"If Amanda has Eric's photo, does Eric have Amanda's photo too?" Mia asked during break time.
"He wouldn't dare because I would burn it in an instant."
"Ah, that is exactly the reason I didn't look for her photo." Eric averted his eyes.
Break time ended as soon as the bell rang. Everyone returned to their seats and got ready for the next class.
History class was so boring. It wasn't just about the subject, but the teacher's draggy speech too. She never really teaches us anything other than reading the textbook, treating us like kids who don't know how to read.
The class made me so sleepy that I yawned. I looked around the classroom and counted the number of students for fun to release my boredom, when I realized one person was missing. I checked over and over again but still couldn't figure who was not in class, not until I glanced at Natasha's seat.
Was she absent since morning or did she leave early? I tried to recall what happened during break time since I was in the classroom the whole time, but still couldn't think of anything.
Nothing was coming into mind, so I gave up and just focused on the whiteboard in front.
After school, I overheard a conversation of students from other classes.
"Hey, do you remember Natasha Nelson?"
"Of course. She was such an eyesore that everyone in the class bullied her."
Was Natasha in our school before? I thought she just transferred? I slowed down my walking pace to hear more of it.
"I still remember she went on a rampage and destroyed the class facilities when her younger sister was admitted to the hospital for a surgery. Natalie, was it?"
Anyone would remember that incident last year. A girl was screaming in her class when suddenly, she couldn't control her emotions and even broke the windows. The school used up most of the budget just to renovate the classroom.
I never interacted with the other classes so I never knew about them. I didn't even know Natasha used to study in our school last time.
"I heard that the hospital fees were too pricey for her wealthy family to even pay up."
"Is that why she's looking for a husband from one of those big families?"
"There were even rumors about her willing to offer up her body to repay the person."
"She went overseas for plastic surgery and improved her appearance."
"No wonder I couldn't recognize her when she returned."
Just hearing them talking about her made me feel sick. Despite that, I felt bad for not treating her kindly. It's human nature to judge others by their appearance but this was too much.
As I thought more about it when I got home, I found the reason she was so desperate for Eric. The Frederick clan has always been the wealthiest family among the big families after Calnan. Well, at least that was what was stated in a book I found in my study room.
To pay up something pricey, it's normal to look for someone rich, but no one would easily help you with such a huge amount of money, so making him your husband would be the best choice.
I couldn't help but admire how she was willing to sacrifice her body for her sister. However, I believe Eric isn't the kind of person who chases girls for their body. Not only that, it was also a family law that we couldn't break.
After dinner, I received a call from Eric.
"Natasha was at my place just now."
Like I thought, her family went to persuade the Fredericks for lending them a hand in Natalie's surgery fees. However, we have laws that must not be broken. Law number two, never break an engagement.
For them to take such risky measures as to confront the head of the Frederick clan directly, the surgery must be really important. But for such a pricey surgery, even by the power of the Fredericks, it could barely be paid up.
"Then what are you going to do?"
"I'm engaged."
Right, I forgot.
Suddenly, the thought of the book I saw in grandma's place flashed in my mind.
'Anonymous Betrothed.'
The title was difficult for me to pronounce, and also the very book grandma stopped me from reading. Ever since, I have always been curious about the contents on the last page, the only page that has words written on it.
If I wasn't allowed to read it, was it about me? Anonymous betrothed, makes sense of my current situation in which I don't know to whom I am engaged.
Mother said I have met him already, but I have never actually met a boy, except Eric and Carl, I can consider them as my closest male friend and someone I actually 'met'.
"Ah! The laws are restricting my actions!"
'That means he likes you too.'
Well, it's not like I don't trust Mia but who knows what will happen to us once he finds out we feel the same way towards each other?
Being part of the big families has never been as simple as it looks. In exchange for having your life surrounded by golds, you have a whole list of laws to obey.
I went to my study room and looked up some history of our clan. As far as it's recorded, no one has ever broken the laws. "Jeez. That makes it even difficult to break my engagement."
I returned to my room and lay on my bed. I wasn't too tired so sleeping a little later than usual wouldn't hurt.
Just when I was about to take my last shower of the day, someone knocked on my room door.
"Miss, the lady is looking for you."
Sigh. What does she want at this hour?
I went to the living room and saw my sister there too. They had a very stern look on their faces, so it must be some serious matter that we'll be discussing about.
I sat on the couch opposite my mother, beside my sister. She still had a slight cough but I was glad she got better.
"Seems like someone interrupted the Fredericks' peaceful life."