Between Silence and Rain

📖 Chapter 3: (Part 1)

🌤️ The rain had stopped by the next morning, leaving the university campus fresh and unusually quiet. Sunlight filtered through the trees, and students slowly filled the walkways with laughter and conversation.

📚 Subho walked through the main gate with a cup of coffee in one hand and a notebook in the other. Despite trying to focus on his classes, Damien's warning from the previous evening kept replaying in his mind.

> "Go straight home today... Just trust me." 💭



"Why had Damien said that?"

"And why had he seemed genuinely worried?" 🤍

Shaking the thoughts away, Subho headed toward the library to prepare for an upcoming economics presentation.

📖 The library was almost empty.

As he searched for a reference book on the highest shelf, he stood on his toes, stretching as far as he could.

📕 The book slipped from his fingers.

Before it could hit the floor...

🤍 A hand caught it effortlessly.

Subho turned around.

It was Damien Valentino. 🖤

"You seem to enjoy dropping things," Damien said with the faintest hint of amusement.

Subho smiled.

"And you seem to enjoy appearing out of nowhere." 😊

For a brief moment...

Damien actually laughed.

A quiet laugh that almost nobody had ever heard.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Subho accepted the book.



"Thank you."

🤍 Their fingers brushed for just a second.

Neither of them pulled away immediately.

The moment was small...

But somehow, it felt unforgettable.

Subho cleared his throat.

"So... what brings the famous senior to the library?" 📚

Damien looked around the silent room before answering.

"Peace."

Subho raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't expect that answer."

Damien's gaze softened.

"Most people never ask." 🖤

...✨ To Be Continued......

...------------------...



🖤

 (Part 2)

The library remained silent. 📚

For a few seconds, neither Subho nor Damien spoke.

The only sound was the gentle turning of book pages and the soft breeze coming through the open window. 🍃

Subho looked at Damien with curiosity.

"You don't really seem like the person everyone talks about."

Damien closed the book in his hands.

"And what kind of person do they say I am?"

Subho smiled softly. 😊

"Cold... arrogant... someone nobody should ever get close to."

A faint smile appeared on Damien's face.

"And do you believe them?"

Subho shook his head.

"I'd rather judge someone after knowing them."

For the first time in years...

Those simple words made Damien's guarded expression soften. 🖤

"You really are different," he whispered.

Subho laughed lightly.



"Or maybe everyone else judges too quickly."

Damien looked at him for a long moment.

"I've met thousands of people..."

He paused.

"But you're the first person who speaks to me without fear."

Subho felt his heart skip a beat. 🤍

"I don't see a monster when I look at you."

Their eyes met once again.

Neither of them looked away.

For a brief moment...

It felt as if the rest of the world had disappeared. ✨

Suddenly, the library lights flickered.

Both of them looked toward the window.

Dark clouds had returned, and rain began falling once again. 🌧️

Damien quietly walked toward the window.

"Looks like you're going to be stuck here for a while."

Subho stood beside him.

"I don't mind."

The silence between them no longer felt awkward.

It felt... comfortable.



Just then—

📱 Damien's phone vibrated.

The smile disappeared from his face.

He answered immediately.

Luca's voice sounded urgent.

"Sir... we found the people following Subho."

Damien's expression turned cold.

"Where?"

"They're waiting outside the university."

Damien glanced at Subho, who was still watching the rain without knowing anything.

"I'll be there."

He ended the call.

Subho noticed the sudden change.

"Is everything okay?"

Damien forced a small smile.

"Just some work."

He walked toward the exit, then stopped.

Without turning around, he said softly,

"Subho..."

"If anyone strange tries to talk to you today..."

"Don't trust them."

Before Subho could ask why, Damien disappeared into the rain. 🌧️🖤

Subho stood there, holding the book Damien had returned.

For reasons he couldn't explain...

A small smile appeared on his face. 🤍

Outside the university gate, a black SUV waited in complete silence.

Inside, an unknown man watched the entrance through dark sunglasses.

He smirked.



> "Soon... both of them will become part of the same game." ♟️

✨ To Be Continued... 🖤

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***