Chapter — 33 [center of attention; U ]

'Despite not having a perfect romance even if our tale is never told, you're the kindest blessing that has been given to me.'

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It was somewhat sweet, like almond and vanilla that affluent her senses. Felicitous, being in a cozy blanket. Safe cherished being vulnerable with her companion. Comforting affection renders a warm sensation and clicking of heels displays the presence.

She nearly flinched when the loud breathless voice pitched from the stacked bookcases. "I found it!" Ariana was enthusiastic and so were her steps

"Oh?" She mustered back glancing to her side the young girl swallowed down for her life when the elder coy eyes solicited with hers. Practically shoving the thick rusty book in her hands Ariana leaned back by her side. "Should I start from the beginning?" flipping the pages of prologues Seyong asks

Ariana takes hold of the book and scans through the pages she points to a specific quotation. "Here read it for me,"

She cleared her throat adhering to instructions and read out. The soft mouthpiece honeyed soliloquizing into the boundless space. Now and then each, less she glanced up only to be reverent by nothing but pure adoration from her very fascinated audience who barely held back their excitement.

"In very mysterious days I did not like her. I experienced a strange intense excitement, that was pleasurable ever and anon mingled with a vague sense of fear and disgust."

Disgust? Seyong stopped whose book she was reading again and why did the protagonist use these words to describe whom? Their lover? She tried to look for the next words that imperil to fluctuate between sentences on their own.

"I had no distinct thoughts about her while such moments lasted but I was conscious of my admiration … that is growing into love." she pauses. "And also of abhorrence. This is a paradox I know, but I can no longer make attempts to explain this feeling."

"Next paragraph," Ariana commands

Her throat dried fairly; the passage was harder to attain without her spectacles but she obliged. The end is near.

"Sometimes after hours of coldness, my strange beautiful companion would take my hand and hold it with a fondness I-uh…" Seyong choked on the sentences when delicate fingers grazed along her shoulders. She blinked trying to focus on the words. " I-i r-renewed again and again, blushing calmingly, her gazes on my face with languid burning eyes and breathing so fast that her dress rose and fell with tumultuous respiration,"

Ariana being behind is not helping her to maintain her composure which is very to be left off. How infatuating. Her eyes were glued to the pages the ink looked to be brimming by now

"Come on don't be a cliffhanger," the brunette's voice drawls in delight closer to her cheek as she leans with glowing eyes squeezing Seyong's shoulder lightly. She did seize a sort of entertainment in this spellbinding torture. Cruel.

Shuddering a breath, she flaps in the drowning water. "It was like the ardor of a lover. It embarrassed me it was hateful yet powering with her captivating eyes she drew me to her...and—"

Jesus! tongue-tied her cheeks burn red hot. The words aren't coming out, promptly a new level of panic quivers down her skin as her eyes skim the next leftover lines. An unfamiliar scent heady and intoxicated forces her thorax to block the source of air. Awear of the gentle brushes of breeze she retained her eyes to drift down on the svelte fingers of the latter.

"Her cold lips trail along my burning skin with kisses," Ariana moans, lips rapture against the side of the younger cheek forming imprints of ownership. "And she would whisper, ever in sobs, My Darling…"

Seyong quacks fidgeting in her place as a hand tugs her blonde strands and pulls her head back. "You are mine," her voice snarls against her ear shell. "You shall be mine," with a hard yank she arches a breathy noise. " You and I are one. Forever. And ever." Giving a good measure of time. She felt a low chuckle. Ariana kissed the back of her head before a query came. "What do you think of Admiration growing into love?"

"I-I don't know how to make of it, is that love?"

Fingers paused body shifted as her crush came into her sight, a hand extended gently Ariana cupped her cheek. "Why? Is it not?" Almond hazel eyes trace over her roseate face. "Don't you love me Seyong?"

Voice smoothly husks lifting her chin, their eyes drawn together. All she heard was her pulse melodic beats and all she respired in was Ariana's fragrance — a sweet, breathtaking, glorious, mirage.

"Yes," She exhaled in a low voice. "Yes, I do."

Erubescent edges curled, thumb tenderly stroking her cheek gingerly tracing the outline of her heart-shaped lips. "Of course you do," leaning down the brunette smirked." Cause you're a fool. My fool."

Ambiguous and bewildered Seyong smiled back without defying the allure she allowed to be tended to. Before closing the gap she pressed her lips willingly. Scrupulous thoughts silenced by a fervent mouth. The hot tongue claims slowly with passion. She whines breathlessly, as her lips chase for the mouth again when they feel tempted off. Raising her clumsy hands gently holding Ariana's nape, their pale skin replete red. Her mind barely registers the low inaudible growl she received as a warning to steer her tempestuous desperation.

Strong hands tightly clutched her collar pulling her up from the seat in a sudden shift she was pushed onto the wooden desk one of the hands securely held her back preventing any unwanted pain from the urgency and loss of control yet the agony in her eyes was enough to impel a giggle gasp of breaths intermingle upon each other.

"Watch it, Dearie," Ariana's hands slid both her side waist before gently lifting her on the desk. One of the single digits freely caressed her collarbone to keep a distance. "Behave, I said." A low rumble exudes authority.

The words sways delineate bliss Seyong sighs into contentment, a delectable blush entrapped within the pulsating intensity of pouncing gaze beneath the attenuate contacts. "s-sorry,"

Ariana let out a brief chuckle and grin. "It's hard, I know."

Satin traces slip over infatuations making her breath hitch blinded with erasing hopes; the low velvety tone has always made her knees weak. She nods with betting palpitation, her fingertips brushed over Ariana's. She didn't dare to look either in fear of ruining the moment. She waited.

In a beat, with adoration, her hands were gripped so close the hold didn't gleam with desire but an innocent relief of two lovers… no objection she felt her palms being pressed against both sides of Ariana's clothed waist trembling fingers firm onto the silk fabrics nearly terrified.

A scorching heat discharged from her lower belly blazing a path through her veins being merriment, her gaze lowered onto the heaving chest of her beloved soul captor.

Breathing hard she looked up, eyes awed resting upon sincere once inching in closeness her legs gingerly touched the side of the strong thighs even over the skirt she could feel the fervency radiating within her core chewing the fleshy bottom of her lips she suppressed the exhales that wanted to cry out not to stop, in the malicious duration she wanted nothing but to grip the pliant waist feel the heat of their body. Involuntarily her fingertips came upon the curve of Ariana's hip bones.

The throb between her legs drenched seeing the darkened complexion as Ariana's jaw tightened. She couldn't concentrate.

Endless profundities felt inauguration of a parallel universe surrounded by desire carelessly her legs wrapped themselves around the slender core leaning in she pressed her face closer to Ariana's neck inhaling the sweet rich scent to quell the prickling in her olfactory nerve —' Lavender' lips parted eyes closed in ecstasy the tiniest chance of self-control disappeared when she wasn't stopped by any force she stumbled to move closer

"Please," sultry moan muzzle onto the silken skin. Moving her abdomen forth in indescribable pleasure, her mouth nudged onto the crook of Ariana's neck. Thick flames burst inside her soul to blend in divinely. " ple-please," Seyong whispers exasperatedly against the stiff mouth

Excruciating ardency swept in her abdomen as Ariana surged forward grabbing a fist full of the blonde mane's warm lips acclaiming to her neck with open-mouthed kisses caressing her throat. The hand on the back of her head rewarded trickling on the scalps and massaging the roots gently."Ariana," she gasps,

The moment Ariana's name fled from her mouth something unleashed inside

An opportunity

An approval

A submission.

"Say it again."

Her head falls back, teeth scraped against the side of her neck before taking hold of its flesh. Ariana bit down roughly moaning into the taste as she drew the impaled skin." Ariana!" Seyong cries, clawing her shoulder blades to subdue the shock waves in transcendent places.

"Yes," Ariana sighed her free hand sliding inside the younger's thighs with a mere fluke of nails grazing over the soaking undies feeling the soak moisture of arousal

Seyong moans, bucking her hips, she tries to move away from the unpredictable contacts which foremost earns another harsh bite into the pulse of her neck. This one hurt. It was hard enough to break the barrier of the skin. Maybe the canines have sunk inside. Tears beam to her eyes beyond reason she has never been touched like this. Ariana pushed harder causing her to squirm intensely fingertips dug into the clothed back.

"Is this how you want me, " the sensual laugh mocked." Even after I made you an exception, "there was disappointment in the tone. "You're no better than any perverted man."

Trepidation irked with all the impulses in potent fear her heart sank, eyes widened slowly. She began to drop her hands. stifling in her movement, her head moved

With red smeared lips Ariana spat." You disgust me Chao Seyong."

A sharp gasp shot up in the air as her body jolted awake on the bed huffing and sweating her pajamas glued to every inch of her petite form. Frightened, her chest rose in disproportioned rhythms, violently trying to take air into her stalled lungs to breathe.

Her dorm room was quiet; she dragged her weary gaze around, with no glimpse of her best friend. She was glad. However, the warm throbbing got worse when she felt the wet moisture stain between her legs down to her thighs

Menstrual blood. That's all she could hope for. Please be menstrual blood she prayed trembling hands reached inside her pants two shaky fingers slid over her wet thighs pressing harder a deep moan escaped past her lips. Rubbing the moisture between her fingers when she pulled her hands out wishing it to be menstrual blood the gloss of wanton arousal painted in humiliation.

'Not Again!'

Realizing everything was just a dream, poor Seyong could only shudder. There was still a long day ahead.

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Due to the plurality of Wilmington students, staff, and professors occupying the classrooms and offices the grand corridors, and hallways are empty enveloping a natural stillness in the premises. But assuredly, some students did not abide by their roles, they concealed themselves away on campus with their group of friends.

The unfettered sun rays coruscate into the classroom, slipping from the large glass windowsill streaming on the walls pouring to the mahogany floor with warm golden hues. A tiny grayish-brown bird chirps close to the window before fluttering its wings as it flies back to wide blue yonder. Lucy's eyes were fascinated. It was fairer to stare outside than…

This.

"Any question?"

In a once loose-lipped class that is silenced now by a strong persona an austere voice darkly resonates from the lecturer's desk. Almond hazel eyes inspected their gaze attentively with patience for the frightened students who squirmed in their seats and murmured with their seatmates conjuring questions they could muster.

Lucy rolled her eyes seeing the fear creeping on others' they don't have courage.

Heaven knows why Mr. Avon even permits Ariana to take the extra class When he understands how everyone stresses getting involved with the Kin family Heir. Bloody Hell! She cussed from the moment she saw Ariana entering the classroom grasping some files of notes. The hopes of passing the exam seem to be glum now.

"Yup," She heard a familiar voice from the whispers. Someone is brave today."How long are you going to teach us the same thing, Ariana?"

Boy, the balls Sebastian Wheeler has to question. His voice was quiet, it was hard to hear in the murmur considering he was seated on the 5th row but Lucy was sure Kin had heard it. The sassy tone was loud and clear.

The history of Sebastian and Ariana was quite interesting after he bullied the students when the rules of the University had defined No bullying. But guess he only seeks Ariana's attention which he gets favorably.

There's no reasoning answer to how he could get over after pissing off The Queen Bee. Maybe because of the heavy donations The Wheeler families had offered that held back Mr. Kin which was absurd to think. The soi-disant Noble Kin family were wealthy, born with golden spoons; they never required donations for the university perhaps …Ariana Jane Wang Kin was being somehow generous to someone.

Lucy bit her lips to repress her laugh watching the dead face of Ariana. Sebastian has earned her attention. But not in a good way.

" Excuse me, Mr. Wheeler," Ariana eyed the boy who had kept nagging in her existence. The sheepish smirk of his mirrored a celestial smile as her head tilted. She crossed her arms in front of her chest. " I didn't catch that…Be louder!"

The first-row students leaped on their seats. Everyone looked back at Sebastian who didn't seem to get affected thus far bewitched by Ariana's resentment. He raised from his seat looking into the brunette's eyes, something dark lurking behind his vertiginous gaze. Something that Lucy doesn't want to name. " Even though it's always a joyous delight to be in your presence, My Queen, however, we are getting bored."

Some students gasp as they look back and forth. Lucy could only stare -Did he just— 'Never Mind not your problem'. She reminded herself.

" I'm flattered really." The cold tone laced a glimmer of caution without breaking eye contact." Since you are getting bored, why don't you get your shit out of my class, Mr. Wheeler."

"Oh, My Miss Kin what's with the swearing you can't do that in the class basic manners you know." Sebastian said, tapping his pointer finger to his lips he feigned to think." Mr. Avon never kicked us out. " Even the fellow male student looked at him in concern

"I know but you see," Ariana took a step ahead, her expression was inscrutable revealing nothing but sovereignty." I'm not Mr. Avon. This is my class. Only I decided who would stay," she broadly stated." So get out, Sebastian." Each word dragged nonchalantly.

"Are you serious," The boy grimaced as if the response wasn't the appetite of his yearning." You're not a teacher, how would we know you are teaching us the right thing? Just because you are the principal's daughter,"

His careless remarks denigrate the meritorious decision of the senior professor Mr. Avon requests Ariana to help the students because it is beneficial for him even though she didn't wish the only reason was her father and now even after the short apathetically dismissing warnings were illogical to this boy. 'No stabbing in the class Papa won't like it.' She clasps her hands behind to quash the itchiness in her hands. 'Don't lash out'.

Looking down at her wristwatch she glanced at everyone. After a moment, she proceeded to stand before the lecture desk, a hand resting atop.``You're right," she agreed, "I am just the principal's daughter nothing less," glimpsing how Sebastian's face lit up. Her fingers tapped. "Is that what everyone thinks? '' Offering him no attention her question was reciprocated to the students.

"The door is open but let's make something clear," boring her gaze to everyone Ariana began." Mr. Avon has some family emergency so he won't be avail to carry his lectures till Thursday. If everyone's thoughts are similar to Mr.Wheeler feel free to entreat the other professors for help, not me."

The students were determined to take the suggestion. " But if they don't. Then be delighted to bring your Daddies." She looked at Sebastian, his smirk had been lost and replaced with an unpleasant scowl. " Hmm, I doubt they would come. Will he Sebastian?"

"Ariana—"

" Touché," Her voice endears." Oh, My bad I recall the parenting issues some students have. They're quite enjoyable to hear though." Ariana's eyes twinkled when they watched the boy swallow hard, a cruel smirk on her lips eventually just a few stings it takes to get into someone's skull. " Never delectable affection can make a child awful. Can make them a pitiable attention sneaker. I feel pity." She spoke lowly with paltrier sympathy pulling a sad face. Each word had more venom than less.

"Ariana." Sebastian gritted. His hands fisted by his side. "You—"

" Yes?" A challenge blazes in her eyes.

The daggers Wheeler ever threw into Kin's soul were futile Lucy wondered. Under the burning gaze, there's no use. It's rather foolish to provoke things further.

Ariana claps her hand once to earn everyone's attention. "If Mr. Wheeler doesn't leave I will, and once I did. This principal's daughter will talk to Mr. Kelvin and stop the second chance he wished for his dearest students." She smiles with benevolence ."Have fun then."

If Lucy had the strength she'd toss Wheeler out of the class possibly everyone would as they look at Sebastian their eyes say it all. They wanted to get this over. Mr. Kelvin was one the kindest professors but Ariana was a wicked witch she could convince him there's no doubt. She has the power to. They will be doomed.

Time elapsed and eventually, the remaining silence was miffed by the tempestuous screech of Sebastian's chair he furiously stepped forth and moved past Ariana but before he could hurry out of the doorway.

"Wait," Ariana's voice stops him." Don't forget your trash," she mentions toward his notebook. Once it was clutched her heels tapped onto the floor as she stood in front of Sebastian. " Next time if you want to learn, keep your impure thoughts to yourself. They're easy to read." The corner of her lips gently lifts upward when the glazed door closes.

" Now since there's no issue let's move on." The lessons were about to pick up where they left off whilst she caught a demure soft imploration as a shaky hand raised from the third-row middle. " Yes, Sakura," With a calm gentle tone, she uttered the girl's name

An apologetic flush forms over pale cheeks ."c-ca-can y-you r-redo th-the solution again please Miss." Sakura request

"Sure," Ariana shrugs, smiling.

The sight left the students baffled in their seats while they witnessed the clarification of problems disclosing every arising doubt. That was way easier than anyone predicted.

By the end of the lesson despite the various details, the senior students survived after being mentally drained and physically exhausted whereas they left cheering themselves bowing goodbyes to Ariana. Lucy lay her head on her desk, her mind overwhelmed by the repetition and weight of unsophisticated textbooks. Not like everyone, she has a lot to finish. Was there any spell that could help her memorize… A charm perhaps.

"You're failing this year," A remarked broadly express less chattering invading her thoughts

"I know." She murmurs back, paying no mind to Ariana. Her mother did give her warnings —if she didn't focus on her studies exams would be difficult and now it is worse. It looked like her luck was not optimistic at all.

" You need help."

"I do." Again she mumbled back to herself, this time virtually forgetting she wasn't alone and was being watched curiously.

"I will help you."

A glint of confusion flashed through her mind as her head darted up. The words played in the empty classroom implying genuineness Ariana didn't look like she was kidding. "You will?" Lucy asked.

"Mmm,"

Her calculating stare surveyed Ariana's face, any expression that would be enough to determine what was going on inside that head. " And what do you want? Probably you're not doing any favor"

"Indeed I'm not. Good girls do ' favor ' Hwang. I'm not a good girl am I?" Ariana's initiating answer with questions earns an eye roll. Obviously, you're not.

Lucy narrowed her gaze beside the bitchiness she couldn't ponder what Ariana was thinking. " What do you want then?"

A gentle bemused chuckle draws in affirmation. "Seyong."

"What?"

An amiable smile lingers on the brunette's lips. The change of tone of the blonde girl in front was innocently fascinating, a small mention of her friend and Lucy is ready to shoot back. " I want you to stop talking with Seyong till we finish. I will help you with your studies." She clarifies

" So you just want to ruin our friendship or something?"

'Hell, why is she so… stupid!' people are certainly giving pain in her neck today. First professor then Sabestian and now this… Ariana couldn't care less about Lucy failing in class but maybe for someone else. Someone who won't be upbeat if they don't see their best friend passing with good ranks.

" Frankly I don't give a damm about your relationship with your bestie. Follow my rules, value my time and you will pass." she brushes off the endless long stare expecting that would be enough to feed Hwang's hunger which was not

"But why?"

The urge to slam Lucy's head and tell her to go get the help she was offering was shrill soaring but lightly searching big dark eyes soft contorting frowns on brows were just childlike. Deep down Hwang Lucy was still a baby with no filter. She sighed. If she's dealing with a baby she knows how to handle it. " What Why?"

"Why are you willing to help me?"

"Because you're an enormously stubborn hassle but seemingly talk too much so I changed my mind. Am sure your parents will be happy to see your results." Swiftly Ariana began to amble toward the door leaving dumbfounded Lucy

1

2

3

And…

" Wait!"

"Yes?" she innocently inquired as she turned to look, watching Lucy hesitating was wonderfully funny. The girl was having inner battles between her ego brain and realities

"I will do it," Lucy promised a mixture of anxiousness was pursuing in her tone. She doesn't trust Ariana. Why would anyone ever trust a maniac? Unless someone lost their brain cells.

"Do what exactly?" an eyebrow arch.

Lucy huffs with annoyance. Ariana will make her say it. "Whatever the shitting rules are I will follow but if you dare to use it against Seyong. Kin I will—."

" You will feed my bones to my precious babies, I know. A boneless threat I would say. " The brunette wittingly quipped, recalling the angry tiny Hwang storming her feet in the mansion and running after her with the same soft threats in their childhood where she used to be homeschooled. Lucy was a bubbling bombshell squabbling to be besties.

Sensing the poise muteness inept peers flicker up. For the first time, they weren't arguing Or fighting. " Anway," she cleared her throat. " One more thing, no cussing. One bad word and ten points minus from your Algebra paper."

"You're kidding, right? "

"Do I?" Ariana tilted her head.

Lucy gave her a disgusted look before she snapped. " You've got to be shitting me," she wanted to curse more but Ariana's voice echoes

"10 points."

"What the fuck!" Before she could hold back another curse escaped past her lips.

"20."

"Hey!"

"30."

"You can't jus—"

"40."

"Fine!" Lucy put back her retort self. " I won't use foul words."

"See, it wasn't that hard, was it? Be more polite next time, Miss Hwang. I know you're a good girl." Ariana smiles cheekily

"God I hate you so much." Lucy groans rubbing her temple, regrets are on their way for her misplaced phrases.

"50."

"That wasn't a curse!"

" It is."

"Say who?"

"Me." Ariana wisely replied as a small smirk crawled across her lips while Lucy scoffed in disbelief. Possibly she was being too much but, she won't make it easy for Hwang. She sought to play more. "Now chin up we've got a lot of things to wrap up from tomorrow."

"Why not today?"

Ever so lightly Lucy asks eyes hopefully staring into hers. " Try harder and I'll think about it." The upsurging outrage was evident but desperate times call desperate measures

"Please, could you stop being a sarcastic bitch and glorify me with your kindness Miss fucking Kin."

"60."

"This is not fair!"

Hearty chuckles softly reverberated inside the classroom followed by their laughs immersed in the sudden sally surrounding exclusive exchanging of taunts was almost pleasantries familiar for both of them that ended soon with Ariana's agreement

Where Lucy began to ruffle with her notebook she gazed outside the window. Into pure serendipity, her eyes stumble upon someone a particular distraction that had specially kept her attention endeared in fulfillment of something hollow unfurling a longing.

Casually her lips curled seeing the tip-toeing tinny bean gripping a pile of heavy books in front of her chest with a bag on the side of Seyong's shoulder her blonde hair shone in the sun rays

' Where are you going Miss Nerdy?' Curious gaze studied the girl who bowed to Mr. Kelvin smiling

Without engaging in what special conversation was interchanging between them her brows furrowed intimately, eyes shifted back to Seyong as she watched the professor heading back to the third edifice whilst the younger walked toward the second. ' Library.' She guessed

"Oi," Lucy called, still looking down at the problems she flipped the pages. " Where should we start?"

Ariana walked towards her desk and sat in front of Lucy. " From the beginning," she replied.

This is going to be torture. She told herself.