𝙏𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛𝙛

𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

Mikael's face contorted in a mix of surprise and concern as Leonora stormed off. He hesitated for a moment, then took off after her, his long strides easily keeping pace with her furious pace.
"Leonora, wait! Please, just listen to me!" he called out, his voice carrying across the campus quad.
Leonora didn't slow down, her anger and hurt fueling her determination to get away from him. But Mikael was relentless, his eyes fixed on her retreating back.
Finally, he managed to grab her arm, spinning her around to face him. "Leonora, stop! Just listen to me, please!"
Leonora's eyes blazed with fury, her voice low and even. "Let me go, Mikael. I don't want to hear it."
Mikael's grip on her arm tightened, his eyes pleading. "Leo, I know I messed up. I was stupid and insensitive. But I like you, and I want to make it right. Please, just give me a chance to explain."
Leonora's expression softened slightly, her voice a little less harsh. "What's to explain, Mikael? You kissed me without asking, and now Sophia's threatening me. What else is there to say?"
Mikael took a deep breath, his eyes locked on hers. "I'll deal with Sophia, I promise. And as for the kiss...I know I should have asked, but I couldn't help myself. I've been wanting to do that for weeks, Leo. And I know I messed up, but please, don't walk away from me. Give me a chance to make it right." Leonora's expression softened, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mikael, I...I want to believe you. But you have to understand, trust has to be earned. And right now, I'm not sure I can trust you completely."
Mikael's face fell, but he nodded, his eyes still locked on hers. "I know, Leo. And I don't blame you one bit. But please, don't give up on me yet. I'll do whatever it takes to regain your trust. Just give me a chance."
Leonora hesitated, her heart still racing from the emotional rollercoaster. But as she looked into Mikael's eyes, she saw a sincerity there that gave her a glimmer of hope. "Okay, Mikael," she said finally, her voice firm but gentle. "I'll give you a chance. But you have to promise me one thing: no more surprises, no more secrets. From now on, we communicate openly and honestly, or this is over. Got it?" Mikael's face lit up with relief and gratitude. "I promise, Leo. No more surprises, no more secrets. I'll be honest with you from now on, I swear it."

The next day, Leonora walked into the lecture hall, still feeling uncertain about Mikael's intentions. She took her seat, trying to focus on the upcoming lesson.
But as the professor began to speak, Mikael stood up, his eyes scanning the room until they locked onto hers. A charming smile spread across his face, and he raised his hand, commanding attention from the entire class.
"Excuse me, Professor," he said, his voice clear and confident. "I have an announcement to make." The professor raised an eyebrow, but nodded, and Mikael continued. "Everyone, I just wanted to let you all know that Leonora and I are officially together. And I couldn't be happier!"
The classroom erupted into whispers and murmurs, with some people congratulating them and others looking shocked or disapproving. Leonora's face flushed bright red as she sank lower in her seat, her eyes fixed on Mikael in disbelief. She couldn't believe he'd done that, announcing their relationship to the entire class without even asking her! But as she looked into his eyes, she saw a sincerity and excitement there that made her heart skip a beat. Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something real.
As the lecture hall continued to buzz with excitement and curiosity, Mikael made his way over to Leonora's seat, a triumphant grin still plastered on his face.
"Hey, Leo," he whispered, taking her hand in his. "I know I should have asked you before announcing it, but I couldn't help myself. I'm just so excited to be with you!"
Leonora's face was still flushed, but she couldn't help smiling at Mikael's enthusiasm. "I guess we're official now," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mikael nodded, his eyes sparkling. "Definitely official. And I promise, I'll make it up to you for springing it on you like that. How about dinner tonight? Just the two of us?" Leonora hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. But just dinner, Mikael. No more surprises, deal?" Mikael chuckled and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Deal, Leo. I promise." As the lecture continued, Leonora couldn't help sneaking glances at Mikael, feeling a sense of excitement and nervousness about what the future held for them. But little did they know, Sophia was watching from across the room, her eyes narrowed in displeasure. She didn't take kindly to being upstaged, and she was already plotting her next move...

Sophia, the scheming and manipulative rival of Leonora, is not one to give up easily. She's been plotting her next move, determined to sabotage Leonora and Mikael's budding relationship.
As she watches them from afar, a sly smile spreads across her face. She begins to spread rumors and whispers about Leonora, trying to tarnish her reputation and make Mikael doubt her. "Sophia, what are you up to now?" her friend and accomplice, Rachel, asks, eyeing her with a mixture of amusement and concern. Sophia's grin widens. "Just a little payback, Rachel. Leonora thinks she's so perfect, but I'll show her that nobody crosses Sophia and gets away with it." Rachel raises an eyebrow. "Be careful, Sophia. You don't want to go too far and lose Mikael's trust completely." Sophia waves her hand dismissively. "Don't worry, I know exactly what I'm doing. And soon, Leonora will be the one looking like the fool." With that, Sophia continues her schemes, determined to drive a wedge between Leonora and Mikael and claim Mikael's attention for away from leonora.

As the lecture continued, Leonora found herself stealing glances at Mikael, her heart racing with excitement. She couldn't believe the way he made her feel, like she was the only person in the room. She felt a sense of nervousness too, wondering what the future held for them. Would they take their relationship to the next level? Would they face challenges and overcome them together? Mikael, on the other hand, was completely absorbed in the lecture, his eyes fixed on the professor as he spoke. He was taking notes and asking questions, his passion for the subject evident. Leonora admired his dedication and enthusiasm, feeling proud to be associated with him. But across the room, Sophia was watching the couple with a scowl on her face. She didn't like being upstaged, and she felt like Leonora was stealing the spotlight. Sophia had always been the center of attention, and she didn't appreciate the change. As the lecture came to a close, Sophia made her way over to Mikael and Leonora, a fake smile plastered on her face. "Hey, guys! Great job today! You're both so smart and talented," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Leonora felt a sense of unease as Sophia approached them. She didn't trust her, and she knew that Sophia was capable of causing trouble. Mikael, on the other hand, was answering Sophia while holding leonora's hand in his. As they walked out of the lecture hall, Sophia turned to Leonora and whispered, "You think you're so special, don't you? You think you can just waltz in here and steal Mikael away from me?" Leonora felt a shiver run down her spine as Sophia's eyes narrowed in displeasure...
"You're one to talk, Sophia," Leonora spat, her voice low and venomous. "You think you own Mikael? Newsflash, Sophia: he's a grown man, and he can make his own decisions. And clearly, he's tired of your games and manipulations. You're just mad because you can't control him anymore."
Leonora's eyes blazed with anger, her gaze piercing through Sophia's facade. "You know, I used to feel sorry for you, Sophia. I thought you were just insecure and attention-seeking. But now I realize you're just a toxic, poisonous person who can't stand to see anyone else happy. Well, let me tell you something: Mikael and I are happy, and there's nothing you can do to change that." Leonora took a step closer to Sophia, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You've spent so long playing the victim, Sophia, but the truth is, you're the one who's been hurting people all along. You're the one who's been using and manipulating everyone around you to get what you want. And now, you're angry because it's not working anymore." Sophia's eyes flashed with anger, but Leonora didn't back down. "You know what, Sophia? I'm done feeling sorry for you. I'm done trying to be nice to you. From now on, I'm going to call you out for the toxic person you are. And if you don't like it, well, that's your problem."
The air was electric with tension as Leonora turned and walked away, leaving Sophia seething with rage and humiliation. Mikael watched the exchange, a mixture of admiration and concern on his face. He knew Leonora was right, but he also knew that Sophia was not one to be underestimated.