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Chapter 1: Admirer

Hana

Alice and Liam are by my side. My two best friends are trying to convince me not to leave my own graduation party. And all of this is not in vain because, thanks to Nathan, one of the most important nights of my life was ruined.

He dumped me. Left me here alone on the night when I thought we were going to make love for the first time. He promised to wait, but I guess I didn't motivate him enough. He confessed, without any expression of guilt on his face, that he was sleeping with someone else. I understand that staying a virgin at 21 can be a challenge, but he knew what he was getting into. He couldn't keep his word or any of the other promises he made.

Fortunately, Rector Kelly did all the work that would have been mine by flattering me in front of investors and big business owners. My good performance did most of it, but Kelly has always been kind to me. At least I need to secure a job offer to make up for the disastrous night.

“Don't worry about that jerk, Hana. You won't even remember him in a few months. You have an amazing future ahead,” Alice says. Liam agrees, but the situation doesn't make him sad. He never hid his not-so-subtle advances.

“That businessman seemed willing to hire you.” I hear him say and roll my eyes.

“I think his intentions were different,” I retort, and they laugh, making me laugh too. “But a job offer would be great.”

“You'll get it, I'm sure!” Alice tries to cheer me up.

“I hope so. I want to be independent and not have to go back to living with my parents in Japan,” I try to sound hopeful.

“Get that funeral face-off, let's enjoy ourselves,” Liam pulls Alice onto the dance floor. She tries to pull me along, but I escape her attempts.

I see the bar right in front of me, and that's my goal. It doesn't take long, and before I even ask for anything, the bartender placed a drink in front of me. I push the glass back to the bartender, but he insists, saying its courtesy of an admirer.

Admirer? I scoff because it's hard to take seriously. But he turns his head to the left and discreetly points. So, I look in the suggested direction and I see him.

Even without seeing clearly, I can recognize him as one of the businessmen who were with the chancellor, certainly younger than most. He looks like he's in his forties, though he looks very good for his age.

His body is visibly strong despite the fabric that covers it. His hair was almost completely gray. The short, close-cropped beard exposes his well-defined jaw.

He's one of those guys who seem to have come out of a movie. Incredibly attractive. More than I can express, despite being much older than me.

What does a guy like that want with me? I wonder if, like me, he forgot his contact lenses at home and can't see clearly.

But he proves me wrong when he sits next to me. Very close. I can almost feel his breath on my cheek, and even leaning against the counter, I feel my body trembling.

I've never felt this before.

“I didn't mean to scare you, Hana. Just wanted to congratulate you on your graduation,” His voice is deep and makes me tremble even more.

“Who are you and how do you know who I am?” His hand immediately hovers over mine, as if he wants to calm me down. It doesn't work because his touch worsens my state.

“You just introduced yourself at that table, forgot?” He points to the spot where we were minutes ago, next to the dean.

Shit! His smile could make anyone melt right there.

It should be a crime for a man like him to exist.

“Sorry, I'm nervous.”

“Do I scare you, Hana?” The intonation of his voice saying my name makes my insides churn. I feel the scarce air, and the space between us diminishes with each passing second.

Dear God, I'm collapsing.

“I'm a timid girl, Sir…” I try to continue and realize that I still don't know his name.

“Kauer. John Kauer.” His finger glides over the moist glass, wiping off the droplets running down the untouched drink. A mischievous smile on his lips as he gazes at me.

Kauer, it sounds familiar, but I can't remember where I've heard that name before.

It's hard to concentrate, the way he looks at me is intense, like an animal about to devour its prey. I feel scared, but at the same time, I yearn to continue. I decided to force myself to go on and understand the mix of sensations that overwhelm me when John looks at me so deeply.

“Mr. John Kauer.” The effect of the champagne I drank takes hold, and my voice comes out more slurred and slow. I see his face tense, and he seems to enjoy it when I call him that way.

“You are a stunning woman, Hana,” the huskiness in his voice sends shivers down my spine, the smile still lingering.

I wonder if people see us if they question why he's so close. At this point, I no longer care.

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