Mrs. Dale's class was only an hour-long, which was fortunate. Exiting the classroom, I noticed Florian engaged in conversation with someone. Based on his facial expressions, it seemed like a tense exchange. When I looked up, I found those dark, malevolent eyes peering into my direction. A chill ran down my spine, creeping me out. The corridor appeared empty, and a sense of vulnerability settled in. I felt exposed. Suddenly, the man noticed me and forcefully grabbed Florian's arm. Panicking, I hid behind a nearby pillar.

"What the heck are you doing at my university?" His words came out harsher than I had anticipated. The confrontation unfolding before me left me frozen, unsure of how to react to the unexpected tension between Florian and this mysterious intruder.

The man's menacing voice whispered, "I come looking for you."

The ominous words hung in the air, sending shivers down my spine. The unexpected and cryptic declaration left me on edge, and my curiosity mixed with fear as I continued to observe the intense exchange between Florian and this mysterious figure. The corridor, once a passageway for students, now felt like the stage for an unfolding drama, with an unsettling atmosphere that hinted at a connection between them that I couldn't quite comprehend.

My thoughts raced in turmoil; this situation was far from right. The man cleared his throat, waving his hand obnoxiously in front of Florian's face. He took a step closer, exhaling deeply. Unsure of what to do or who to turn to for help, I rapidly scanned the area, desperately seeking someone to assist me in getting this person out of our way. Just as panic threatened to consume me, I saw a distant figure walking towards us - Justin and his friend. I acted on instinct; desperation fueled my actions. I hurled my books at the man, causing him to sob in anguish.

Without hesitation, I dashed towards Florian as fast as I could, colliding my head into his powerful chest. I grabbed his hand, and we started running. In the distance, Justin called security, and the man was eventually escorted out, still yelling incomprehensible words. The ordeal left me shaken, and I clung to Florian's presence for a sense of security as we distanced ourselves from the unsettling encounter.

I slowly raised my head to find a confused Florian staring at me.

"Why did you do that?" he asked.

"I sensed danger," I replied, maintaining my gaze on him.

"That man is a psychopath; he saw you. He will hunt you down," he added, his tone carrying an undercurrent of anger, which he concealed beneath a whispered voice.

If it weren't Florian, I might have thought he was genuinely concerned. It was challenging to decipher the emotions hidden behind his gorgeous eyes.

"Are you okay, Bella?" Justin asked, taking a step closer to me.

I could feel Florian's gaze on me. Taking a step back, I replied, "Yeah, my treat. I know a hot pot nearby; let's go." And just like that, I found myself with the most handsome trio of ECU, trying to move past the unsettling encounter and regain a sense of normalcy in the company of familiar faces.

I realized that spicy hot pots were a staple for Florian, and surprisingly, he liked the same meat, tofu pieces, and vegetables as I did. In contrast, Justin and his friend preferred the non-spicy pot with chicken meat, carrots, bok choy, and sweet yam.

"Who was that man?" I asked while slurping my broth.

"A psychopath," he responded simply, placing a napkin on my skirt and one beside my fork.

"You're eating like a baby," he whispered. The comment made me realize that my dislike for him was still intact, and Florian remained a stone wall that seemed impenetrable, even by me.

After our dinner, we headed home, leaving the unsettling encounter behind us, but the echoes of the evening lingered, casting a shadow over the night.

"He is here," was all I could say before the man grabbed my phone. "Leave her alone, she is innocent," I heard Florian's voice yelling through the phone. In less than two minutes, my door was knocked over, and he appeared. The man had his hand around my neck, choking me; my nose was already bleeding, and the heat from the earlier eaten hot pot was intensifying the pain in my stomach.

"Bella, don't be scared; I am here," Florian said, his voice filled with worry.

"Oh, your girlfriend? Does she know that you are a bastard?" the man taunted.

"You're hurting me," I protested in between his grip.

"You have to pay for his deeds, little girl," he said, slapping me so hard that I fell on my floor.

"Don't hurt her; you want money, I will give you, just leave her alone," he roared. In a quick attempt, Florian punched the man and hurled him with a bundle of notes.

"You will pay for this," he threatened as he jumped out of the window.

The unsettling intrusion left me battered and bruised, but Florian's intervention had prevented a potentially tragic outcome. The night was filled with a chilling silence as I struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the danger that had just been averted.

As I lay on the floor, pain radiating through my body, Florian rushed to my side. The room felt suffocating, the air heavy with the aftermath of violence. My nose continued to bleed, and the room spun as I tried to make sense of what had just transpired. Florian's concerned gaze met mine, and in that moment, I saw a flicker of vulnerability beneath his usual composed demeanor. He helped me up, his touch gentle yet firm. The broken door and scattered notes served as reminders of the chaos that had unfolded.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I never wanted you to get involved in this mess," Florian murmured, his eyes reflecting a mixture of regret and determination.

I could still feel the stinging pain from the slap, the echoes of the man's threatening words reverberating in my mind. Florian's presence offered a sense of security, but the incident had shattered the illusion of safety. In the distance, sirens wailed, signaling the arrival of law enforcement. The night had taken a dark turn, leaving me grappling with the harsh reality that danger could lurk even in the most unexpected corners of life.

"Where's your room?" Florian asked.

"Upstairs, to the right," I whispered, barely able to speak.

He surprised me with his actions, scooping me up in his strong arms and laying me on my bed.

"Stay here; I will be back," he whispered softly.

I grabbed his arm, "I'm scared."

"Don't be; I am with you," he reassured me before leaving the room.

As Florian stepped out, the room seemed to close in on me. The events of the night had left me physically and emotionally drained. The silence in my room was interrupted only by the distant sirens and the echoes of the traumatic encounter. In the soft glow of the room, he returned with a comforting remedy, a cup of warm water in his hands.

"Here, take your Vitamin C; the lack of vitamins caused the sudden nosebleed," he explained, his caring eyes focused on my well-being.

His gentle touch on my head was a tender gesture that caught me by surprise, a level of attentiveness I hadn't anticipated from Florian.

Grateful for his concern, I nodded and accepted the medicine, feeling the warmth of the cup in my hands. As I sipped the soothing liquid, he moved with a quiet efficiency, ensuring my comfort.

Applying a cool pack to my face and a heated cushion on my tummy, he demonstrated a thoughtful care that went beyond the ordinary. Meanwhile, he took the initiative to remove my shoes and strategically placed pillows behind my back, creating a cozy and supportive cocoon. I couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected tenderness he displayed, a side of Florian that I had never seen before. The room seemed to wrap us in a cocoon of care, and his actions spoke volumes about the depth of his concern.

"Are you feeling better, princess?" he asked softly, his eyes filled with genuine worry.

The concern in his voice melted away any lingering discomfort, and I found myself nodding in appreciation of his nurturing gestures. Florian's warmth enveloped me, not just physically but emotionally, creating a sense of security and comfort that went beyond the physical remedies he provided. In that moment, I couldn't help but appreciate the layers of his personality that unfolded before me. Florian, who I had initially seen as reserved, revealed a side that was warm, caring, and unexpectedly attentive. As I settled into the pillows, I couldn't help but smile, feeling the genuine warmth both from the cup in my hands and the compassionate presence beside me.

The admission to wanting a shower hung in the air, creating a momentary pause.

"I want to take a shower," I blurted out, surprising even myself with the sudden announcement.

Florian's response was unexpected, "Do you need help?" he asked, his tone filled with genuine concern.

I couldn't help but feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment at the misinterpretation.

"What?" I stammered, caught off guard by his question.

He seemed equally taken aback, struggling to find the right words.

"I mean..." he started, his words trailing off as if they were stuck in his throat. Florian, usually composed and reserved, was blushing.

"You're blushing?" I exclaimed, my surprise causing me to move forward abruptly.

In an unexpected turn of events, I stumbled, and the both of us ended up falling onto my bed in a heap of confusion and tangled limbs.

"You sneaky little nerd, what are your intentions with me?" Florian teased, his eyes wide open and his hands instinctively protecting his chest in an X shape.

The playful accusation hung in the air, turning the room into a mix of laughter and blushing.

Caught in the spontaneity of the moment, I couldn't help but join in the laughter, realizing that the unexpected turn of events had brought a lightness to the atmosphere.

"Intentions? Florian, I just wanted a shower," I replied, still chuckling.

The playful banter continued, and the room was filled with a newfound ease as we shared the laughter, our flushed cheeks and tangled positions forgotten in the shared moment of amusement.