Stephen did not mistake curiosity for innocence.
So when Nadia's message appeared again that evening, he didn't rush to reply. He read it once. Then again. Not because it thrilled him—but because he wanted to understand who he was dealing with before deciding how to respond.
Nadia had a way of sounding harmless.
You seem like a calm person. I like that.
I hope I didn't offend you the other day.
Stephen leaned back on his chair, phone resting loosely in his palm.
He knew who she was.
He knew what she represented in Joshua's story.
And he knew attraction alone was never enough reason to open a door.
Still… he believed in seeing things for himself.
No offense taken, he replied. I'm just careful.
Nadia smiled when the message came in.
Careful men intrigued her.
They met two days later at a quiet spot near the faculty building—neutral ground. Nadia arrived looking effortless, as always. Stephen noticed immediately how intentional everything about her was. The pauses. The eye contact. The way she tilted her head like she was listening closely, even when she wasn't.
"You're not what I expected," she said.
Stephen smiled faintly. "Neither are you."
She laughed softly. "People judge too quickly."
"I don't," he replied. "I observe."
That made her pause.
They talked—about school, life, ambitions. Nadia spoke easily, but Stephen noticed what she avoided. Certain names. Certain truths. Joshua's name hovered unspoken between them like a ghost neither wanted to invite in.
"You don't ask much," Nadia said eventually.
"I ask the right things," Stephen replied. "When the time comes."
Her smile faltered—just slightly.
Stephen wasn't cold. He wasn't warm either. He didn't flirt. He didn't retreat. He simply stayed present, grounded. Watching.
As they parted ways, Nadia touched his arm lightly. "I hope we can do this again."
Stephen nodded. "Maybe."
From a distance, Joshua saw them.
And something twisted painfully in his chest.
Not because he wanted Nadia back—but because Stephen, once just a friend, now stood in spaces Joshua had lost access to.
Later that night, Stephen sat alone, thinking.
I won't cling to Tiana, he told himself.
But I will protect her.
He had noticed Dare's interest. The quiet attention. The respect. Stephen didn't feel threatened—but alert.
If Dare ever hurts her, he thought, I won't be silent again.
Across campus, Nadia stared at her phone, replaying Stephen's calm voice in her head.
He wasn't impressed.
He wasn't chasing.
And for the first time in a long while, she wondered—
What if this one sees me clearly?
Stephen closed his eyes.
Some connections required caution, not fear.
And some people had to be understood before they were trusted.