Eastern Aurora Academy is the most prestigious school in the country, not only because of its advanced teaching but also because it offers luxury services.
Rather than a boring school canteen, high-end cafes, and fancy restaurants were built in the surrounding Botanical Garden, which has an enormous fountain of a goddess statue in the center.
Hence, most of its stakeholders are from affluent families, including those from neighboring countries who can afford the tuition fee and extravagant boarding houses. The parents who sent their children to the academy were confident because it had strict rules, ensuring their safety by implementing curfews.
For those who haven't availed of the academy's accommodations, once the students log in for the day, no one can leave before four in the afternoon unless a family member can make reasonable requests, such as an emergency.
Since everything they need is already available inside the academy premises, such as a bookstore, beauty spa, and convenience store, they don't need to travel far and get stuck in traffic for hours, which is something the academy had considered when the city progressed, the population grew as well, and so on…
Shaun had the privilege because their mother's side of the family, the Zobels, founded the Eastern Aurora Academy.
Because of that privilege, Ross thinks the school should change its laws. Moreover, they should not give his brother special treatment and take away his liberty to leave the academy whenever he wants.
Ross is clearly petty for having those thoughts towards his brother, whom he used to dote on.
Jealous as he was, he was displeased that Shaun was joining them for lunch. He is rarely alone with Nana like this. It is significant as a date, right?
Unbeknownst to him, Shaun also considered this a date with Yonah. He begs his mother to take him out of the academy during class hours.
Oblivious to what was running in the siblings' heads, Yonah continued taking a picture of the garden.
On the other hand, drawing blank stares from his brother, Shaun was perplexed. He had this odd feeling that he needed to explain this time, which he rarely did in the past because it wasn't necessary at all. As long as he was happy, he would always tolerate his behavior.
Ross was a person who would go to great lengths to pamper him. Therefore, he's been a bit confused recently. It seems that Ross's treatment of him has changed.
Perhaps he felt this way because he only hung out with Yonah and had little time for his older brother.
'But he has a girlfriend, too! He should understand that, right?' Otherwise, his brother envies him because he can't date Shenna. That was what Shaun concluded, and he dismissed the changes he observed.
"Bro, relax! I didn't cut classes, okay? Mom came to the school because she thought Nana would process her enrollment in the morning. She was already at the school when she learned the schedule was moved this afternoon." Shaun raises his arm and lands a soft punch at Ross on the shoulder as he utters.
"Mom is here, too?" Hearing that, Ross's indifference toward his brother dissipated. He looked around, but he could not find their mother. "Where is she?"
"Nah. She only dropped me off. She had an important lunch meeting with some people from her foundation. I heard Aunt Laura would be there, too."
Upon mentioning Yonah's mom, Shaun glanced at her. Yonah smiled and nodded in confirmation. She sauntered toward the brothers as she delivered her reply while filming her surroundings.
"That's right. Aunt Keira invited Mama. She will meet them at the agreed-upon place, so Dad volunteered to accompany me to the academy instead."
Upon recalling the news from his mother, Shaun gazes at Yonah with a look of infatuation.
"Nana, is this the surprise you told me last night?" He inquired, anxiously waiting for her response. He looked at Yonah with an expectant gaze.
When Yonah winked at him, Shaun almost jumped for joy. His face showed his delight, contrary to what Ross had felt.
Out of impulse, the overwhelming emotion surged in his chest—Shaun couldn't hold back the urge to hug Yonah and peck her left cheek.
"I love it! When we get there, I will show you around the academy and introduce you to my friends."
Watching such a romantic scene, Ross couldn't conceal the discomfort in his heart. In that instant, he wants the two to separate.
"Don't you guys plan to get in?" He reminded the two teenagers—not out of jealousy, but because his father had notified him that the food was served. "I'll head first."
Ross turns around and prepares to leave, choosing to escape again. Otherwise, he might reveal his lingering feelings for Yonah out of jealousy. It was the last thing he wanted to happen—to expose himself.
"Alright, I am famished, so let's head inside for brunch." Shaun declared, which Yonah agreed upon at that instant.
"Hmm… I want to try the food here, too." Her voice was laced with excitement as she uttered this.
"Wait…" Shaun paused and held Yonah by the shoulder. He then makes a suggestion that irks Ross. "Let us take a picture first! Hey, bro."
Shaun placed his phone in his brother's hands.
The former peered at the gadget with complicated emotion, flashing his eyes.
"Nana, let's take off this first!"
Ross heard Shaun say this. Immediately, his countenance darkened when his brother removed the trench coat he had draped around Yonah's shoulder and threw it at one bodyguard standing on the staircase.
Disgruntled, Ross threw Shaun's phone to the nearby bodyguard and said, "You there? Please take their picture. There's an important phone call I must return."
Surprised, the bodyguard nodded and prepared to carry out the order. He prepared to be the photographer for the young boss and the lady.
"Bro…" Baffled at Ross's sudden refusal, Shaun found himself at a loss for words as he stared at his brother's retreating figure. "Nana, does every businessman look grumpy like my brother?"
Although Ross faced hardships when he started working for their company, he is always calm and collected when solving every matter placed on his shoulders. Therefore, his recent demeanor puzzles Shaun.
"Maybe... Dad is grumpy all the time." Yonah replied, as bewildered as Shaun, when Ross suddenly walked out.
Throughout the earlier photoshoot, he had a bright smile, which was opposite to his demeanor at present. Thus, she wondered what was happening to him.
Ross seemed jealous, but Yonah couldn't understand why.
Failing to come up with the correct answer, Yonah dismissed any thoughts and posed beside Shaun. After their photo was taken at the fountain, they ran toward the railings.
The result was excellent, as the backdrop was the city skyline. The guests nearby assumed they were in a relationship and believed they were a match made in heaven.
While this was going on, Ross's appetite had gone, and he considered leaving the restaurant and going back to the company when his dad texted him that Antonio had a business proposal for him.
At one more glance, Ross halted and watched his brother tie the sleeves of his coat around Yonah's thin waist to suppress the wind blowing her skirt.
Jealously plugging his chest, Ross pulled his phone out and dialed Jester's contact number. "Lengthen the school uniform skirts starting today!"
The man on the other line was dumbfounded to receive such a demand out of the blue.
"Why didn't you attend the board meeting when we called one instead?" Jester Varga, Director of the Senior High Department, stressed over the phone, even though he knew the call had already hung up.
Meanwhile, Ross narrowed his gaze upon witnessing such intimate interaction. It added to his frustration that he must not covet something forbidden.
It was too wrong for him to have feelings toward someone ten years younger.
However, it's not his fault entirely. He could blame his dream for complicating things for him.
If he had met Yonah without having those vivid and wild dreams, his attention would have remained on Shenna, and he would have taught his heart to love her.
But life is such a joke on his end. He first thought that he would have an inappropriate relationship with Mrs. Laura in the future.
He was relieved when he confirmed she was not the woman in his dreams.
However, it turned out that she was his girlfriend's sister.
He was still trapped between two large rocks.
Either he must follow the elders' dream of reuniting the two families through him and Shenna...
Or…
Is it worth it for him to move mountains for Yonah?