Chapter 23: The Unexpected Encounter
Rex was lost in the joy of reading, completely unaware that someone had quietly entered the box.
The person who entered paused, surprised to find someone already inside.
She looked at Rex curiously. Her first instinct was to ask him to leave, as most students knew this was her favorite spot.
But the sight of Rex, his sharp features softened by a pair of reading glasses, absorbed in a book, made her hesitate.
His handsome appearance, especially with the glasses, gave her a very refined impression. Seeing him so engrossed in reading, she couldn't bring herself to disturb him.
Uncharacteristically, she took a seat across from him, her own book open but her eyes occasionally drifting to the quietly focused stranger.
But seeing him so focused, she also felt motivated. So, she focused her attention back on her book and began reading it with gusto.
Outside, a group of boys peeked toward the box with a mix of curiosity and mischief, with their ears perked up. They were eagerly awaiting Rex's reaction upon facing the "true owner of the box."
"Hey, hey, what do you think his reaction will be when he sees her?" a boy whispered grinning, his eyes glued to the box.
"I bet he'll rush out in 20 seconds," another replied confidently.
"Twenty seconds!? I bet he'll be running out in at most 10 seconds," a third chimed in.