I quickly grabbed some tissue papers and cleaned myself up, making sure I was thorough because I didn’t want bto /bwalk out looking like a mess, then handed some to Ryan who also cleaned himself quietly. I slipped my panties back onb, /badjusted 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 harshlyb, /b“Ryan-b” /b

    He smirked, not bothered at all, pulled me close for onest 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 bRyan/bb…/b” band /b

    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 beveryone /bmust

    be thinking.

    The moment we stepped back into the hallb, /bthe sound of the host’s voice echoed through the microphone.

    “Ladies and gentlemen, please wee to the stage, bour /bdistinguished alumnus, an inspiration to the students of this universityb, /bRyan Wolfeb!/bb” /b

    The apuse that followed was deafening. I froze as Ryan’s hand slipped from my waistb, /bmy chest tightening as I watched him confidently stride btoward /bthe stage. He turned back brieflyb, /bwinked at me, and muttered under his breath, “bDon’t /bmiss

    me too much.”

    bI /brolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips.

    On stageb, /bRyan took the mic and gave a polite nod. “bGood /bevening.”

    The students chorused back, b“/bGood eveningb!/bb” /b

    Ryan gave a faint smile and said, b“/bbIt /bfeels good to be back here. Honestlyb, /bit feels strange being on this side bnow /bbecause not long ago, I was sitting exactly where byou /bare nowb, /bworried about assignments, exams, and the future.”

    The hall filled withughter and a few murmurs of agreement.

    “But let me tell you something,i” /iRyan 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, theynded on meb. /bMy chest tightened, and I quickly looked away.

    “Your years here are your foundation,” he said firmly. b“/bbIf /byou waste them, you’ll regret itter. If you give your best now, you’ll thank yourselfter. My badvice /bis simple don’t let distractions ruin you. Stay focused, study harder, and don’t let anyone convince you that you can’t achieve greatnessb./b”

    The hall roared with apuseb, /bfresher students even shouting things likeb, /b“Yes sir!” and “Thank byou/bb, /bbRyan/bb!/bb” /b

    Ryan chuckled softlyb, /bnoddedb, /band handed the mic back before bstepping /boff the stage.

    When he came back, his arm immediately wrapped around my waist again. He didn’t bneed /bbto /bbsay /ba word bbecause /bhis hand on me spoke volumes. He was iming me in front of everyone.

    Freshers started crowding around him, mostly girls. One asked eagerlyb, /b“Sir, how did byou /bbbnce /byour time bback then/bb?/bb” /banother leaned forward, “Sir, what bkept /bbyou /bmotivated?b” /b