Riley rummaged around inside her jacket for a moment before finally pulling out a small pouch she had made herself.
"Here, this is for you. It helps calm your mind—carry it with you."
Unlike the clumsy box from earlier, this pouch was exquisitely crafted. Tiny blue flowers were embroidered across the fabric, and in the lower corner, a delicate Riley had been stitched in gold thread.
The moment she took it out, a subtle fragrance filled the air.
A blend of herbal notes, faint yet refreshing—it cleared the mind instantly.
Lucas's gaze lingered on the pouch, his brows knitting slightly.
This scent… it's familiar.
He had smelled it on Riley before.
And the pouch clearly contained traditional herbs, handmade at that.
But,isn't she supposed to be a fool?
Adrian held the pouch, and the restless tension in his chest quietly settled.
The scent wasn't just herbal—it carried Riley's unique fragrance too. Every time he smelled it, his mind would calm almost instantly.
"Wait for me to come back," he said, looking at her flushed cheeks, his gaze softening.
Riley nodded earnestly. "Okay! I'll stay home and behave."
The smile on Adrian's lips deepened as Derek wheeled him away.
Only after he disappeared from sight did Riley let out a small breath, running a hand through her hair before turning to leave.
Lucas and Zachary exchanged stunned looks.
Why does it feel like she's… relieved?
"Wait," Lucas called after her. "Where did you get that pouch you gave Adrian?"
Riley blinked. "I picked it up."
Lucas gave her a do you really think I'd believe that? look and followed her closely.
Zachary, who already disliked Riley and saw her as nothing but dead weight, grabbed Lucas. "Why are you following her? Come on, let's go grab a drink."
Lucas frowned. "I just want to figure something out. How did she have something like that?"
Zachary snorted. "Didn't she already say she picked it up? Forget it. Let's just find someone to send her home and go drink instead."
At the airport entrance, Riley stopped beside her vehicle and glanced at the two men trailing behind her, her lips twitching slightly.
I left in such a hurry this morning, I forgot my wrench.
Otherwise, one swing each and this would've been a lot simpler…
Lucas, still without answers, felt increasingly frustrated.
Then he turned—and froze.
A sleek, black, futuristic-looking motorcycle stood there.
And Riley casually swung a leg over it.
His eyes widened. "Riley… you rode this here?"
Riley nodded. "Yeah. I was running late."
As she spoke, she glanced down at the fake watch scribbled on her wrist and suddenly gasped. "Oh no! I'm going to be late for class. Gotta go!"
The next second—
VROOOM—!
With a roar of the engine, the girl who had been hugging a stuffed bunny moments ago vanished from their sight, leaving only a trail of exhaust behind.
If not for that ridiculous fake watch, they might have started questioning whether her "foolishness" was an act.
Lucas's jaw dropped. "Riley… is she for real? She can ride a motorcycle like that?"
Zachary rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "Since when can a fool look that cool?"
***
Riley sped all the way to Imperial University, sliding to a smooth stop outside the gates. She swung off the bike in one fluid motion, pulled off her helmet, locked the motorcycle, and strode in with effortless confidence.
People at the entrance stared at her in amazement.
That was insanely cool.
Since when did our university have someone like that?
But then someone took a closer look.
"Wait. Doesn't she kind of look like that 'fool' from Class One?"