Hazel and his two friends, Nico and Azka, were hanging out at a café in front of the campus, busy commenting on the passing students.
"Do you think the clothes are original?" Nico asked, pointing to the Chanel scarf worn by a woman who had just passed.
"In my opinion, judging by the uncut printing, the scarf might be real, it's just..." Hazel glanced sarcastically.
"Just what?" Azka was curious.
"It's just... it's an old edition scarf, out of date!" Hazel shouted, laughing with amusement, followed by his two friends.
Call them the gang of beautiful metrosexual men! The three of them were quite popular on campus—handsome, dressed up to date, and fashionable. Of course, they were also very rich. As the richest people on campus, no one had ever been able to match the arrogance of Hazel and his two friends.
Suddenly...
A luxury car from France passed by, a Bugatti, entering the campus lobby. All eyes were on the super rare car, and Hazel's gang was no exception. The three men were stunned in amazement. They couldn't believe that someone on this campus could be richer than them.
Oh my God! The fortress of pride, which had been built with the best cement, suddenly collapsed.
"Crazy! Bugatti, guys!" Azka was amazed, his mouth left hanging because of the fascination with how elegant the black car was.
"Is it original, bro? Isn't it a fake or an old model?" Nico said, equally amazed.
Some students felt unsatisfied looking from a distance and moved closer, curious about who had arrived in the luxury car.
"Surely he's a super-rich man!" Nico said, and Azka nodded quickly, while Hazel opened his eyes, annoyed.
[If I sell some of my assets, can I also drive a Bugatti? I can buy one, but every day I'll have to eat the same McDonald's.] Hazel thought, trying to find fault.
How can someone get a luxury car like that? There was envy in his heart. He couldn't let anyone on this campus outshine his wealth.
Azka elbowed Hazel, snapping him out of his reverie, and drew his attention toward the car owner.
A woman got out of the car.
Vira stepped out of her husband's luxury car casually, as if the wind was blowing, making her movements full of charm with a slow-motion effect, leaving the people around her stunned in amazement.
Hah! Hazel thought in surprise. He didn't think that the car belonged to his stepbrother's wife, whom he had met just the night before. Hazel's face suddenly turned pale.
Don't tell me she's studying here! Hazel thought, guessing.
"Crazy, she looks simple with a luxury car. She must be from a conglomerate family..."
"Her T-shirt looks like fifteen dollars, but when she wears it, it looks like 15,000 dollars. It must be from a world fashion house brand..."
"Uh, take a look at her skin! Her face is so innocent, definitely a natural make-up look done by the world's best MUAs..."
Almost everyone was amazed by Vira, gossiping behind her.
Vira felt awkward getting so much attention.
I could have guessed this! She thought, giving up.
Vira looked around, smiling awkwardly and returning the friendly smiles and greetings of the people around her. Her eyes finally landed on a familiar figure.
Oh wait, isn't he that guy? Vira thought, suddenly feeling goosebumps.
Hazel waved at her, greeting her with a friendly hand.
Everyone watching Vira turned, moved, and stared at the popular man, their admiration growing.
"Is she Hazel's friend? Whoa, she's part of the top socialite circle that so many people can't break into." The jealous girls hissed.
Hazel waved a friendly hand at Vira, hoping everyone would believe that she was close to him. Vira was surprised to see Hazel wave.
Hazel immediately ran toward her, leaving his two friends at the café.
"Hey, how are you?" Hazel asked kindly. Vira frowned in surprise.
"...?" Vira was confused about what to answer. What was clear was that she didn't like Hazel's pretentious attitude, being so close to her.
"How was the dinner last night?" Hazel's voice got louder, hoping people could hear their conversation, which made Vira even more annoyed.
"What are you saying?!" Vira hissed irritably.
Hazel raised his hand to rest on Vira's shoulder. The girl glanced irritably at his arm, still resting there, as Hazel continued to smile while staring at her annoyed face.
Vira picked up the pace, but Hazel was still following her.
Vira turned around and grew more annoyed. Why does he keep following me? Her heart raced.
DUK!!!
Hazel's forehead collided with a pillar in the lobby, causing the audience to laugh. Vira held in her laughter, knowing she had deliberately walked near the pillar, and Hazel hadn't paid attention.
"Ouch! Who put the pillar here?!" He hissed irritably.
Vira quickened her pace, leaving Hazel behind, holding his forehead, embarrassed.
Azka and Nico walked over to Hazel.
"Are you okay?" Azka asked, staring at Hazel's red forehead.
Hazel forced a smile. "Yes, I was just too excited to meet an old friend. She... she was the girl who had dinner with me last night."
Azka and Nico were shocked.
"Are you serious?" Nico asked. Hazel nodded confidently.
"So do you know which family she's from?" Azka asked curiously.
Hazel nodded again. "Yes, but I won't say. It will be my secret!" Hazel whispered, making his face look as cute as possible.
Damn it! She embarrassed me today. She should be glad I want to get close and be friends with her. Why did she even walk away and ignore me?! Hazel muttered to himself.
****
Vira noticed a sign on a door.
**Head of the Campus Foundation**
She took a deep breath before finally knocking on the wooden door, which had a beautifully carved dragon, though a little quirky.
"Come in!" answered a voice from inside.
The voice sounded heavy, making Vira's body shiver.
She sighed again before pushing open the door and entering the head's office of the campus foundation.
Vira smiled weakly, trying to appear polite.
"Good morning, Head of the Foundation," Vira said, bowing her head respectfully.
"Please, sit!" said the head of the foundation. He was Broto, Vino's father, Vira's father-in-law, and Hazel's stepfather.
Broto took off his glasses, placed them on the table, and then gave a warm smile.
"Hello, Vira. How are you? Welcome to this campus!" he said kindly, reaching out his hand. "Don't be too tense; this is our family's campus. You can study here, but there's no need to be afraid or anxious. Enjoy your time as a student here."
Vira nodded, still doubtful. Why is Broto saying almost the same thing as my husband?
"Have you taken the herbs I sent you? Are you running out?" Broto's question, which had nothing to do with the campus, left Vira dumbfounded.
"Listen to your father-in-law," Mr. Broto said as he got up from his chair, turning his back to Vira.
"Vino is a man who was traumatized in his childhood. His appearance may look normal and healthy, but he's not as great and strong as he seems. I want you to take good care of him because—" Broto wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
***
Oh, so that's how it is!
Hazel tugged at his head, stopping eavesdropping through the door of the foundation head's office. He smiled sarcastically.