Jonah was calling Hailey's name!

Hailey felt her heartbeat speed up instantly. She looked toward Jonah, and across the sea of students, their eyes locked on each other.

They didn't say a word, but that single glance spoke volumes. A rush of warmth flooded her chest.

Hailey answered loudly, "I'm here!"

Jonah wore a faint smile before he went on taking the attendance.

At that moment, Hailey could hear the frantic pounding of her own heart.

Once the roll call was done, Jonah began the lecture. It was a humanities class that afternoon.

As he stood at the podium, the tall, refined man spoke with ease and confidence. His charm and knowledge turned even the driest texts into something vivid and engaging.

The students were completely drawn in, listening with full attention.

Before long, Jonah said, "Class, I'd like to raise a question. What do you think love really is?"

It was the interactive part of the lecture, and a wave of hands shot up immediately, eager for his attention.

Jonah pointed to a boy in the front row.

"You. Let's hear your answer."

The boy grinned as he asked, "Mr. Pilsner, do you have a girlfriend?"

The moment the question landed, the room erupted in laughter and whispers.

The boy immediately said, "Don't get me wrong, Mr. Pilsner. I'm straight! One of the girls sitting near me made me ask that question!"

A girl piped up boldly, "Mr. Pilsner, you're asking us to talk about love, so do you have a girlfriend or not?"

"Mr. Pilsner, come on! Just tell us! We all want to know if you're seeing someone!"

Everyone kept pressing Jonah about whether he had a girlfriend.

Around Hailey, the girls whispered excitedly to one another.

"Do you think Mr. Pilsner has a girlfriend?"

"Why would you ask that? Of course he does! He's handsome,

successful, and wealthy, so the nee

no way he's single. .

"That's not certain. What if he actually is single?"

"You're just hoping he's single so you can shoot your shot."

"Oh, come on! As if you don't like him too..."

The girls' eyes sparkled with excitement. There was never a shortage of men in the world, but the good ones were rare and often the kind that everyone would fight over.

Hailey kept her gaze on Jonah, curious to see how he would answer.

Jonah then lifted his hand and signalled the class to stay quiet.

The room fell silent in an instant.

Jonah said, "Since everyone's so interested in my personal life, I'll be honest, then -I do have a girlfriend."

A chorus of groans and sighs swept through the girls, and disappointment was written all over their faces.

Jonah continued, "I have a girlfriend, and I have already proposed to her, but she hasn't said yes yet!"

The hall erupted into chatter.

"Who in the world would turn down Mr. Pilsner's proposal?"

"Who's his girlfriend? Does anyone know?"

"I'd love to meet her. I want to see what kind of woman could catch his eye."

At that moment, the girls around Hailey turned to her.

"Hailey, why are you so quiet?"

"Yeah, you haven't said a word till now. That's not like you!"

Hailey wasn't trying to hide her

relationship with Jonah, but with et

him being the center of so much attention, she couldnt exactly stand up and make her presence known.

Hailey replied with a smile, "I'm just paying attention!"

At that, Jonah looked at her.

"Hailey," he called out.