A man sat up with his straight back facing her. So familiar. Could it be him?! Nathalia's heart skipped a beat.
Anne Carter saw Nathalia and beckoned her," Nathalia, you are back finally. Come over here. This is Ben Johnson. He will be your tutor. He's one of the top students at Miami International University."
Ben turned around. The familiar face, the dark eyes, the slightly curly short hair, the charm that once captivated her.
Nathalia staggered, thunderstruck. Emotions came like powerful ocean waves inside her, and memories flashed by in her head, pain, joy, resentment, regret… She had once loved him so much, yet he killed her with her love and trust. There he was now, right in front of her. How could she not feel anger and hate?
What should I pay you back with?! I loved you. Now I hate you. You are my enemy. You, Will, get what you deserve!
Ben watched Nathalia quietly. She has a pretty face. She seems naïve, but there's something in the look of her eyes. Inexplicable. He wondered for a while.
Then professionally, he gave her a demure smile and extended his left hand out, "Nice to meet you, Nathalia." His display of impeccable manners was impressive like he had been well trained.
He was sure of himself, and he knew he had the charm. Just a sweet smile, and the girls would fall for him.
Nathalia could feel the anger growing more and more intense in her. Despite the fact that he was once the person she loved the most, she could not deny the immense hate towards him.
He killed her. And he had to pay for it.
Nathalia lowered her eyes, trying to hide her anger. Instead of extending her hand out to return his impeccable manner, she walked past him casually and sat herself down. The housemaid brought tea. She had a few sips and said indifferently, "Aha. Just a tutor. I thought it was someone important."
She acted like a spoiled rich girl, and there was apparent disdain in her tone.
Ben felt like someone had slapped him hard on his face. He blushed with embarrassment. It was the very first time a girl had shown a dislike for him.
Yet, he composed himself, forced a smile on his face, and carried on, "Nathalia, I have to say you are very pretty and.."
Everyone loves compliments. Girls love to know people think they are pretty. Ben thought.
Before he could finish his sentence, Nathalia cut in coldly, "Mr. Johnson, call me Miss Carter."
She recalled, in her previous life, how Anne Carter introduced him to her, how he walked into her life as a tutor, and gradually won her heart with his charming look and sweet words. She was just a young, innocent girl, then.
It was a trap they set, and she walked it without knowing. They took everything away from her, including her life.
The more she remembered, the more furious she got. She wished they were all dead, right now.
But she knew she had to be careful and not to act impulsively. Somehow the angrier she felt, the sweeter she smiled.
It might begin the same way as last life, but it will end differently. In this life, I decide everyone's fate.
"What?!" Ben was astonished. Though he knew how to play games, he couldn't take the humiliation. He glanced at Anne Carter. She nodded.
With her consent and support, he berated Nathalia, "I have never met anyone like you, arrogant and disrespectful. I won't have a student like you."
He was walking away indignantly, but deliberately slowly, hoping that Nathalia would apologize.
Nathalia sneered and didn't care about him leaving at all; instead, she waved the housemaid over "Martha, get me some snacks, please. Doritos and dips. Crackers. Nuts. I'm hungry."
You want me to apologize? Ha. I don't give a shit. If you are putting on a show, I'm here to watch while I enjoy some snacks.
Ben paused, shocked, speechless, and at the same time, confused.
I have never failed before. Why is she not even slightly interested in me?
So was Anne Carter. She chose Ben because she knew that was the sort of guy Nathalia liked. Isn't he her cup of tea? Why is she behaving like this?
She had no time to figure it out, but to run after Ben. "Ben, stay, please. I'm really sorry. It's my fault. You see, I've spoiled her too much. Please don't be angry."
Ben thought here came the chance to retort. He glared at Nathalia, then turned to Anne, "Mrs. Carter, you are a very caring mother, and you have done a lot for your daughter, but she's just too arrogant. I know I'm not rich, but I have my dignity, and I refuse to be humiliated by someone insolent like her."
"Tut" Nathalia let out a loud noise of disapproval and accidentally spat out the tea in her mouth.
Dignity?! Hahaha. Did he actually say dignity?! How shameless!
To allure me into your trap for the sake of money is what you call dignity?!
Anne Carter scowled at Nathalia "Nathalia, behave yourself. You are being disrespectful. Come apologize to your tutor. Do you know how difficult it is to hire a tutor as excellent as Ben Johnson?"
She had put a lot of effort and spent a lot of time on this plan. She would not just let her ruin it.
Apologize?! Impossible. Nathalia smirked and defended arrogantly. "Mum, he's just a poor guy. I'm not apologizing to him. If you want to keep him, keep him. Evette needs help with her study, too, anyway. He can help Evette. I don't want someone poor as my tutor. It's embarrassing."
Horrible! Mean! Awful! Ben Johnson was humiliated and infuriated.
"You are unbelievable! Goodbye!" Ben walked out. I have never ever been insulted like this! This is unacceptable! Fuck this.
Anne Carter ran after Ben. "Wait, Ben, wait, please…"
Nathalia was pleased with herself and shouted after him with a smile, "Good night. Mr. Johnson."
That's all you can take? Aren't you a bit too weak, Ben Johnson? It looks like you will need more training as there's more to come. This is only the beginning. The pain you have brought will be returned, double.