Touch Of A Burning Flame

Chapter 10

Flashback

Penelope's pov

It's true. If I choose between the two. I will choose that nerdy version of him. Because back then, he wasn't intimidating or scary. He was just the weak and unattractive boy that always go around and messed up with me. But now he has the confidence and oozing appealing.

More than that, I didn't feel anything towards him before, but now…he’s making me feel foreign feelings that I didn't think I could feel. And I’m damn scared about it.

"Are you serious?" he asked.

I nodded.

I kept my eyes on the view while I could feel his eyes watching me.

"But you felt disgusted with me before…" He pointed, which made me part my lips.

Waves of memories that I hadn't visited even once flashed after he mentioned those words.

Being the daughter of one of the most well-known business tycoons in the country, people think that I can get everything I want and wish for.

They think I have a very convenient and dreamy life. But the truth is, I’m not happy behind the curtains.

My mother died when I was still young because of cancer. While my father was a strict and stern man from day one. I didn't even see him smile and laugh. So, it's no wonder why everyone is scared of him.

Since I was young, he would always scold me for the things that I failed at. He would always instruct me on what I should do and not. I was pushed to be the best and perfect at everything. I have no voice for what I really want to do. I couldn't do anything but follow him.

And it's enough for me to never like him.

Only my friends know who I really am and what I want to be. They can understand me because, like me, they have the same situation. They want to slack off and just have some fun. Enjoy the youth; that's why, when I’m with them, I can do everything that I want. Without considering if it's still right or wrong.

Maybe that's when I got the confidence to be a rebel behind my father's back.

I blew a smoke from my cigarette while watching my friends drink alcohol and smoke as well. We sneaked out of our last classes for that day since we were celebrating one of my friends birthday.

It's still impressive that they can bring cigarettes and alcohol to this exclusive school.

At first, I was scared to do those things, but one of my friends knows how to scare our professors, so until now, my father hasn't heard anything.

The only problem is…

"Hey, the nerd is here again." Georgina said. They all chuckled when we saw Pierre with his baggy uniform and thick glasses coming our way.

I groaned.

"You're here again. Aren't you still fed up on coming here back and forth?" Wesley put his arms on my shoulders, and I saw how Pierre watched the man beside me.

He sighed before he eyed me with a serious face. "Your cousin wants me to fetch you." he said directly to me, completely ignoring the others. This nerd. He surely knows how to annoy everyone.

"This bastard." Wesley said.

I patted his hand on me and removed it so I could get my bag.

"Oh, Eris?"

We've already spent two hours there, so maybe that's enough for today. I need to get home early too because my father will be home from his business tours. I needed to be there before he got home.

"Oh? Are you already leaving?" Tasha asked, a bit shocked.

I smiled at her and dropped my cigarettes on the ground. "I better go before this bastard says something to my cousin."

I glanced at Pierre. His jaw moved before he looked away.

"Oh? You're scared of this guy?" Karl asked, moving in to Pierre’s direction. He is Georgina's boyfriend.

I bit my lips when he pulled on his collar. It was easy for any guy because Pierre isn't tall like them. I am even taller than him, despite our age differences.

"Do you want me to make him silent forever, Eris?" he smugly asked.

Pierre just stared at him without emotion, and it irritated the latter more.

"Go on, Karl. Do it." Wesley said beside me.

The others cheered for him while Karl waited for my signal.

It's not new for me to see violence from them. Because my friends are...known for being bullies.

"What, Eris?"

I dropped my eyes on Pierre. He was looking at me without fear or whatnot. Maybe he's already used to it too. I heard that he's been a victim of bullying since grade school, and now that he's in college, it's still the same.

Before I could say anything, someone spoke.

"Do you all really have no respect for your seniors?"

We all looked at the girl coming our way with her glasses on. I hate to admit it, but unlike the typical nerd like Pierre, she's famous and pretty.

She's my classmate, and we intend to compare many times. And lately, she would always get everyone's attention. Well, actually, I don’t really care at all if she's naturally smart in academics, unlike me, who needs tutoring and all. But since my father expects a lot from me, she's started to get on my nerves.

"Oh, Christine. What brought you here?" Wesley asked. I glared at him when I saw his big smile at her. He scratched his cheek and avoided my eyes.

I sighed. But as I went, my eyes returned to the girl. I saw her beside Pierre. She's the same height as me, so Pierre was just under her chin too.

I covered my lips to seal my laughs, but still, I got their attention.

"You know what? You both look great." I said before I met Pierre’s eyes.

"Why don't you court her?"

His forehead creased while the woman's face brightened in red. The heck?

"If you aren't coming with me. Then stay here and do whatever you want." he said before he started walking. Christine gave us one more look before she followed him.

That bastard.

"What's wrong with that weirdo?" Wesley asked. He looked at me, confused, when I stood up.

"You're leaving, but he said—"

"Let's just meet tomorrow." I said before I waved to the others.

I ran behind the two to be able to reach them. I locked my arms around Pierre’s neck, which made him almost lose his balance. I didn't let go of him, so his face reddens in just a few seconds, as if he's choking or something.

"W-what are you doing?! He's hurting!" Christine said and tried to remove my arms.

I sarcastically laughed before I let go of him.

"Weak," I mumbled, and I walked ahead of them.

I heard her ask him if he was okay, but he didn't answer or anything.

I don't know what their relationship is or how they possibly met. It's not that I’m concerned about it anyway. I'm just a bit curious. It would be surprising if they liked each other. Especially to Christine. I mean…well yeah, I’m a bit judgmental when it comes to appearance, but I’m just saying the truth. I don't think there's anything wrong with being completely honest.

I knew Pierre when we were still kids because his father is one of my father's business colleagues. More than that, his family and mine live in the same village. Oh, another thing. My cousin considers him as his friend too, so there are times that he goes to our house.

But after all those years and events, I didn't care about him. We live in a different world, so I always treat him as an outcast.

So I didn't think that it would change.

"Uh..thank you, Pierre. See you tomorrow!" Christine said. She glanced at me before she slid out of Pierre’s car. Yes, he knows how to drive, and it's interesting that he can reach the pedal and break with his small foot.

He peered at me from the mirror before he started to maneuver again.

I yawned and leaned in front to ask a question.

"Is she your girlfriend?" I teased.

He has exceptional driving abilities. My cousin wasn't lying.

I punched his arm a bit, that made him flinch and get irritated.

"I am driving, Eris!" He said with smoke coming out of his ears and nose.

"You ugly." I rolled my eyes and went to the gunshot seat. I felt my butt touch his arm and head. I chuckled when I settled. When I looked at him. He shook his head in frustration.

I opened the stereo, and my favorite song was playing. It has a rock instrument that is very different from the instruments that my father wants me to learn, such as the piano and violin.

I looked outside before I broke the awkwardness in between.

"I won't say sorry for what my friends said."

I heard him sigh before he replied. "I'm not interested to hear it coming from you anyway."