In the library

As the guy chatted happily with Aria, Ace felt an overwhelming urge to punch him. A scratching noise echoed through the lunchroom as Ace pushed his chair backward and stood up, deliberately disturbing Aria and her boyfriend's time together. Everyone turned to look at the commotion as Ace made his way out of the lunchroom.

Fifteen minutes later, Helena was jumping with excitement outside the lunchroom. "Aria, Aria, Aria! Did you see that? He got angry!" Helena exclaimed.

Aria's eyes widened. "How did you know? Was it really because of me? Did he get angry because he's jealous?" Aria asked, her curiosity piqued.

Helena grinned mischievously. "Let's just say it's early for him to be jealous, but by the time he realizes his feelings, you should find a way to say hi to him." Helena chuckled. "I was looking at him, and he didn't notice me, maybe because he was intensely staring at you and Marcel. Hahaha, he's clearly annoyed."

Meanwhile, Ace sat alone behind the library building, his eyes icy cold as he replayed the events in his mind. His fists clenched, but suddenly, a sly smirk spread across his face.

Two days passed, and Aria and Marcel grew closer, spending quality time together. Marcel couldn't help but fall for Aria, showering her with attention and affection. He wished that through their pretend relationship, Aria would genuinely fall in love with him.

As they walked into the library to study for their upcoming test, Ace spotted them from outside. "I never thought my plan would be set in motion so soon, but no problem, I'm always ready," Ace said to himself, striding towards the library building.

Inside the library, Aria and Marcel sat at a quiet table at the back, surrounded by shelves of books. Ace walked in, picked up some books, and dragged a chair to sit opposite them. Aria and Marcel looked up, their mouths agape.

"You," Aria blurted not expecting to see Ace in the library.

Ace flashed a charming smile. "Hi, how do you do?"

Aria's eyes lowered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm fine, doing well."

Marcel felt uneasy, sensing the tension between Ace and Aria. He had always avoided Ace, viewing him as a troublemaker.

Marcel couldn't help but feel uneasy as Ace sat down at their table, his presence commanding attention. Aria seemed to sense the tension, her eyes darting nervously between Marcel and Ace.

"You know him?" Marcel asked Aria, trying to sound casual.

Aria nodded curtly, her eyes returning to her book. "Yeah."

Ace, sensing Marcel's animosity, flashed him a charming smile before focusing on his book. Aria, meanwhile, tried to concentrate on her reading, but her heart racing in her chest made it impossible.

As they sat there, a friend of Marcel's approached the table, chatting with him about something. Marcel turned to Aria, his expression concerned. "Aria, I'll be right back, or we can just go."

Aria shook her head, her eyes still fixed on her book. "No, it's okay. I'll stay here."

Ace, sensing an opportunity, glanced up from his book, his eyes locking onto Aria's. Thirty minutes earlier, Ace had been sitting in the principal's office, asking for a favor.

"Ace, what brings you to my office?" the principal asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

Ace smiled, using his charm to get what he wanted. "Uncle, I need a favor."

The principal's expression softened at the term "uncle." Ace was his nephew, and he had always had a soft spot for him.

"Of course, Ace. What do you need?"

"I want you to give Marcel Denise some extra work to do. He seems to have too much free time on his hands."

The principal nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "Consider it done, Ace."

Back in the library, Ace's plan was already in motion. With Marcel called away, Ace turned his attention to Aria.

"You're reading physics?" Ace asked, his voice low and smooth.

Aria looked up, her eyes meeting Ace's. "Yeah."

Ace leaned in, his eyes sparkling with interest. "It's hard, isn't it?"

Aria nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Guess so."

As they talked, Ace's eyes never left Aria's face. He was determined to make her fall for him again, to make her forget all about Marcel.

"Let me take a look," Ace said, his hand reaching out to take Aria's book.

As their hands touched, Aria felt a jolt of electricity run through her body. She looked up, her eyes meeting Ace's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

Ace's eyes seemed to bore into her soul, his gaze intense and unyielding. Aria felt her heart skip a beat as he leaned in closer, his voice low and husky.

"Will you keep looking down at your book, Aria?"

Aria's eyes snapped up, her heart racing in her chest. "Eh?"

Ace smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Your book. Hand it over."

Aria hesitated for a moment before sliding her book across the table. As Ace's hand closed over hers, she felt a rush of emotions she couldn't quite explain.

It was as if time had stood still, leaving only the two of them, lost in their own little world. Aria's heart was pounding in her chest, her senses on high alert.

And then, without warning, Ace leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear. "I've missed you, Aria."

Aria's heart skipped a beat as she felt Ace's warm breath on her skin. She was trapped, caught in a web of emotions she couldn't escape.

As Ace pulled back, his eyes locked onto hers, Aria knew she was in trouble. She was falling for him again, hard and fast.

And this time, she wasn't sure if she could stop herself.