Chapter 3: Fate and Destiny

“Woah, I can't believe my eyes,” Lisa gasped upon reaching the gate of the academy. The letters that were etched in the silver-gold huge gate were the letters H-A-I-L.

“It really is an incredible place,” Henry chimed in, chuckling at the side as he looked at Lisa's astonished face.

When he turned to look at me, his brows furrowed, tilting his head to the side, “Aren't you amazed at what you're seeing?” He asked me innocently, almost making me want to snicker at his naivety.

“I've seen more than what this academy has to offer, but in this country…I guess it's truly a prestigious one,” I muttered without thinking until I felt someone nudge my shoulders.

I looked over at Lisa and she was moving her lips around, and that's when I realised my mistake.

Damn! I just slipped, ughhh! Me and my blabbermouth.

“You've seen things like this before? I thought you are just a commoner,” Henry asked, looking bewildered.

I quickly thought of an excuse, and thankfully, I have my quick wits to back me up.

“Oh, Haha,” I laughed awkwardly, covering my mouth, “What I meant was that I saw things like this before because I have parents who work for rich people, that's what I meant,” I said.

Henry nodded his head, seeming to believe the lie I just said to him.

“I get it now,” he said, and then looked up at me with an enthusiastic smile, “Which is why I'm sure you are the most fit person for this job, and don't worry, if Master Arkin accept you, you won't have to worry about any expenses while you're studying here, just make sure to do everything he tells you to do,” I bobbed my head up and down as I listened to him.

Soon we entered the academy, but for some reason, there weren't any students around the area.

“Where is everybody?”

“Everyone is in the coliseum right now, I believe there is a basketball game there and my master and master Arkin are on the same team, I really hope they will win,” Henry clasped his hand together, raising his head up, and mumbling things in the air.

“Enough of that, let's go to Master Arkin's quarters, after the game he will interview both of you, just make sure to impress him and I'm sure you'll get the job,” Henry winked at us.

…

We arrived in a huge building with a design of a mixed archaic and modern one. It had an unusual vibe, but the landscape of the area was truly eye-catching.

I was beginning to wonder why a mansion is inside the school, but when I read the sign beside the entrance of the small gate that surrounds the building, it states that this building is home for the Six Young Masters of the Academy.

“Henry,” I called his name, stopping in my tracks, staring at the sign which Henry quickly picked up.

“Oh that…” He adjusted his glasses his lips curling upwards, “As you all know, there are six major families in this country, the Lumiere, Pendelton, Cross, Adamson, Hades,” My ears started to twitch when I heard Arkin's family name, but what Henry said next left me completely shocked, “and of course the last one is the Sullivan Clan. They are all major shareholders of this academy which is why they are getting extra taken care off, but for some reason, the Sullivan clan's heiress hasn't started studying here, I don't know why though, but the last room of the building remains to be available solely for her,” Henry waved his arms around, looking clueless.

“I don't really know much about that clan since they rarely show up in public, they haven't even named or shown who the next successor will be which is actually one of the controversies here, but who knows, maybe she's just amongst us, hiding their identity, right?” Henry snickered, looking left and right.

I looked at Lisa, and we were wearing the same expression. I never knew my identity was being talked about in society.

“Wait,” I looked back at Henry, and he was now studying me closely, his eyes boring on my face.

“You aren't perhaps the heiress of the Sullivan, are you?” My heart started racing, I quickly tried to think of an appropriate answer but then Henry started laughing hysterically, “I'm just kidding, of course you're not, I heard the heiress is extremely pretty, not that you're not pretty of course but your features just doesn't match her description,” He said, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

I really wanted to knock this guy's head over for scaring the hell out of me, but he did help us get inside here, so for now, I'll refrain myself.

“Let's go,” he said, leading the way inside.

…

“You two just wait here, I'll go and check on my sick friend, I already notified my master about your presence and he said he'll relay it to Master Arkin,” Henry uttered, closing the door on his way out.

The moment he's gone, Lisa stepped right in front of me, “Miss I think we should head back, if your father knows about this we'll be screwed!” She said, but I just shushed her telling her that she was overthinking things.

“Don't worry, no one will find out about us,” I said, and then turned to the door.

“Where are you going Miss?” Lisa asked, grabbing my wrist, stopping me from walking further.

“I'll take a stroll outside,”

“What?! It's too dangerous,”

“Oh please relax Lisa, nothing bad will happen to us…here, take a sit,” I guided her to sit on the comfy couch and looked her in the eyes.

“I'll be back in a few minutes, just stay calm and don't think too much,” I said, and she was about to say another long speech but I glared at her, making her shut up.

“Good,” I muttered before turning around to leave.

…

Once I was out, I looked around the place and it was really gorgeous both inside and out.

I walked over the long hallway and for some reason, I ended up in what seems to be a garden.

Wow, they even have a garden here, no wonder he grew up to be such an ass, he's too pampered!

Not that I'm not pampered myself but he's a jerk and so I'm confident everything I say against him should stand as the truth! Hmph! I know I'm being unreasonable but I just can't help it, I guess I'm taking after my father.

While walking, I saw in my peripheral vision a beautiful lily flower. I crouched down to feel its petals against my fingertips.

My mother's favorite flowers were these ones, she said it resembled me, pure and innocent. She made a garden full of lilies in our backyard when she was alive, but when she died, I guess her death caused my father so much pain that he decided to destroy her beautiful garden. I don't know why he did it, but I also did not bother asking him since he already has a lot in his mind.

Sigh~

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't realise someone was standing in front of me, a couple of metre away from my position.

I tilted my head up slowly, “Oh my god!” I gasped, falling to the ground as I stared with wide eyes at the guy who was also staring at me with amusement riddled over his face.

“Who are you?!”I exclaimed, placing a hand over my rapidly beating heart.

“I think I should be the one asking you that,”

“What?”

“I live here, but I don't think I've ever seen you here before,” he said, and I couldn't help but examine his face, those strong green eyes, chiselled jaw, that expression he's wearing! He seems familiar...wait?!

Don't tell me...N-no, NO!

He looks like father's friend, uncle Ryan, does that mean, h-he's… Regan Pendelton?!

“Why are you looking at me angrily like that?” He asked, a cunning smile appearing on his face.

Did he just ask me why?! Even if it's a long time ago I can still remember when we were kids, we were playmates and he would always grab my hair and play with my beautiful hair! He even cut it one time, this merciless jerk! I can't believe I saw him here again so soon.

This is such a bad luck!

“Ugh! This is stupid!” I grumbled, standing up, and turning my heels over, but unfortunately, I thought I would be able to escape his annoying presence, but just my luck, the moment I turned around, my eyes was greeted with the presence of four more guys that I didn't know was standing behind me, all wearing sleeveless shirts that showed their bulging muscles and sweaty bodies.

“F*ck, I hate this day…” I cursed under my breath, looking at each one of their faces as they wore a playful smile, all of them were smiling, except one.

I didn't know the other three so I didn't mind their presence at all, but when my eyes landed on the guy who was scowling at me, it seemed like my world froze, those cold blue ocean eyes gazing at me, I felt like I was getting suffocated. I thought I would be angry when I see him again, but it turns out, feelings don't die so easily.

“Arkin…” I whispered his name.

He then raised a brow at me, his jaw clenching, “You know me?” He asked, his voice deep and cold, sending chills down my spine.

I couldn't speak, I felt like I ran out of words to say, but as I stared longer at those orbs of his, I slowly realised that they didn't hold the same warmth and life I saw once before.

I thought what happened at the mansion was just because he was shocked and angry about the engagement, but it turns out, he really changed.

But deep down, I know he's still there, in that annoying cold facade he's wearing, I'm certain the Arkin I knew back then is still there.

“How could I forget…” I replied softly, not breaking our gaze.

I don't know what happened to him, but while I'm here, I'll try to find out what made him change, and most of all, what hell of a reason he had for rejecting a princess like me! Hmph!