I stood in the middle of nearly six hundred students, my body still, my mind echoing like an empty hallway. Around me, it felt like the whole universe was moving at triple speed — students laughing, messing around, cracking jokes, humming melodies, and whispering gossip. Some were staring dreamily at Senior Yizhenxia, while others, with daggered eyes, wished misfortune upon me. A few felt sorry, perhaps genuinely. But me? I couldn't even understand what exactly was going on — my limbs were frozen, my thoughts spiraling.
As the assembly dispersed, students returned to their classes to pack up for the day. I finally calmed myself, exhaled deeply, and walked toward my classroom. Just as I reached the exit door, something — someone — blocked my path like a gust of wind. The air around shifted — it carried a sweet warmth, an almost addictive fragrance despite its origin from sweat. For a fleeting moment, my heart dared to flutter. I raised my head, curious… could it be my prince?
But dreams are always cruel. It was Senior Yizhenxia.
I blinked and immediately turned to leave, trying my best to ignore his presence. But he didn't let me go. Step by step, he advanced. I was backed into the wall beside the exit door. My heartbeat was racing like I had just sprinted around the school field twenty times.
He reached out, placed his arm around my waist, and pulled me tightly against him. Our proximity — it was unsettling. The heat of his breath brushed against my skin. He shut the door behind him with a loud thud, making the walls echo. I closed my eyes instinctively, my body on fire with embarrassment, nerves, confusion, and... fear?
He leaned forward, whispering into my ear.
"Get ready for me, Akio. Babes, you're gonna destroy yourself. Take a good care of yourself to be my slave."
And with that, he pushed me away.
But I wasn't done.
I yanked him back toward me — closer than he had dared bring me.
"Seriously, you're nothing more than a rascal," I snapped, my voice sharp, my eyes blazing. "My feelings for you? They never changed and never will. I will hate you forever, Bart. And remember this: don't you dare touch me again. Next time, your hand might be the feast of unconscious bitches."
Then I shoved him away — harder than he had.
Turning around, determined to leave with dignity, the universe decided to humiliate me further. I slipped — dramatically — thanks to a puddle made by some junior's carelessness. I hit the floor with a thud. The echo of his laugh stabbed my pride.
I looked up. He extended a hand.
I slapped it aside and stood up myself, brushing my skirt, straightening my pride.
He grinned.
"Silly girl. You'll never change."
I gave a faint, awkward smile and sprinted out just as the last bell rang.
Aryan and Alisha were already waiting outside with my bag.
They handed it to me, and I dashed toward Brother Zixianxia's car.
He opened the door like always, and I climbed in, shutting it quickly behind me. "Let's go," I mumbled, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.
Brother glanced at me, confused. "What happened?"
I didn't answer, but my cheeks betrayed me — flushed bright crimson.
He placed his palm on my forehead. "Are you running a fever?"
Startled, I slapped his hand away. He chuckled.
And at the worst time, Aryan decided to speak. "Where were you for the last twenty minutes?"
"Shut up!" I snapped.
I could feel Brother Zixianxia's curious eyes reading me like an open book.
We reached home shortly after.
But something else awaited us. Aunty Ammu's car was parked.
Doom.
We were screwed.
The house was a mess — snack wrappers everywhere, beds unmade, laundry undone. We entered with trembling hearts.
Aunty Ammu was calmly seated on the living room couch, watching her business and marketing channel.
We tiptoed in, stood before her like guilty children, heads down, and muttered, "Sorry, Aunty."
I thought to myself bitterly — maybe Yizhenxia's curse was working already.
But then — shock.
She didn't yell.
Instead, she looked at us and said, "Go to your room. Finish your homework. Then get ready. We're going out for marketing."
I blinked. Wait… what?
She had never taken us out before — she was overprotective, paranoid even, about our safety. And now, suddenly, she wanted us to join her?
"Don't make me repeat myself," she added. "Move, or I'm going alone. And later, don't you dare complain that I didn't take you along."
We exchanged stunned glances, then squealed silently, running up to our room like overexcited puppies.
Inside, as I tossed my bag aside, I couldn't help but mutter under my breath:
"Yizhenxia, you walking curse, you just made my day a storm."
And yet, even as I cursed him, somewhere deep inside — the place I never dared admit — a little voice whispered:
Maybe that storm was what I needed all along.
--- End of Chapter ---