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The world must’ve been playing some kind of sick joke on Seeun.
First, she woke up later than usual—she had to get dressed and rush to class all in 45 minutes. Second, she spilled coffee during lunch on her favorite, and unfortunately, ivory cardigan. Third, she almost had her face land on the floor because of a question uttered by a hot stranger she just helped.
“You okay?” The hot stranger—whom he introduced himself as Heeseung—asked softly.
“N-no—I mean, yeah, but no, God, no!” She shook her head frantically as redness flushed across her cheeks for his question earlier. “Yes, I’m okay, and no. I don’t save your ass from Mr. Kwohn because I want to ask for your number.”
“Shame.” For a second, she almost believed she saw disappointment on his face. But then, a teasing smile broke on his face. “Here I was actually hoping you did.”
Seeun gaped. Did he just flirt with her?! Yes, they’d only shared a class for a few weeks, and yes, she’d helped him out of sympathy when Mr. Kwohn was probing him in the class earlier. But, other than that, she barely knew him!
“Shame, indeed. Because why do you think that people can’t be nice to each other without some kind of ulterior motive?” She didn’t even try to hide the irritation in her voice.
There was confusion flickering on his face, the façade he always puts on public lowered for a split second. His eyes scanned her expression for a moment, then his guard was back as high as before. He grinned, still charming as ever, yet this one looked wicked with bad intentions. She unconsciously flinched.
She so desires to escape and dig herself a hole to hide from this situation. From him. Because what would come out next, she would never have expected in a million years.
“I get it.” His voice was low, almost seductive. “On a first glance, I thought you were just nice to people, but now I know.” Heeseung leaned closer, and Seeun had to physically step back until she felt the walls on her back.
His icy gaze was piercing her soul. “You’re just a goody two-shoes, aren’t you?”
Her eyes widen for a moment, perplexed beyond measure. For God’s sake, hadn’t this day been any worse for her already?
“That was uncalled for.” It was the only response she could think of, especially when she could smell his musky cologne this close.
“Even when I just insulted you, you still put on the good girl act.” Heeseung’s eyes never wavered at her. If possible, the intensity of his gaze only added more. “Interesting,” he said to himself.
Interesting.
The weight of that word sent shivers down her spine. In that instant, Seeun realized what Heeseung was: bad news. A very bad one, apparently—the kind that brought only trouble and heartbreak.
When she looked at him again, all she saw was daring red.
Like a warning sign.