Alone

*The Beauty & The Beasts*

Mike: Hua'er~~

Hua'er: Yup

Mike: I'm hungry

Hua'er: Can't help 🤭😛

Mike: Cookies?

Jazz: Me too?

Hua'er: Ask LinLin. I'm at lib 😊

Mike: At this time? It's 9pm. 🤔

Hua'er: Lib close at 10.30pm 😁

Hua'er: Ask LinLin 4 d cookies. TTYL.

..

"Hua'er ~"

"Oh my God! You scared me."

"I'm sorry."

"Oh? You're at the library too? I didn't see you," Wang Hua asked at the person leaning on the wall.

"I'm waiting for you."

"Me? Do you need anything Danial? You could just text me."

Danial push his body from the wall when he sees Wang Hua embracing the thick books that she borrowed from the library and walks on.

"Let me."

"..Huhh?"

"Let me help you with the books."

"It's okay. It's not that heavy."

Danial ignored her words. He snatched the books from her and continue to step forward. Wang Hua gaped at his brazen move and stopped.

"Just walk."

Wang Hua sighed and continue to walk behind him. Danial stopped and wait for her to catch up, so they end up walking side by side. Nobody speak, as the night silence is comfortable enough.

"Umm..what're you doing here?"

"I'm waiting for you."

"Why? And how did you know I'm here?"

"From the chat group."

"Chat group? Oh. But how did you know I'm coming out at this time? I don't see any of your message."

"I don't. I'm arrived an hour ago."

"An hour ago?"

Wang Hua ceased her steps and stares at him.

"Why don't you come inside? Or you could just text me so I can come out early."

"I don't bring my student's ID."

"You can texted me."

"I don't want to disturb you."

"Silly."

"Do you always go to the library at night?"

"Sometimes. If I ever need additional information or extra exercises."

"Alone?"

"Umm..sometimes with LinLin if she wish too. Often time, she felt lazy..too much exercise she said..haha."

"Next time, don't."

"Huhh?"

Danial stopped and stares at her for a while.

"Wh..what? Is there anything on my face?"

Danial raise his hand and hesitated for a while before he pats her head. Wang Hua freeze.

"Don't go to the library alone next time, especially at night. It's not safe for a little girl to walk alone."

"I..I'm not little anymore and..and..there's some lamp posts along the pathway. And this is a campus."

"No, it's still not safe. If LinLin can't accompany you, you can ask me."

"It's okay. I've commute alone for a year already. Its not that far, you know."

"Don't be stubborn."

Danial turns around and start to walk towards the female dorm. Wang Hua sighed and followed him.

"We're here. Umm..can I have my books back?"

Wang Hua fidgets with her tote bag's handle when Danial just stood there and staring at her.

"Remember my words. Good night and don't stay up too late."

He passed her the books and pats her head once before he strode off towards the male dorm. He raise his hand and waves without turning back. Wang Hua stares until he disappeared before she climbed up the stairs.

Meanwhile, Danial slowly humming a song on his way to his dorm. His heart thumped when he patted her hair although he seems indifferent.

'Her hair is so soft and silky. Wish I can touch it longer.'

..

"Hey, hey..where have you been?"

"Strolling around."

"Really?" Micheal looks at him, suspiciously.

Danial shrugged and just walked into his room.

Calvin glances at Danial's room fleetingly with a complicated emotions flashed in his eyes. He can guess where Danial went before. Micheal looks towards Jason and Calvin who was sitting on the L-shaped couch, munching on the cookies nonchalantly. But the duo ignored him. So he continues to munch on his cookies too.

In the room, Danial laid on his bed and scrolling on his phone. He opens a folder which he named 'sunshine' and plastered on the screen is some photos of Wang Hua. He taps on a picture and smiling softly when he saw a smiling face of Wang Hua. He moves his thumb on the screen as if he was touching her face.

'I think I love you, although I don't know what love is.'

...

"Wang Hua, Wang Hua..wait!..Mr Ou asking for you."

"Mr Ou? Where?"

"The Dean's office."

"Right now?" Wang Hua frowned.

"Yes, yes..faster. I need to find Senior Tong too. Bye."

Wang Hua change her direction towards the Dean's office while wondering what Mr Ou might want from her. She taps her foot on the floor while waiting for the lift.

"Hold it! Hold the lift."

A voice shouted and Wang Hua quickly hold the elevator opened and a lean and tall figure rushing in and breathing heavily.

"Thank God. Thank..thank you."

"No problem. Which floor?"

"Ah! The Dean's office floor."

The elevator opened on the eighth floor and both of them walked out towards the Dean's office.

"Eh, you want to meet the Dean too?" The man asked.

"Ah! Yes, yes. Mr Ou said he wants to meet me here."

Wang Hua knocks on the door.

"Yes, come in." A rough voice said.

They open the door and entered.

"Ah. Come, come..take a seat," Mr Ou said.

Wang Hua and the man greets the people present in the room before they took a seat.

"Wang Hua. Tong Zhan. You both recognise them right?" Mr Ou points towards the two men and a woman that seated across them.

They both nodded.

"That's good. Now let's proceed with our agenda. Wang Hua, Tong Zhan, you both are being chosen to represent our university in an international conference in Germany for a week. Next week to be precise. You -"

"Next week?" Tong Zhan gaped.

"But..what should we do?" Wang Hua asked.

"Okay, let's me explain first. This conf -"

"Umm..excuse me for a minute Mr Ou. I need to answer a call, please."

"Yes, go on Wang Hua."

Wang Hua quickly stands up and walks away a bit and answer the call.

"Hua'er, where're you? I've waited for you for a while now. I'm starving. Come quickly."

"Umm..that's..I'm sorry. I can't. You should lunch first. I'm really sorry. I've something going on. Talks to you later, alright. Bye now."

Wang Hua returns to her seat and apologetically smiled.

"Alright, let's continue. Here, you both can read this first and we'll discuss everything that you're concern about. I'll explain the details of the programme later. So.."

..