The next day, Alexander felt a strange excitement in his heart when he went to his university. He was looking forward to meeting Serenity after college. Lucas greeted him at their first class, sitting down next to him.

"My dad's impressed with you, dude." Alexander grinned at his friend, thrilled that someone at least liked him. Although he had spent all his life with his uncle, he had never liked him, far from being impressed with his efforts at pleasing him.

"You've got to come home today. Dad wants you to check his favourite car, the rustic old Ford Austin." Lucas rolled his eyes, not at all sharing his dad's trait, his love of cars.

"Sure." Alexander's heart sang with joy at the prospect of meeting Serenity again.

The first few classes were back-to-back, and they got very little time to talk. By the time they got their first break, both were famished. "Let's go grab a bite, Alex."

Alexander was hesitant as he had very little money left with him and couldn't afford the expensive food at the cafeteria. He had only eaten some cereal with water for breakfast in the morning, since that was all he could afford.

"I'm heading to the library right now, so why don't you go ahead?"

Lucas didn't hear a word he uttered. "I can't eat without you, so let's go." Lucas pulled a reluctant Alexander along with him to the cafeteria while Alexander felt embarrassed and had no other option than to blurt out the truth.

"Look dude, I can't afford this food here. So I've already eaten a full breakfast at home." His principles were quite clear: if he didn't have money, he wouldn't eat.

"It's on me, please. I won't let you go hungry. Sometimes you should let your friends care for you."

"I'm used to skipping meals, really. It's no big deal for me. I have to get an economics book from the library now." Alexander tried all means to avoid accepting the favour while a determined Lucas didn't pay any attention to his excuses.

"You can get your book after we eat." He ordered two personal-sized pizzas and chicken nuggets and carried them to a table nearby.

"Where do you stay, Alex?" Alexander was tongue-tied and looked away, not wanting anyone to see the shabby place where he lived, especially not billionaires like Lucas. He would be under scrutiny and harassed by the local goons if Lucas visited him driving his expensive car, as poor families living below the poverty line inhabited the neighbourhood. However, Lucas was relentless, and he had to give in and answer him.

"In the suburbs of West Vegas. It's a dangerous neighbourhood so don't even think of visiting. The local criminals will rob you or murder you." Alexander warned him, but he simply gave him a look of disbelief.

"How do you live there, then?"

"I'm used to it since I don't have any choice. My uncle's shack is the only thing I own currently." Lucas felt bad for him. He was a brilliant boy, and he didn't deserve this life. He would have shone like a diamond if he had better opportunities. They finished their food and went to the library to get the book Alexander wanted. Then the rest of the classes dragged on, and they felt exhausted since all of them were back-to-back without a break in between.

At last, college was over for the day and both boys breathed a sigh of relief. "Today was really hectic," said Lucas. Alexander didn't reciprocate as he didn't feel the need to complain. He loved this aspect of his life, which was a sharp contrast to his otherwise dreary existence. Studying hard was the only way he could improve his chances of a better life. Lucas drove his Ford Mustang while Alexander followed him on his motorcycle. He was very excited, since he had been waiting all day to see Serenity again.

They reached the mansion just as Liam was about to go out for his soccer practice. He waved at both of them. They parked and sauntered off towards the backside to go into the main building. As they walked inside laughing at some joke that Lucas cracked, Lucas's mom saw them. "Oh, there you are, Alexander. Have lunch with us first. Then you can check Eric's old Ford Austin. He wouldn't be coming in since he's stuck in a meeting, but he has asked you to check his car today. It's his personal favourite."

"Yes, aunt Eugene. I'll start right away and then rush for my garage duty." Alexander's cheeks coloured a little as he felt embarrassed for appearing every day during lunchtime. He didn't want to take advantage and be an unwelcome guest.

"Hush, son. You will eat first and then do other things. Wash up now and come back to the table. Lucas, show him to the washroom." She walked away towards the kitchen to instruct Kathy. "Kathy, let's serve them lunch."

"You can go to the one at the back. Go straight and turn left." Alexander nodded at his friend and walked away. He found the washroom and washed his hands, and splashed cold water on his face, feeling refreshed. As he walked out of the washroom, towards the dining room, something soft, warm and smelling of roses collided with his chest.

"Ow," said Serenity as she collided with a rock-hard body. She was going to the dining room before her mom started yelling for her. Looking up, she blushed seeing who it was, Alexander. He was the most gorgeous guy she'd ever seen, and she had been dreaming of him since yesterday. "I'm sorry. I didn't see where I was going." She breathed in the masculine and pine scent of Alexander, very aware of his hold on her arms. The light touch of his rough hands on her bare skin sent a shot of electric tingle down her body, and her heart somersaulted with excitement.

He chuckled at her. "I'm not sorry at all." She blushed more and steadied herself, looked up shyly to see him watching her closely, a smile playing on his lips.

"I helped Kathy make today's lunch. Hope you like it."

In reality, the moment she returned from school and heard that Alexander was arriving for lunch. She was so eager to please him she helped Kathy cook the food to perfection.

Alexander looked at her incredulously, his eyes glinting with excitement as he wondered whether she cooked for him. "Then I must taste it. Did you cook for me?" he asked her, the teasing note in his tone made her blush more. His heart thumped with excitement and he couldn't imagine that he could be so lucky to have this beautiful girl with big innocent blue eyes cook for him. The thought aroused him, and he felt the urge to kiss her. She looked so inviting and gorgeous up close that he felt too drawn towards her like a moth to a flame.

"No, I mean. Can we go to the dining room, please?" She walked off with pink cheeks while Alexander chuckled and followed her to the dining room.

They sat down opposite each other like before and every time their eyes met; she blushed. Alexander loved the food all the more because Serenity made it for him. Although she didn't admit it, he just knew in his heart that she did. They scarfed down the Chicken Caesar Veggie Wraps, Angel Hair Pasta with Smoked Trout and Pecan Pie.

"This is outstanding. You're an excellent cook," said Alexander, eyeing Serenity, making her eyes twinkle as a faint blush crept to her cheeks.

"Thank you." She tried hard to avoid his hawk-like gaze.

Lucas laughed, "Don't praise her so much, dude. Now she'll cook all the time and make us eat her experiments."

"I'll be happy to eat all her experiments, even the unsuccessful ones," said Alexander, and Serenity smiled happily, the blush deepening all the more. She was already falling for Alexander's charms, not able to control her heart when she was around him.

After finishing lunch, Alexander went to the garage, accompanied by Lucas and his mom. The car was beautiful and well maintained. "You can check the problem, Alexander. I have to go. Lucas, there's a box which you need to deliver to aunt Amanda now since she has a charity ball tonight and she needs it immediately." Aunt Amanda was the wife of his uncle Ethan, who was his dad's older brother. They jointly co-owned the Staywell group of hotels. Their son Tyler was three years older, while their daughter Carmella was four years younger than him.

Lucas groaned, "Can't you send someone else, mom?"

"No one's available now and she needs it immediately."

"Alex, let's go to my cousin's house." He fished out his keys and turned to look at his friend.

"Let Alexander look into this car. Your dad would feel disappointed if he went away without checking. Why don't you hurry, Luke?" His mom glared at him, making him give in at last.

"Okay, I'm going. I'll see you tomorrow, Alex." Alexander nodded at him and Lucas followed his mom inside to get the box to be delivered.

Alexander concentrated on the job at hand, wanting to make uncle Eric more proud of him. "Will you come tomorrow again?" Alexander froze, hearing Serenity's sweet voice from behind him. He hadn't noticed her presence at all and his heart raced faster, feeling her hot breath on his neck as he leaned over the car to check under the hood. Turning around, he looked at her, his eyes unconsciously checking her out from head to foot. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't look away. He remembered her soft skin when he had touched her arms and longed to hold her again.

"Do you want me to?" he asked her instead, taking in the warm flush that crept up her cheeks.

"Yes." It was a soft whisper, yet he heard her clearly.

"Then I'll surely come. Just for you." It was a promise making Serenity's eyes widen with eagerness, and she flashed him a radiant smile that took his breath away.

"What's your favourite food?"

"Everything that you cook for me is my favourite." Alexander gazed at her, loving the colour on her creamy cheeks while Serenity's innocent heart skipped a beat, and now she was sure she was crushing on him. Alexander did not know where those cheesy lines he uttered came from. He wasn't a flirt, and he definitely never said such stuff to any girl before.

"How do you get time to cook? Don't you have school?" He wanted to know so much about her he didn't have any idea where to start.

"I cook after returning from school." She took a step towards his side, standing beside him and peering in to see what he was doing. Alexander smiled at her, his concentration now totally upon her than the car parts. No one had ever done so much for him and her sweetness overwhelmed him.

However, the clock chimed, and he came to his senses, turning his attention back to the job at hand. He noted that the battery needed to be replaced because it wasn't charging well. Getting late for his garage duty, he handed the keys to Serenity, his hand brushing with hers. Instantly, sparks of electric current hit him at the touch and he frowned with confusion. What was that?

"I have to go now. But I'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow." He noted the way a smile lighted up her face as she nodded shyly. She was like an open book to him and he couldn't help but like her simplicity and innocent ways.

"Bye." His body reacted at the breathy whisper and he grinned at her, walking back towards his motorcycle. She watched him with a shy smile as he mounted his motorcycle and fixed the helmet over his head.

"Bye," he said with a cheerful grin and sped away, intensely aware of her gaze following him out.