LIKE LOVE OBSESSION

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the campus as I walked toward the library. My bag felt heavier than usual, weighed down by the thoughts swirling in my mind. Sinister's text, his distant smile, and the strange tension I'd felt earlier were like pieces of a puzzle I couldn't quite fit together.

The library was quiet, as expected for this time of day. Most students preferred the lively hum of the cafeteria or the gym over the hushed, almost sacred silence of this place. I stepped inside, the faint smell of old books and polished wood welcoming me. My eyes scanned the rows of shelves for the book Sinister had mentioned.

Marketing, Party, and PR. Flyra Rosher's name flashed in my mind. I headed toward the business section, my steps echoing softly on the marble floor. As I turned the corner of a tall bookshelf, I stopped dead in my tracks. There he was.

Sinister sat at a table near the window, his long legs stretched out lazily under the desk, one hand flipping through a book while the other absentmindedly spun a pen. His jacket was draped over the back of his chair, and the sunlight streaming through the window cast a warm glow over his sharp features. He looked… calm, almost approachable, a stark contrast to his usual indifference.

For a moment, I debated turning around and pretending I hadn't seen him. But before I could make up my mind, his eyes lifted, locking onto mine. There was no escape now.

"Grace," he said, his voice cutting through the stillness. "You're late."

"Late?" I asked, frowning as I walked over. "I didn't know we were meeting here."

He tilted his head, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "You're always late. Just a general observation."

I rolled my eyes, setting my bag on the chair across from him. "Thanks for the motivational speech. Very inspiring."

"Anytime," he replied, his tone laced with sarcasm. Then, gesturing to the book in his hand, he added, "Looking for this?"

I glanced at the cover. Marketing, Party, and PR. Of course, he'd already found it.

"Yes," I said, reaching for it, but he held it out of my grasp.

"Not so fast," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Why do you need it?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you tell me to bring it?"

"I did. But do you even know why it's important?"

"I—" I stopped, realizing I hadn't actually thought about it. "No. Why is it important?"

He tapped the cover with his pen. "This book is the backbone of our festival prep. It's got all the strategies for organizing events, managing crowds, and—most importantly—keeping sponsors happy."

"Sounds thrilling," I said, trying to mask my growing unease. "So, you've already read it, I assume?"

"Of course," he said, tossing the book onto the table. "You're welcome to borrow my notes, too. But only if you promise not to mess them up."

I picked up the book, flipping through the pages. "Thanks, I guess."

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't exactly relaxed, either. I could feel his gaze on me as I pretended to read the book.

"Grace," he said suddenly, his tone softer than before.

I looked up, surprised by the change in his demeanor. "Yeah?"

"Why do you keep apologizing for things you didn't do?"

The question caught me off guard. "What do you mean?"

"Earlier. On the rooftop. You apologized like it was your fault I didn't tell you about Megan. Why?"

I stared at him, unsure how to respond. "I guess… I just felt guilty. For doubting you."

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "You don't have to feel guilty for not trusting someone who doesn't give you a reason to."

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. Was he trying to tell me something? Or was this just another one of his cryptic remarks?

"Maybe," I said finally, closing the book. "But it doesn't mean I was right to doubt you."

He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a slight shrug, he stood up, grabbing his jacket. "Let's just get through this festival, Grace. One thing at a time."

As he walked away, I stared after him, and for reasons I couldn't explain, I felt drawn to uncover the person he was so determined to keep hidden.