Halesia, as the class monitor, was requested to see the advisor to get something. Guessing that fetching it wouldn't take that long, she opted to drop by during their break. Who knew that the teacher wouldn't be in the office, making her wait, consuming her break time, before getting it done.
Noting that she only had a few minutes before the next class starts, she walked faster, almost dashing. Fortunately, the hallways are empty, allowing her rushed movements.
When she was about to take a turn towards the stairs, she accidentally bumped into someone.
Luckily, both of them merely staggered due to the impact.
" Oh Gosh! I'm sorry!" The document Halesia was holding fell to the ground. Worried that it'll fly away, she subconsciously picked it up without looking at who she collided into.
Recovering from the mishap, she realized that she didn't even ask how the other was. Halesia was ashamed. After all, it was her fault for running in the corridor.
" Are you okay?" With a flustered expression, she belatedly inquired.
" I'm okay." A mellow voice responded.
And in Halesia's bewilderment, she met a pair of blue eyes.
Her heart nearly stopped beating.
Halesia knew who she was.
Evangeline Tang.
The Tang's heiress. The youngest senior. The first ranker of all time and,
...Sarien's supposed sweetheart.
A sour feeling immediately filled her heart when the last idea flashed in her mind.
Lowering her face to hide the complex emotions that can't be hidden in her eyes, words pervaded her head;
[ Why do people say they belong to each other?]
[ It was too irresponsible for them to say such a thing.]
[ They know that Sarien is only being courteous as usual. So why do they look at their interactions through rose-tinted glasses?]
[ It's too unfair for him. ]
She had seen Sarien and Evangeline together at the school grounds a couple of times. Their year levels are separated into two different wings of the building. Thus, Halesia couldn't see them more even if she yearned to.
In addition to the pictures posted in the forum, which speculated their relationship, she could only curb her curiosity by surfing the net. Information about the two isn't that much, but it helped Halesia understand them to a certain degree.
Evangeline Tang is the heiress to the Tang's and Sarien Lu, the heir to the Lu's.
They got acquainted because she saved him in an accident before, and they've been close ever since.
No wonder Sarien is guarding Evangeline. He is only returning back the saving grace, Halesia inferred.
Naturally, Halesia had blinded herself into thinking that Sarien is only treating Evangeline preferentially but still within the bounds of human decency.
Because she believed in her heart that Sarien, the prince, is just acting considerate as always.
Thinking of it, she felt increasingly dissatisfied with the person before her.
If it were not for her sticking around her senior all day long, they wouldn't claim them to be in love.
Gripping the hem of her skirt tightly, she strengthens herself to give Evangeline a piece of unsolicited advice.
" Student Tang, I think you..."
Before she could say "should stay away from senior Sarien," she was astonished that she was gone.
Halesia turned her head sideways in search of her figure but, another voice captivated her.
" Excuse me, this student, but have you seen a female student come this way?"
Despite having her back on him, Halesia recognizes whose voice it was.
Her cheeks reddened as she met Sarien.
However, before she could meet his gaze, Sarien, who noticed a shadow going up the stairwell, already lifted his foot to chase Evangeline.
" Senior! Senior! Sarien! I'm..."
Words she tries to speak died in her throat, seeing Sarien has gone up the stairs.
Furrowing her brows and tightly clenching her fists is all Halesia could do as she was left behind.
***
" Eve, should we return to class?" Sarien, who managed to catch up, asked while they walked towards the rooftop.
Eve glanced at him, grinned pleasantly, and spoke;
" Let's play hooky." A mischievous glint can be seen in her eyes.
A first-class student like Sarien, who has never skipped class, sighed helplessly but didn't convince her otherwise.
" Well, it's a new experience." He chuckled, completely pampering Eve to a new low.
With that, the two enjoyed the cool breeze while viewing the scenery.
At least, Eve is relishing it.
As for Sarien, his eyes have been glued to Eve's face all throughout.
Eve didn't care. It's his eyes, so he could look wherever he wanted to. However, his almost non-blinking orbs ignited her curiosity.
" Why do you look at me like that?"
Somehow, his focused gaze made Eve deem she's a newfound species.
" Well, Eve, you're so lovely that I couldn't bear to look away," Sarien spoke such sugary words, frankly, without changing his cast.
Eve took her gaze back and shut her eyes.
" Um. I understand." Eve replied without blame, fully comprehending where he was coming from. Despite not having her godly face, she acknowledges that her current appearance has its own fatal charm.
Taking advantage of the mood, Sarien fixed Eve's unruly hair behind her ear.
She didn't react, as always.
Both helpless and happy, Sarien could only smile wryly, musing that he still had a long way to go.
" By the way, Sarien," Eve glanced at him and muttered.
" You did a good job." A meaningful smile bloomed on her lips.
Sarien:? What did I do? or perhaps, she means when he fixed her hair just now? That assumption made him excited.
Of course, Eve was referring to the way he interacted with Halesia.
He raised her hope then crushed it down.
Such a simple move prompted a marvelous display of disappointment.
[ Beautiful performance, by the way.] Eve mused.
The encounter just now isn't entirely accidental, after all.
Well, the bumping part is unexpected but, the meeting at the corridor isn't.
Needless to say, it's thanks to the furball's inefficient calculation of time.
Originally, Eve wanted to relish Halesia's pursuit of the hero.
However, the heavenly being merely heavily flirts with her pair of fish in the school. Then, outside the campus, she is being soaked by the other members.
Eve had to admit.
Halesia's sheer focus and determination in grasping the seven male fishes are truly commendable.
The poor girl has been pumping 7 guys 24/7.
As a result, Halesia seems not to encounter Sarien.
Hence, Eve couldn't tell if Halesia had finally fallen for the hero. Contemplating that perhaps she needs to give them a chance to brush each other's existence to promote feelings, Eve chooses to lend a helping hand.
Maybe this way, she can finally watch the start of Halesia's epic one-sided romance.
Eve presumes they are heading in the right direction.
After all, just now, the furball speculated the heavenly being was hurt.
Being hurt means she basically has good sentiments for Sarien.
As for what those positive emotions exactly are, Eve isn't sure. Best if there's love or attraction, at least.
Practically seeing the outcome she wanted, her gaze towards Sarien contained a gleam of appreciation.
She lifted her fingers and touched the corner of his lips, deeming that the heavenly being might be captivated by this couth smile.
She likes it too. It's that kind that reassures you that everything will be alright.
Well, she likes his eyes too.
Warm, like the cozy temperature of the winter sun.
And the light reflected by it will wrap you in comfort.
In contrast, El has a pair of frosty grey ones. The flashes of light that glimmer in his eyes, once in a while, contained wickedness.
That kind of evil she likes too.
Sarien had long gone statue-mode when Eve touched his lips. When her fingertips stroke the corner of his eyes, he nearly questioned if by chance... by chance, she likes him too?
Her fingertips are cold but the places she stroked felt scalded.
These sorts of unintentional acts she does never fail to set his heart and spirit on fire.
Wanting to hug her tightly and even taste her lips nearly corroded his reason.
Fortunately, his saner side prevailed.
[ Be patient. Not now. Not now.]
Sarien whispered the mantra that he has been chanting about every day.
He took her hand, wrapped it with his, savoring the magical feeling of their intertwined fingers.
Eve did not protest. She has gotten used to it since they have been holding hands now and then.
Observing her nonchalant response, Sarien smiled helplessly.
" Eve?" He tightened his hand as if taking solace for his one-sided affection.
" Yeah?" She greeted in response, not discerning what Sarien wanted to ask.
He looked at her intently, as if carving the sight to his soul.
A wisp of her hair danced softly with the wind, and she faintly smiled while welcoming the breeze kissing her skin.
And her eyes, her beautiful pair of eyes, gaze into his.
Seeing Sarien looking at her blankly, Eve took a piece of bite-sized chocolate from her pocket, unwrapped it, and fed it to him.
She did it all in one go.
A sweet and rich taste spread in Sarien's mouth.
Muffling a chuckle, Sarien asked;
" Why feed me?"
Does he look that hungry?
Well, in some aspects, he is.
" Well, you didn't eat much during lunch, so I assumed you would be low on sugar or something, which is not good. " Eve said, matter-of-factly.
" You're worried about me." It wasn't a question but an affirmative statement.
" Of course."
" Why?"
He had previously asked this question a couple of times, and her response invariably made him feel... frustrated.
To which, he couldn't comprehend why. He is only sure that he wants to hear something else.
Hence, every now and then, he asks, not understanding what he wanted to hear.
He is expecting her to return; "Because you are my guardian" or "Because you are the hero," but contrary to his assumption, she answered;
" Because you are Sarien."
Initially, Eve might be most concerned about him because he is her investment. At this moment, however, her ineffectual morality tells her that she doesn't want him to die because he is Sarien.
As simple as that.
For more than a year, she had seen his goodness to her.
He is kind to her. He protects her when they are in a crowd. He takes her hand and guides her. He would patiently explain to her the things she couldn't follow. He regularly asked if she had gotten home safely. He asks if she is hungry or wants more. He also gives her the only cake on his plate if she craved more. He takes her to different shops, introducing many kinds of snacks to her.
She appreciates his treatment of her.
As such, it made her realize that Sarien is not just a subject to stimulate the heavenly being.
He is sincere.
And that fact compels her not to trample such sincerity.
So is everyone else- her Dad, Grappa, El, Judas, Uncle Lucian, Aunt Lettie, Carla, Tess, Patricia (Lyka), and Iris.
She might not grasp it yet, but her remaining morality successfully incorporated these people into her life, shackling her not to crush their hearts.
Sarien couldn't help but beam earnestly.
" Eve, I'm glad."
Holding her hand, as if wanting to pass his burning affection through the skin, he pondered-
[ This kind of you gives me the courage to wait, Eve.]