~~Daniil's POV~~
Not like I needed any other alterations to perfect my unblemished beauty, I just needed to look… different. 'For Ashley?' Good Lord what had she done to me? I'd been looking really monotonous for the past week, and thought a difference would make a difference. 'Maybe?' I only ever let my hair flow, or just tied it up in a ponytail. I was determined to make another attempt, another move on Ashley.
The fifteen-minute interval between classes just ensued and the students either returned to their normal chitchats, or got prepared for the next class. Archer was absent today and I somehow felt relieved. Ashley needed some space for me to come in.
Speaking of Ashley.
I veered to her seat and saw she wasn't there. 'Where's she gone?' She was there a couple of minutes ago. My eyes darted and caught her leaving class through the backdoor. We usually took that route to access our lockers. I stood up, massaged my hair backwards, and adjusted my hood. 'Why didn't I think of a change of clothes?' Here I was trying to make an impression but still had the same clothing style on! Not good enough. Plausible because I never tried to get any lady's attention. All I had to do was wink at them, and they came swarming like locusts. I still didn't fully comprehend how absurd I was acting because of Ashley. I walked out.
As speculated, her locker was open and she stood behind its door. Probably getting her things ready for the next class, I thought. I tiptoed really close to avoid making the slightest sound and simply leaned my back against the locker next to hers, waiting patiently for her to finish. I didn't know what to say, I practiced no lines, but I was sure the words would come through without hitches.
The barrier between us was drawn; she shut her locker. I straightened up. That look again! The slight wrinkles around her nose and instant creases that settled on her brows the moment she saw me made me feel worthless,… embarrassed. She looked at me the way I looked at my servants! 'For fuck's sake, Ashley! It's this same face you loured at with so much contempt that ladies swooned at.'
The words I thought would come without hassles sank. I was left speechless but I knew I had to say something. Our eyes were fixed long enough. Just when my lips parted ways to let words through…
"Are you lost? The class is that way." She said impassively with raised brows gesturing the entrance I came through – leading to the class – before walking out, leaving me defeated.
I froze. What just happened? No one's ever succeeded in making me feel so insignificant and humiliated. All my life I believed I was nothing short of perfection. For the first time in my entire existence, I doubted my good looks. 'Do all the girls around me have horrible tastes?' Because it was hard to understand what made me look like an eyesore!
I withdrew from the locker and turned around to examine my reflection in its mirror-like door. I still couldn't fathom what was so wrong about my face. Everything looked fine, and even better with the new hairstyle. 'Maybe I need a change of clothes?' I inspected my clothes again and thought I must be looking way too gloomy. Those were designers actually.
"Mmhh…" I heard someone clear their throat. I veered to my right to see a Sandy blonde girl narrowing her eyes at me like a lunatic. I didn't notice her until now. I felt really embarrassed uncertain of how much of the drama she witnessed but then again, my stoic expression saved the day. I simply walked past.
***
"And what's it with these clothes today again?" Jason mocked.
He'd walked into my closet to see me getting ready. Jason's presence rid me of my morning quiet, but I never complained. He usually came around when he was sure I was almost ready. After the other encounter, I thought I'd use a change of style. One I believed Ashley wouldn't be able to look down on. And as usual, Jason was anything but helpful.
I was wearing a black denim jacket over a white body hug round neck shirt tucked in black cargo pants; reminiscent of Archer's fashion style. I only opted for a change but somehow found myself dressing like him.
"I never knew you had white outfits in this closet. Always thought this was the grim reaper's coven." He remarked.
"They came in yesterday."
"Hol'up…," he accented dramatically, grabbing my arm turning me around to face him. I grimaced at the sudden display. 'What are you doing?' "Where'd you get this jacket? This is a limited edition right?" He feasted his prying eyes all over me. I shrugged him off and turned back to the mirror.
"How do you know so much about fashion? You've been squandering my money, right?" I teased.
"Excuse you? I work for the Smirnov family, and not just for you."
"So why do you call me boss?"
"Because it's a lot easier? Calling you 'young ma…,'" he cringed unable to complete his sentence. In silence, our eyes met through the mirror. I knew very well he dreaded calling me 'young master.' Those words felt really awkward coming from him.
My lips curved in a closed-lip smile, holding back a laugh. But it didn't work as we ended up laughing silently instead.
"Asshole," I cussed jovially before walking out with him following suit.
It's been three days and I was yet to see Andrei. Not like I cared about his whereabouts, it just felt a bit off he wasn't yet back under my skin. He'd normally have his way after sucking up to my dad as usual. The house was ample enough to house people without my knowledge so I assumed he was probably still sulking. Jason was the only one who could put him in his place.
I stepped into school brimming with another level of confidence; one that I was almost certain Ashley would not be able to resist. I took off my jacket and simply hung its collar lining on my shoulder, covering my left arm. With my left hand in the pants' pocket, I strapped my bag across the other shoulder and strode in majestically.
I almost forgot these infatuated eyes that lurked around me after breaking free for a moment. They returned that morning while I walked down the corridor to my lecture hall amidst the chuckles and whispers from the ladies. My first day here was naturally recalled. The past week following the ugly incident with Yoshida made me almost forget what a scrumptious meal to the eyes I was. These bitches already keeping their distance, cowering away, crossed them with predating eyes, almost rendering me shirtless. Ashley would definitely not be able to resist me, I thought to myself, feeling highly esteemed.
With my eyes far ahead at Ashley's seat, I walked in but she wasn't there yet. I raised my left hand to check the time and saw she was unusually late. 'Goddamn it!' This was the perfect timing to make her jaw drop. I felt defeated once more but quickly braced up and thought to proceed to my seat when I saw someone right in front of me, blocking my path.
Yoshida.
She didn't exactly block my path; it felt like she was compelled to halt. She was frozen. More like… stupefied.