Cold Hearts In London

Morning in Amelia’s Apartment The shrill alarm sliced through the quiet morning, but Amelia Carter barely moved. She buried her face into her pillow, wishing sleep could last forever. Today was her first day at Ashford Crown University, and the weight of expectations pressed down harder than ever. “Sweetie, wake up!” her mother’s gentle voice called from the kitchen. “Don’t be late! Remember, this scholarship… it’s everything.” Amelia sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. Her father was gone, taken too soon, leaving just her and her mother to manage life’s endless struggle. Every morning was a race — between getting ready, grabbing breakfast, and facing a world that didn’t always care about ordinary girls. Her mother had prepared her bag the night before: notebooks neatly stacked, pens clipped in place, and a small packed lunch tucked in for the day. Amelia slung it over her shoulder and gave her mother a grateful smile. “Thanks, Mom,” she murmured. Breakfast was simple — toast, eggs, and tea — and soon Amelia stepped into the cool London morning, bracing herself for a day that promised both challenge and opportunity. Morning at the Blackwood Estate Across town, Ethan Blackwood sat rigidly at the opulent dining table, untouched breakfast before him. His father, a formidable lawyer, had begun another lecture on legacy and responsibility. “You need to focus on law, Ethan,” his father insisted. “Music, art… these are hobbies, not careers. You are destined for greatness. Your place is with the family.” Ethan clenched his jaw, the words bitter on his tongue. He didn’t want the path chosen for him. What he truly desired was art — sketching, painting, capturing the quiet beauty of the world on canvas. But that passion had no place in the life his father envisioned. With a curt “Excuse me,” he pushed back his chair, leaving plates untouched, and strode toward his sleek black car. The engine’s roar was his only solace, a private escape from the legacy that suffocated him. The Fateful Meeting At Ashford Crown University, Amelia’s nerves hummed like electricity as she approached the cafeteria. The university loomed large — ivy-clad walls, gleaming windows, students moving with effortless confidence. Among them, she felt fragile yet determined. Ethan arrived moments later, impeccably dressed, every inch the golden boy of Ashford Crown. Preoccupied with irritation from the morning and lingering pressure from his father, he didn’t notice Amelia until it was too late. She turned the corner, balancing her bag and lunch, just as he strode past — coffee in hand. The cup tipped. A splash of steaming liquid arced through the air. “Watch where you’re going!” Ethan barked, stepping back, anger flashing in his eyes. Amelia froze, mortified. Pride flared. “Maybe if you weren’t rushing like a pompous—” Her words were cut short as Isabella Summers, seated nearby, leaned back and watched with a smirk. The school’s sweetheart, stunning and charming, was already plotting. Amelia Carter, huh? Let’s see how long this lasts. Ethan’s glare sharpened, but Amelia didn’t back down. “Maybe you should learn some manners,” she shot back. The cafeteria seemed to hold its breath. Sparks of tension flew in every direction, but neither of them looked away. Classroom Clash Fate was unkind. By the afternoon, Amelia found herself in Ethan’s Economics class. He was seated at the front, immaculately poised, radiating confidence that made her stomach twist with both annoyance and… curiosity. She chose a seat as far away as possible, yet their eyes met briefly — a silent, charged acknowledgment of the morning’s war. Throughout the lecture, Amelia’s thoughts wandered. Ethan’s presence felt like a shadow over her notes, a constant reminder that the man she despised — and yet couldn’t stop noticing — was now part of her daily life. Afternoon Reality – Amelia at Work The school day ended, golden light spilling across Ashford Crown’s elegant halls. Amelia left quietly, still reeling from the morning’s humiliation and the simmering tension of shared classes. By evening, she had entered her second world — the cozy coffee shop where she worked part-time. The aroma of fresh coffee, warm pastries, and soft music offered her a fragile peace. It was a stark contrast to the elite world of Ashford Crown, but here she was herself: proud, independent, and grounded. Between wiping tables and serving customers, her thoughts inevitably drifted back to Ethan Blackwood — the infuriating, captivating boy whose presence had turned her day upside down with a single splash of coffee. The afternoon sun slanted through the tall windows of Ashford Crown University, casting long shadows across the classroom floor. Amelia’s books felt heavier in her arms than they actually were, her stomach tight with a mix of nerves and irritation. She hadn’t expected to see Ethan again so soon — yet here he was, sitting near the front, the picture of effortless perfection. Isabella Summers, seated a few rows behind, tilted her head, observing Amelia like a cat sizing up a new toy. “Careful, Carter,” she whispered to herself, lips curling into a small, cruel smile. Don’t think you can just waltz into our world. Amelia dropped her bag onto the chair beside her, trying not to glance at Ethan. But of course, fate had other plans. A stack of papers slipped from her bag, scattering across the floor. She bent down to pick them up, only to feel a shadow loom over her shoulder. “Well, well, Amelia Carter,” a voice said, smooth and deliberately amused. She froze. Ethan had leaned down, helping her gather the papers — but his sharp eyes never left her face. “Careful." Wouldn’t want anyone to think you’re clumsy.” Amelia’s cheeks warmed, but she straightened, meeting his gaze evenly. “I can handle myself, thank you,” she said, her voice firm despite the flutter in her chest. Ethan’s lips quirked into a faint smirk. “Of course. Just making sure the world doesn’t underestimate you.” Before Amelia could respond, Isabella stepped in, her voice sugar-coated but sharp. “Oh, Amelia, you should really be more careful,” she said, brushing a strand of golden hair behind her ear. “It would be such a shame to embarrass yourself in front of everyone.” Amelia glared at her, but Isabella only smiled, flawless and teasing. “Don’t worry, darling. I’ll keep an eye on things for you… from afar,” she added, her tone dripping with mock sweetness. Ethan’s smirk deepened at the exchange. “Interesting,” he muttered under his breath, barely loud enough for Amelia to hear. Interesting, indeed. The lecture began, and Amelia tried to focus, but Isabella’s gaze lingered, and Ethan’s presence was impossible to ignore. The subtle tension between them — charged, frustrating, undeniable — made even the simplest calculations in her notebook feel monumental. It's evening already. Amelia is seen at the café trying to put up with customer's demands, and she suddenly raises her head at the same moment as Ethan steps into the café, causing their eyes to collide…..