The next day came too fast, even though I woke up at eleven o'clock. I felt like my brain was in an accident last night. The slightest of movements made me wish I was comatose.
At least that would be less painful.
I was seconds from snuggling back into bed and fall asleep again. I mean I already slept away half of the day so what the heck?
Of course, that didn't happen though because in less than a minute there was a knock on my door and then Jason just walked in.
"Julian you're up", he says a little too loudly causing me to groan and pull the covers over my ears.
"You're not supposed to call me by my real name", I mutter, "I'm Ferdinand Solace for now. Remember?".
"Right sir", he quickly corrects himself. I glare at him through the sheets, not that he could see me.
"Solace you have lunch with your father in half an hour", his voice is closer as if he's standing over my head. I only tighten my grip on the covers over my head.
"You have to get up now or you'll be late", I sensed an amused tone in his voice as he said that.
I was about to protest before he pulled the sheets of me.
Worse of all I couldn't find my glasses, so I had to make use of my contacts for once.
I could already tell this was going to be a long day.
***************
"So, Delilah huh?", Victor smirks looking back at me from the mirror. I was sitting in the back of the car while he was in the driver's seat with Jason beside him.
"She was the one that kissed me alright!", I said in my defense. I remembered that much.
He laughed and continued to mock me all the way to the restaurant while Jason remained mainly stoic and refused to utter a single word.
I was starting to prefer him over Victor right about now. Not to mention my migraine had only gotten worse and my shades were doing little to help the light coming inside the moving car.
Soon enough we got there. I went in alone, but I could sense my bodyguard's presence watching me the moment I sat down.
We were in the restaurant of the same hotel from last time.
"Dad", I nodded formally. He was obviously in business mode right now. He was dressed immaculately in a white button up shirt, black blazer and slacks and blue tie. He meant business.
I was dressed just as formally. In a black button up and black slacks and jacket. I forgot my tie in my room.
Whenever we were in public I was expected to act in a certain manner. We could only ever be our true selves behind closed doors where there was no threats of anyone finding out our secret.
"We need to talk", he takes a sip of water and looks at me sternly.
I gulped, "About what exactly?".
"How's University coming along", he asks first, "you should be getting your acceptance letter from WSU in a few weeks".
This again. I had to try hard from rolling my eyes, "Dad I'm in year ten! I only did my SAT's last year because you forced me. I had to give up my entire summer beca-".
I stop talking immediately when I see the look on his face. He's obviously not in the mood to listen to my complaints.
So, I clear my throat in submission, "The head of admissions at WSU was impressed with my SAT scores they are willing to enroll me as soon as I turn seventeen".
He nodded approvingly. "That's good", he waves one of the waiters over to our table.
The duality in his personality from yesterday and today is mentally giving me a whiplash.
My headache is only increasing by the second. I notice my dad ordering for me, but I even care when my head is threatening to explode. Why does he even want me to start University early?
"Why are you doing this?", I can't stop myself from saying.
He slowly lifts his head to glare at me.
"No! I want to know", I protest, "you are forcing me to go away to University early and I deserve to know why considering it's my life".
"Julian!", He grits out through clenched teeth, and I can hear the warning in his voice.
"It's Ferdinand Solace", I say maliciously, "or don't you remember the fake name you gave me when you forced me to leave home then forced me to attend some local high school in a different country without even an explanation? ".
He doesn't say anything. I'm so frustrated and angry that I begin to rise from my seat in an attempt to leave but his next words halt me in my step. It's not even what he said but the way he said it.
"Julian Descartes! Sit. Down. Now. Or I will make you regret it".
My eyes met his in defiance but this was a losing battle. I could never win with him.
So I sat down.
It's hard to believe this is the same man I met yesterday who practically squealed when he saw me after six long months.
I never uttered another word until it was time to leave.
*******************
Victor and Jason were quiet when I got in the car. They could probably tell that I was upset.
I was glad Victor didn't make one of his lame jokes.
The car came to a stop a while later and I looked outside the window and noticed we weren't home yet.
"Why are we stopping", I asked weakly. Surprisingly Jason was the one who answered me.
"You have to work on your Economics project with that girl you like. It's already two so there's no time to go back to the house".
I often forgot that both Victor and Jason also had access to my schedule and calendar.
By the time he was done talking my mouth was hanging low in shock. That was the most I've ever heard him say. And my cheeks were tinted with pink because he'd just called me out on liking Ariadne.
"Uhh", was all I managed to say. I noticed Victor's lips turn upwards in a smile.
"I'll grab your backpack from the trunk", Jason disappeared outside after he said that.
Vick shook his head at me before getting out and opening the back door for me.
"Are you alright?" He asked as Jason brought my bag to me.
I nodded.
"Good now lose the jacket", he smiled at me again and I took off the jacket and left it in the car.
As we walked up to the front door, I glanced at the two men on either of my sides.
"Are you both seriously gonna go inside with me", I asked them the same time Jason knocked on the door.
They both looked at me as if I was completely retarded. I guess they were coming in.
They left me alone with my dad but won't grant me the same courtesy with the girl of my dreams.
Well, I guess my dad does pay them so…
The door opened revealing the pride and joy of St. Andrew's Academy herself. My heart melted as she offered me an award-winning smile.
"Solace", she says sounding almost shocked. Her eyes widened a bit as they wondered all over my face then down my body.
Did I spill something on myself?
"Are you alright?", I hesitantly place a hand on her shoulder since she seems so flustered and as soon as our skins contacts, she blushes. What the heck!
"Yes, yes", she nods hurriedly, "c- come inside".
I glanced at the boys beside me who both had an amused look on their faces.
Was I missing something?
"I hope you don't mind my cousins tagging along" I say as we follow her inside.
She nods but doesn't look at us as we enter the living room where her notes are scattered on the coffee table.
Footsteps could be heard coming down from the steps behind us then there's was a familiar voice.
"Ariadne was someone at the door?", The voice asked, I didn't get a look at her since Victor was standing in my way as always, "whoa who are these hotties".
I definitely knew that voice.
My eyes widened as soon as she entered my line of vision.
She squinted at me as if she couldn't believe her eyes, "Ferd?". Oh no.
"Delilah?"