Chapter 1

Matthew rubbed his eyes in confusion, watching Melissa, who was staring at him with an intensity he was beginning to find disturbing. Amidst his confusion, he wondered, “What have you done to me?” Melissa, however, just smiled serenely and replied, “I just love you.” Her response only deepened Matthew’s confusion, and he couldn’t understand why she was acting this way. In his thoughts, he pondered, “Someone who claims to love me shouldn’t fatten me up like a pig ready for slaughter. Why?”
Memories began to flood his mind. He remembered their first meeting during the four-week coding course at Foster Thunner University. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: if they succeeded, they would be eligible for a free two-year degree. In the second week of the course, his friends Lucy and Josh introduced him to Melissa. She was a shy and reserved girl, but there was something endearing about her sweetness and kindness.
For the first few days, Melissa seemed completely out of place, struggling to keep up with the demanding pace of the course. She spent most of her time alone, absorbed in her studies and avoiding social interactions. As one of the more advanced students, Matthew decided to approach her to offer some company to this lonely girl who was now friends with his friends. What started as a simple gesture of courtesy quickly evolved into something more meaningful to her. Even though Matthew was already in a relationship, that didn’t stop Melissa from developing feelings for him. Despite not being the most attractive person in the group and not immediately capturing Matthew’s interest, he still made an effort to be kind and approach her.
Initially, Matthew didn’t mind the attention; after all, being admired by someone is flattering. However, as time went on, maintaining distance seemed to be the wisest course of action, though he struggled to fully grasp the depth of Melissa's emotions. The situation grew increasingly awkward as Melissa frequently voiced her feelings for Matthew, making them a topic of conversation among their peers. The public nature of her declarations only added to his discomfort, leaving him uncertain about how to address the growing tension between them.