Challenge *

I couldn't believe it, my heart almost stopped beating. I couldn't breathe well, my lungs didn't catch any air. I think I was going to have a panic attack.

This has to be a joke, a horrible and macabre joke. Thunder and the FL together. I expected to see the ML, Liam Evans today, but far, far away from me, on the main table several meters from me, but I didn't expect to see these two.

"Finally you are here," Jason invited them to sit but I couldn't look at them. "We were waiting for you."

Thunder sat on my right side and Rose on the other side of Thunder. Oh no… no… no…

"I think with all of us here, we shall introduce ourselves," Jason continued, cheering the table, "You are the full scholarship students of the Lark Foundation, and great results are expected from everyone. Most of you already know me. I'm Jason Vern, fourth year, and I was tasked to be the one to guide you on this adventure, but don't worry, I have seven assistants, one for each of you, they will introduce themselves at the school. Now, shall we start?"

One of the young men, the one with the reddish hair, who looked just like Vin, began. "My name is Raymond Tate, I'm about to enter the Computer Science faculty."

The one next to him, a young man with short brown hair, continued. "I'm Arthur Knight, Law School. Nice to meet you."

The other young woman who had a nice white dress, and seemed nervous sighed before introducing herself. "I'm Samantha Hill, my degree is in Finance and Business. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Erika Hans, I'll study Computer Science," she said with confidence and a bright smile, her gaze was on Thunder.

After her, it was the FL turn. Dressed in red, less daring than the last time I saw her, but just as beautiful. "My name is Rose Mills, I will be studying Finance. I hope to have everyone's support."

Her voice was delicate and pure. She could hypnotize anyone. 

However, I didn't care for that girl at the moment. I felt nervous. Especially when the man I'd been trying to avoid all this time was next to me. Please, don't let him recognize me. 

I didn't look at him, I didn't show him my face. I didn't want him to even know of my existence. 

"My name is David Parker," he said, his voice husky as I remembered it, even a little deeper. "I will study Finance."

I did not expect that. Maybe he's trying to hide his other identity as Thunder.

"Eva?" Jason interrupted my thoughts.

"I'm Eva Cote, I'll study computer science," I said quickly without looking at anyone.

Jason clapped and nodded. "Very good, now that we all know each other, I hope we get along."

Then the lights went out and the event began. But my heart barely left me alone. I had to focus, focus.

"Eva? Is that your name?" I heard a whisper close to my ear. "You have a very pretty name."

It was Thunder or David. I was so nervous that I almost threw up right there. I should try… then I will be escorted out of this freaking event. 

"T-thank you," I kept looking ahead, right where my grandpa was. I was cursing him to his last ancestors. 

The host was already making introductions and making people laugh. Though I couldn't even smile. 

"You look very good," he continued.

"Thanks," I replied without looking at him again, I wouldn't.

"The makeup must have taken you hours."

"Not so much."

"I think so, your face looks different than before."

Every bit of blood in me disappeared right at that moment. I couldn't believe he recognized me, maybe he was just playing me.

"I don't understand, I d-don't know you."

"Are you sure?"

I turned to see him, he wasn't wearing glasses, and his green eyes seemed to shine. Goodness! He looked undeniably handsome and more mature. 

"I don't know you, I've never seen you in my life, please don't bother me," I replied, trying to appear calm, although my heart was pounding like never before. "I don't like playboy jerks."

He was silent, looking into my eyes as if he was analyzing my expressions. I tried to stay calm. I remembered my training from my past life, only then could I avoid those expressions that could evidence my lie.

Thunder frowned and sighed. "Sorry, I thought you were someone else, you look a lot alike."

"Okay, let's just keep watching the event," I said and turned to look at the stage. Now there was an artist singing or something, I couldn't concentrate.

For some reason, my heart felt rumbling with fear, a lot of fear.

On the other side of me, I could feel a blow to my leg. It was that jerk Jason raising his eyebrows like he caught me doing something wrong. What's wrong with this idiot?

"Let's give Peter Lark a round of applause, ladies and gentlemen," the host announced and I automatically turned my head to look at the old man who had caused me so much trouble ever since he came into my life.

He would say something, thank people for coming, and dedicate a few words to his children. He seemed to enjoy embarrassing them in public. Especially my father. Good, he deserved it.

Then… as I should have expected, his attention fell on the Foundation scholarship students' table.

"We all expect great things from you," he said, and the spotlight fell on us. "Young, talented minds, I hope your life goes uphill and you manage to generate many successes."

Everyone applauded but the old man wouldn't make this so easy, otherwise, why did he go on stage?

"I want to announce something very important to you, that I have decided a long time ago, being so old I can see that the world is full of better and new heads, and in my family, there are many talents that I want to see shine, however, it would not be the same if they did not compete with the outside world, so today I am going to send a challenge, for my grandchildren. I will give you two million to invest and grow a business, and within three years, we'll see how much your company is valued. However, you won't be the only ones who will enter the challenge, but..." that hateful old man pointed to our table. I knew he would do something like that. "They will also participate. As long as it does not affect their studies, they will also be able to participate like all the students registered in our foundations of scholarship holders. Two million each and whoever gets the best return within three years will get a percentage of the shares of the Lark company. Good luck!"

I'm sure he looked at me, that old man looked at me and winked. Damn old man!