The Harrison Mansion gleamed in the early morning sun, every corner alive with activity. At 7:00 AM, the sprawling estate buzzed with the rhythm of a perfectly run household.

In the driveway, the driver polished the luxury cars, making them shine like mirrors. Inside, the maids hurried from room to room, dusting, arranging furniture, and straightening curtains with precise care. The kitchen smelled of freshly brewed coffee and warm bread, while Susan Harrison briskly instructed the staff.

"Breakfast! Faster, everyone! We don't have all day!" she called, waving her hands as the servants scurried to obey.

Meanwhile, in the study, Richard Harrison sat at the mahogany table, reading the newspaper with a serious expression. After checking his watch, he folded the paper, and a broad, proud smile spread across his face. Rising gracefully, he headed upstairs.

On the second floor, in a lavishly decorated bedroom, slept his daughter—Bella Harrison, the sixteen-year-old princess of the household. She clutched her teddy bear tightly, a serene smile lighting her delicate face. Her hazel eyes were closed, her black hair fanned around her pillow, and she looked utterly peaceful, completely lost in her dreams.

Minutes later, her cellphone buzzed insistently, displaying a video group call. The names on the screen flashed: "Brother" and "Monkey." But Bella, lost in slumber, ignored the persistent ringing, completely oblivious to the phone's desperate cries.

Richard quietly opened her door, smiling at his sleeping daughter. He paused, drinking in the sight of her innocent, flawless face, and leaned forward to kiss her forehead gently. His eyes softened, full of adoration.

Then his attention shifted to the phone. Chuckling, he answered it. On the screen appeared two handsome young men in their early twenties, grinning mischievously and winking at him.

Richard raised an eyebrow, immediately understanding the wink. A sly smile spread across his face as he held the phone near Bella's ear.

"MORNINGGGGGGGG!" came a loud, teasing voice.

Bella's eyes snapped open, wide with shock, and her body stiffened. She blinked rapidly, still trying to process the sudden noise.

Richard and the two boys erupted into uncontrollable laughter, their voices echoing in the room. Bella, once fully awake, realized what had happened. Her father was grinning like a maniac, and the voices from the phone confirmed it—her older brother Abby and cousin Jake had pulled another prank.

Pouting adorably, Bella's frown deepened. She threw her hands up and screamed at the top of her lungs, "Mommmmmmmmm!"

Richard's eyes widened. Panic flitted across his face. Susan's going to kill me… he thought.

Across the hall, Susan Harrison heard her daughter's voice and came running, her brow furrowed with concern. Richard looked at Bella with pleading eyes, silently begging her not to complain, but she simply turned her face to the side, muttering with a dramatic sniff, "Hmph… as you deserve this."

The boys on the screen doubled over with laughter, clearly enjoying every second of their sister's distress and her father's helpless pleading.

When Susan entered the room, she immediately took the phone from Richard's hand. Her gaze swept over the scene: Bella's furrowed brow, her pout, and the furious glare aimed at her dad and the mischievous boys. She instantly understood—the morning teasing had become a regular habit.

Suppressing a smile, Susan stepped forward. She pointed at the phone, her voice firm.

"Abby! Jake! Stop laughing right now! And Richard—don't think I didn't see you joining them! That's not fair! Look at her—how upset you've made my daughter! I can't stand seeing that frown on her face."

She leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss on Bella's cheek and then on her forehead, her head resting briefly on her daughter's shoulder. "Apologize. Now."

The boys grinned sheepishly but still mischievously.

"I'm sorry, Mom," they chorused. "Our morning isn't complete without teasing her."

Bella crossed her arms and glared, her eyes sparkling with the promise of revenge. "You both," she said, pointing at the phone, "don't talk to me anymore. You don't love me, and Dad… you don't love me either. Only Mom loves me!"

She hugged Susan tightly, leaning into her warmth, while shooting her father an exaggeratedly angry glare. Richard held his ears in mock despair, heart aching at how quickly his princess could make him feel guilty.Richard held his ears in mock despair, watching Bella. How could she get so upset with him?

"Princess, I'm sorry. I love you more than anyone—even more than Mom. Look—I'm on your side. I'll never listen to these little demons again." He pointed at the phone, where Abby and Jake grinned. "And look—I even brought your favorite chocolate."

Bella crossed her arms, suspicion in her eyes. "You say that every morning. I'm still angry. Puppy face won't work today."

Richard glanced at the boys on the phone. Abby and Jake held their ears, muttering apologies, knowing their prank had gone too far.

Ignoring them, Bella hugged her mother and whispered a cheerful "Good morning," then hopped off the bed, walking toward the bathroom without a glance at her dad.

Richard's face fell, pleading with Susan with his eyes.

"See? Now you regret teasing her," she said, shaking her head. "You always do this. Don't expect me to help—you're on your own." She left, calling out for Bella to hurry to school.

Richard glared at the boys. "Because of you, my daughter isn't talking to me! If you tease her again, I swear…"

Jake grinned. "But Uncle, you were the one who held the phone!"

"Yeah, Dad," Abby added. "You joined in too. We can't handle her anger either."

Richard groaned, but when the boys started plotting a birthday surprise for Bella, his face lit up. "Alright… anything to make my princess smile. But don't blame me—she ignored me because of you two."

After half an hour, Bella kissed her mother goodbye, still ignoring Richard. He watched her with a sad, longing look.

Then she noticed him making a puppy face and holding his ears. Her lips curved into a smile, and before he could react, she ran into his arms, hugging him tightly.

"I forgive you—on one condition," she whispered, eyes sparkling.

Richard softened, tears threatening to spill. "Anything, my princess. Anything for you."

Bella pouted adorably, tapping her finger to her chin.

"Drop me at school, and after school, you have to pick me up. Then ice cream… and shopping. Deal?"

Richard's face lit up instantly, his eyes twinkling with love and amusement.

"Deal," he said, scooping her into a warm hug and pressing a gentle, lingering kiss to her forehead.

Then, leaning toward Susan, he gave her a soft, affectionate kiss on the lips. It was more than just a goodbye—it was tender and full of love, a quiet reminder of the bond they shared. Susan's eyes fluttered closed as she savored the warmth, the comfort, and the years of affection behind it. When they pulled back, their foreheads touched for a brief moment, smiles mirrored, hearts connected. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she bit her lip, a shy smile tugging at her mouth.

Richard chuckled softly at her reaction. "You're adorable."

Susan shook her head with a soft laugh. "Hopeless… but I love it."

Turning back to Bella, Richard noticed her hands covering her eyes, pretending she hadn't seen anything. He gently moved her hands down, smiling. Bella's eyes sparkled with mischief as she gave him a naughty grin.

Richard gave her a playful, mock-angry glare.

"I didn't see anything—but I can guess what you two were doing," she teased. "Mom's blushing… you did something romantic, didn't you? Next time, I'm keeping my eyes open."

Richard feigned worry, putting on a dramatic face.

"Shhh! You're getting late!"

Bella laughed, her pout melting into a bright smile. She grabbed her bag and skipped toward the car, while Richard followed, still grinning. The warm, playful energy lingered in the room as they began their journey to school, hearts light and laughter echoing behind them.

CHAPTER 2

The Whitmore Mansion stood like a fortress of elegance, its towering pillars and sprawling gardens reflecting generations of wealth and sophistication. Sunlight danced across the polished marble floors of the grand dining hall, where Sebastian Whitmore sat upright at the head of the table. Responsible, disciplined, and ever precise, he was already ready for college, his notes neatly arranged, waiting patiently for the chaos to catch up.

Across from him, Alexander Whitmore, his father, sipped his morning coffee, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Sebastian," he said, his voice warm but tinged with concern, "these are your last months at college before you leave for London. Are you ready for it?"

Sebastian's eyes sparkled with excitement, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Yes, Father. I've been waiting for this moment for so long. I can't wait to get started."

Alexander's chest swelled with pride. "I know you'll make the family proud."

Just then, a burst of shouting and laughter echoed from the upper floors, shattering the calm of the morning. Both father and son exchanged a knowing look and shook their heads.

"These two," Alexander muttered, shaking his head with a mix of exasperation and amusement, "will never grow up. Julian is supposed to be focused on medicine in a few years, yet look at him—acting like a child. And little Marissa… she's still so mischievous."

Sebastian chuckled softly, a playful glint in his eyes. "It's alright, Father. Julian is my younger brother. Let him be. After all, next year he'll come to London for further studies. Things will settle soon enough."

Alexander's smile softened but carried a hint of sadness. "Yes… you leaving this year, Julian next year. The house will feel so empty without you both

Upstairs, chaos ruled Julian's room. Papers scattered across the floor as Marissa chased her older brother, swatting him with a rolled-up notebook.

"Julian! Give me my notes back, or else!" she shouted, her cheeks flushed with anger.

"Hey, hey! Calm down, my little firecracker," Julian said, holding the notes just out of reach. "I just need them for a day… I like a girl—she really needs them!"

Marissa crossed her arms, glaring at him. "Oh really? And how many girls have you liked this week? You make a new one every day, and then you annoy me—and Senorita too!"

Julian held up his hands, panting. "Last time, I promise! I'll do anything you want… just don't stay mad."

Marissa huffed, tapping her foot impatiently, her eyes narrowing. "Fine. But only if you bring me and Senorita for lunch and shopping. And don't even think about annoying me on the way!"

Julian groaned, pretending to be tortured. "Ugh… okay, fine. Done."

At that moment, Yonika appeared at the door, arms crossed. "Come on, you two! Stop bickering and get moving—you're going to be late for school!"

The siblings dashed downstairs, still bickering, but the energy was lighter now. Breakfast was lively, full of Julian's jokes and Marissa's sharp retorts. By the time they finished, laughter filled the mansion, the earlier tension already melting. They left for their own journey after breakfast.

Bella was already waiting for Mia, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she spotted Mia's sleek car pulling into the sprawling Space campus. The institution wasn't just a school—it was a massive complex combining school, college, and university, with multiple buildings connected by wide, tree-lined pathways, sprawling lawns, and pristine courtyards. Students from elite families moved purposefully between the departments in their crisp uniforms, their footsteps echoing against the polished walkways their conversations a mix of laughter and hurried footsteps. Uniforms were mandatory at Space—casual clothes were strictly forbidden before graduation. Bella ducked behind one of the tall pillars lining the science building entrance, planning to startle Mia and Julian the moment they stepped out.

Mia, Julian, and Sebastian climbed out of the car, their uniforms impeccable, collars straight, shoes polished to perfection. What Bella didn't notice was that Sebastian was with them too. Being in a different department, he rarely came to the science wing and had no idea Bella existed. Likewise, Bella had never seen Sebastian before—her only knowledge of Mia and Julian's older brother was vague, thinking of him simply as "my elder, angry brother," a mysterious figure whose name she didn't even know.

Sebastian, however, knew only Senorita because Mia and Julian mentioned her constantly in almost every conversation.

.Sebastian started walking toward his department, which was on the opposite side of the sprawling Space campus from the science building

Mia kept glancing toward the parking area, expecting to see Bella's usual sleek black car, but it wasn't there. Today, Bella hadn't come with her driver,so her car remained at home. Julian noticed this too, and the two decided to wait for Senorita in the parking area. They sat on the stairs near the science building, chatting quietly, their crisp uniforms slightly rumpled from the ride.

Inside his building, Sebastian's classmate jogged up to him. "Hey, Sebastian, today's the last day to submit the assignment. Professor Sharma is in the science department."

Sebastian nodded, tightening his grip on his bag. "Got it. I'll head there now." Responsible and focused, he strode toward the science building. As he approached, he spotted Mia and Julian sitting on the stairs, chatting instead of heading to class. His expression hardened slightly.

"What are you doing here?" he called out, his tone firm. "Only fifteen minutes left for class—are you trying to skip?"

Mia stiffened, knowing exactly who was speaking. Sebastian's presence always carried authority, and his serious gaze made her shrink back. Julian, used to his elder brother's demeanor, looked less worried but still straightened up. Both knew there was no escaping Sebastian when he was in one of his stern moods.

Julian glanced at Sebastian nervously. "Brother, we're waiting for Senorita. She'll be here any minute. Without her, we can't go to class—after all, we're best friends."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. "Your best friend, Senorita, is very careless. She doesn't even know the timing of her class. Such a spoiled brat."

Mia's eyes blazed, and her voice rang out sharper than usual. "Brother! You have no right to say anything about my Senorita. She's never late for her classes. Maybe she's stuck somewhere or not feeling well. What are you doing here? Go to your class! We're not kids—we know our timings. And let me make this clear: not a single word against my Senorita, ever!"

Sebastian froze, stunned. Mia had never spoken to him in such a high pitch before, and the fierce possessiveness in her voice made him even angrier. His glare bore down on her, his eyes dark with warning, while her face flushed bright red from fury.

Julian swallowed hard, glancing between his sister and their elder brother. Seeing Mia so angry, he instinctively grabbed her hand, trying to calm her. Mia immediately realized what she had done, and the fire in her expression melted into sudden fear. She had learned long ago that Sebastian's anger was not something to test.

Sebastian's gaze softened slightly as he noticed the time on Julian's wristwatch. His stern expression didn't change, but he recognized they were already running late. Without another word, he strode toward science department, still fuming but knowing there was nothing more he could do at the moment.

Mia and Julian exhaled in relief, their shoulders relaxing slightly.

Meanwhile, Bella, hidden behind the pillar in the science corridor, noticed movement nearby. Her lips curled into an evil, playful smirk, her eyes gleaming with mischief. Carefully, she pulled the small can of snow spray from her bag, ready to launch her prank. The moment she had been waiting for had arrived, and she was fully prepared to create chaos.

Sebastian strode down the corridor, his face rigid as always, focused on reaching the professor to submit his assignment. His mind was a maze of responsibilities and schedules—everything perfectly in order.

"Baaaom!"

The sudden, loud sound echoed through the corridor. Sebastian froze mid-step, his usually stiff face cracking into wide-eyed shock. He hadn't expected it—at all.

Before he could process what was happening, a mist of snow sprayed over him Bella's laughter rang faintly behind it. She didn't even look at him as she unleashed her playful chaos, fully intent on scaring Mia and Julian.

But Sebastian—rigid, disciplined, and always in control—was completely caught off guard.

Chapter 3

Sebastian took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. His heart was still racing from the sudden encounter, and he ran a hand over his face, attempting to calm the whirlwind of thoughts. But then… a soft, teasing laugh echoed down the corridor.

Something snapped. His anger surged like wildfire, replacing the daze with sharp, focused fury. He spun toward the sound, his voice booming:

“WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?! DON’T YOU HAVE MANNERS? THIS IS COLLEGE, NOT YOUR PLAYGROUND!”

The thunderous tone reverberated through the hallway. Bella froze, her eyes wide, her playful bravado vanishing instantly. Her mind clicked in panic—this is no friend… she’s a stranger!

Before she could retreat, Sebastian’s long, powerful arm shot out, gripping her wrist with iron strength. In one swift motion, he yanked her toward him.

Bella slammed into his chest—broad, muscular, and impossibly solid. Her small frame barely made a dent against his imposing presence, yet the impact left her breathless, her heart hammering wildly.

Sebastian’s intense gaze bore into her, a mixture of anger and disbelief, as he held her wrist firmly. Bella’s mind raced. She realized she had made a grave mistake unknowingly

The corridor seemed to shrink around them. The laughter had vanished, replaced by the weight of the moment. Bella’s pulse thumped loudly in her ears as she struggled to pull free—but Sebastian’s grip was relentless.

He leaned slightly closer, his voice low but still charged with anger: “Who do you think you are? Playing tricks in my corridor?”

While Bella struggled to pull her wrist free from Sebastian’s iron grip, her small hand finally slipped out. She spun around to run, but Sebastian’s strong hands swiftly wrapped around her waist, spinning her gently but firmly toward him. Bella’s eyes squeezed shut, her heart hammering in her chest, every beat echoing her fear.

Sebastian’s gaze fell on her face, and he caught the flicker of panic in her delicate features. A slow, almost predatory smirk appeared on his lips. “Open your eyes, girl,” he commanded, his voice low, resonant, and tinged with anger.

Bella shut her eyes even tighter, her body trembling. But Sebastian’s eyes didn’t leave her face. Her features were astonishing: a small, perfectly shaped nose that gave her an innocent charm; long, thick lashes that fanned over her closed eyelids like a soft curtain; rosy, plump cheeks that glowed with life; and glossy, soft lips that seemed almost too perfect to be real. Her silky hair fell in waves around her shoulders, catching the light in a way that made her look ethereal.

Her face was framed with a delicate symmetry, a balance of youthful innocence and subtle allure that made Sebastian forget, for a fleeting second, why he was holding her. He leaned closer, captivated, desperate to see her eyes—the windows to the soul he now couldn’t look away from.

“Listen to me! Open your eyes, or I will slap you!” he growled, his patience thinning.

With a sharp jerk, Bella’s eyelids fluttered open,When Sebastian looked into Bella’s eyes, it was like staring into a deep, endless ocean. He felt as though he could get lost in them forever. They sparkled like stars, alive with a force that seemed to command attention—an almost otherworldly pull that made his heart race. Bella felt the weight of his gaze, and her own heart started hammering in response, nervous and unsure under his intense scrutiny.

Sebastian’s gaze drifted to Bella’s lips. They were soft, pink, and perfectly shaped—impossible to ignore. He felt an almost magnetic pull, his thoughts momentarily consumed by the delicate curve and the subtle shine of her lips.

“Let me go,” Bella’s soft, melodic voice broke through his focus.

Her words, the tremble in her tone, and the nervous movement of her lips made his pulse spike. Bella, anxious under his intense stare, bit her lower lip in worry.

Unable to control the surge of emotion, Sebastian instinctively leaned closer, his face approaching hers. Bella’s eyes widened in fear, and she instinctively shoved him with all her strength.

Startled, Sebastian’s reflexes kicked in—he let go of her waist immediately, creating space between them. Bella seized the moment and bolted, her heart pounding as she ran down the corridor, leaving Sebastian standing frozen, trying to process what had just happened.

He ran a hand down his face, his mind spinning. What just…? I can’t… she’s just a student… this is wrong…

Even as reason returned, a part of him couldn’t shake the image of her—her eyes, her lips, the way her presence had completely unsettled him.

Sebastian felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned sharply, and there stood Julian with Mia. Mia, still shaken from the earlier encounter, didn’t wait —she bolted straight to her class, her steps quick and nervous.

“Bro, what are you doing here?” Julian asked, glancing at Sebastian. “Aren’t you a business student?”

“I am,” Sebastian replied, his tone controlled but still carrying the tension from the earlier moment. “I came to submit my assignment—my professor for this subject is in the science department. By the way, did your best friend, Senorita, show up?”

Julian’s face fell. “No… she hasn’t arrived yet.”

At that moment, the bell rang sharply, signaling the start of classes. Julian waved quickly. “Bye, bro!” and rushed toward his class. As a senior, his schedule was different from Mia and Senorita, so he had to leave immediately.

Sebastian exhaled slowly, running a hand over his face as he tried to regain composure. After submitting his assignment, he walked toward his own class, his mind still lingering on the morning chaos. The campus was already bustling, with students focused on their own classes, leaving Sebastian to navigate the corridors in a mix of frustration and lingering curiosity.