Chapter 03

After another boring lecture, Lilly and Loki made their way to the bustling college canteen. The aroma of various dishes filled the air as students hurriedly queued up to grab their lunch.

As they entered, it was as though a spotlight had turned toward the couple sitting at the center table in the canteen. It was as if they had walked onto a stage in the middle of a play, and everyone was waiting for the next act.

Lilly, always quick to point out, leaned in close to Loki, her voice dripping with amusement. "See, I told you. Charlie and Monica are back together. It's like their daily soap opera."

Loki couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance as he watched Monica and Charlie engrossed in each other. They sat close, exchanging affectionate glances and the occasional stolen kiss. It was a sight that made Loki's wolf restless.

" They seem really into love with each other, huh?" he muttered, his words laced with thinly veiled frustration. He took a seat across from Lilly, tossing his backpack onto the table with a bit too much force.

" Love? Pfft! That playboy only knows how to flirt, " Lilly scoffed, her tone mocking. " Monica told me she's not serious about him. Just enjoying his company for a while. "

" So, you mean she's playing him too? " Loki arched an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

" No, no. She's not that kind of person. She's just confused, you know? She'd never had a boyfriend before, and suddenly she announces that Charlie is her boyfriend. I can't figure out what she sees in that s"x addict! "

" Seriously? " Dheeraj asked in disbelief.

Realizing that she might have used a rather bold term to describe Charlie, Lilly just shrugged her shoulders, a casual 'what can you do' expression on her face. " I mean, what do you expect from a Casanova like him? " She rolled her eyes, a mixture of amusement and mild exasperation in her tone.

Loki couldn't help but chuckle at the idea that he might have a chance with Monica if she wasn't fully invested in her relationship with Charlie.

" I think their relationship is just a college thing for a while. You know, part of experimental phase and all that." Loki replied.

" Yeah maybe. Well who knows what's going on in her confused mind? Did you know she studied at our school, but we didn't really talk back then. Now, in the university, we've become friends. "

" Really? " Loki found himself eager to learn more about the girl who had suddenly become the center of his world.

Just as they were engrossed in their discussion about Monicw, she gracefully joined them at the table, taking a seat next to Lilly. Her presence filled the air with a sweet scent that momentarily derailed Loki's thoughts.

" I'm so sorry, Lilly, about what happened near the locker," Monica began, her voice soft and apologetic. " And Charlie feels sorry too for saying things to you. "

Sorry? That person can never feel sorry about anything.

" It's ok " Lilly replied, choosing to accept the apology to keep the peace, especially for Monica's sake and like it was planned Charlie joined them also after a minute by taking a seat next to Monica.

" Hey, Lilly, no hard feelings from my side, " Charlie said, but he refused to apologize as Monica had suggested him.

" It's okay, " Lilly repeated, her voice steady. She knew that sometimes in friendships, especially new ones, you had to navigate tricky situations with patience and understanding.

Loki had been holding his breath, a silent observer to what seemed like a never-ending conversation filled with apologies, tension, and a hint of flirtation. He realized he needed a moment to himself, so when his phone rang, it provided a much-needed excuse to leave the table. Lilly, who might have been growing increasingly irritated with Charlie's presence, seized the opportunity to excuse herself as well.

" See, I told you she doesn't like me," Charlie complained to Monica once Lilly and Loki had departed.

Monica let out a soft sigh, her gaze briefly following Lilly and Loki. " It's not like that, Charlie. She just cares about me. "

Charlie leaned back in his chair, a pout forming on his lips. " And you don't think I care about you? She acts like I'm a monster trying to eat you. "

Monica shook her head, trying to diffuse the situation. " Come on, Charlie. Just drop it. I don't want you two fighting, especially because of me. "

" It's because of you that I tolerate your friends. Otherwise, I'd really like to eat you. " Charlie said playfully, flashing her a sly wink. His hand, daringly, slipped under the table and brushed against her thigh.

Monica's eyes widened in surprise, her cheeks flushed with a sudden warmth. "Shut up, Charlie!" she whispered with a playful slap to his wandering hand. Despite her words, she intertwined her fingers with his beneath the table, a small, affectionate smile tugging at her lips.

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After his brief phone conversation with his mother, Loki returned to the bustling canteen, secretly hoping to catch Lilly and Charlie in yet another bickering fight. But to his surprise, Lilly was nowhere to be seen. Instead, what he found was Charlie and Monica, in the midst of another one of their Hallmark movie moments.

Charlie, the epitome of romantic charm, was delicately holding Monica's hand, caressing her fingers with all the subtlety of a magician performing a trick. He leaned in, his words barely more than a gentle breeze, as if he was revealing the universe's best-kept secret meant only for Monica's ears. In response, Monica's lips curled into a shy yet utterly delighted smile, like a kid in a candy store.

Unable to resist the allure of this intriguing scene any longer, Loki casually approached their table and confidently took a seat opposite Monica. The atmosphere took a sudden, slightly awkward turn as Monica subtly tried to adjust her seating, while Charlie held onto her hand as if he'd just discovered the world's most precious hand warmer. It was like watching a hilariously intense tug-of-war over a hand.

Loki couldn't help but grin at Monica's response.

" Hey, friends! " Loki greeted with an easygoing grin, his voice breaking the silence.

Both Monica and Charlie responded almost in unison, their voices synchronized like a well-rehearsed duet. " Hello. "

"You guys look very cute together. It's kinda turning me on, watching both of you," Loki teased, trying to mask his growing wolfish anger.

Monica and Charlie exchanged a puzzled and somewhat startled glance. Loki's comment had caught them off guard, and they were unsure how to respond to such an unexpected remark.

Charlie, always quick to deflect tension with humor, took a moment to process Loki's words before responding, " Thanks, man," he replied with a chuckle, interpreting Loki's comment as a light-hearted compliment. His grip on Monica's hand remained firm, and he shot her a playful wink.

" So have you two.. you know fcuked each other yet? " Loki, never one to shy away from direct questions, couldn't help but be curious about the dynamics of Monica and Charlie's relationship. His inner turmoil regarding his connection with Monica only intensified his desire to understand their bond better. So, with a boldness that surprised even him, he inquired.

The heck!

Monica's discomfort with Loki's straightforward question was palpable. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, her gaze briefly flickering to Charlie, seeking support in handling this unexpected line of inquiry. How dare he ask about such a personal matter?

Charlie, decided to take Loki's question as a joke, perhaps a misguided attempt at lightening the atmosphere. He chuckled and replied with a smirk, "Nah! We're not that...horny," a mischievous glint in his eye.

"You should try those yummy stuff," Loki persisted, wanting to know every detail about Monica's life.

"She will never let me, brother," Charlie chuckled.

"Charlie!" Monica nudged him hard, disapproving of his casual response to Loki's prying.

"Sorry, sorry," Charlie winked playfully and got little relief.

Changing the subject, Loki asked, " So, what's your favorite thing about this city? Something special that stands out? "

" Well, I love the way the city comes alive at night. The lights, the energy, everything feels so vibrant. " Charlie replied.

" Hmm, and what do you like Monica?" Loki inquired, noticing Monica's reserved demeanor, perhaps influenced by Loki's presence.

" Food," Mira answered briefly, not divulging much information.

Just then, Charlie's phone rang, providing him with an excuse to leave. "I'll just come; my friends are calling me," he said, quickly making his exit with a quick kiss on Monica's cheek.

Monica watched him go, her expression a mixture of affection and frustration. Her eyes followed him as he weaved his way through the cafe, disappearing into the crowd.

Meanwhile, Loki couldn't help but notice Monica's subtle change in demeanor. He fisted his hand under the table, his jaw clenching slightly as he observed Charlie's casual display of affection towards Monica. There was no mistaking the tinge of jealousy in his eyes.

Trying to keep her attention back to him, Loki said "Nice to meet you, Monica," offering her a smile that seemed a bit forced.

"Same here," Monica returned the gesture, noting the playful glint in Dheeraj's eyes.

"Do you know we used to go to the same school?" Loki continued, eager to keep talking to her. He couldn't express his feelings that he met his mate when they were kids.

" Yes, I remember you were playing that Eadric role, " Monica said matter-of-factly, not easily impressed.

" Oh you even remember the name of my role. You must have been charmed by me" Loki jokes.

Monica shrugged, "No, not really. My memory is just sharp." This boy thinks too much about himself.

" Awww, I like sharp things," Loki countered playfully.

" Sharp things can be dangerous," Monica retorted.

" And there's no fun if danger isn't involved," Loki quipped, trying to flirt with his mischievous eyes.

" Ah, fear and danger go hand in hand," Monica said knowingly.

" So, one day we should go hand in hand together. " Loki suggested with a smirk.

" What do you mean? "

" Are you free in the evening? "

" Pardon? Are you hitting on me? " Monica chuckled at his silly flirting skills.

" Maybe... yes, " Loki admitted unabashedly his eyes locking with hers, conveying his genuine interest.

Monica, now intrigued, regarded him with a bit more seriousness. " You can try that on Lilly, " she pointed out, hinting that her friend might be more receptive to such advances.

" Why should I? " Loki seemed genuinely confused.

" Because she's your best friend, " Monica explained.

" So? "

" So, you two have a good understanding with each other. "

" But Charlie and you don't have a good understanding, " Loki countered, trying to get a sense of her feelings.

" I'm talking about you and Lilly, " Monica clarified.

" Oh! Well, there's only friendship between me and her, " Loki stated, surprised by the turn of the conversation.

" Anyone would be lucky to have her. She's such a nice girl, " Monica praised her friend.

" Yes, she is a nice girl, but why should I flirt with her when I know she's not interested in relationships? " Loki reasoned.

" Then try on somebody else; there are lots of girls in the university, " Monica suggested with a smile. She found his flirting attempts irritating, because she wasn't ready to fall for them just yet.

" But I see you as a special girl who needs to be cherished with care. If I were your boyfriend, I would spend the whole night talking to you only, " Loki said with a hint of seriousness, referring to Monica a's fight with Charlie earlier in the day.

Monica caught the hint but decided to play along, " Oh, but I'm not available. "

" You're sitting right in front of me, that means you're available," Loki persisted with a mischievous grin.

" Han? What kind of logic is this? I have a boyfriend already, " Monica countered.

" Boyfriends are meant to change," Loki said nonchalantly.

Monica rolled her eyes, " Then I can change you also? "

Loki chuckled, " So, you think I can be your boyfriend? "

" No, never. I am not that type of girl," Monica retorted.

Loki raised an eyebrow, " I'd like to know what type of girl you are. "

" Aye, don't hit on me, " Monica was going to walk away before she really hit him hard but Lilly came on time to join them again.

" Hey, what's going on? " Lilly asked, taking a seat next to Monica.