Mr CEO's Little Heartthrob

"Hey little thief". A hoarse voice burst through her salient thoughts from behind, jolting her back to her surroundings and she quickly turned around to behold the owner of the voice that startled her.

Recollecting her action just now, a gasp escaped her lips as she quickly tucked the little rabbit behind her back. Her cheeks heats up with a blush as she fixes her glasses, her hair tresses scattered loosely over her face. She could hear his amused chuckles as he watched her struggle to hide the stuffed plush toy rabbit behind her.

'Oh God this is embarrassing' She thought as she retreated gradually till she felt her back pressing on the hard pole, looking down at her feet in embarrassment.

She could feel his eyes on her, studying her until she couldn't take it anymore and snapped her eyes to his. Those blue eyes had her sucking in a breath and she gushed slightly.

But it wasn't just his eyes that made her heart flutter, it was the steady and well built body that looks like a work of art. Her face turned crimson red when she slowly brought her eyes back to his face. She felt like had just been sucker-punched in the gut when his eyes fell on her.

His hair was black and inky which made the blueness of his eyes pop even more. She slowly trails down to his nose and marveled at how studded it is, and then down to his pink lips.

Gazing steadily at the handsome figure before her, she couldn't help but imagine that if her big brother was at least half as handsome, how proud she would be to flaunt him.

'Ohh how I wish my brother, Caspian, is the owner of this handsome face. Or better yet, have this handsome guy here as my brother instead'. She thought.

Bemused by the little girl's wandering thoughts, he chuckled over her flushed but seemingly exaggerated look. His blue eyes flicker to the plush toy hidden behind her and a twinkle of mischief passes through his striking blue eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

Before she could answer him, he took two steps forward, bent over and peered deeply into her face.

"If you really love that toy rabbit, then you can keep it," he said, smiling sheepishly at her.

Her face brightened up as soon as she heard this.

"Really? Can I really keep the little rabbit?" She queried, batting her eyelid profusely like a petty thief caught in the act wothers an unsure smile plastered on her face. She tugged slightly at the hem of her uniform to further strengthen her act.

"Of course." He smirked, flashing his white pearly teeth that shone radiantly. "If I say you can have it, you can. Be sure to treasure it because that's my closest buddy, but I'm giving it to you now." He stretched out his hand and rubbed her soft curly hair before gently tucking the tresses that slightly covered her eyes behind her ear.

Feeling elated, she sprinted into the house with the little rabbit in hand, excitement written all over her.

On entering her room, she walked to the left corner of her bed and laid the little rabbit on the bed, then gently tucked it into the duvets.

When this little exercise was done, she smiled at herself then proceeded to change out of her school uniform. Her mother's melodic voice could be heard from the dining area beckoning on her to come down for dinner.

"Ariadne, hurry to your brother's room and invite him down for dinner"

Ariadne Bardell is her name, she's the second child of the Bardell's family, her parents being Maverick and Daisy Bardell. Her family can not be passed off as excessively rich, but they can afford to provide a great living for Ariadne and her elder brother, Caspian. Their little family of four shared a fondness that elicited envy among the residents in their small community.

"Caspian is back?" She gasped.

Thrilled by this great news, Ariadne Bardell, a bubbly twelve-year-old girl with slightly curled chestnut colored hair and bright hazel eyes, skidded down the hallway of her family's cozy suburban home. She sprinted up the stairs and dashed into the room with dark grey interior decor.

It was a crisp autumn evening, and the aroma of her mother's homemade lasagna wafted through the air, beckoning her to the dining room. The aroma of the dish infiltrated into her nostrils and she wondered why her mother always spares cooking it except when her brother would be home.

As she approached her elder brother Caspian's room, Ariadne's steps slowed. She waited in front of the door for a few minutes before rapping gently on the door, her small hand forming a rhythmic pattern against the wooden surface before pushing the door ajar.

The door creaked open, revealing Caspian, a lanky twenty-two-year-old with tousled brown hair, standing in front of his wardrobe with a mischievous grin on her face. He wore a faded band t-shirt and held a pile of clothes in his hands.

At the first sight of her dearest big brother, she flew into his arms for a hug, nearly pulling him down with her weight.

"I missed you Caspian. It's been long since you came home" she exasperated, snapping her little fingers to recount the last visit to the family home.

"Come on, my dearest baby sis, you know I will always miss you dearly." He reiterated, flashing his usual cheeky grin. He grasped her tightly to his bosom for a long while, as if he was scared of someone snatching her away from him.

"Uhmm..... Caspian, guess what?" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. "Mum made your favorite lasagna tonight!"

Caspian's face lit up at the mention of his beloved dish.

"Lasagna? You know that's my weakness, Ari," he chuckled, stepping out of his room and closing the door behind him. "I'll be right down."

Ariadne bounced on her heels, barely able to contain her enthusiasm.

"That's not all!" she blurted out, unable to keep the secret any longer. "I heard you on the phone earlier. Are you having a friend over for dinner?"

Caspian's eyes widened, surprise flickering across his face. "Oh, that?" he stammered, his cheeks turning slightly pink.

"Well, yes, actually. I didn't expect you to hear that."

Ariadne beamed. Having piqued her curiosity, she tugged shyly at hisT-shirt, "Who is it,Caspian? Is it a girl? Is she pretty?"

Caspian's laughter filled the hallway, amused at Ariadne's coyly act. She always puts up such displays whenever she wants to get something out of him. He thought she looked cute whenever she behaved that way so he would always give in to her. He turned to gaze at her and peered into her curious face, "No, Ari, it's not a girl," he reassured her, ruffling her hair affectionately.

His disheveled brown hair matched his tired eyes, but a smile slowly crept into his face upon seeing he noticed that she had switched back into her innocent look.

"It's my friend from university, Denver. He's in town for a few days, and I invited him over. We thought it would be nice for him to meet the family."

Ariadne's eyes widened in curiosity. University seemed like a place where people gain a reasonable amount of freedom, judging by how rare her brother returns home. She had only seen some snippets of Caspian's university life through their occasional video chats.

As they made their way downstairs, Ariadne flipped her hair, bouncing it with each step, with a ton of questions on her mind.

'What would Caspian's friend look like? Would he have exciting stories to share?' Curiosity queued in her mind and she couldn't wait to find out.

The dining room table was already set with the finest cutlery and dish set. Their mother, Mrs. Bardell stood at the head of the table, with a wide ceramic spatula in her hand as she served the food while plastering a wide smile on her face. Her eyes twinkled with delight when she noticed the salivating looks on Caspian and Ariadne as they approach the diner.

"Caspian, dear, you made it just in time," Mrs. Bardell exclaimed, her voice filled with motherly affection.

"And who is this young man you invited? He came in shortly after Ariadne returned from school and went up to your room"

"Oh, here's my mom, Mrs. Bardell. My dad is not home from work yet". Turning towards Ariadne, he continued.

"That's my little sister, Ariadne. And this," he paused, gesturing at the visitor.

"He's Denver Wesley, my friend from the university"

Ariadne's gaze traveled from Caspian to Denver, her gaze met with a pair of captivating eyes,framed by a face that exuded warmth and charm.

Her heart skipped a beat, and her breath caught in her throat. She stood there, mesmerized, as her eyes met Denver's handsome face.

'Wait..... this face looks familiar'. She was dumbstruck the next minute as she quickly recollected his face.

It was the same young man she had met earlier outside their house - a chance encounter that had left her mesmerized.

For a moment, the world seemed to fade away, and Ariadne found herself lost in the depths of Denver's gaze.

She stared at his perfect jawline and the confident way he carried himself. His features were etched in her memory, and now, standing before her, he seemed even more captivating.

'This is my second time, staring into his face like this. How I wish time could pause for a minute, allowing me to stare longer at this face absorbing its beauty'. She thought.

She felt a rush of warmth spread across her cheeks as she struggled to regain her composure. Denver stared at her and quickly recognized her from the first encounter some minutes ago.

Ariadne snapped out of her daze, realizing that she was still staring. She blushed, feeling her cheeks grow warm, and quickly averted her gaze to the floor. Her heart raced with a mixture of excitement and embarrassment, unsure of how to compose herself.

Denver, who had been observing Ariadne with a smirk playing onhis lips, noticed her reaction. Stepping forward, he extended a hand towards her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ariadne," he said, his voice gentle and reassuring.

Ariadne glanced up, her cheeks still flushed, and shyly took Denver's hand into hers, clasping it tightly, her heart fluttering in her chest.

The touch sent a jolt of electricity through her, and she felt a surge of warmth spread throughout her body. She couldn't help but admire his handsomeness, feeling a strange connection that transcended mere acquaintance.

"The pleasure is all mine," she finally managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

As Caspian watched the interaction unfold, he couldn't help but chuckle over her calm demeanor. He wondered where her usual bubbly and troublesome character disappeared to. He was initially worried that she will spike trouble again today and had hoped for his sister and his friend to get along, but he had not expected the unusual calmness she was exhibiting today.

'That's quite unlike her though. But I guess it's not a bad thing after all'

Throughout the evening, Ariadne found herself stealing glances at Denver, captivated by his wit, intelligence, and undeniable charm. His matured demeanor and poise further captivated her.

'Although he's similar age with my brother, he's more stunning and witty than Caspian', she thought.

Unbeknownst to Ariadne, Denver too had been stealing glances at her because he found her astonished look interesting. Meanwhile, she sat there with her gaze fixed on Denver's captivating face and kept on imagining just how great it would be to have a brother with such a handsome look like Denver.

Shortly after dinner, Caspian and his friend grabbed their bags and announced their departure. "We are leaving now."

Ariadne tailed behind them till they got to the house gate, she finally summoned her courage and questioned Denver, "when can I see you again?"

He looked at her and smiled, her messy hair scattered on her face made him want to lean in and touch it so badly. He bit his lower lips to prevent himself from blushing. "Next time"

"When is the next time?" She asked again in hopes of a more clarified response.

He grinned, but remained mum. Having said nothing, he leisurely walked out of the house with Caspian.

'Oops! Could have been better if I would be able to get his phone number'. She thought as she fumbled her phone between her fingers.

However, she tilted her head down in regret soon after that thought.

Six years had passed since that fateful introduction to Denver, and Ariadne Bardell had blossomed into a confident and intelligent young woman. Her once-curly chestnut hair now cascaded in gentle waves down her back, and her bright hazel eyes sparkled with excitement. Ariadne's passion for understanding the human mind and helping others had led her to pursue a degree in psychology at Leyland University. But her reason for choosing Leyland university is not so simple! Over the past six years, Ariadne had always concerned herself with her brother's life, acting so caring about his well-being.

Caspian couldn't be prouder being cared for by his darling little sister, but was she really caring as it seems? Hell No! Ariadne wouldn't give a damn about her brother's private life. She was only interested in prying information concerning the young man that had mesmerized her six years ago. Hence, she appeared to be so caring on the surface. Ariadne could never forget the image of Denver's endearing figure standing before her when she was barely twelve years old, with his handsome face that shone brightly like the fierce sun. She couldn't help but remember the events of the past. Even though it happened a long time ago, she still remembered every detail. Back then, she was but a 6th grader who had all her experience about life, dependent on her parents and her elder brother. Hence, he would probably only look upon her like a younger sister at most. Back then, Ariadne still had no idea what love or attraction was. She merely fantasized about having a big brother as handsome as Denver and possesses such elite demeanor. But she didn't forget the mesmerizing feeling his appearance at her family house that day elicited in her. That feeling was something she had never forgotten over the years. Thinking about it again, her cheeks turned pink and she quickly covered her cheeks with her palms to hide her blush. As she couldn't lay her eyes on him at all times just as she desired, she has therefore kept this piece of a precious memory with her. She remembered an occurrence while in high school. Her classroom teacher has counseled them on the importance of dreams and how it is essential to their choice of colleges. As far as she could remember, she has always been oblivious of the dream she wanted to pursue. She has always been clueless as to what her future will be like. That day, she listened with rapt attention and enthusiasm. She noted all the relevant points, and went home thinking about what her dream was. She got so livid and decided to think heavily on what the teacher said. She pondered on this more in her room, pacing around. Staring at the decorations on the pink walls of her room, her mind slowly drifted to her meeting with Denver once again. She remembered her brother once made mention of Denver returning back to Leyland after his graduation. And so, it hit her! And she came up with a decision. Her dream is to get closer to Denver, as close as possible. She quickly browsed through the college choice brochure she was given at school and searched frantically, and she found it; Leyland University. She figured that if she can get admitted into Leyland university, then she will naturally have more chances of meeting him again. When her family found out she entered Leyland university in her university application form, they were flustered. They thought that her choice was fickle and she would regret it if she didn't make the eligible required mark. They had wanted her to apply for Pendelton State university in their city. Their reason was simple: they wanted her to be close to home so that she can drop by easily whenever she misses home or come home for dinner on weekends. Moreover, her elder brother Caspian attended Pendelton university too. They asked her reason for choosing Leyland university instead of Pendelton state university, and she claimed to have chosen because their psychology department is more reputable than that of Pendelton's. Ariadne checked the eligibility criteria for admission into Leyland university and discovered that although her grades were good, it was still poor compared to the requirements for admission into Leyland university. For the first time, Ariadne felt a strong drive to become dedicated to her studies, unlike her lackadaisical attitude towards her education in the past. She became engrossed in her books, solving multiple assessments and acing every monthly exam. Seeing how determined she was and how much more dedication she had paid to her education that period, her parents duly relaxed their resolve and decided to let the matter be. Leyland university is not a bad choice anyway. They thought. Her hard work and persistence paid off. She was overjoyed when the scores for the university entrance exam was released and thrilled upon realizing that she was admitted into Leyland university. She will finally have a reason to see him again. ------------- At Leyland University Ariadne stood in front of the towering gates of Leyland, her heart pounding with anticipation. This was the beginning of a new chapter in her life. And most importantly, a life that draws her closely to Denver! With her acceptance letter clutched tightly in her hand, she took a deep breath and stepped onto the campus grounds. As Ariadne walked through the grand entrance of the university, she made her way through the bustling crowds of students, excitement plastered over her face. She couldn't help but marvel at how the campus buzzed with activities. Making her way to the student registration office, Ariadne eagerly completed her registration as a fully fledged student, and after that she was assigned to her dorm room. She had heard tales of how great friendships are mostly formed within the four walls of a university, especially among dorm roommates, and she hoped to find hers too. With her heart full of excitement, Ariadne entered the dormitory where she would be staying for the upcoming academic year and walked towards her assigned room. She turned the doorknob and stepped inside, and was greeted by a cozy space adorned with colorful posters, twinkling fairy lights, and an inviting warmth that instantly put her at ease. It was then that she noticed three other teenage girls in the room. Their eyes lit up the moment she stepped in. "Oh, hello!" Ariadne exclaimed, her voice filled with warmth. "I'm Ariadne Bardell. It seems we'll be roommates." The three girls exchanged glances before breaking into welcoming smiles. They seemed just as excited as Ariadne to meet their fourth roommate. "I'm Vanessa Baker," said the girl with vibrant purple streaks in her short, spiky hair. Her hazel eyes shimmered with a mischievous glint. She exuded a zest for life that was impossible to ignore. Vanessa's vibrant personality seemed to light up the room. "I'm Katniss Gables," spoke the girl with a cascade of golden curls and a contagious smile, a calm and composed young woman with an air of maturity. Her voice held a gentle warmth that matched her soft blue eyes. "And I'm Connie Blair," chimed the girl with short hair, her green eyes twinkling with intelligence. Her most remarkable feature was her glasses which rimmed at the tip of her nose, passing her off for what she is - a nerd. Ariadne couldn't help but feel an instant connection with her new roommates. Their vibrant personalities and welcoming demeanor put her at ease, making her feel like she had found a second family away from home. ----------------- One week into the academic session Ariadne sat at her desk, engrossed in her notebook, when her roommate and dear friend, Katniss Gables, burst into the room with uncontainable excitement. Her wild, curly hair bounced with each step, and her eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Hey girls, guess what?" Katniss exclaimed, her voice filled with glee. Looking up from her notebook, Ariadne tilted her head towards the direction of the voice and smiled warmly. "What's got you so excited, Katniss?" "It's my birthday today! I've planned something grand for a celebration!" Katniss announced, a wide grin spreading across her face. She fanned herself with her hands, unable to contain her enthusiasm. Cheers and well wishes filled the room as the girls exchanged excited glances. Birthdays are always a cause for celebration. Katniss is the first girl to celebrate her birthday in their room, so they will certainly ensure she has a fun and special day, and her birthday will be nothing short of amazing. Ariadne lifted her gaze and her whole face lit up immediately. She knew Katniss had a knack for being a crazier bitch than Vanessa whenever she wished to, and Ariadne could not help but be intrigued by her friend's plans. "Well, spill the details, Katniss! What have you got in store?" Ariadne asked, her curiosity piqued. With a mischievous grin, Katniss began to share her grand plans. "To celebrate my birthday this time, I'm thinking we should hang out at the newly launched Karaoke bar on South street. It's got private rooms, dazzling lights, and the latest music selection. It'll be a night to remember! What do you think?" Ariadne's face lit up with excitement. She had always loved singing and dancing, and a karaoke party sounded like the perfect way to celebrate Katniss's birthday. But there was more to Katniss's plan. "Oh, and that's not all," Katniss continued, her voice filled with mischief. "I've invited Arthur Heathcliff, you know, our sports student friend from the gym? Well, he's bringing a few of his friends too. It's going to be a massive celebration!" Ariadne composed herself, trying to hide her displeasure. "That sounds incredible, Katniss! I can't wait to celebrate with you. Partying would be much more fun if there are more people, so it should not be a bad idea having Arthur and his friends join us too." Katniss winked mischievously, knowing full well the effect the mention of Arthur had on Ariadne. "I thought you might like that. It'll be an unforgettable night for all of us." Vanessa clapped her hands in delight. "Count me in! I've been dying to show off my singing skills." Connie kept quiet all along. She pinched the bridge of her nose, and looked on as the other three girls went wild in euphoria, and let out a cackle. She pursed her lips, contemplating on what to say. After some thoughts, she mustered some courage and walked up to Katniss, "Happy early birthday, Katniss. I'd love to be part of the celebration." However, Katniss barely nodded her head in response to her. She further waved her hands in the air signaling their attention once again. The trio were confused, as they couldn't guess what she was about to say next. "Wait, that's not all. I have something to ask of you girls. I was thinking if you girls can accompany me for shopping. I want to splurge for my birthday", she cajoled, darting her eyes across the room to grasp their reactions. Upon hearing her words, they hastily agreed to accompany her shopping, and use the chance to do some little shopping for themselves too. Of course, whatever the birthday girl says stands! She can act all coyly today and she will be indulged!

The prospect of spending the day together, exploring the labyrinthine halls of the mall, filled Ariadne's heart with joy.

Katniss emerged from her room. Her outfit was a reflection of her vibrant personality - a flowy bohemian dress adorned with intricate patterns, paired with a wide - brimmed hat that cast a playful shadow over her face.

Her infectious smile seemed to hold the promise of a day filled with laughter and adventure.

"I hope you're all ready for a shopping extravaganza!" Katniss declared, twirling around the room.

Ariadne exchanged excited glances with Connie and Vanessa, who had assembled in the living room, each dressed in their own unique styles.

Connie wore a chic yet comfortable ensemble - a crisp white blouse paired with tailored pants, with her glasses to match.

Vanessa donned a leather jacket over a flowing boho skirt, striking the perfect balance between edgy and free-spirited.

Ariadne quickly slipped into her favorite jeans and a soft sweater, her heart fluttering with anticipation.

She had always admired her roommates' fashion sense, and the opportunity to spend the day exploring fashion trends and sharing in their style secrets was a dream come true.

With laughter and excitement reverberating through the air, the girls made their way to the mall. Soon they arrived at the largest mall in the city.

The bustling corridors echoed with the sounds of shoppers and the scent of freshly brewed coffee. And the array of stores seemed endless, each beckoning with promises of new fashion discoveries.

Ariadne marveled at how her roommates effortlessly expressed themselves through fashion. In a little while, the shopping bags piled up, each one filled with a piece that reflected their individuality.

"Ariadne, do you like this dress?" an excited Katniss threw the question to Ariadne, shoving a bright red silk gown at her. "I think this will look enthralling on you"

Ariadne was slightly taken aback, smiled and gaped at the gown, saying nothing.

She stared at the dress in Katniss's hands, it looked so elegant and graceful. Its cuts and bodily fit was made such that it will properly flaunt the curvaceous nature of the wearer.

Ariadne was a naturally curvaceous beauty, and so Katniss felt that such of it would accentuate Ariadne's looks and grace.

Ariadne hesitated. She has never worn such a delicate piece before and doubted if such a dressing style will suit her. "I don't usually wear this style of dress, I don't think it will look great on me"

Katniss would not take no for an answer. "Try it on, I believe you will look peculiarly gorgeous in it", and proceeded to push her into the fitting room.

"Yes Ariadne. Katniss is right. This dress suits you, just try it on" Vanessa chimed.

Seeing how they all anticipated her look in the dress, she was left with no choice but to wear the dress.

When Ariadne stepped out of the fitting room, she resembled a phoenix breaking out of fire. The red silk gown flowed effortlessly, completely accentuating her glowing skin, leaving her friends mesmerized and drooling all over.

Awe stricken, Katniss exclaimed "Wow, Ariadne. You look glorious. If you weren't my friend and roommate, I could have mistaken you as the floral goddess herself" she teased.

"Just look at how this dress fits, like it was custom-tailored just for you. What??? You ain't leaving this shop if you don't buy this dress or I won't forgive you"

"Do you mean it?" Ariadne stood in front of the cheval mirror and admired the beauty in front of her. She couldn't help gushing over her own eccentric appearance. She felt like a princess in a fairytale.

Even if she doesn't want the dress, it would not be nice of her to drop it seeing how much thoughtfulness Katniss had put in to make her fit the dress in the first place.

And the dress did turn out super amazing so she has nothing to worry about. She decided to take the dress, which erupted euphoria in Katniss's heart.

She couldn't help taking another look at herself in the mirror and when she did, her face flushed. Letting out a deep breath, she spun on her heels and moved forward in cheerful steps.

They paid for the dresses they already picked, then proceeded to check out the other departments in the mall.

"Today's your birthday Katniss, but you made such a big show to get me a dress. Anyone will think I'm the celebrant myself, Ariadne spooked Katniss slightly as they checked out lip glosses and foundation at the cosmetic department.

Katniss grabbed her arm, disregarding her minor resistance, asking all coquettish. "Does it matter? You're a young girl yourself, you also deserve to spruce yourself up. And what's more, you're my friend."

Ariadne shook her head in amusement. It really feels great to have a caring friend who loves me like she would love her own sister.

Nevertheless, she was convinced by Katniss and she decided to pick out some makeup products for herself too.

Having shopped the entire afternoon, the four girls were impressed with themselves and decided to go home. They giggled loudly as they headed towards the exit, distributing infectious smiles to some other customers in the mall until Ariadne froze in a spot.

Ariadne's sudden silence caused a drift in their conversations. The girls looked her in the face and noticed that she was absent minded. Vanessa trailed her gaze and caught sight of a man and a woman standing side by side, outside the mall.

The man is an exceptionally handsome man whose build looked as fine as the carved porcelain work of a carpenter. She felt that his aura exuded that of a top elite. Meanwhile, the lady beside him looked like she put in a lot of effort in picking her outfit, there were just so many details.

She curved her lips in a smirk, thinking that Ariadne was merely drooling over the hot guy and gently rasped on her shoulder to draw her back to consciousness.

Ariadne retracted her gaze momentarily, then proceeded to walk towards the handsome man's direction. Unaware of what was going on, her friends followed suit behind her as they stepped out of the mall enclosure.

After a while, Ariadne slowed down and stood in front of the handsome man. She managed to force a coy smile on her face, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

"Hello Denver. Nice to meet you again. What a surprise to see you here."

Denver's face lit up as he recognized Ariadne.

"Ariadne! Hey!" He gave her a warm hug, momentarily melting away her worries. "It's been ages! How have you been?"

Ariadne fought to compose herself, not wanting to reveal her inner turmoil. "I've been good," she replied, her voice a little strained.

"Just enjoying the summer break with these amazing friends of mine." She gestured toward Katniss, Vanessa, and Connie, who offered friendly smiles.

Denver's eyes flickered with curiosity as he scanned Ariadne's friends, his gaze lingering on Molly Wickham, the girl by his side. "Oh, Ariadne, I want you to meet Molly," he said, his tone filled with warmth.

Ariadne's heart sank like an anchor, and a pang of disappointment shot through her.

She darted her eyes in the direction of the woman beside him, sneaking peeks at her as if she was seeking for explanations from her reactions. She mustered courage and looked her in the eye, her smile now waning.

"Nice to meet you, Molly," she said, her voice sounding strained and lacking its usual cheerfulness.

Sensing her uneasiness, Molly felt smug and flashed her a mischievous smile. "Likewise, Ariadne," she replied, extending a hand.

"Denver has told me so much about you."

Ariadne hesitated for a moment before shaking Molly's hand, her heart aching. She felt foolish for building up a fantasy in her mind, only to have it crumble in an instant. Her gaze shifted back to Denver, and a flicker of pain crossed her face, unnoticed by him.

When she chose to come to Leyland university, she had pictured so many scenes of what their reunion would be like. She had looked up to this encounter for so many years.

But this meeting now wasn't as she expected it. She had never expected to encounter him here, especially not with another girl. Her mind raced, and her stomach twisted with a mix of hope and disappointment.

Who is this lady beside him? Could she be his girlfriend? Or fiancée?

It seems like the past six years have changed a lot in our lives. Do I even stand a chance now?

Standing before him, reality dawned on her that all her speculations of what their reunion would be like was but her own wishful thinking.

It was just her fantasy. Ahh, I'm clearly living in my own nation, called Imagination.

Ariadne felt a burning feeling in her chest, feeling dejected, she cursed away silently as her sweaty palms itched to fumble each other. Beads of sweats tinkered down her delicate face, leaving Denver puzzled.

Denver was surprised by the scene before him.

Shouldn't she be happy to see me again? Why does she react this way? What does her reaction mean?

He racked his brain frantically in an effort to come up with a logical reason for her fidgety behavior.

"It's really my pleasure to see you again. Caspian told me you applied to Leyland university instead. You must have been here for sometime now. Are you enjoying everything here?"

"Of course, Leyland is an amazing city and I'm having the fun of my life here" she replied.

Ariadne felt a myriad of emotions course through her body, from disbelief to anger, to a pang of intense sadness. She dug her nails deeply into her palms, her damp fists crushing the hem of her blouse while her kid boots tapped a rapid rhythm.

Noticing her bodily reaction, Katniss subtly nudged Ariadne and whispered, "Are you okay?"

Ariadne forced a smile, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just caught off guard, that's all."

Oblivious to the undercurrents swirling around him, Denver continued chatting with Molly and introduced her to Katniss, Vanessa, and Connie.

Meanwhile, Ariadne struggled to push aside her feelings of heartbreak and disappointment, silently vowing to keep her emotions hidden and make the best of the encounter.

She was grateful for the presence of her friends in that moment, otherwise she didn't know what embarrassment she would have brought upon herself if she were to handle this scene alone.

Mustering the last drop of courage within her, Ariadne sauntered away from the mall and out of their sight..... She still has to attend Katniss's party. She wouldn't let this encounter destroy her mood.

Let's get wasted tonight and forget the bad memories.