Chapter 1

I can tell that...in my life, wine is everything. When the spoon clinks against the wine glass in a vast room, everyone's attention will be caught and the toast shall be made to wish goodwill for all who are in the hall.

Dad explained that we should cherish wine because a perfect gathering cannot be attained without it. To be honest, I don't appreciate wine because I often believe that it will make me intoxicated for just an hour, yet the misery we have will remain in our hearts.

Although, I'm not quite certain if wine can really get us drunk. Maybe a hard one will do? But surely, alcohol can do it.

At a young age, I am already surrounded by the bottle of wines—a collection rather. Well, what do you expect from the owner of the widest winery here in Voloska, France? Dad loves collecting the bottle of wines in each flavor we have manufactured.

On a serious note, I only crave his full attention for me, as his daughter, rather than working hard with our wines. I always have this dream that dad is taking me for a picnic, picking me up personally at school, or having some fun activities in nature. But all are only my wishful thinking.

Well, I don't really care if those dreams will happen at the right time or not. But ever since mom left us to be with another man, he chose to saturate himself with work.

How many times does he get fatigued each year? I can hardly count it.

I know that he truly loves me. It's just that he repeatedly forgets about my existence, yet I'm still here for him no matter what happens. Waiting to be spoiled not by the materials that I can buy but be spoiled by my father's love.

That would be priceless.

My thoughts got interrupted when Aisie, my incredible best friend, poke me on the cheek with a smile on her face. We've been best friends since junior till now and we're currently taking our senior year in Galeon Academy.

Well, I think our friendship can last until death does us part, stronger than relationshits—I mean relationships.

"It seems that you're having deep thoughts, Lush. Do you mind sharing it with me, hmm?"

I rolled my eyes, and put my stuff inside the bag. Well, we intended to go to the library.

The professor took a leave today because he's sick, so we have nothing to do during this period. Regardless, some of our classmates asserted that we were going to have a substitute teacher, a graduating scholar. I'm assuming that he's quite outstanding because everyone knows him.

Well, except me.

I am not a typical person who inclines toward "knowing the trending topics and hotties" around me. That nonsense isn't worth it to be in my head and a total waste of time.

"I want to tell you something, Lushiane."

We proceeded to walk until we entered the library, and took a seat in an available area. The library is peaceful, and the cold is embracing my body. To let you know, there are only five people here including us. Well, it is already class hours, that's why the library became a peaceful place for me.

I unzipped my bag and picked up the history book.

"What?" I asked her before turning the pages.

"Can we just go back to the classroom? If we persist in ditching the mathematics subject at this time…and once we get caught, we're gonna face a terrible punishment for this action. I heard that the sub is not a saint at all."

"What are you talking about?" My brows furrowed. "First of all, you insisted on going out of that hell, and now you wanna go back? How sure are you that we really have an alternative teacher for that subject? And second, what's wrong with feeding our minds in this fascinating library? We have nothing to worry about—Aisie!"

She dragged me and my things out of the library. What's wrong with this friend of mine? For Pete's sake! My butt isn't yet burning from the chair. Or this girl just wanna see the sub who's kinda well-known…I think.

Hayst! Alright, Lushiane. It's still a good thing if Aisie wants to sit in the class and listen. No more cutting classes or else dad will know about it.

Well, I cut two subjects already for this school year just to sleep and read in the library. If not, have a frappé at the Rosefield Café. I can give my ID to the guard so that he can let me out of the school if I want to.

As soon as we entered the class, we caught everyone's attention. I've heard that they are starting to check the attendance, and we just barge in like that, without any knocks or anything because Aisie is still holding my arms. This is embarrassing! All of them have a questioning look, gawking at us like we are some kind of prey who overran their territory.

I cleared my throat and removed Aisie's hand from my arms. At any minute, I think I'm gonna fall to the floor, so I walked past in front of their eyes until I reached my chair. I held my chest as I felt the thumping beat of my heart.

"We're sorry that we are late, Sir," Aisie apologized.

I only realized that a guy is sitting at our teacher's desk, holding a folder and a pen. We remained silent till my friend took the seat beside me.

"Alright!"

The silence disappeared all of a sudden when the guy exclaimed. He stared at me for a second, and there, I kinda felt a bit of familiarity with him. His hazel brown eyes look so delicate with his brown messy hair in our men's school uniform; blue polo and slacks, also, the black necktie and shoes compel him to be like a remarkable CEO.

I blinked my eyes to be awakened as I heard him calling our names.

"Landisio?"

"I'm here, Sir!"

To divert my senses, I pulled out my notebook and started scribbling letters on the back of it. It's kinda boring doing this silly thing, but I prefer this rather than gazing at his ecstatic eyes.

"Malernas!"

"Sir, she's not here."

I glanced at Azhanti, her presence kinda disturbs me. She's grinning from ear to ear while eyeing our substitute teacher.

Is she imagining that the guy is now on top of her? Like dude, she's a nympho. I even caught her making out with a guy at the library last week, and a different guy yesterday in the girl's comfort room.

I shook my head and looked at the man in front of us. He seems common in my eyes. What's special about him?

"Meradeltas."

However, I might agree that his looks can captivate a lot of women my age. Why tho? Doesn't he look brainless?

"Meradeltas!"

I just shook my head and continue with what I was doing.

"Meradeltas!"

A thunderous voice echoed in every corner of the room, making me slip my pen and stand up.

Trembling, I stammered as I said, "P-present."

My classmates held back their laughs as I sat. I threw them sharp looks and pinch my thigh. Can the ground swallow me whole? This is the 2nd time of shame for today.

When did I become deaf?

"You're too distracted to give attention to me, Ms. Meradeltas."

Why does he sound sexy with the words, "give attention to me"? Am I losing my sanity because of humiliation?

I swallowed hard and restrained myself from peering at him. This moment will mark on my memory till I die! Gosh.

"Why didn't you inform me that he's already calling my name?"

"I've been poking you the second time he called your name." She rolled her eyes as if I am the stupidest human alive in this century. "I even squeezed you badly in your arms, a few times. But yeah, those aren't that effective."

I was about to refute when the man started scanning the pages of the book that he is holding.

"Ok, class! Get your book and turn it to page twenty-five, and I'll give you thirty minutes to answer exercises A and C. Once you're done, I'll be going to check it."

I followed what he said. It's all about integers, the simplest topic in mathematics. This lesson has been taught to us since our first week in class. Maybe Mr. Clarifico just wants us to recall everything he taught while he's not here.

Well, it's better than being instructed by a senior learner, he doesn't have a license either!

"If you're already done with your activity, you can submit it to me so that I can check it. After submitting your paper, you can leave and have your lunch." He loosened up his necktie and glanced at me for a short time.

He looks…hot—no, Lushiane! Wake up!

I grabbed the pad paper inside my bag and started answering the problems. This can be done within 15 minutes though. However—I glanced at my friend's paper—her paper is clean aside from writing her name, there's nothing more.

"Can you give me—"

"You two, what are you whispering?"

I made myself calm as I turned to the man. "Ah…just borrowing a pen?"

"Isn't that pen you're holding?"

My eyes widened in shock. How stupid, Lushiane!

"I mean, borrow a correction tape."

His left brow rose as if he didn't acknowledge my alibi. What should I do? Earlier he looked hot, but now he looks like a hawk who's ready to attack if I say something wrong.

He snatched my paper from my desk. I can't even tell if he's going to kick me out of the room or what. He just scanned my paper, turning it side by side.

"Your paper implies that you're done. I didn't see any mistakes in your answers, so why do you need an erasure?" he asked impatiently.

He just eyed my paper and now he's convinced that I have no mistakes. Does he have a superpower?

"Ah…my name is wrong?"

His forehead creases. Am I really stupid?!

"It is not."

"How sure are you that it is not wrong?" I rebutted.

"Have you forgotten about the master list that I used earlier to check the attendance, Ms. Meradeltas? Have you lost your mind? Your insanity affects the whole class, Miss. Would you mind leaving now since you're done?"

My jaw dropped. What did he just say?! Is he referring to me as an insane creature?

I stand proudly. "Alright, Sir! Yeah, I'm done. Done with you! You should consume that paper so that your brain won't be empty anymore, Missy. Well my answers are right, I'm confident about it. Bye!"

I grabbed my things and walked out of the room. What a jerk! As soon as I reached the comfort room, I stomped my feet annoyingly and stared at my reflection.

That guy is stressing me out! Gosh.

"Be calm, Lushiane. Be calm."