Chapter 6

As graduation approached, school matters became increasingly hectic. For the next few days, I was practically run off my feet. I finally breathed a long sigh of relief after submitting my final experimental data and thesis draft to my professor.

The professor reviewed my files and nodded with a satisfied smile.

"Lina, the university highly values talent like yours. If you are willing to stay for postdoctoral research, the school can offer a very competitive salary package."

I politely declined. "I am sorry, Professor. I truly appreciate the offer, but I have already decided to pursue my career on the East Coast."

"Please, take some time to reconsider..."

The professor started to persuade me further, but a knock at the door interrupted him. I looked toward the sound and saw a tall, well-built man standing in the doorway. He had slightly curly chestnut hair that fell to his brow. His features were a blend of Eastern elegance and Western depth, and beneath thick, long lashes sat eyes as blue as a deep lake.

The professor was momentarily stunned when he saw the man.

"Liam, are you here to decline the invitation to stay as well?"

The man called Liam gave a calm nod. It finally clicked—Liam Jenkins was the top student in the Biological Engineering department. He was famous throughout the graduate school, not just for his striking looks and academic excellence, but for his rumored prominent family background. I had heard my roommate Laura gush about his name constantly, but this was the first time I had seen him in person.

The professor sighed. "Both of you are the top talents in our department, yet neither is willing to stay. This is truly a loss for the college."

I offered an apologetic smile, unable to resist stealing another glance at Liam.

He wasn't staying either? I had heard his family was one of the university's major donors. Logically, a faculty position here should have been his best option.

My curiosity did not last long. I bid the professor farewell and returned to my dorm alone. Having finally relaxed, I curled up on my bed and drifted off to sleep.

Near midnight, my phone suddenly rang. I squinted and answered. Julian's voice came through the line.

"Come downstairs."

Julian had never sought me out in the middle of the night. Without time to think, I threw on a coat and hurried out. Below the building, Julian leaned against his Aston Martin by the curb. His face was hidden in the shadows cast by the streetlights, making his expression impossible to read.

As soon as I stepped forward, he pulled me into a tight embrace. A powerful scent of whiskey instantly enveloped me. I struggled to stand straight, trying to support his weight.

"Why did you drink so much?"

Julian leaned his head on my shoulder, mumbling something drunkenly. With no other choice, I helped him into the car and told the chauffeur, "To the villa in the Hollywood Hills."

When we arrived, I helped Julian onto the bed. I poured a glass of warm water, intending to help him drink it. Unexpectedly, just as the glass touched his lips, Julian grabbed my wrist. He pulled me hard, dragging me into his arms. The glass fell onto the carpet, soaking a patch of the floor with warm water.

Julian's kiss fell without warning. This kiss was filled with an indescribable tenderness, lingering and deep, as if he were kissing his most cherished treasure. In the past, though Julian had been good to me, he was always somewhat hurried and rough in bed. He had never been this gentle.

Just treat it like a dream, I told myself.

I slowly wrapped my arms around Julian's neck and let myself sink into the moment.

It wasn't until the middle of the night that Julian finally fell into a satisfied sleep. His phone screen was still lit, sitting right by the pillow. I glanced at it casually, and my breath was suddenly snatched away.

The screen displayed a text exchange with Victoria.

"Julian, I didn't mean to reject you."

"I'm just... not ready yet. I'm a little scared..."

At the very bottom was Julian's reply, gentle to the point of cruelty.

"I'll wait for you."

"Until you're ready, I'll keep practicing my technique."

Heavy rain began to fall outside. Even through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the sound of the downpour was clear. I stood up slowly and walked to the living room, staring out the window, feeling lost. I grew up in Portland, where it rained most of the year. When I first arrived in Southern California, I felt a sense of homelike familiarity whenever it rained.

But it rarely rains in Los Angeles during the summer. Julian had heard me mention it a few times. Later, without a word, he had someone install a complex sprinkler system in the villa garden. He did it just to create artificial rain for me whenever I needed it. I once stood under an umbrella in that mist, looking at Julian and thinking he looked like a rainbow.

Julian was too good to the canary in his cage—so good that he gave me delusions, making me crave his love. I sat on the sofa in front of the window all night, watching the rain fall without end.

The next morning, the rain stopped, and the sky cleared. I heard footsteps, followed by the scent of cedarwood cologne that was uniquely Julian's. He embraced me from behind, his voice tired and husky.

"Didn't sleep well? Why are you sitting on the sofa?"

I quietly slipped out of his embrace, forcing a faint smile. "No, I slept very well."

Julian didn't think twice about it. He picked up a shirt from the rack and put it on. Last night was good. I'll have Larry transfer five hundred thousand dollars to you next month.

He was still fastening his cufflinks, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather. A canary gets a reward when she performs well, but I didn't want to be that obedient bird anymore.

I bit my lower lip. "There's no need..."

"I have things to do at the office, so I'm leaving," Julian said, cutting me off. "Before you go back to school, restore the room to exactly how it was. Don't leave a single trace. Victoria wouldn't be happy if she saw anything."

Julian's gaze swept over me indifferently. I clenched my fingers. "Okay."

After Julian left, I changed the bedsheets and pillowcases for brand new ones. Then I left and returned to campus.

On campus, many students were taking photos in their graduation gowns. Balloons and ribbons hung outside the auditorium, and orange light spheres dotted the area, swaying slightly in the wind. I realized then that I was less than a week away from total graduation.

I spent my time busy and fulfilled, taking photos with Laura and going to parties with classmates. During this time, my phone kept pushing trending news about Julian.

"Wedding near? Astor Group CEO spends millions on pink diamond ring!"

"Three-hour fireworks display at Santa Monica Beach—Julian Astor's personal arrangement for his girl."

"All rare roses of a specific variety bought out by Julian Astor across Los Angeles because Ms. Sterling likes them!"

When Julian liked someone, he couldn't wait to hand the whole world to them.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the graduation ball arrived. After the long speeches and performances, the dance began according to tradition. Shostakovich's Waltz No. 2 flowed from the speakers. Men and women in their finest attire seemed prepared. As soon as the music started, they took their partners' hands and glided onto the floor.

The glow from the crystal chandeliers poured down like mercury, casting shifting circles of light on the floor. Everyone spun and stepped to the music, their heels clicking crisply against the wood, celebrating the most important day of their student lives. I was the only one standing outside the dance floor, my slender figure looking a bit lonely.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Julian. After a few rings, a mechanical female voice answered.

"Sorry, the person you are calling is unavailable..."

A pair of rotating dancers passed by me, bringing a light breeze. I tucked my chin in and called his assistant, Larry. This time, the call connected quickly.

"Where is Julian?" I asked with a hint of urgency.

Larry paused for a moment before answering in his slightly hesitant voice.

"Mr. Astor is having dinner with Ms. Sterling in Malibu."

Julian knew perfectly well that this was one of the most important days of my life. But he had broken his promise...

On the dance floor, everyone had paired up. Laura was dancing with a blond boy. Just as I was about to turn and leave, a refined male voice spoke up.

"Hello, Miss Randolph. May I have this dance?"

I turned around and met the deep blue eyes of Liam Jenkins. Liam gave a perfect gentleman's bow, bending at the waist and extending his hand, quietly waiting for my answer.

I didn't wait for Julian anymore. I slowly placed my hand in Liam's.