Docile and Obedient

"I didn't know that you would be interested in these things. I mean, helping the old age and all." Aviana simply said to Evan who was busy trying to calm his nerves. Maybe their conversation was too sudden for him.

After a while, Evan Livares cleared his throat, awkwardly. "I do it for myself. It makes me happy." He tried to look calm but it was far from easy! The girl whom he used to stare at only from a distance was standing in flesh just before him! Plus, she was even talking to him!

Aviana Valos was the first girl he ever liked and this was only the second time they talked to each other! So, he didn't have much experience. He was much more like a novice. He never thought that he would be the shy type when it came to a girl he liked.

What an unlucky trait!

Even though he was happy that he could have a conversation with her, he desperately prayed for it to end soon! He was scared that he would make his feelings too obvious.

Maybe the heavens heard his prayer. Just when Aviana was about to talk again, Mrs. Allen came out from the warehouse with some vegetables in her hands. "Oh! You're back. I thought you already went home," she said to Aviana when she saw her standing before Evan

"I forgot my purse; so I return right away."

Evan continued chopping the carrots but he was all ears to their conversation. Then suddenly, the old lady grabbed him on the arm and looked at Aviana. "It's great timing! He is the boy I mentioned before. The one from your school who used to help me out."

Evan was left with no choice. He lifted his head once again and forced a smile.

"So it was our school's Prince Adonis. I used to wonder who would it be," Aviana remarked, followed by a giggle that made Evan's heart flutter.

He always made the heart of many girls flutter, even if he didn't mean to. Maybe his turn had finally come!

But that nickname again! Can't she just say his real name? But when he thought about it; after hearing her calling him Prince Adonis, he came to the conclusion that the nickname was not as bad as he thought. He started to feel somewhat happy about it.

"Do you know each other?" Mrs. Allen asked as she eyed both Evan and Aviana.

"Yes. Aviana is my classmate."

"Yes. He is the Prince Adonis of our school."

They answered at the same time.

Aviana raised a brow at Evan's response. She didn't expect Evan to know her name. After all, they were never close.

"You know my name?" This time, it was Aviana who asked the question.

"Of course. Who wouldn't know the top student of our class?" Evan replied.

'And my two years crush.' He wished he could say these words too! But he couldn't.

Evan used to ask himself. If Aviana was not taken, will he be able to confess his feelings for her? He maintained his silence for two years because she was taken. He didn't want to be the one who intervened in someone's relationship. He didn't want it to happen to him; so he won't do it to others too.

It was what his mother always told him. 'If you didn't want it to happen to you, then don't do it to others.' He always kept these words in mind whenever he made a decision. Before he judged someone, he always put himself in their shoes.

"The most popular student in my school recognized me? What an honor!" Aviana exclaimed, which was followed by another light giggle.

Evan was speechless. He cannot stop staring at Aviana as her laughter continued warming up his heart! But he was a bit confused.

She didn't look like the Aviana from school at all! Maybe he was mistaken about her. She seemed to be quiet and meek, but she was actually very friendly and easy-going. However, he liked this version more.

"It's getting late. Both of you should go home. Your families will be waiting for you." It was the old lady who broke the silence.

Both Evan and Aviana realized that the sun was about to set. Then Aviana took her purse and put it inside her school bag. "I'll be off then. Goodbye, Mrs. Allen. You too, Prince Adonis." She bid them goodbye with a graceful smile and left right away without turning back even once.

* * * * *

In a large and luxurious mansion of the Valos family, Aviana was having dinner with her parents. The table was filled with all sorts of delicious and luxurious foods, with well-trained servants standing beside them to attend to their demands.

The Valos family consisted of four members - Aviana Valos; her father Daniel Valos who was also the Chairman of Valos Group; her mother Gillian Valos; and her older brother Austin Valos who was currently studying abroad.

Though the table was filled with warm and delicious foods made by a great chef, Aviana always found it hard to swallow them. Maybe because she felt suffocated. Nevertheless, she obediently ate her food without making a single sound.

"How's Levi doing these days?" Daniel Valos asked his daughter. Like always, his voice was warm nor affectionate as a domineering father he was.

"He's doing fine. Everything is the same," Aviana replied. All her friendly attitude was nowhere to be found and in her place was a docile and obedient daughter who was always nervous in her father's presence.

"Don't forget to prepare yourself well for this weekend's joint dinner at Levi's house. As already planned, your engagement will take place after you both graduate from high school. Then you will go to study abroad together," her father reminded Aviana.

"Yes, Dad." Aviana nodded her head.

How could she probably forget? She was reminded so many times!

"How's school these days?" Gillian Valos asked Aviana, trying to change the topic to lift the mood. Unlike her husband, there was a soothing warmness in her voice.

"It's fine, Mom," Aviana answered with a faint smile. Then she rose from her seat. "I'll go and study in my room." Without even waiting for her parents' response, she left the dining room and went upstairs.

"Why must you push her so hard? She's only 18," Gillian Valos said to her husband in a somewhat disappointed tone.

Daniel Valos put down his knife and fork; then he looked at his wife. "If I don't remind her again and again, she might forget and cause trouble. She must know that as long as she is a Valos, her future is not something she can decide on her own."