On Saturday morning, the sports field at the Paris Academy of Sciences and Humanities buzzed with excitement as the university's annual sports meet got underway. Cheers echoed across the stadium, but it was a sweet, childlike voice near the track that grabbed everyone's attention, including Fanmuir's, as he prepared for the 1500-meter race.
Chloe and Caroline's unexpected arrival instantly changed Fanmuir's plan to take it easy in the race. For someone like him, such a competition was hardly a challenge. Yet, how could he let himself fall behind in front of Chloe, the adorable little girl who idolized him? And standing next to her was the radiant Caroline, her beauty lighting up the scene. Throwing aside her usual elegance, Caroline shouted and cheered alongside her daughter with all her might, filling Fanmuir with a rare sense of warmth and happiness.
Their arrival didn't go unnoticed by Fanmuir's five roommates, either. Caroline's refined grace and stunning figure were unmistakably those of a woman from high society. The sight left Lonnie Spencer and the gang utterly distracted—they forgot to cheer entirely. Instead, they schemed to find a reason to approach this extraordinary beauty. When they realized she and her daughter were cheering for Fanmuir, their amazement turned into envy of his luck, along with a gleeful determination to use him as a connection to get closer to her.
The five boys discreetly shifted their position to be near Caroline. With her sharp instincts, Caroline quickly noticed their not-so-subtle glances. However, she found their awkward behavior amusing rather than annoying. A small part of her even felt flattered, pleased that she could still captivate these young men. The situation reminded her fondly of her own university days.
As they drew closer, the boys became increasingly aware of Caroline's unique charm—a blend of youthful vitality and the wisdom of experience. Her innate poise and elegance only made her more intimidating. Despite their usual bravado, none of the five dared to speak. Finally, Lonnie Spencer, pushed by his friends, mustered the courage to ask, "Excuse me, how do you know Fanmuir?"
Seeing their bashful demeanor, Caroline couldn't help but smile knowingly. She thought back to her first meeting with Fanmuir—how he had acted so composed and natural, showing no signs of awkwardness. "What an unusual young man," she mused.
That smile—warm and full of charm—left the five boys completely mesmerized. For all their talk of being "players," they were utterly unprepared for the impact of Caroline's beauty. If Fanmuir had seen them at that moment, he surely would have rolled his eyes.
"My name is Caroline, and I'm a friend of Fanmuir's. You must be his classmates, right?" she said kindly.
"Yes, yes! We're his roommates!" they stammered, snapping out of their trance.
"Well then, you must all get along really well. If you don't mind, you can call me Caroline, just like he does," she said with a warm smile.
"Really?" The five could hardly believe it. When Caroline nodded again with a laugh, they burst into cheers, drawing curious looks from nearby students.
"Mommy, look! Fanmuir is amazing—he's already in the lead!" Chloe's excited voice interrupted their conversation, snapping them back to the race.
All eyes turned to the track, where Fanmuir, who had lagged behind in the first two laps, was now surging ahead, overtaking more than a dozen runners in just half a lap. The crowd erupted into cheers of "Go, go!" No one was louder than Lonnie Spencer and his roommates.
Once Fanmuir took the lead, no one could catch up. Unsurprisingly, he crossed the finish line first, securing victory in the 1500-meter race.
As everyone crowded around to congratulate him, Fanmuir couldn't help but feel both amused and baffled. Was winning first place in the 1500-meter race really such a big deal?
Chloe clung to Fanmuir's shirt, gazing up at him with pure adoration, while Caroline smiled gently and used tissues to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Lonnie Spencer and the others offered their heartfelt congratulations, but seeing Caroline's intimate actions, they couldn't help but glare at Fanmuir with mock malice, laughing mischievously. Fanmuir thought to himself, This race was totally worth it.
With several events left to compete in, Fanmuir rested briefly before heading off to participate in the long jump, high jump, javelin throw, and more. Spurred on by Chloe's hopeful gaze, he didn't let her down, securing one first-place finish after another.
To add to the excitement, the gorgeous Australian teacher Olivia joined the cheering squad, standing alongside Lonnie Spencer and his friends. With two stunning beauties and an adorable little girl rallying behind him, Fanmuir naturally became the center of attention.
The scene turned heads wherever they went, leaving students and teachers alike in awe. Of course, all this attention made Fanmuir the target of countless envious stares from his male peers.
For Lonnie Spencer and his crew, being in the company of not one but two incredible women was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They strutted around with newfound confidence, acting as if they ruled the world, secretly wishing the sports meet would last forever.
By the end of the day, Fanmuir had swept the competition, cementing his reputation at the Paris Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Curious onlookers buzzed with questions about the mysterious freshman and the stunning women supporting him.
That evening, Fanmuir, Caroline, Olivia, and, inevitably, the five hopelessly infatuated roommates gathered at a nearby restaurant to celebrate his victories.
Caroline, ever gracious, didn't put on airs with Lonnie Spencer and the others. Instead, her warmth and charm shone through, while Olivia, confident and magnetic as ever, exuded a carefree allure.
Lonnie Spencer and the others eagerly tried to show off, bombarding the women with compliments and making absolute fools of themselves. Despite Fanmuir's repeated warning glances, they pretended not to notice. Caroline even gave Fanmuir a playful wink, leaving him so flustered he wished he could disappear.
For the first time, Fanmuir dined with two stunning women at a restaurant, only to unexpectedly cross paths with Helena.
Though she feigned ignorance of Fanmuir's presence, he immediately sensed otherwise. With his heightened awareness, he caught her subtle glance, the fleeting surprise in her eyes, and even the unexplainable hint of resentment directed his way.
Watching Fanmuir surrounded by two gorgeous women, laughing freely and enjoying himself, Helena felt a twinge of jealousy.
As the beloved heiress of the prestigious Beaupepon Group, Helena was accustomed to being the center of attention, constantly surrounded by doting admirers. Yet, Fanmuir, her deskmate for weeks, had never shown her even a shred of interest.
In Helena's mind, sitting next to her should have been Fanmuir's greatest privilege. Yet, he remained indifferent, treating her as though she were invisible. She even made bets with her roommates about how long it would take for him to fawn over her, only to lose every time.
Now, seeing him casually enjoying a lively dinner with two beautiful women felt like an affront. Did this mean she was less attractive than them? The thought bruised her pride deeply, and in her imagination, she had already ripped Fanmuir to shreds in a fit of rage.
Meanwhile, Fanmuir, entirely unaware of Helena's feelings, enjoyed the lively atmosphere at his table, his good mood evident. Helena, however, left her meal unfinished, feeling sour and upset.
As she stormed out, she cast a sharp glare at Fanmuir, who remained blissfully unaware of why she was upset. Try as he might, he couldn't figure out how he could have offended her.
The next day, Fanmuir dominated the sports meet, winning all seven of his events and smashing several school records. His victories left the entire Paris Academy of Sciences and Humanities in awe. Teachers and students alike buzzed with excitement, while senior students vowed to reclaim their pride next year.
The happiest of all, though, were Lonnie Spencer and his gang. Fanmuir's overwhelming success not only eased their earlier worries but also filled them with pride. They even started boasting about their "heroic foresight" in recognizing his talents and managed to mooch a few celebratory meals from him.
Their greatest joy, however, was getting closer to the two stunning women. They already knew Olivia, but their interactions had been limited to classroom pleasantries. Now, they were hanging out with her as friends.
For Olivia, who had few connections in France, the five boys became an amusing addition to her life. Under the guise of improving their English, they frequently sought her out, practicing their language skills with unprecedented diligence.
In no time, the five roommates became surprisingly fluent in English, much to Olivia's delight. She grew fond of their company, oblivious to the fact that her charm and beauty had fueled their motivation.
Whenever Olivia suggested outings, the five eagerly joined, and Fanmuir, of course, tagged along. After all, he wasn't foolish enough to pass up the chance to spend time with someone like her.
Life settled into a comfortable rhythm. Fanmuir's days were filled with classes, hours in the library, and evenings spent working at the bar. Weekends, when free, he would join Caroline and Chloe on various outings. Over time, their bond deepened to the point where they felt like a family. Caroline, whether by coincidence or intent, always dressed in chic, youthful outfits whenever they spent time together. She often showcased her charm in subtle ways that sent Fanmuir's heart racing. He savored these moments, finding in Caroline and Chloe a warmth and joy that were entirely new to him.
Fanmuir's job at the bar inspired him to dive deeper into the study of wine culture and music. He had already mastered the art of cocktail mixing, even if he hadn't yet practiced it firsthand. His confidence was unshakable. As for elaborate bartending tricks? Those were hardly a challenge for him. If he wished, he could manipulate thousands of bottles at once, crafting an endless array of mesmerizing combinations.
While bartending was a passing curiosity, music had become a discipline he approached with great reverence. Exploring the realm of music brought Fanmuir unparalleled joy, touching even the depths of his soul. Though he had long understood the essence of music, it was only now that he had learned how to express it. Armed with this newfound understanding, he could craft melodies that stirred profound emotional responses. Instruments, regardless of their complexity, were easily mastered once Fanmuir understood their mechanics and acoustics.
When it came to European and global history, Fanmuir, as the head of a prestigious Italian family, took pride in the splendor of his ancestors' legacy. However, this pride was accompanied by a deep sense of shame at their failure to keep pace with the advancements of modern civilization.