14 Call me by name

“What are you doing here Faera?” I am surprised that she was already seated with us and on top of it, eating the dishes from the cafeteria. I’ve known her to only eat at restaurants but right now she is digging the pasta in front of her.

“That is why I am asking you, you are not welcome here.” The pair of deadly gaze was thrown to her and so Barrett held onto Faera and whispered, “Hey, is this fine? I don’t know why and how, but somehow I can’t escape.” 

“Haha Barrett you are so cute, you definitely look like prey caught by these carnivores!” Without minding anything, the three men at the table have grim faces. I know that the relationship between the Yngvidrs and her is already not good, but somehow, her last remarks made the three men look at her intently. It is threatening.

“Lady Krieson, may I say to tone down your words.’”  It was Myrvinne, he knows better on how to deal with Faera, based from the incident yesterday with our first meeting he is the most still. However, when Maynard followed me to the classroom, he lost it. Is he not angry anymore? Looking at him tolerating this guy's whims, they must have talked already. 

“Why? Isn’t it true?” As if provoking the men, I felt the tension in the table and tried to melt it so she decided to speak up. “She is right, this grouping is actually very awkward. I don’t hangout with you guys and suddenly I am seated with you eating lunch. It's like I’ve been captured here.” I protest, not knowing that this has a different effect to the three men, especially to Maynard.

“You should get used to it, because from now on I'll be sticking by your side anytime and anywhere.” He grabs a fork and stabs the sliced meat at his plate, the way he chews and he looks at Barrett is full of desire. Two men and Faera know that the man in front of them is clearly declaring his intention to have Barrett, however, she is the only one who remains indifferent to Maynard's seduction towards her.

This is hilariously fun for Faera that she laughs it off, the conversations continued until my last class ended. 

"Please don't follow me further." I told Maynard who is still walking beside me. I can’t escape since I am still limping with this cast and clutches. I just know I am sprained but to be over acting the doctor’s cast my foot. It must be to impress Mr. Denzell. It’s nice to be rich. I remembered the way he smiled at me last night and that makes me blush.

"Are you fine? Your face is red.” I was surprised when he touched my cheek, it was such a sweet gesture coming from this guy who grabbed my collar from our first meeting. He is way out of his character from yesterday.

“I have a car, I can give you a ride home." He still insists. 

The students passing by kept on looking at the odd pair. The thing here is that I am just a nobody on campus and one night I suddenly got tangled with the Campus well known playboy. 

"She's acting not like the others but eventually still ended up hooking." It is loud and clear for me to hear. This is what I am trying to avoid, of course it is not true. However, the human mind is full of malice, even if you don't do such things, people will still judge you even before knowing the story first. 

" So what are you saying? Acting like the pure one judging others when you barely know what's the situation?" Maynard, with a confronting voice, called out the female student who made a malicious remark about me. From being sweet to menacing, he quickly shifts moods.

I can see that she is troubled, even the other students with her slow part and distance themselves from her. Maynard looked at her and I also turned my head and the other two Yngvirds asked for help to calm him. But, they just shrugged their shoulders. 

"Those who talk too much deserve it." It was Ivan who spoke, letting the female student hear it clearly and I could see that she's trembling. 

"I got enough body ache last night, I won't repeat that again." as if acting hurt, he massages his temple and looks away. 

"Hey, b***h, are you envious that I am paying attention to Adelaide rather than you?"  The female student kept silent, looking down at her shoes and holding on her breath. 

" It is because I like her and she's not a lowly person unlike you." He uses his point finger to give a slight push at her shoulder. The tension gets worse and I can see that if this goes on, it will trouble the female student as well. 

"Wait, M-Maynard." It was the first time I called out his name and he turned around, I can see the surprise on his face. 

"That's enough, I'm just fine." 

"What? I think she deserves some knock on her senses? You're just letting it go? " 

"Just… Please… I want to rest home." With my gaze downcast, I could still feel the gazes on us. Waiting for Maynard's next response I felt relieved. 

"If you say so." 

The great Maynard Yngvird whose words are absolute and not even his brother or cousin can break, listened to this unknown girl with black hair. 

"Just remember." He looked around then took a step closer to me, he held my shoulders and pulled him closer. I can smell the manly musk scent from this closeness, it must have been his perfume. I stiffened as it stimulated my senses!  

There's no distance! 

"Whoever dares to touch her, will have to deal with me." It was a threat that every student in the campus kept in their mind.

From this day onwards, the name Barrett Adelaide , became untouchable under Maynard Yngvirds shadows.

As we headed out, I urged myself to ask him.

“Can I ask a question?” 

“Name.” I looked at his back and he stopped walking.

“Huh?” I did not understand what he meant so I uttered a useless response.

“Call me by my name.” He then turned around and walked a step closer to me.

“...” to call him by his name?

“I listened well to you earlier because you called my name.” I was pondering, and just thought about what happened earlier. It was the first time I called him by name, I either referred to him as Mister Yngvird or you. 

“That is…” because of the situation , is what I wanted to tell him, however, he turned around and looked at me with those begging eyes.

He looked like a puppy wanted to be praised.

It can’t be helped then, “M-Maynard.” and as he heard it, he smiled ear to ear and satisfaction showed on his face.

I then turn my gaze sideways and look at the appalled faces of his cousin and brother, while Faera is trying to hide her laughs.

“Wha--?”

“Young master Maynard.” A man wearing a black suit and glasses showed up and I was surprised. 

“I told you not to come to the campus.” From his good mood earlier he shifts moods really fast and turns into a serious one. I clearly heard he was called “Young master” by this man, I know that Yngvird is a rich family, but to be addressed that way seems that they are not an ordinary group of people.

“The Alp-- I mean the Master has called for your immediate appearance.”

“Myrvinne, can you send Adelaide home instead?” he called out to his brother which he immediately nodded. It must have been a family matter.

“I can go home on my own, it seems your family needs you right now.” The man near us looked at me, and I could feel the malice on his face. If his gaze is a dagger, I must have bled already.

“You---” I heard Maynard called on the man, that is when he flinched and lowered his head. Then without any excuses, Maynard pulled me toward Myrvinne.

“Irvin , you’re coming with me.” He is like a boss as he orders the people around him.

Once again he looked at his brother , “Follow us after you send her home.”

 “I understand.”

I kept on looking back and forth with their faces, the actions and the air around them, telling as if I don’t belong and I shouldn’t butt in. Without looking back, Maynard and the other men have left us.