Kaia checked the time . " Still early . I haven't made pacamara coffee in a while - good chance to practice , " she said . She got to work . First , she weighed the beans and ground them just right . Getting that wrong , the coffee would be ruined . Then she poured in the water , steady and careful . Every move was quick and sure , but gentle enough to keep the flavor perfect . She looked like a picture as she worked - already beautiful , but now with this calm , artistic air about ner . Tobias couldn't look away . He was completely caught up in watching her make coffee . Here , " Kaia said , handing him a cup . Tobias blinked , like snapping out of a trance . He coughed , took a sip , and tried to play it cool . One taste , and his eyes went wide in shock . How is it ?" Kaia asked . It's amazing ! " Tobias stared at her , stunned . He didn't even know coffee could taste like this . Compared to this , the one Erasmus made earlier felt flat and boring . It's so smooth , full of flavor , and there's this little hint of sweetness . You're way better than Mr. Malcom , " he said without holding back . " How'd you get so good at this ? " Is it that big of a deal ? I always thought making coffee was just boiling water and checking the bean color , way easier than learning boxing from my coach up in the mountains , " Kaia said , resting her chin in her hand . Tobias was floored . He'd thought he'd put her in her place , but instead , she impressed him again . He went quiet , feeling heat creep up his neck . Kaia wasn't just good at coffee - she was great at chess , boxing , and was Myles's top student . One of those things alone would be impressive . She had all of them , And then Tobias remembered what she'd told him before - that he wasn't good enough for her . Maybe she'd been right . Annoyed at himself , Tobias realized how narrow - minded he'd been , looking down on Kaia without seeing the truth . 1/4 11:50 pm Chapter 28 " Let's play , " Kaia said , sitting down at the chessboard . Tobias pulled himself together and sat across from her . 55 vouchers They played game after game - sometimes winning , sometimes losing , and sometimes ending in a tie . By the time it hit 1 a.m. , Tobias made a move , but Kaia didn't answer . He looked up and saw she'd fallen asleep . Sleeping , she looked softer , gentler . The light made her skin seem even more flawless . Tobias found himself staring , his gaze warmer than he realized . The night was cold . If she stayed like that , she could catch a cold . Tobias got up quietly to wake her . But as he got closer , he caught a faint scent from her - not perfume , but a fresh , herbal smell . Curious , he leaned in a little . Her long lashes curled at the tips , catching his eyes . Then his gaze dropped to her lips - pink , soft , and so close he could almost imagine their sweetness . His throat tightened as he swallowed . Suddenly , Kaia's eyes opened . They locked eyes , the air between them turning strange . Almost like in a dream , Tobias kept leaning in . Their breaths mingled , noses nearly touching . " What are you doing ? " Kaia suddenly snapped back to full alert . She leaned away , watching him warily . Tobias froze , then straightened , face blank . " Just waking you up . You'll catch a cold out here . " Kaía studied him , but his expression gave nothing away . Thinking about how he'd always treated her before , she decided she was probably overthinking it , Looking at the board , Tobias said more gently , " Sorry , I forgot you've got the SAT coming up . I shouldn't have kept you up this late . Get some rest - we'll finish after your test . " " Alright ," Kaia said and left . Tobias watched the door close , the room suddenly feeling empty , a strange hollowness settling in his chest . Kaia returned to her room and flipped on the light - only to see Joel standing by the window . She frowned . " You need to be more careful coming and going . This place is full of skilled people . If someone catches you climbing into my room in the middle of the night , we'll never talk our way out of it . " 11:50 pm Chapter 28 55 vouchers " You're one to talk , coming back so late , huh ? " Joel said , his tone sharp with worry . " What were you doing in Tobias's room for so long ? " " Playing chess , " Kaia said like it was nothing . " Until now ? " Joel clearly didn't buy it . " You don't get it . Chess nuts are the same as fight nuts - you get hooked . Kinda like you back when we met ." Kaia shrugged . Joel scratched the back of his head . " Yeah . I remember ." Back then , he'd been obsessed with fighting . Then he'd met Kaia and realized she was better than him , so he wouldn't leave her alone until she sparred with him . " Relax . Now go before someone- " Before Kaia could finish , she was cut off by a knock at the door . Both of them froze . " Who is it ? " Kaia called , signaling Joel to stay still . " It's me . " Tobias's deep voice came . " What is it ? " Kaia asked . " You left your phone in my room." ' Oh . Okay . " That was a good enough reason for him to be there . But if Joel tried to sneak out the window now , Tobias would definitely hear . Thinking quickly , Kaia pointed to the bathroom . Joel slipped inside without a sound . When she opened the door , Tobias's sharp eyes swept over her , then the room . " Why'd you take so long to open up ? " ' I was in the bathroom , " Kaia lied smoothly . His gaze shifted to the closed bathroom door . " If you just came out , why's it shut ? " Kaia's heart skipped , but her face stayed calm . " Habit . Tobias kept staring at the door , eyes narrowing . " The toilet in my bathroom's busted . Mind if I use yours ? " Before Kaia could answer , he walked straight over to the bathroom . 3/4 11:50 pm Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!