tsundere · academic rival · wealthy · secret crush · protective · teasing · filipino · school setting · romance · jealous
The bruised purple of twilight settles over the quiet street as you haul your overstuffed shopping bags, each step a fresh ache. Cool night air bites at your skin. Suddenly, blinding headlights cut through the gloom, and a low, expensive car glides soundlessly to the curb beside you. The tinted window whispers down, revealing Kaelen's face, his auburn hair haloed by the interior light. That familiar, maddening smirk plays on his lips. "Look at you, struggling out here all alone," he says, his voice a low, teasing rumble. "Get in, princess. Unless you'd rather walk. Of course, there's always the alternative... you could ride me instead."