Chapter 2

PRANKKKK…

The plate in Irina’s hand smoothly landed on the floor in pieces. “Oops,” She looked at her father, ready for a lecture. “it doesn’t want me to hold it.”

Irina didn’t feel guilty. She knew somehow her father would manage to bring the same plate home. Although she didn’t understand why her father didn’t bring plate with different colors or motives home. Why it had to be the same type?

Roman’s eyes were on the floor, then swiftly turned to his daughter’s guiltless expression. He sighed at her ridiculous excuse. “That’s the second plate for this morning.”

“Sorry…”

Snorting, Roman knew his daughter didn’t regret it at all. “Please don’t help me and go to your room. I’ll call you when breakfast ready.”

“No, Papa. I need to help you so we can have breakfast faster.”

“No! You proved it already, your help slows the process. Now go wait in your room. I’m afraid if I let you stay here, I’m sure you’d broke all our plates and glasses.”

“But…” Irina faced her father’s one brow lifted expression as she tried to find a reason to defend herself but found nothing. She pouted, then obediently walked out of the kitchen.

While Roman stayed still on his spot, didn’t resume his previous activity of breakfast making. He was waiting for his daughter to be in her room. He heard his daughter stomped on the stairs, few moments later she opened her bedroom door then closed it, slamming it lightly.

Still not getting the breakfast ready. Instead, he made a move with his hand lazily. Murmuring something, then instantly the broken plates back to the way they were before.

Meanwhile, Irina sat on a wooden chair in her room restlessly. She couldn’t suppress the desire to go to the library any longer. Breakfast was not important, her dream was. She needed to go, but how?

Her father wouldn’t let her go without having a breakfast first, so she had to go without his permission. Going through the front door was impossible, because her father would notice. How else she could go?

She walked back and forth, feeling distraught. She wanted to go now, before her father’s calling for breakfast. A ray of sunlight came through the window suddenly caught her attention. An idea formed in her head as she immediately strode towards the window.

Hands on the windowsill, Irina assessed the height from her window to the ground. Not too high. Fortunately, her room was in between first and second floor, so she could land on the ground without breaking any of her bones.

Putting her bag over her shoulder, she lifted her dress a little. Climbing on to the window, she sat a moment on the windowsill as she counted to three, then jumped.

Soon, she strolled in the town’s busy street. Walking on the sidewalk as she watched carriages and horses passed through the main road. On the other side of the sidewalk, solidly stood a row of tall buildings where business, trading, and other important matters conducted.

Enjoying the busy ambiance, Irina leisurely walked under the sunlight. Her hair usually looked black, but sunlight made its original color showed, which was dark blue. She didn’t let her hair grew longer over her neck.

The walk towards library made her already excited heart became madly excited. On the surface, she walked like normal people but she was daydreaming inside. Her bright blue eyes seemed to focus on the road ahead, but all she saw was herself, sitting on the librarian’s chair working as a librarian.

She didn’t need focus as her feet would bring her to the library by instinct. When she arrived, standing in front of the library building, unusual scenery greeted her. Ensuring she was in the right place, she looked around.

Yep. Library was having many visitors. But why all of them were women?

“Hey, is there something happens? Why they’re running into the library like that?” Irina held an arm of a younger woman.

The younger woman’s smile looked so silly, thought Irina, as she gave Irina brief and unclear explanation. “Oh, there’s this new man in town, he’s in there.” Then the younger woman hurriedly went inside the library.

So? Irina shrugged as she couldn’t relate why the man visited the library.

Who was this new man who made the library full?

As she entered the library, she saw a man, a stranger man was sitting behind the librarian table. Her heart sank. He wasn’t Mr. Herald’s replacement, right?

Mrs. Letty, the other librarian, wasn’t on her usual seat. And Irina wanted to return the books she borrowed before. Taking a deep breath, she began to walk towards the man behind the librarian table.

She pulled out two books from her bag, then pushed them forward. “I want to return them.”

“Sure.” Said the man as he gave Irina a brilliant smile.

Irina lifted one brow as a respond. Unbeknownst to her, she earned many sharp glares from the women in there.

“I like the rabbit prince in this book.” Said the man, trying to make a conversation. He got no respond from her. Awkwardly, he continued the returning process.

Irina’s mind was filled with dejection. His action had answered the question which made her heart sank.

“Who are you?” Irina asked.

“I’m Lucas, the new librarian.” He replied friendly, still threw the same smile at Irina.

Gasps and giggles came from behind Irina. She turned to see, there was many women her age or a little younger were watching the man.

Shaking her head, Irina shifted her attention back to the new librarian. He was done with the returning process.

“What’s your name?” He asked, his hand was holding Irina’s membership sheet.

Irina took the sheet, then chuckled coldly and locked eyes with him in disdain. “My name is not for a thief like you to know.”

“Huh?”

At least, Irina enjoyed his puzzle look. Though it wasn’t enough to heal her disappointment.

Turning away, Irina couldn’t stand being in the same room with the one who, she thought, stole her dream. After taking few steps towards the exit door, few women blocked her way. All of them stared angrily at Irina.

“What do you mean he’s a thief?” Asked a blonde woman.

“Yea, what do you mean? Maybe you’re the thief, not him.” Added the woman in blue dress.

“Apologize.” Said the blond again.

Irina frowned. “No.” She said firmly.

“I said, apologize.” The blond repeated, pushing Irina’s shoulder harshly.

Thank goodness, thought Irina, as she had already set her feet firmly on the floor. The push didn’t shake her.

“You vicious girl.” Said another.

Irina couldn’t find from whom the voice came, because those with angry looks seemed to be increased in number. Then they started yelling at the same time.

“Rude.”

“Apologize now!”

“I’m going to make you apologize.”

“What an impolite girl. Has no manner.”

“Bad attitude. Illogical.”

“No wonder she got no friend at all.”

“Yeah, we all hate you. Everybody hates you.”

Then they scream in unison while trying to push her again. “We hate you.”

“Ladies…” A man’s voice interrupted. “Please hush, this is library.”

Irina didn’t turn to see the smug on his face, she tried hard to push back so that she had enough space to walk. With great effort, she managed to make a path out. She guessed these women were trying their best to look good in front of that man. Pathetic. And stupid.

When they realized Irina had already reach the exit door, they yelled again, cursing her.