Chapter 2:
Sunrise & Daydreams

"Liv, hurry up! We're going to be late!" Kath called out with a bright laugh, watching Olivia dart down the sweeping curved staircase of the Lim Estate. Olivia practically floated down the steps, her sleek jet‑black hair falling straight and glossy over her shoulders. She looked effortlessly chic in her university outfit: a cropped forest‑green button‑down shirt over a soft blue camisole, paired with a high‑waisted beige pleated mini‑skirt, slouchy gray socks, and clean white leather shoes. Her deep luminous dark brown eyes sparkled with excitement as she rushed toward the grand marble entrance.

Waiting by the porch was Matt, their trusted family driver, who quickly opened the rear door of the glossy black luxury sedan for them.

"Kathryna, do you think my outfit is fine?" Olivia asked nervously, smoothing her skirt and adjusting the collar of her green shirt. "Is it neat enough? Does it look right for class?"

Kathryna smiled warmly and nodded, glancing down at her own casual, comfortable look: a loose rust‑brown knit sweater, light‑wash blue jeans, and a thin crossbody bag slung over one shoulder-simple, relaxed, and perfectly suited to her easy‑going nature. "You look absolutely stunning, Liv. Fresh, stylish, and totally perfect. Stop fretting!"

They settled into the plush leather seats, falling into a soft, quiet silence for the drive. Olivia stared out the window, fingers twisting gently in her lap, her mind already drifting to the boy she'd dreamed of for years. For Kathryna, this was her first day on campus, while Olivia had been coming here every Saturday for violin lessons, so she knew every path and building like the back of her hand.

When they arrived, the university stood breathtakingly before them: a grand colonnade building with six towering stone columns, framed by terracotta‑red wings. A wide green lawn stretched out, lined with palm trees and tropical blooms, with a bronze statue at its center and flags fluttering against a sky streaked with soft pink‑gold sunrise hues. The air smelled of fresh grass, frangipani, and the hum of students laughing and hurrying between classes.

Kathryna stepped out, pausing for a moment to admire the view, then followed Olivia closely as she led the way toward their Creative Writing lecture hall.

 

Inside the Lecture Hall

Ten minutes later, they were seated in a bright, sunlit room with tall windows overlooking the campus lawn. Professor Marshals stood at the front, reading attendance from her clipboard.

"Anastasia Walker?"
"Present."

"Lucas Petersburg?"
"Present."

Kathryna sat up straight, notebook open on her desk, while Olivia shifted restlessly beside her, her dark brown eyes scanning every corner of the room-searching, waiting.

"Olivia Lim?"
"Present," Olivia replied, her tone casual, though Kathryna could see the eager sparkle in her gaze as she kept glancing toward the closed door.

Kathryna leaned in, whispering: "Livie, who exactly are you looking for?"

Olivia turned, letting out a quiet, excited groan. "He's not here yet! I was sure he'd be early!"

"Who?" Kathryna asked, glancing around-until she noticed: only one seat remained empty, right beside her.

Just then, the heavy door swung open.

Every head turned at once.

Gavin stepped into the room. He looked effortlessly handsome and cool: a cream‑and‑navy varsity jacket with a bold dark "M" on the chest, layered over a plain white tee, paired with dark fitted trousers. His soft black hair fell neatly over his forehead, and his dark, intense eyes held quiet confidence as he walked calmly down the aisle toward the only empty seat-right beside Kathryna.

"Mr. Lorenzo! You're late," Professor Marshals called, sharp but not unkind.

Gavin gave a polite, charming smile, his voice deep and warm. "My apologies, Professor. I just finished an urgent meeting with my father before heading to campus."

Soft giggles rippled through the room as every girl's gaze followed him. Kathryna glanced sideways at Olivia-and found her best friend completely spellbound, her dark eyes wide and dreamy, lips slightly parted as she stared at Gavin like he was something out of a fairy tale.

Kathryna leaned in again. "Liv... is that him? The one you've always talked about?"

Olivia nodded slowly, never looking away. "Yes... that's Gavin."

"Apology accepted. Take your seat," the professor said.

Gavin pulled out the chair beside Kathryna and sat down-close enough that she caught the faint, clean scent of sandalwood and citrus on him. He rested one hand in his jacket pocket, looking relaxed and composed as he set his notebook on the desk.

The lecture began, but a few minutes later, Kathryna felt a tiny poke at her side. She turned to see Olivia leaning forward from behind, eyes pleading.

"Kathryna... can we switch seats? Please?" she whispered urgently.

Kath shook her head softly. "No, Liv-she'll notice right away."

"But he's sitting right next to you!" Olivia murmured, almost pouting. "I've waited so long just to speak to him..."

"Wait until after class," Kathryna whispered back gently.

Before Olivia could reply, the professor's sharp voice cut through them.

"Ms. Lim and Ms. Suarez! What is so important that you must whisper during my lesson?"

The whole room fell silent. Every head turned-including Gavin's.

Kathryna felt his gaze rest on her, warm and curious, and her cheeks suddenly flushed warm. She tried to keep still, forcing herself not to fidget or blush harder under his quiet, steady stare.

"Nothing, Professor," Olivia answered smoothly, leaning back with a calm, unbothered air-though her fingers still trembled slightly in her lap.

Kath lowered her eyes to her notebook, her heart beating a little faster. She had no way of knowing then that this first, simple meeting-this awkward little moment in a sunlit university hall-was only the very beginning. That the boy Olivia had dreamed of would soon become the man who would bind them together... and eventually, tear their lives apart forever.