Episode 2: The Cold Routine

Roman's alarm clock buzzes at 5:30 AM. He sits up in his impeccably organized dorm room, which reflects his disciplined lifestyle.

You know when you have no one who cooks for you and cares for you, love you, heal you, so become your own enemy. O my favorite quote of the day. I don't know why people wake up in the morning and start sharing those kinds of stories. He read the quotes and laughed at the quotes.

"Love conquers all things; let us surrender to Love."

Roman gets dressed in his workout gear and heads out for his morning run.

As he runs through the quiet campus, his focus is unbreakable. He moves with a purpose, his mind already planning out his day.

Roman (V.O.): "Discipline. Routine. Control. It's the only way to stay on top."

After the morning run, he went back to his dorm. Roman puts on his designer clothes, his movements deliberate and precise. He glances at his phone, where dozens of unread messages from adoring fans and curious onlookers wait. Ignoring them, he steps out into the hallway of the dormitory.

Roman (V.O.): "Every day is the same. Routine keeps the chaos at bay."

As he walks through campus, students greet him, some with admiration, others with envy. Roman responds with curt nods, maintaining his distant facade.

The football field, where Roman and his teammates are practicing. Roman is in his element, commanding respect and attention.

Teammate 1: "Hey Roman, that goal yesterday was epic!"

Roman: "Thanks. Let's focus on today's practice."

During drills, Roman's leadership is evident. He pushes his teammates hard, demanding perfection. His intensity borders on ruthless, but it's clear that his teammates respect and fear him.

Teammate 2: "Man, Roman's on fire today. No room for errors."

Teammate 3: "Yeah, he's a beast. Wouldn't want to be on his bad side."

After practice, Roman heads to the student lounge where a group of girls approaches him. They're all eager for his attention, giggling and flirting.

Girl 1: "Hey Roman, are you coming to the party tonight?"

Roman: "Maybe. It depends on my mood."

One of the girls, Emily, is bolder than the others. She steps closer, her eyes filled with admiration.

Emily: "I heard you're the best at everything, Roman. Want to prove it tonight?"

Roman smirks, his eyes cold.

Roman: "Careful, Emily. You might not like what you find."

His response sends a shiver through the group. Roman walks away, leaving the girls whispering and exchanging glances. His reputation for toying with girls' emotions is well-known, yet they can't resist his allure.

Girl 2: "He's so mysterious. I can't figure him out."

Emily: "I will. Just watch."

Roman retreats to his dorm room, the mask of confidence slipping away. He sits at his desk, staring at a photo of his family from years ago. The memory of his mother leaving and his father's coldness floods back.

Roman (V.O.): "They all see the surface. None of them know the truth."

He picks up a sketchpad hidden in his drawer, flipping through pages filled with detailed, emotional drawings. It's a side of him he keeps hidden, a private escape from his public persona.

Later that evening, Roman heads to the library to escape the chaos of social life. The library is quiet, a stark contrast to the noisy campus. Roman walks in, the soft sound of his footsteps echoing on the polished floor.

As he makes his way down an aisle of books, he notices Lily at a table near the back, deeply engrossed in a novel. Her short, light brown hair falls softly around her face, and she occasionally tucks a stray strand behind her ear as she reads. There was a peaceful aura around her that Roman couldn't help but notice.

Roman (V.O.): "Why does she seem different? So... serene."

He tries to shake off the thought and focuses on finding a book for his history assignment. As he reaches for a book on a high shelf, his fingers brush against it, but it slips from his grasp. The book tumbles down, and as he steps back to catch it, he bumps into a cart full of books.

The cart tips over, and several books scatter across the floor, causing a small commotion. Startled, Lily looks up from her book. Seeing Roman awkwardly trying to pick up the fallen books, she suppresses a smile and stands up to help.

Lily: "Here, let me help you."

She kneels down, gathering books and stacking them neatly. Roman, slightly embarrassed but grateful, joins her.

Roman: "Thanks. I guess I'm not as coordinated off the field."

Lily chuckles softly, her eyes meeting his briefly. There's a warmth in her gaze that Roman isn't used to seeing directed at him.

Lily: "It's no problem. These things happen."

As they finish picking up the books, their hands accidentally brush against each other. Roman feels a jolt of electricity at the contact, and he pulls his hand back quickly, looking at Lily with surprise. She looked back at him, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

Roman: "Uh, I'm Roman, by the way."

Lily: "I know. I'm Lily."

Roman: "Right, of course. Everyone knows."

Lily smiles, but it's not the usual starstruck smile he gets from most people. It's genuine, and it makes Roman feel... something he can't quite identify.

Lily: "Well, nice to officially meet you, Roman."

She hands him the last book, their fingers brushing again. This time, Roman doesn't pull away as quickly.

Roman: "Nice to meet you too, Lily."

There's a brief, comfortable silence before Lily returns to her table. Roman watches her for a moment, then decides to grab a random book from the shelf and head to a nearby table. Despite his intention to study, he finds his eyes drifting back to Lily more than once.

Roman (V.O.): "What is it about her?"

Lily, sensing his gaze, looks up and their eyes meet again. She gives him a small, reassuring smile before returning to her book. Roman felt a strange warmth spreading through him, something he hadn't felt in a long time.

The camera lingers on Roman, sitting at his table, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips as he steals glances at Lily.

Roman returned to his dorm room, the weight of the day pressing down on him. He lies on his bed, staring at the ceiling, the facade slipping once more.

Roman (V.O.): "Another day survived. Tomorrow, the same mask, the same routine."

The camera zooms out, showing Roman alone in his pristine room, surrounded by luxury but isolated by his own walls. The contrast between his public life and private struggles deepens, hinting at the journey ahead.