I shrug, leaning back a little, though still perched firmly on his lap. "I was a kid, Wilde. Everyone makes mistakes. I'll make it up to you. I promise." I say, flashing a bright smile at him.
The car glides to a stop at the school gates, the metal barriers looming ahead. The engine's low rumble contrasts sharply with the heavy silence inside the vehicle. Neither of us moves, the weight of the conversation palpable. The driver glances nervously in the rearview mirror, but the tension in the air makes it clear that this exchange isn't over.
"You'll make it up to me?" He asks in an absurdly childish voice that's very much out of place with his whole murky and pensive personality—as if he's an abandoned kid kicked to the curb—but I dismiss it as him taunting the original Faye's actions.
Pulling out my best compassionate and gentle smile I nod and hum.
After what seems like an eternity, but is probably just a few seconds, his expression eases and it feels like the knife hanging over me is finally lifted.
Cars had started honking by now, rich students in their rich cars, all lining up at the entrance.
Sitting on his lap, I could feel the weight of his hesitation, the honking from the cars behind us becoming more insistent. He glanced at me, his voice low but soft, "Faye, we need to get going. Come on." There was something almost gentle in the way he said it, but I could still sense the struggle beneath the calm.
"Tsk tsk, how can you ask a lady to walk on her own?" I teased, flashing my dimples. "You should know when to carry her all princess-style."
Wilde's eyes softened just for a moment, a flicker of something warm beneath the dark, brooding exterior. He shook his head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're making this difficult, you know that?" His voice was quiet but carried that familiar weight, a mix of frustration and something else he wouldn't admit.
Still, his hands rested gently on my waist, as if caught between pushing me away and keeping me close. "We need to go," he added, softer this time, "before they get tired of waiting and I end up carrying you for real."
"You're going to carry me for real, Wilde," I said, a playful glint in my eyes as I leaned in closer.
He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing his options, then exhaled slowly. "You're impossible," he muttered, his voice low but without any real frustration. He shifted me gently off his lap, stepping out of the car with that brooding calm he always had.
Without a word, he came around to my side, and before I could say anything more, he scooped me up effortlessly. His grip was firm yet careful, his expression unreadable. "Let's just get inside," he murmured, the deep timbre of his voice sending a quiet shiver through me.
The moment we stepped into the school, I could feel the shift in the air—eyes on us, conversations pausing mid-sentence. It didn't bother me. If anything, it was amusing. Their glances were quick, the whispers just low enough to be ignored, but I knew what they were thinking. The school forums were probably buzzing by now, though no one would dare to make it too obvious. They weren't that bold.
Lozero and Timewell—names that carried weight. Parents had warned their kids, made it clear that families like ours were untouchable. One wrong word, and everything they held dear could be at risk—reputation, standing, future. That's how it worked here, and I had no problem reminding them if necessary.
Sara Chauy, though—she didn't have that luxury. A scholarship student in a school like this? It made her an easy target. In the original storyline, she'd been torn apart, bullied mercilessly. No power to back her, no name to shield her from the cruelty of others. But me? I wasn't her, and Wilde wasn't either. People knew better than to cross us, even if their curiosity got the better of them.
As Wilde carried me down the hallway, I felt a rush of exhilaration mixed with a sense of ease. His grip was firm yet gentle, and there was something thrilling about being so close to him, the world around us fading into the background. I couldn't help but notice how all the other benches seemed to stretch farther away, creating an illusion of isolation just for us. It was perfect. Who cared if it was just a trick of the light? It meant more privacy for us, and I grinned at the thought. The less interference from others, the better.
Classes came and went, each one a blur of lectures and notes, but my mind kept drifting back to Wilde. Lunchtime was particularly refreshing; I relished the realization that I hadn't laid eyes on Caden or Sara even once throughout the day. It felt a little suspicious that they were both absent, especially on the same day, but I shrugged it off. Less drama meant I could focus on what mattered—me and Wilde, in our cozy spot.
Finally, the school day wound down, and it was self-study time. I settled into my seat next to Wilde, who was already engrossed in his books, looking every bit the diligent student. I couldn't help but admire the way he concentrated, his brow slightly furrowed, the tip of his pencil tapping against the page. He seemed so serious, yet there was an undeniable charm about him in this moment.
"It's not like this is life or death, you know," I teased, leaning a little closer. "You could lighten up a bit."
As I watched him, a smile crept onto my face. It was hard to reconcile this image with the dark, brooding Kira from Death Note; he looked so cute, almost innocent in his focus. I found myself giggling internally at the thought. I wished he were a puppy, something I could just enjoy without hesitation. The idea made me chuckle softly, but I quickly pushed that flicker of possessiveness aside. Instead, I decided to relish the warmth of his presence and the quiet intimacy of our little corner.
I play footsie with him under the table, keeping my expression casual. "I told Dad I want to start learning about the company. He seems busier these days. If I know more, maybe I can ease his burden," I say, a hint of mischief in my voice. Wilde doesn't need to know my dad has efficient workers handling everything.
"I feel like I'll just be coddled at the company, so I asked Secretary Yun to suggest some new companies where I can develop on my own. Help me decide on one, okay?"
I glance up at Wilde, trying to gauge his reaction. There's a flicker of curiosity in his eyes, but I know he's still hesitant. Time to draw him in further.
I bring out my phone and slide into the seat beside him, presenting my screen like I'm unveiling the next big thing. A list of relatively smaller but still reputable companies pops up, and, of course, his company is tucked in there too.
"Check this out! I'm seriously plotting my corporate takeover," I say, pointing to the screen with flair. "Which of these do you think could use a sprinkle of my genius? I mean, I'm basically the next big thing in business—Faye's Fabulous Ventures, coming to a boardroom near you!"
I watch him closely, gauging his reaction to his company being in the mix. I can't tell if he's intrigued or if he's starting to suspect something. Keeping my tone playful, I add, "Help a girl out! If you don't, I might just launch my own line of sparkly office supplies. You don't want that on your conscience, do you?"
Wilde keeps quiet, his eyes dancing over the list carefully, scrutinizing each entry before returning his gaze to me. He's a pretty good actor, I'll give him that. Not a flicker of surprise crosses his face upon seeing his own company nestled in the mix; he plays it off like it's just another name on the list. It's impressive, really—he's acting completely unaware of the subtle game unfolding between us.
The tension hangs in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the chess match we're engaged in. Finally, I realize I've found a worthy opponent in him, one who can keep up with my playful banter and intrigue. This is going to be interesting.
"Don't rush; you can tell me which companies deserve an awesome worker like me later. I'll just forward the list to you, okay?" I say, grabbing my untouched books—still pristine from their lack of use—and shoving them into my bag with exaggerated flair.
"There's a new dress collection dropping today by CN, and I'm dying to check it out. This self-study is so boring!" I feign a dramatic sigh, fully embracing the spoiled-girl vibe I need to maintain. As much as I relish the attention from Wilde, it's exhausting to keep up this act all the time.
"Don't worry; I'll send a driver for you later," I add with a teasing smile, basking in the glow of my own generosity. Clearly, I'm wifey material!
Then, leaning down, I grasp his chin gently and lift his face to meet mine, catching him off guard as I plant a swift kiss on his lips. I can feel the moment linger between us, charged with unspoken tension. Fall for me! Fall for me quickly and become my obedient puppy!