Chapter 2

"Want me to call over a few top-tier guys to keep you company?" Mia asked, raising an eyebrow when she saw me sitting quietly.

I gave a scoffing hum, glancing down at the boy by her legs.

"You're not checking out mine, are you?" Mia teased, following my gaze.

I cleared my throat.

Before I could answer, the door of the VIP booth was pushed open.

Another young man walked in.

He was tall, easily six-foot-two.

He wore a black techwear windbreaker zipped all the way up to his throat, completely covered, with a black mask shielding his lower face. Only a pair of stunning, glacier-cold eyes were visible.

He set down a tray of drinks and turned on his heel to leave.

"What’s the rush?" I called out, stopping him in his tracks.

"Care to sit down and have a drink with me?"

His back remained toward me, but I could clearly see his broad shoulders stiffen.

Seriously?

Since when did this high-end lounge hire servers who were terrified of customers?

Before I could speak again, he bolted from the booth without looking back.

I was left stunned, turning my stiff neck to Mia. "Do I look that terrifying? Can I file a complaint with management?"

Mia couldn't hold it in and burst into laughter. "That’s actually the owner’s son, Julian Shaw. He’s not a real server! He was probably just helping out tonight."

I stared at the closed door, tapping my chin thoughtfully. "Does he have social anxiety?"

Seeing my genuine curiosity, Mia flashed a secretive smirk.

"You hit the nail right on the head. But along with his social phobia, he’s widely known as an absolute prodigy in applied mathematics."

"A prodigy, huh..."

After parting ways with Mia, I pulled out my phone and fired off a Snap to the lounge owner.

[Lend me your son for a while. I’ll waive this month's rent for the lounge.]

Then, I booked the penthouse suite on the top floor of the hotel right upstairs.

When I finished my shower and stepped out wrapped in a silk bathrobe, Julian Shaw was already there.

He was sitting neatly in the far corner of the plush sofa. The moment he looked up and caught sight of me, crimson flooded his cheeks, rushing all the way to the tips of his ears.

He ducked his head instantly, keeping his long lashes cast downward.

A soft chuckle slipped past my lips as I leisurely dried my hair with a towel. "Mia told me you're a genius. Back-to-back gold medals in the International Mathematical Olympiad, and a trail of top collegiate awards."

"I'm not a genius. I just... understand a few concepts," he muttered, biting his lower lip.

"So humble?" I stepped closer, studying him.

He didn't reply. His head stayed lowered, but his entire frame was wound so tight he looked like a drawn bowstring.

"Relax. I just want to discuss the deeper intricacies of life with you."

"Pursuing your doctorate at NYU right now, age twenty-two?"

He gave another quiet nod.

"Good."

I tossed the towel onto a nearby armchair.

Then, I stepped right into his space, gripped the front of his jacket, and hauled him forward onto the edge of the bed.

"What... what are you doing?"