Chapter 723
Chapter 723:
For a moment, she considered waking him, urging him to go home and rest. But as she watched him sleep so peacefully, the idea faded. She couldn’t disturb his tranquility.
Just as she was wrestling with her thoughts, a soft knock echoed through the room.
Cristian stirred, his eyes opening to clarity as he sat up quickly. Startled by his sudden motion, Fernanda jumped back in surprise, only to find herself tumbling onto the floor.
Cristian’s gaze shifted, his mind clearing as he took in his surroundings, finally realizing where he was. Running a hand through his disheveled hair, he stood and moved to open the door.
“Here is your ordered meal,” a female voice called from the other side. Taking the paper bag, Cristian gave a grateful nod.
He then turned to Fernanda. “It’s already past noon. You must be hungry.”
His voice, still rough from sleep, held a deep resonance, like a warm baritone. Each word seemed to linger, making the air around them feel a little richer.
He opened the bag, revealing the contents: a box of tuna salad, two sandwiches, a box of freshly cut fruit, and two bottles of juice. The sandwiches were still warm, their eggs soft and velvety.
Cristian had clearly thought ahead. In a setting like this, where strong odors would be distracting, he’d wisely chosen meals that were light and fragrant-free.
The food was satisfying, and by the time she finished, Fernanda felt pleasantly full.
“These walnuts are great for your health,” Cristian said, setting the shelled walnuts on Fernanda’s desk. “Eat them while you study.”
Fernanda met his gaze, noting the lingering tiredness in his eyes. “Thanks. But if you’re exhausted, you can go home to rest. You don’t need to stay with me.”
“I’m not tired,” Cristian replied with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about me. Focus on your work. I’ll just read.”
That afternoon, Cristian stayed awake, finishing both books he had borrowed in one sitting. By the time they left the study room, the sky had darkened, and the city lights began to twinkle.
𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒕 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒕 ⲅ𝗮𝖑𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀﹒ⅽ𝗼𝗺
Once again, they shared dinner, and afterward, Cristian walked Fernanda back to campus.
“Good luck with your exam tomorrow,” he said, giving her an encouraging thumbs-up.
“I’ll give it my all,” Fernanda replied confidently. “I’m aiming for a scholarship next year, so taking this exam is a must.” Cristian responded with another thumbs-up.
The summer night hung thick with heat. Students bustled by, their energy filling the air as the sports field hummed with activity. A group of runners passed, their vitality almost contagious, and Fernanda couldn’t help but feel the pulse of campus life around her. Esaham University felt more like home with every passing day. After years of working in the real world, this place offered her a much-needed respite, a chance to enjoy the simple, peaceful rhythm of student life.
Sometimes, the peace itself felt like a kind of joy. Today, simply reading and conversing with Cristian had given her a quiet, contented happiness.
The room was cloaked in darkness when Fernanda returned to the dorm. As she flicked the light switch, she jumped at the sight of Wendy lounging on the sofa.
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