?" she teased, her tone teasingly light.

The question hit Seraphina like a ton of bricks, her brows furrowing in disbelief. "Are you serious?" she scoffed incredulously, disbelief coloring her voice.

With a comforting hand on Seraphina's shoulder, Monika leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "Come on, spill the tea, Sera. Why does Armin send you into a panic every single time?"

Seraphina's eyes widened in frustration, her mind racing to find the words to explain the tangled web of history between her and Armin. "It's complicated, Monika," she sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

Monika raised an eyebrow inquisitively, her interest piqued. "Complicated how?"

Taking a deep breath, Seraphina launched into the convoluted tale of her tumultuous relationship with Armin, recounting their intertwined pasts and the bitter rivalry that had plagued their families for years. "It all goes back to our fathers' old feud," she explained, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Armin's determined to keep everyone away from me, thanks to his vendetta against my dad."

Monika's eyes widened in astonishment, her mouth forming an 'o' of realization. "Wow, talk about a forbidden love story," she murmured, her tone filled with awe.

A bitter laugh escaped Seraphina's lips, her heart heavy with the weight of their shared history. "Yeah, you could say that," she muttered dryly, her gaze distant.

Suddenly, a mischievous glint danced in Monika's eyes as she leaned in closer, a sly grin tugging at her lips. "Well, if it's any consolation, at least you have the ultimate bad boy pining after you," she teased, her voice dripping with humor.

Seraphina rolled her eyes in exasperation, a reluctant smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Oh joy, just what every girl dreams of," she quipped sarcastically, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Monika, sensing Seraphina's tension, moved in closer, her hand offering a comforting touch on Seraphina's shoulder. She gently voiced her curiosity, "I didn't understand one thing. Why do you get scared so much when you see Armin?"

Seraphina, caught off guard by the question, felt a surge of frustration mixed with fear. She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself before responding, "Can't you see how he looks at me? I feel like he is shooting me with his emerald green eyes." Her words carried the weight of the intensity she felt whenever Armin's gaze fell upon her.

Trying to offer a different perspective, Monika smiled reassuringly, her eyes reflecting her genuine concern. "But Armin treats you so well. Only he doesn't show it to anyone," she suggested, hoping to alleviate some of Seraphina's troubled thoughts.

Seraphina, puzzled by Monika's observation, turned to face her friend fully, her brow furrowed in confusion. "How could you say that? Armin doesn't even let any boy come near me. But also, he doesn't talk to me properly," she countered, her tone tinged with frustration and bewilderment.

Monika's genuine interest in understanding the complexity of Seraphina's feelings towards Armin was evident. After all, Armin Rodríguez was not just any ordinary man. He was the son of one of the world's richest and most powerful figures, an eligible bachelor whose mere presence in Boston turned heads and stirred desires. It was no wonder that everyone coveted his attention, but for Seraphina, his attention brought more fear than joy.

Monika's brow furrowed, her gaze piercing as she contemplated Seraphina's words. She understood the gravity of the situation, the weight of expectations and rivalries that surrounded Armin Rodríguez. But she also sensed something deeper in Seraphina's fear, something rooted in the tangled emotions that bound her to Armin.

"He treats you well because he cares about you, Sera," Monika said, her voice soft yet firm. "But his way of showing it... it's complicated. Armin's not one to wear his heart on his sleeve, especially not with everything going on between your families."

Seraphina's eyes narrowed in thought, the pieces of the puzzle slowly clicking into place. She had always known that her relationship with Armin was fraught with complexities, but Monika's words shed new light on the situation.

"So you think... he's just trying to protect me?" Seraphina murmured, the realization dawning on her like a sunrise after a long night of darkness.

Monika nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Exactly. Armin's like a lion, fierce and protective of what he considers his. And you, Sera, you're his pride and joy."

Seraphina paced back and forth in the dimly lit washroom, her mind swirling with confusion and uncertainty. She couldn't shake the feeling that Armin was driving her crazy with his cryptic behavior. "What does he want from me?" she muttered to herself, frustration evident in her furrowed brow.

She paused mid-stride, her fingers absentmindedly twisting a lock of hair as she pondered her tumultuous feelings for the enigmatic Armin. "I swear, it's like trying to decipher hieroglyphics," she grumbled, her lips twisting into a frustrated pout.

With a heavy sigh, Seraphina sank onto the edge of the sink, her reflection staring back at her with a mixture of longing and confusion. "I just wish he would say what he means for once," she mused aloud, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation.

Suddenly, a mischievous glint danced in Seraphina's eyes as an idea sparked in her mind. "Maybe I should just start speaking in riddles too," she joked to herself, a small smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "See how he likes it when the tables are turned."

But deep down, beneath the layers of frustration and confusion, Seraphina couldn't deny the undeniable truth lurking in the depths of her heart. "As crazy as it sounds," she whispered softly to her reflection, "maybe I'm just as madly in love with him as he is with me."

The thought sent a shiver down her spine, but amidst the chaos of her emotions, there was a flicker of hope. "Perhaps one day," she murmured to herself, a wistful smile gracing her lips, "I'll be Mrs. Rodríguez after all."

Seraphina stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, frustration evident in the furrow of her brow and the tightness of her lips. "I just don't get it, Monika," she muttered, running a hand through her long red hair. "Why does Armin have to be so cryptic all the time?"

Monika, leaning against the sink with a smirk, raised an eyebrow. "Because he's Armin Rodríguez, that's why. The man practically thrives on mystery and intrigue."

Seraphina rolled her eyes, a huff of annoyance escaping her lips. "Well, I wish he'd cut the act and just tell me what he wants. I'm tired of trying to decipher his every move like I'm some kind of detective."

Monika chuckled, reaching out to pat Seraphina's shoulder reassuringly. "Welcome to the world of dating a Rodriguez, my dear. It's like playing chess with a master strategist, except you never know if he's going for checkmate or just trying to impress you with his fancy moves."

Seraphina couldn't help but laugh at the analogy, the tension easing from her shoulders as she imagined Armin as a suave chess player in a sharp suit. "Well, I've never been much of a chess player, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of this game."

Monika grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "That's the spirit, Sera! Just remember, sometimes the best move is to flip the board and start fresh. Who knows, maybe Armin will finally reveal his hand and sweep you off your feet."

Seraphina smirked, feeling a surge of determination coursing through her veins. "I wouldn't hold my breath, but stranger things have happened. And who knows, possibly one day I'll be Seraphina Rodríguez, ruling alongside the enigmatic Armin in the kingdom of love."