BEWITCHED BY THE SCHOOL CHARMER
She embodied sensuality and undeniable charm that no man or woman could deny. Whether they were upright or bent, everyone's gaze was pulled to her. Her smile, frown, and every slight movement she made were enough to affect one’s mentality for the whole day. She was the charmer who was appointed and recognized by everyone in the school, whether they were teachers or students. She was that popular. In this charmer's world, there was no such thing as love. Love was a disease that perverted people's minds and led them astray, and she didn't want to live in such a world. But everything changed when he unexpectedly marched into her life, surprising her. Forcing her to break down the barriers she had up for more than two decades. He was the only one who was present. And he wasn't afraid to take what he wanted since he had the means. For him, being in love was a waste of time, and being faithful to one person was not his strong suit. Why bother investing in a single tree when he could own the entire forest? And when he saw her, his life was turned upside down. For him, it was love at first sight. He disliked it at first but eventually came to respect and like it. This sensation was novel to him and seemed unreal. He was completely in love with her, but her defenses were far too high and strong for him to break through. Will this prince charming and playboy from another school be able to captivate and seduce the school charmer? Will she be able to tear down the barriers she had built to allow him entry into her world, or will she continue to keep him at a distance?
CHAPTER 37: OUR PRECIOUS JEWEL
"Lad, where are you from?" Craig, seeing that the atmosphere would remain tense if none of them talked, decided to break the ice.
Unlike Travis, who was more of a tsundere, he liked being straightforward and getting everything done smoothly.
It was a bit chilly outside, and he wanted to lie down on the bed and bundle himself in his comforter.
So wasting time and trying to be mysterious was definitely something that he wasn't going to do. But for the sake of his tsundere lover, he was left with no choice but to do his best since he was required of it.
Duke, hearing the question thrown at him from the lesser scary uncle, whom he had guessed to be Uncle Travis's lover from their interaction, calmed himself.
As long as he scores brownie points from those two who meant so much to Darica, he doesn't think that Darica won't be satisfied with him.
"I am from the capital," he answered politely.
Craig, upon hearing that answer, thought that it was expected. People from the capital had this vibe about them that just made them stand out from the rest.
"Why did you leave Sonis to come to Avia for your studies?" Craig asked again as he just couldn't find a reasonable answer to that question at all.
Sonis and other major cities were better than Avia.
Unfortunately, Avia had become another home for him and there was no way he would leave Avia for any place.
Duke smiled faintly as he thought of the reasons why he decided to come to Avia instead of studying in Sonis or going abroad.
But would he be honest with those two? Hell, NO.
Some answers were meant to be kept to oneself, but he didn't mind giving them another reasonable answer. For he couldn't refuse to answer the question.
He didn't want to be on Darica's uncle's bad side, especially when he had just started a relationship with Darica.
"There is too much competition in the capital and so many expectations, and I didn't want to be embroiled in all that. I just wanted to study at a school where I can be free and do whatever I want without fearing what other people would say about me," Duke answered as he thought of the underlying currents in the capital that were hard to flee from.
Hearing that answer, Craig looked at Travis and nodded his head.
No one knew what those two were up to, and Duke was nervous as he waited for the next question.
"We have seen your dedicated pursuit of our niece. Honestly, I want to applaud you for your courage, shamelessness, and perseverance for continuing to walk on a hard path when fully knowing that the ending might be terrible," Craig chuckled as he said that.
He couldn't help but recall the daily drama that everyone got used to seeing as Duke pursued Darica.
From the gifts, the competitions, and the internet wars between the two universities, it had been a crazy year. And no one expected that Darica would accept Duke's feelings at the end.
He could already imagine how crazy everyone would be once the news became confirmed in the future.
"Hehe, uncle, what can a man in love do? No matter what, I shouldn't give up without putting on a fight. Since I fell for her, I decided to go all out. Who cares about dignity when pursuing a wife?" Duke smilingly said as he also recalled his journey that led to the very moment.
Travis also nodded his head in acknowledgment as he recalled his journey of falling in love. He couldn't help but look affectionately at Craig, his shameless lover.
"Indeed, if you love someone, then it's only right if you put in all your effort. However, Duke, you should have known by now that Darica is unlike your every girl!" Craig finally expressed what he wanted to say from word one.
Hearing that, Duke also knew that the moment he had been waiting for had finally arrived.
"I knew of that from the very second that I saw her," Duke admitted to Craig's statement.
Hearing that, Travis smiled as he opened his mouth for the first time since leaving the village for a walk outside.
"Then you must also be aware that she is more of a dominant person that won't yield easily. Are you sure that you want to be with her? Your pride as a man might be shattered in the process," Travis outrightly pointed out the major problem that anyone interested in Darica might face by being with her.
Duke had also thought about that before, for it nearly caused a major problem back on the island. But after not being with her for more than a day, he got back to his senses.
"As long as it's her, then I don't mind being dominated by her. Who cares about a man's pride or dignity? What I have is not something that others have. So why bother with other people when I am cool with everything?" Duke answered as he shrugged his shoulders.
Travis glanced at Duke as he contemplated something.
"There is still more to her, something that you will learn as time goes on. As long as you promise right now that whatever issues will surface in the future between you, you will solve them amicably first before rushing into judgment. We will do our best to stand by your side. Are you sure you are ready for any huge surprises that she will show you?"
"Uncles, I am ready for whatever will come my way. I have realized that Darica is more straightforward and isn't shy about expressing what she likes and dislikes. She is the type that is loyal to others and whatever she does, although before I couldn't understand it. I sincerely believe that it's all for a good cause," with a smile on his face, Duke spoke affectionately.
"I know that there is a lot for me to learn, and I am willing to do that. The reason why I persisted in following her this time was so that we got to know each other more. We study in different places and also stay far apart. So, I wanted to use this vacation before returning home to rectify that."
Both Travis and Craig were very satisfied with the answers that Duke was giving them. After all, Darica was truly troublesome.
And his answers meant more to Travis, who had literally watched as Darica grew up from a bean sprout to an adult.
Everything seemed to have happened just yesterday, but he knew fully well that the stubbornness in her bones was deeply carved and engraved into her. And it was something that wouldn't change.
How could it easily change when she was influenced greatly by those who raised her?