"A major difference between calculus and the subjects which usually precede it in the mathematical curriculum is that calculus uses limiting process." Our calculus teacher, Mr. Sembrano, explained to us.I keep taking detailed notes to make sure I don't miss any important information. The exam is just weeks away, and I need to focus on studying. I really don't want to disappoint my parents, especially my father.I've wanted to be a pianist ever since I was a kid. I dreamed of studying abroad and performing classical music, like Chopin's Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2, in front of an audience. I wanted to share with people what my heart wanted to say. But life isn't always fair. I had to give up that dream and follow the path they chose for me. As the youngest daughter in the family, I don't have the freedom to do whatever I want. I have to listen to what they say, and I always have.They will be disappointed in me if I disobey them. I'll be the bad girl, and I never want to be that. Ever since I was a kid, I've never felt their love for me. That's why I keep listening to them, doing what they want, and trying my best to be the best. I want them to be proud of me. I want them to love me too.That's also why I followed my father's footsteps—to become an engineer. My father is the owner of the largest company in our country. He's the best engineer I know, having completed hundreds of projects since the day he first started. My mother is a lawyer. My eldest brother is a successful engineer—he's incredibly smart, and I know my father plans to make him the heir to the company. My second sibling, my sister, is a doctor working abroad. They're all successful in life, and I don't understand why I still feel like I have to be just like them."Study page 95 and we will have a short quiz tomorrow. You are dismissed." Mr. Sembrano said before he left the classroom.Everybody is happy about the class dismissal. It's lunchtime. I don't usually eat lunch. For me, lunchtime means study time. I packed my things and headed to the library."Renesmee!" Someone called my name just before I opened the library door. I turned around, and my face turned red when I saw him running toward me. "You... you are really fast!" He said as he tried to catch his breath."Why did you run?" I asked, trying to calm myself. My heart was beating fast, and it was driving me crazy."I waited for you.""Why?""It's lunch time.""You know I don't eatㅡ""Let me bring these things for you," he said as he took the books and notes from my hand, which made my heart flutter. "Let's go." He said, holding my hand.I might faint any minute now, my mind says. I couldn't say no to him. I looked at our hands. I could feel it again—the butterflies in my stomach were going crazy.There were a lot of people who wanted to hang out with me before, but I ignored them. There were also people who followed me wherever I went, pretending to be my real friends. To me, they were just people who wanted to get close to me because I come from a wealthy family. They wanted to be famous, especially since my family owns this university. And I say that they want to get close to me for money and fame, it's true. I've already encountered people like that, which has made me lose interest in making friends and trusting others. However, Lawrence is different from those people. He doesn't care about popularity or wealth. He is my only true friend.We used to be classmates in senior high school, and it's really nice to see him here every day, even though he's taking up a different course. He wants to follow his dream of becoming a professional gamer. I envy him for having the freedom to pursue his dream, and I like him for being true to himself."What do you want to eat?" He asked me as we entered the university cafeteria."Vegetable salad." I said.He turned at me and smiled, "You really like that, huh?""It's healthy."He nodded as he took his wallet out of his pocket."Let me pay this time." I said as I took my wallet from my bag and paid for our order."Then, I'll pay for the food next time." Next time. We are going to eat together next time."Sure." I smiled.We sat in the corner and started eating. I feel awkward when he's around, but I have to act normal. It would be even more awkward if he knew how I truly feel about him."My classmate is going to celebrate her birthday on Monday and if you are interested, you can come with me." Birthday parties are boring."I have to study. Our exam is in three weeks.""You always exhaust yourself in reading books and everything. You have to rest and enjoy your age.""I enjoy studying.""Do you?"Do you? Do I really like it?"Of course," I am not sure if it's a lie. "And you know I am not interested in things like that.""Ren," he called me and looked at me with a serious face, "you have to open your heart to other people. Make some friends.""I have you. You're enough." And I don't want anyone else."But I want you to have friends other than me because I can't promise that I'll always be by your side until the end."It felt like my world stopped for a moment after hearing those words. What does that mean? Is he going to leave me?"You're pushing me away." I stated."No," he shook his head. "No, I'm not. I just want you to have someone else, aside from me, who will always be by your side no matter what happens. I want you to—""You really are pushing me away," I repeated. It hurts to hear those words. I feel like he's tired of me. My family doesn't love me, and he's my only friend—but this is happening. He's pushing me away."Of course not," he said, trying to touch my hand, but I pulled it away. "Listen to me—"I didn't let him finish his sentence and grabbed my things. I couldn't bear to hear him say it. He's pushing me away, I know. He's saying goodbye. I can't believe he can do this to me.Life is really unfair. Nothing is permanent. Everyone will leave me eventually.I stopped walking when I heard my phone ring. My brother's calling. We're not close, and he doesn't call me often, so I'm sure it's important."Hello?" I answered his call."We will have a family dinner at the Langston Hotel at 7 o'clock in the evening. Melissa just arrived from Australia." His voice never changed. Stern and cold."Okay." I replied.He ended the call right after I answered. My siblings and I are not close. I still remember the days when I was in grade school. I wanted to play with them, but they kept pushing me away. They did things to make me cry, to make our father angry with me. I thought it was okay at the time, but as I grew up, I realized they hated me.I distanced myself by deciding to study at a school far from home. Even though my family owns the school, my life is peaceful. I didn't want to cause them any headaches, so I moved out. My parents didn't object to me leaving. In fact, they even bought me a luxury condo near my school. I felt sad because I wanted them to stop me from leaving, but it's okay.I only had two classes this afternoon. When my classes ended, I immediately went to the parking lot and drove back to my condo. I changed into a simple white dress and a pair of stilettos.Today is Friday, and I usually go to the beach to see the sunset. When I arrived at the beach, I parked my car, opened the window, and watched the sunset. I like this scenery. The orange-dyed city is what I want to see when I'm feeling sad. Lawrence doesn't want to be my friend anymore, and my sister Melissa has arrived. She hates me, and I don't know how to face her."Don't run!"There are kids playing and lovebirds spending their time together. There are also people walking with their dogs. How cute. They must be really, really happy with their lives."Gosh, look at him.""He looks weird but look, he's handsome!"I glanced at the group of girls talking and saw what they were talking about. There is a man walking. He seemed confused and was looking for something. He is indeed weird. He wore a form-fitting, dark-colored tunic adorned with intricate, mystical symbols and trim. A flowing cloak billowed behind him, and his hands were protected by sleek gloves paired with arm guards that extended up his forearms. His tailored pants and sturdy yet lightweight boots complemented his look. A belt and several straps held multiple daggers. His outfit was dominated by a dark color palette of black and deep blue, accented with hints of gold."Is he a cosplayer?" The other girl asked."He is handsome, isn't he?"Handsome? I shook my head. I can't believe girls nowadays."Yeah, I think he's really a cosplayer, and he looks great in his outfit too!"The man really looks good in his outfit, but I don't think there's a cosplay event around here at this time. Or maybe there's an event somewhere, and he just came here for other reasons. Anyway, it's not my business. As long as they're happy.I started my car engine. Once, twice, three times, it failed. Oh no. Not now.I opened the door, went to the front, and checked my car engine. It happened twice. There must be something wrong—again."Miss, do you need some help?" A man in his mid 30s approached me."No, thanks," I answered directly."Your dress will get dirty." I didn't notice that there was also a man behind me. He patted my legs as if there was dirt on them. I closed my eyes to calm myself."Let me help you. I can fix it right away," the first man said as he came closer.Men who don't respect women—this is what I hate the most. I tried my best to calm myself, but I couldn't."Do youㅡ""Does it make you happy, harassing a lady when she can't even defend herself?" I couldn't finish my sentence when someone interrupted. Who was that?I stood up straight and saw that weird man beside me. He was looking directly at the two men who wanted to harass me."Who are you?" the guy who touched my leg asked the weird man beside me. Instead of answering, the weird man gave them a deadly stare. The two men panicked and walked away.What?I turned off my car engine, opened the door, and went inside. When I was about to close it, he stopped it with his hand."Is this how people in your world show their gratitude?" he asked coldly."I don't say thank you to people who say that I can't defend myself." I tried to close the door, but he wouldn't let go."You're telling me now that you can defend yourself?" he said, looking me up and down. "With those weird clothes?"I got out of the car and crossed my arms over my chest. "Excuse me, Mr. Whatever-your-name-is. My clothes aren't weird, yours are. You are weird. Even the way you speak is weird. Everything about you is weird. Tell me, you're a cosplayer, right?" I rolled my eyes. He's so formal."It would take a long time to explain how my clothes were made, and it seems you might not understand. However, it won't take long to tell you that I'm not a cosplayer, and I don't know anything about it." He moved closer to me. "And lastly, my name is not 'whatever-your-name-is.' My name is Gusion. My mother did not bless me with such a beautiful name for you to call me that.""You've talked too much.""I have just clarified what you were unable to understand.""Okay." I patted his shoulder. "I'll let you win this time since it's already dark and I need to head out. Family dinner, you know. I can't be late."When I turned my back on him, he suddenly grabbed my arm. I immediately tried to flip him onto the floor, but I failed. He grabbed my hand, pushed me against my car, and pointed a sharp object at my neck. It was one of the daggers I had seen on his belt, which had multiple straps holding several daggers. He was so close, staring at me seriously."What are you doing?" I cleared my throat. He looked so serious, and the thing he pointed at my neck seemed real. "Do you want to kill me?""Not unless you answer my question." He replied in a cold tone."What?""Where am I?""Seriously?" I felt the sharp object touch my neck, and my whole body literally trembled in fear. "I was just asking!"He moved away from me, and the sharp object in his hand disappeared. I blinked several times but saw nothing again. What was that? I touched my neck, and my heart skipped a beat when I felt liquid on it."Blood..." My knees trembled when I saw the blood in my hand. Memories I thought had already vanished suddenly resurfaced in my mind, making me tremble even more. I'm scared. And before I knew it, everything went black.