Everything stopped. Most probably the earth stopped rotating, the ocean stopped, the wind stopped and the chitter chatter in the class too undoubtedly all the girls stopped breathing too as a very devilishly handsome man walked in the hall. For a moment even Xia was out of breath.
Earlier at the ball too he was looking handsome but now when Xia was aware of who he is. Everything she thinks about him has changed.
Today he was looking so different. So enchanting. He was looking so astounding. Already he is extraordinarily gifted good with fantastic height, perfect body, sharp jawline and jet black hair. Dressed in black suit, white shirt paired with black tie, hair neatly done. His emerald eyes were arresting. If dressing up could kill he would have killed the whole town, including Xia. Xia herself dresses to kill so she was highly impressed with him.
He walked the hall as if he owns it just like a King which he'll become in future, making girls dream about him as if he is some sort of prince charming which he is technically, he is a prince and he is dangerously charming. His attitude was totally on different level. He was looking like a Greek God. All girls were looking at him as he is some sort of delicious dessert and literally there mouths were watering to have a taste of him.
Our principal and other teachers were accompanying him. Mrs Nate guided him to the stage. He took the center of the stage with oozing confidenceand stood in front of the podium, he adjusted the mic to speak. All eyes were at him.
"Good morning all of you. Thanks for having me here. I guess some of you already know me I'm Orion Steinkuhler. It's my pleasure to be a part of such noble initiative in making this world a little better for others to live. There is a surprise for you people,".
The hall suddenly filled with all kinds of hooting, cheering and whistling. He has undoubtedly wooed the crowd.
"To make this program a little better I took the liberty to make some changes. For this program you guys will be staying in this beautiful village and all the arrangements will be done by my company. I hope this will be alright with you guys and one more thing I'll also join you guys to make sure everything runs perfectly. Good luck! ," he finished his speech and gave a charming smile. His British accent is awe-inspiring.
He left the stage and joined our principal. They both went outside discussing something.
"What is he doing here?," Xia elbowed Gordon.
"Apparently he owns the company which is sponsoring our program," Gordon replied with bored expressions.
He knows Orion is least interested in his family business so there is some other reason he is here.
"Just because he owns the company he will waltz in wherever he wants?," Xia was annoyed.
Gordon laughed at her statement.
"Of course. Perks of owning stuff dumbo,".
"Just look at everyone. It's like he did some kind of spell on every girl, everyone is only talking about him," Tora came to Xia and placed her head on her shoulder and sighed.
"Why are you acting so dramatic?," Gordon asked with amusing look.
Tora giggled.
"Don't be jealous,".
Gordon scoffed.
"Man! Your brother seems to have a large fan base here," Reese stated.
"Not a new thing," Gordon replied with blank face.
"Why I didn't saw him at the ball I would have asked him to dance with me," Tora said dreamingly.
"Sorry to break it to you but as far as I can tell he doesn't with a daft cow," Reese said giving a high five to Gordon and both of them started laughing hysterically.
"Stop it both of you," Xia protested and supported Tora.
"He isn't that good, these girls are just overreacting," Xia stated.
Xia looked around and saw the Sordid group going crazy and shouting about him.
She sighed. "If only they knew what he is, all these girls would have ran away instead of falling for him. Whom they are thinking as a beautiful dream is actually their worst nightmare, but ignorance has its own benefits," she thought to herself.
"Says the one who was eyeing him as an exquisite food,"Reese coughed. She punched him at the back.
Mrs Nate gathered us in a circle and told us that today we have to do all the planning about how we will do our work. A plan map will be given to us and all the details about our task. Today will be all about preparations. Tomorrow we will have to bring our luggage and everything essential for the internship.
She asked all the leaders of their respective groups to collect the plan map and start working on that.
"Gordon you will assist Mr Steinkuhler in this program and report all the results daily to him," Mrs Nate announced.
"Congratulations on becoming your brother's maid," Reese teased Gordon.
"Buzz off," Gordon groaned. It was not in Gordon nature to do things like that. He likes to stay behind and do his work silently. He is not a big fan of being in limelight.
Gordon was irritated. He knew it was all Orion's doing. He always likes to annoy him. Now being with him will bring all the attention on him and he hates being center of the attention. He is opposite of Orion. Orion has always been center of attention and he enjoys it too but with Gordon it was not the same case.
"It's seems like some kind of family reunion. I won't be surprised if Azar too joins," Xia said in sardonic tone.
"I hope not," Gordon mumbled.
"C'mon Gordon stop being sulky," Tora said with a smile.
Xia was looking at Tora and Gordon observing them. Sometimes she feels that both of them like each other more than friends but she is still not sure about it. But now when she knew about them, she thought it must be because both of them belong to same community.
The moment Orion entered the hall Xia's heartbeat started racing. One reason can be because he was looking handsome but it was not all. A different kind of feeling was evoking in her. Whenever he is around strange things happens, not that she needs more proof of it but with him she feels like they have a connection like she knows him for a very long time. It felt like something is attracting her to him like some sort of magnetic force. She had no clue what is happening to her. In order to suppress these strange feelings she was trying to ignore them.
Xia went with other group leaders to collect the plan map. She took the plan to her group to discuss about it. She thought may be she can start fresh with the sordid squad As she approached them and distributed the copy of the plan map, sordid squad left giving an excuse that they have something to discuss with Mrs Nate.
Xia sighed. She doesn't want her grades to suffer because of those stupid girls. This task of working with them was impossible. She was standing in the corner alone studying the plan.
"Someone wants all the grades to herself. I see," a husky voice behind her came.
She jumped. She turned and saw Orion standing there with his charming smile. He was literally a sight to behold. She looked at him for a second but then shifted her gaze as she doesn't want to be caught checking him out.
"Oh no. My group members have some other work. They will be back soon," she replied meekly.
She was getting intimidated by him which was strange for her because she is usually a very confident girl so right now she tried to compose herself and crossed her arms and looked directly into his eyes
He chuckled. His emerald eyes were glowing with a hint of mischievousness.
She raised her right eyebrow. "What are you doing here?,"
"I thought you needed a shoulder to cry as your group abandoned you," he replied with a smirk.
"Oh. I guess you have comprehend the situation erroneously," she responded in snarky tone.
"My bad," he said with a fake sad face.
He loved how easily she gets irritated. The best part was the faces she makes it was something that Orion loves to see.
Xia was completely annoyed. She hated how he always make fun of her and laugh at her. No one behaves like this with her. She just wanted to punch him in the face.
Xia gave him a deadpan look.
"Cheer Up El monito. It's just the beginning. I'll see you around," he said with a wink and left.
Xia was standing there fuming with anger. How dare he. How can he nick named me?? and how dare he call me a monkey!! This is too much. I have to do something.
*************
After giving the synopsis of their task all the groups were dispersed to the bus.
Xia and her friends were sitting at the last seat and were discussing about tomorrow's event.
"How do you think will be room assigned? I hope they don't give one room per group. I don't want to share my room with my group. You have no idea how clingy Dan is. Plus other girls are so annoying I haven't talked to them since primary school and now suddenly they all want to be my friends. This is so irritating. I want to be with you guys," Tora whined.
"Think about me. I don't even want to explain what I'll have to go through if I have to share room with the Sordid group. How I'll survive with them?," Xia said with sad tone.
"It will dream come true if they does that kind of arrangement. Just ma
"Relax guys. We have Gordon with us. I'm sure he will do something to sort this problem," Reese said giving Gordon a smile.
Xia and Tora also started looking at him with puppy eyes.
"Fine. I'll think of something to keep us together," Gordon sighed and shaked his head.
*********
Xia was lying on her bed thinking about today's events. Firstly she was thankful her mum didn't find Timmy. Surprisingly Timmy was behaving nicely with her even listening to whatever she says. Right now Timmy was sleeping in a basket which Xia brought for him from the store room. Timmy got very fond of a stuff toy, Mr carrots. Timmy and Mr carrots are now inseparable.
Xia at dinner informed her parents about the changes in internship program and that she had to stay there for three months, her parents were okay with it. They only said one thing that is to maintain distance with Orion. As friendship with that family has never been good for us.
Her bags were packed for tomorrow's adventure. She was getting strange vibes thinking about tomorrow. It's useless to think about something you have no control over. She shaked her thoughts away and fell into slumber. God only knows what tomorrow will bring.