CHAPTER 156
Anna's POV
I quickly grabbed some tissue papers and cleaned myself up? making sure I was thorough because I didn't want to walk out looking like a mess? then handed some to Ryan who also cleaned himself quietly.
I slipped my panties back on? adjusted my clothes nervously? and tried to act like everything was normal even though my heart was still racing like crazy.
Ryan was already dressed? calm as if nothing had just happened? while I was still trying to catch my breath when suddenly a loud knock was thrown on the restroom door. My whole body stiffened and I whispered harshly? "Ryan—"
He smirked? not bothered at all? pulled me close for one last quick kiss? and then walked to open the door.
A group of guys walked in? their eyes scanning both of us with knowing looks.
One of them muttered under his breath? "Prince Ryan…
" and they all bowed slightly as if it was the natural thing to do.
My face flushed with embarrassment? but Ryan didn't even look bothered. He slipped his arm around my waist and simply said? "Excuse us?" before leading me out of the restroom. My mind was spinning because I knew exactly what everyone must be thinking.
The moment we stepped back into the hall? the sound of the host's voice echoed through the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen? please welcome to the stage? our distinguished alumnus? an inspiration to the students of this university? Ryan Wolfe!"
The applause that followed was deafening. I froze as Ryan's hand slipped from my waist? my chest tightening as I watched him confidently stride toward the stage. He turned back briefly? winked at me? and muttered under his breath? "Don't miss me too much."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop the small smile tugging at my lips.
On stage? Ryan took the mic and gave a polite nod. "Good evening."
The students chorused back? "Good evening!"
Ryan gave a faint smile and said? "It feels good to be back here. Honestly? it feels strange being on this side now because not long ago? I was sitting exactly where you are now? worried about assignments? exams? and the future."
The hall filled with laughter and a few murmurs of agreement.
"But let me tell you something?" Ryan continued? his voice stronger? "worrying won't get you anywhere. Focus will. Discipline will. You can have every dream in the world? but without consistency and hard work? they'll just stay as dreams."
Students were nodding? whispering to each other? clearly paying attention. His eyes flicked across the room? and for a brief second? they landed on me. My chest tightened? and I quickly looked away.
"Your years here are your foundation?" he said firmly.
"If you waste them? you'll regret it later.
If you give your best now? you'll thank yourself later.
My advice is simple: don't let distractions ruin you.
Stay focused? study harder? and don't let anyone convince you that you can't achieve greatness. "
The hall roared with applause? fresher students even shouting things like? "Yes sir!" and "Thank you? Ryan!"
Ryan chuckled softly? nodded? and handed the mic back before stepping off the stage.
When he came back? his arm immediately wrapped around my waist again. He didn't need to say a word because his hand on me spoke volumes. He was claiming me in front of everyone.
Freshers started crowding around him? mostly girls. One asked eagerly? "Sir? how did you balance your time back then?" another leaned forward? "Sir? what kept you motivated?"
I didn't even let him answer. "He's already taken?" I cut in sharply? my tone making it clear.
The girls' eyes shifted from me to his hand still firm on my waist? and slowly they backed away? some disappointed? some jealous. and honestly? a small part of me felt satisfied? like I had just won something.
After the gala ended and the crowd thinned? Ryan leaned down? his lips brushing my ear. "So… do you want to go back to your dorm? Or maybe you'd rather stay with me tonight?"
My stomach flipped instantly. "I want to?" I admitted softly? "but I have an early class tomorrow. Didn't you just tell the freshers to focus on their studies?"
He groaned and rubbed his face with his hand. "You're really going to use my own words against me? That's evil."
I laughed quietly. "If I come with you? I won't get any reading done."
"I promise? I won't touch you?" he said quickly? eyes narrowing in playful seriousness.
"Ryan…" I arched my brow at him.
"I swear! Behaved. Angelic. Just stay with me. Please. I'm tired of sleeping on that cold bed alone." His expression softened into that boyish face? making him look twenty-three? not the intimidating man everyone else saw. Just Ryan? who wanted me there.
I sighed? shaking my head. "Fine. But just sleep. Nothing else? alright? I don't want to wake up sore tomorrow morning."
He instantly grinned like a kid who just got exactly what he wanted. "Yes? ma'am."
I rolled my eyes? trying not to laugh? and then added? "But I also want to read my books before bed tonight. I mean it."
He groaned again? then shrugged. "Fine. You'll read. I'll even assist you. Think about it? it's an advantage to the both of us. I studied the same course? I know exactly what you're struggling with. You want to study? I want you on my bed tonight? it's the perfect deal."
"You're impossible?" I muttered? though the smile betrayed me.
He leaned closer? smirking. "and you love it."
and the worst part was? I did.
"Fine. Let's go get my books from my dorm?" I said finally.
"Perfect."
He drove me there? and I went up to grab my things. I didn't just take my books though? I packed an overnight bag too. When I came back down? Ryan was waiting casually by his car? his smug look saying he knew I would bring more.
Just as I reached the car? Sasha came out with Caleb. She spotted me immediately? frowning. "Anna? Where are you going?"
I smiled lightly. "I'm staying over at his place. I'll see you in class tomorrow."
Her brows furrowed in confusion as her eyes darted between Ryan and me? but I didn't let her say anything else. I blew her a kiss? turned away? and slid into Ryan's car.
He started the engine? and just like that? we drove off.