When The Love Comes

Upon entering the lecture hall, I spotted Ayor waving at me with the most vibrant smile ever. I returned her greeting and took the seat beside her in the third row. Fortunately, the professor hadn't arrived yet, leaving us with five minutes before the lecture began.

"My dear Teal, I still can't believe you got married. Seriously, you're the girl who's all about romance and love. How could you—"

I quickly covered Ayor's mouth, glancing nervously at the students who were now staring at us. "Shush. Forget I'm married and act accordingly. By the way, I heard that the professor for this course is sick, and a substitute will be teaching us," I said, trying to change the subject.

Honestly, I was still shocked at myself. I never imagined agreeing to his marriage proposal. The truth is, after the way he practically forced me into it, I feared he might hurt my mother or those I care about. With someone like him, nothing is off the table. He has everything and could never understand how I feel.

As we whispered, a tall, broad-shouldered guy passed by, wearing golden-rimmed glasses, black jeans, a crisp white shirt, and sleek Italian leather shoes. His belt looked like it came from a high-end brand, and loose strands of his hair brushed against the lenses of his glasses.

"Damn it, Teal. Where do these snacks come from?"

Ayor muttered under her breath. I blushed, mortified by her comment, especially since the guy clearly heard us. Great, just great. He walked past our seat, his dark complexion only enhancing the brilliance of his dazzling white smile.

"That's Lison Brown," a girl seated in front of us whispered. "He's an up-and-coming soccer star in the national under-20 team. I can't believe he's here."

Her voice was filled with admiration, and I couldn't help but notice how she was fangirling over him. From the skull stud on his left ear to the strange tattoo on his palm, every detail seemed to captivate her. He raked his fingers through his hair, making his aura even more magnetic.

"He's tall, built, and incredibly attractive—my type," Ayor added with a sly grin.

I won't deny it—this guy was undeniably handsome. Almost everyone in the hall had their eyes glued to him. To make matters worse, he sat directly behind us.

"This class is going to be amazing. I won't skip a single lecture, no matter what!" Ayor whispered excitedly, trying to keep her composure. For a moment, Alexander's image flashed in my mind. No, I couldn't let myself think about him. I needed to focus on my studies.

My phone buzzed with a new message from my mom:

"Teal, I need to see your house. Surely, you won't be living in that hotel forever. I'm not leaving until I see your husband's home."

Just what I needed—more insistence from my mother. I understood her anxiety, but I wanted to assure her that I was fine and had everything under control.

The moment I raised my head from the phone, silence swept over the hall. All eyes were on the man entering the room. He carried a sleek tablet, his tailored suit hugging his perfectly built frame. The air felt heavy with his commanding presence.

Ayor stomped on my foot, her gaze screaming, "It's your husband, Teal!"

Of course, I recognized him instantly. How could I forget his icy features? His sharp eyes scanned the room until they landed on me, his lips curling into that smug, infuriating smirk.

He had those dimples that only made him more handsome. Who cared about Lison Brown? Every female gaze in the room was fixed on Alexander. He was effortlessly captivating.

Why him? I thought, struggling to maintain my composure. Stay calm, Teal. Act like he's just another stranger.

"The class size is ridiculous. Do you really believe all of you will make it to the next year?" Alexander's deep voice broke the silence, his words laced with both challenge and authority.

He sighed, his piercing gaze shifting across the room. "We'll have midterm assessments. If you don't pass, don't bother showing up for the final exam. And I don't have the time to arrange makeup tests. Consider yourself lucky if you get another chance next year."

I clenched my fists. Seriously? Are you trying to make us fail on purpose?

His lecture was interrupted by a knock on the door. It was Malika. Alexander glanced at her briefly, his expression unreadable. "No one enters after me. If you miss a lecture without a medical excuse, you'll be barred from the exam," he said coldly. He then gestured for Malika and her group to take their seats.

The tension in the room was palpable. This man had no intention of making our lives easy.

Malika shot me a glare as she walked past. Although we weren't from the same college, I knew her through Ayor. She slumped into a seat at the back as Alexander resumed speaking.

"I'm Alexander Epics. I'll be your substitute lecturer while your professor recovers."

My heart stopped for a second. Every word he spoke felt like a threat. But I wouldn't let him intimidate me. I was determined to excel in this course, no matter what. I opened my notebook and began jotting down notes as he started the lecture.

---

"Teal, your husband—oops, I mean Mr. Alexander—isn't going to let us have any peace. How about pizza after class?" Ayor suggested, still catching her breath.

I couldn't deny Alexander's exceptional teaching style, but I had other priorities—like dealing with my mom.

"Maybe some other time. I need to head back to the hotel and talk to my mom," I said, waving her off as I hurried away. I also had a night shift at the café, and juggling everything with my mom around was exhausting.

Hesitating, I pulled out my phone and debated whether to call Alexander. Instead, I decided to message him:

"Hi. Can we talk?"

He read the message almost immediately and called me within seconds.

"Is everything okay?" he asked, his voice soft and filled with concern—so different from the stern tone he had used in the lecture hall earlier.

"I'm fine, Mr. Alexander. It's just... my mom insists she won't leave until she sees your house—or rather, our house," I said, stumbling over my words.

He interrupted gently. "Our house."

His voice was calm yet commanding, and I felt my heart skip a beat.

"I'll send you the address and arrange for a driver to pick you both up from the hotel."

I sighed in relief and nodded, though he couldn't see me. The call ended, and for the first time today, I felt a bit at ease. At least my mom wouldn't complain about the house anymore.

Wait... Was I too forward in asking to move into his house? It's not like I'll actually stay there. Once my mom leaves, I'll go back to the dorms.