Misunderstanding!

If this man hated her, then the best course of action was to avoid him. After all, she didn't have any feelings for him anyway.

"Sorry to stall your time, Xavier. Bye!" Iris said and left, walking briskly, trying to distance herself from that place. Somehow, she felt intimidated by Xavier's aura and gaze, as if he wanted to crush her soul.

"Stop right there, Iris Gray!"

Iris's quick steps suddenly came to a halt, almost making her lose her balance. However, Xavier's hand swiftly gripped her slender waist and pulled her towards him. Her head collided with his muscular chest. They were now so close that she could smell his scent for the first time; a mixture of fresh mint and musk. She felt like she had been enchanted, his scent calming her nerves.

It all happened so fast that she couldn't understand how he managed to catch her when they were several meters apart.

'How did I end up in his arms all of a sudden?' Iris silently questioned herself, feeling confused.

She looked up to see his face, but her mind went hazy when she met his gaze.

With a quick movement, she pushed him away and stepped back, trying to regain her composure. However, the words she wanted to say faded, leaving her speechless. She could only stand there, locked in eye contact with him.

"Sorry, Iris. I didn't do it on purpose. I just wanted to..."

"It's okay, I understand!" Iris cut him off, avoiding his eyes and pretending to check her cell phone. "Why did you stop me?" She continues her words without looking at him.

"Iris, listen…" Xavier paused for a moment, waiting for Iris to look at him. As her eyes finally met his, he continued, "You've misunderstood me."

Iris frowned. 'What does this person mean?'

"So?"

Xavier's calm face suddenly stiffened at her annoying tone.

"I just want to say... I don't talk to you not because I hate you but because I am not a blabbermouth. You don't bother me at all, Iris! So, you don't have to distance yourself from me!" He said in a calm tone, yet to Iris, it sounded like a scold.

'Unbelievable!' Iris felt amazed. This was the first time she had heard him speak so many words. She felt like celebrating this.

"Iris, did you hear what I'm saying?" Xavier asked, snapping Iris back from her daze. She nodded, confirming his words. "Good! Now, you don't have to run away again," he said while walking ahead. "...Follow me. We are already late. About five minutes late!"

Iris, "..."

She was speechless at how domineering he was. Feeling defeated, she chased him — He was right; they were now late. She prayed their Professor hadn't arrived yet.

...

Iris' luck was running out. From a distance, she saw a thin man in his fifties with crescent moon glasses—Mr. Alberto, their Professor—was about to enter the class. However, he stopped when he saw them.

A warm smile framed his face before he spoke in his calm voice, "Oh, Iris Gray, you finally succeeded in chasing Xavier Darkwood!?" He raised his eyebrows before letting out a booming laugh that echoed in the corridor. "...Congratulations to both of you!" he said, then entered the class.

Iris almost choked upon hearing his words. 'Crap! Even the Professor now ships us! What a shame!'

"I'm sorry, Xavier! Because of me, even our Professor made fun of you!" She sincerely said while trying to hide her embarrassment.

Xavier didn't say a word; he entered the classroom, ignoring her. That made her feel even more guilty. Taking a deep breath, she followed him into the classroom.

However, as soon as Iris entered the classroom, all her classmates clapped, whistled, and congratulated her.

Iris felt like someone had just spellbound her; she froze near the door. From where she stood, she could see that all the seats were taken, and almost everyone was standing, cheering with happy smiles on their faces.

This was her first time in a situation like this, receiving so much attention. It made her feel like she wanted to vanish from that place or even shoot them all with her gun. But, of course, she couldn't do that. She was not Iris the assassin anymore; she was Iris the college student.

Gosh!

Iris cursed them all inwardly, lowering her hat and hiding her embarrassed face. She ignored them and searched the seating area for an empty spot. While walking, she heard her classmates' words;

"Yo, Iris! Welcome back!!"

"Iris, after you got sick, you succeeded in pursuing Xavier, huh? Congratulations, girl!!"

"Wow! Iris, I'm so happy with your success securing Xavier's heart!!"

"Iris! Yo, Iris, congrats, girl..."

"Hahaha, Iris, congrats for taming Xavier!!"

And many more...

Iris tried to maintain her composure, but it was difficult because their shameless banter only embarrassed her. She did her best to ignore them all while continuing to look for an empty spot.

Before long, she heard Justin's voice, "Iris, over here?" She looked in Justin's direction toward the back row and saw him standing, waving his hand at her. "Here, Iris, here..."

Iris was speechless when she realized only one seat was available, the one between Justin and Xavier.

How could she sit beside him? If she did that, her classmates would be even more convinced they were dating.

"Iris Gray, sit down quickly. We will start class now!" Mr. Alberto's voice acted as a wake-up call to Iris.

She took a deep breath and quickly walked to the seat next to Xavier, flashing a cold-apologetic smile at him.

And, of course, Xavier ignored her apologetic smile. He casually turned his gaze at the Professor's head.

Iris didn't mind either; she looked towards the stage while occasionally glancing at her classmates sitting in front of them.

She noticed that their class was like a theater hall. They sat upstairs while the Professor lectured on the stage, with a big whiteboard behind him. There was also a tiny pulpit above the stage to the left, across from the entrance, and another door near the pulpit—a black door with an exit sign.

Iris could guess it was a fire exit since their class was on the fifth floor.

She didn't hear what the Professor was saying because her mind was filled with thoughts of Xavier—the man who could put pressure on her even without saying anything.