Lea admired Lucian's cunning. He had turned the tables on her, making her feel like she was the one who had been outsmarted.

She had to admit, he was good. She had underestimated him, thinking she could outwit him with her quick thinking and sarcastic replies. But Lucian was a master of manipulation,  a master of the game.

She was impressed, but she was also frustrated.

“He isn’t Lucian if he’s not annoying and arrogant,” she thought, a wry smile twisting her lips.

Lucian liked to taunt her, to push her buttons, to make her feel uncomfortable. But why? What was his motive? She couldn’t figure him out.

She decided to focus on her cake, a chocolate cake that she had been enjoying, savoring each bite. It was a welcome distraction from Lucian's relentless game.

But then,  his voice broke the silence.

“You’re quiet,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“What are you thinking about?”

Lea’s eyes widened in surprise. She looked up, but then her gaze falling upon Katrisha standing next to Lucian. How come she didn't notice her presence beside him?

Her jaw dropped as she watched Katrisha lean in and kiss Lucian on the cheek.

“Wait—what?” Lea thought, her mind reeling. What was the connection between these two?

She knew Katrisha, of course. They were schoolmates, and Katrisha was famous for her beauty and… well, her reputation.

Lea couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret for her thoughts.

“What am I even thinking?” she thought, cringing at her own words.

The rumors had been true. Katrisha was known for her scandalous behavior. Lea had seen it firsthand,  and witnessed Katrisha’s blatant disregard for rules and boundaries.  She had even witnessed Katrisha making out with one of their professors in exchange for a passing grade.

It was shocking, disgusting even.

But what was she doing with Lucian?  And why was she so comfortable with him?

Lea couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. She shuddered, a wave of unease washing over her.

“Hey, babe,” Katrisha purred, her voice laced with a honeyed sweetness that sent a shiver down Lea’s spine.

Lea sat there, speechless, a mixture of shock and disgust washing over her.   She hadn’t been prepared for this.

Were Lucian and Katrisha in a relationship?

Lucian returned Katrisha’s smile, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Lea’s brow furrowed. She was completely lost, clueless about what was happening. It was all happening so fast, and she was feeling increasingly out of place, an awkward observer in the corner.

She couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious, wondering if she was missing something obvious.

Katrisha’s gaze fell upon Lea, and a knowing smirk spread across her lips. She raised an eyebrow, her eyes gleaming with a hint of malice.

Lea felt a pang of indignation. What was Katrisha’s problem? She hadn’t done anything. But, of course, Lea thought, Katrisha was notorious for her arrogance and her snake-like demeanor. She was always ready to strike, to cause trouble.

Lea rolled her eyes. Katrisha and Lucian, a perfect match, she thought wryly. They were both arrogant, both manipulative. They were two sides of the same coin, both drawn to the same darkness.

“What are you doing here, president?” Katrisha asked, her eyes narrowed in a mixture of curiosity and disdain. She sat next to Lucian after questioning her.

Lea met her gaze head-on, refusing to cower under her scrutinizing stare. 

"None of your concern," she replied,  her voice firm, a hint of defiance in her tone.

“And you? What kind of bad wind brought you here?”

Katrisha rolled her eyes, her expression a mix of annoyance and disdain. She looked at Lucian and flashed him a sweet smile, batting her eyelashes in a way that made Lea cringe.

“Too low!” Lea thought, shaking her head in disgust.

Why couldn’t she act with some decency? But then, she reminded herself, snakes are always slithering,  always scheming.

Lea tried to shrug off the feeling of unease that was starting to creep over her.

"Why do I care anyway?" she thought,  a wave of self-doubt washing over her. But then, she felt that familiar twinge in her stomach, a strange mix of anxiety and something she can't put her fingers on.

"Pull yourself together, Lea," she thought, forcing herself to focus.

She couldn't let Lucian and Katrisha distract her. She needed to get out of this situation, to escape this twisted game they were playing.

"I'm here for my boyfriend," Katrisha said, her voice laced with a possessive edge.

“Boyfriend?” Lea echoed, her brow furrowed in confusion. Who was she talking about?

“Yes, and you? Why are you here with my boyfriend? Are you trying to seduce him?” Katrisha asked, her voice dripping with a venomous sweetness.

Lea’s jaw dropped. She stared at Katrisha, her mind struggling to process what she had just heard.

But then, realization dawned upon her.

For the love of God, he's all yours! Lea thought, trying to suppress a chuckle.

“And why would I do that?” Lea asked,  her voice a perfect mimic of Katrisha's. She felt a sudden rush of amusement.

What kind of fool am I even talking to? Lea thought, her disdain evident in her tone.

Katrisha was beautiful, yes, but she was also incredibly stupid and delusional. Lea couldn’t believe she had dared to make such a statement,  to imply that she was interested in Lucian.

"I saw you with him, and it looked like the both of you were having a great time," Katrisha retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Lea sighed. Katrisha was already jumping to conclusions, building a whole story in her head without knowing the facts.

"If he is your boyfriend, then kiss him in front of me," Lea said, a challenge slipping out of her mouth before she could stop it.

Oh, dear Lord! What had she just done? Too late to take it back. Those words were out there, hanging in the air.

"What am I even thinking?!" Lea thought, her heart pounding.

She shouldn’t care if this woman was Lucian’s girlfriend, but there was something about the situation that made her uneasy.  This girl was bad news for him.

Katrisha smirked, her lips curving into a wicked grin. “Too simple?” she challenged, her voice laced with arrogance.

Lea wanted to take back her words,  but it was too late. Before she could say anything, Katrisha’s lips were already on Lucian’s.

Lea stared at them, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. She regretted her words.

When the kiss ended, Katrisha looked at Lea with a triumphant smile. She was still reeling from the suddenness of the event.

She was embarrassed for them both,  but she had only herself to blame.

Lea shifted her gaze to Lucian, her eyes wide. He seemed completely unfazed by the situation. He even dared to bite his lip and smile at her.

Lea’s mouth gaped open in shock. She couldn’t find the words.

Then, she spotted a tissue box on the table. Without hesitation,  she grabbed a tissue and handed it to Lucian.

“That one's saliva is dirty. Here, a tissue, give yourself a wipe,” Lea said,  her voice clipped, her eyes fixed on Lucian.

Lucian stared at her, his expression a mix of amusement and confusion.