"What a performance! Let's give her a round of applause~"
"And now... for the much-awaited surprise~ the lords will choose their date from the female freshmen. The lucky ladies will have their chance to get to know the lords for the rest of the evening..."
The atmosphere erupts with the thrill of the unexpected. The anticipation reaches a fever pitch as the announcement echoes through the hall, promising a surprise that would set the evening on a new course. The lords, the enigmatic figures revered and desired by many, are about to make their choice, and the female freshmen are on the edge of their seats, waiting for fate to smile upon them.
Who wouldn't be excited?
Dating the infamous lords is a dream coveted by many, a chance to step into a world of opulence and allure. The lords are not just heirs to a vast empire, but they possess a charm and charisma that can captivate anyone. Their mere presence can set hearts aflutter and stir envy in the eyes of those who long for their attention.
As the selection unfolds, I can't help but observe with a wry smile. It is as if they are choosing their playthings for the night. The scene plays out before me, and a mischievous thought crosses my mind.
"What if we stir this game up a notch?" I muse aloud, catching everyone's attention as I weave through the crowd, relishing the moment as all eyes turn towards me.
The hushed whispers and stunned expressions follow me, and then the realization dawns on them.
"Merideth!"
"Aunt Merideth!"
"Mom?!"
The murmurs spread like wildfire, and I can almost taste the intrigue and curiosity in the air. My arrival has caused quite a stir, and the reactions vary from shock to awe, and even a hint of scandalous gossip.
"Who is she?" a student asks.
"You're kidding! She is a notorious professor and the Founder's only daughter," another answers.
"I heard that she ran away from his father three years ago to marry her student," one woman gossips.
Students who hear it gasp.
"No way!" they say.
I raise my brow as I listen to them. They immediately shut up when our eyes meet.
As I make my way to the stage, the room falls silent, and I can feel their eyes on me. The Founder and the lords wear expressions of surprise and uncertainty, while the students' faces betray a mix of fear and curiosity.
"Good evening, Founder! Good evening, boys!" I greet them with a smile, savoring the reactions.
"Wha--- When did you arrive?" the Founder asks when I finally reach the stage and kiss him on both cheeks.
"Let's do the catching up later, sir. Shall we?"
I smile. He sighs and nods hesitantly.
The lords impulsively stand and immediately come to me and give me kisses on my cheeks.
They all look surprised--- well, more terrified by the sight of me.
"Oh please... stop looking at me as if death will be cast upon you soon."
I whisper as they force a smile.
"As I forgot to introduce our new headmaster~ Lady Merideth Khaeli Spencer!"
They nervously clap their hands as I approach the podium.
"Good evening, students and teachers~ and of course, Founder and my gorgeous nephews and my dear sons!"
No sound--- literally, no sound is made as I speak. I smirk in my mind.
'How pitiful!' I think.
"As many of you here are shocked or... rather dismayed that I am here, well I am not surprised. Perhaps, you have already heard 'things' about me from the column inches, magazines, and social media platforms that unfairly gave their so-called 'prudent judgments' about the latest scandal that I was dragged into."
"Think whatever you want. I don't give a damn! I don't have any intentions of changing your opinions about me either."
"Anyway.... as I was saying, since most female students wish to be chosen by the lords as their date for tonight, why don't we turn it into a friendly competition? Five lucky winners will be the lords' date for--- the rest of the semester."
The crowd murmurs in excitement and curiosity about how to win the competition while the brats express their disappointments and anxiety.
'The game is just starting. This will be a fun ride,' the evil in my head whispers. In my mind, I laugh triumphantly, especially when confusion is plastered on the Founder's face.
"Aunt~"
"Mom~"
"This is for your own good, boys!"
"But~"
"Oh c'mon! You love playing, right? I am just giving you--- one hell of a game!"
I whisper as they sulk. I grin at their reaction.
The audience is now clamoring.
"Silence!"
I command in a thunderous, and authoritative voice.
The room shuts up.
"As this is an open competition, you might be wondering how to participate. First and foremost, the identity of the participants will remain a secret until the competition is finished. The lords must not know who is joining because I don't want their decisions to be clouded by their pre-judgments."
"If you are interested in joining, just email me at KhaeliSpence@gmail.com any time tomorrow. Once registered, you will be receiving the conditions of the competition and the challenges that you have to accomplish."
"It will be a week-long competition, so brace yourselves, ladies, 'coz I'm sure, this will be a--- bloody fight."
"Now~ enjoy the rest of the night!" I say before stepping down from the podium.
The party has lasted for almost 5 hours. Students and teachers alike continue to chat along. As always, they have fun and get wasted. I am sure the next morning will be hellish for most of them.
After the party...
"Merideth!"
I turn around and see the Founder's angry face. I roll my eyes.
"Yes, sir! What can I do for you?" I say, faking my smile as he approaches.
"How long have you been around?!"
"Two days~"
"Seems like you don't have a family, do you?" he shouts in sadness and contempt.
"Oh please~ let's not destroy this magical night!" I reply dismissively.
He sighs.
"Please, come home!" he says in a soft voice.
"Hey, guys. Aren't you happy I am here?"
I ask the lords, who are dashing to where I am standing, ignoring the Founder's statement.
"Mom~ you didn't even bother coming home or calling?!" Lord Leonard William Spencer says while hugging me tightly.
"Where's your brother?" I ask as I mess up his hair.
"Mon and Ben are chatting with their friends~ they'll be here soon," Leo answers.
"Friends? You mean unsuspecting ladies, who will be their next target. Hi, Aunt Merideth!" Ron greets.
"Oh, look at you--- you are growing up so fast, Ron, and you too, Jay!"
Jay smiles mischievously.
"Hmmm... meaning--- you are aging?~"
"Jay Harrison! Watch your words, young man!"
"Gracefully... aunty--- aging gracefully!" Jay says, still smiling coyly.
"No wonder ladies swoon over you guys~ you do know how to sugarcoat your words!" I say as they shrug their shoulders.
"Ei~ we are just honest!" Ron says.
"Whatever!" I replied, pretending to be mad.
"Mom!" Mon shouts while running to me.
"Let's go home!" they all utter as Jay and Leo hold my arms.
"Uhm... maybe tom--"
"Ei~ come on!"
From my peripheral view, I see the Founder's grin as his grandsons drag me to their car.