Running away from the male lead

Chapter 1: Changing course

It has been a few months since I entered this world, just in case some memories disappear or I start forgetting things, I noted down everything. Including all the perfume recipes I created along with the old ones. The jewellery designs that I designed for my company, from being trained since I was young to take over both the companies from my parents, I loved this side of me, and to look at people using or wearing what I designed or created bought me pride.

(Flashback)

I look at the weird book which appeared on the bed when I came home. I opened it to see a note written to me, ‘ You will never go back Min Aera, this is your life now. Live it to your best, anything you write in here will be preserved and visible to anyone you give permission to. Your questions will be answered, ask away?’

I sat the whole night and found out everything I needed to regarding Park Aera’s life. She wasn’t a bad person, just one who went on the wrong path. She is extremely detached from her family, and due to her mistake, she loses her younger brother’s love. They have a huge age gap. 

I made sure that I don’t get close to the male lead in the book and took my own path. Changing all the classes from the ones that were chosen by the old Aera to get into acting, I choose Business, Economics, Accounting and Computer Science. I sought out and talked with my younger brother, hoping not to destroy the relationship between us.

(End of Flashback)

Sketching a new jewellery design that will use diamonds and aquamarines to create and delicate necklace that frames the neck with the gems cut into teardrops. The earrings also have matching gems but smaller in size and each gem hanging off the centre with gold at different heights.

Signing my name and date on the bottom I look at it again, it seemed to represent the weather outside perfect. The rain seemed to bring hope for me, washing away all the pain from my old life. The love I never got from my family, as they only viewed me as a means to pass on their legacy. I look at the stocks I invested in with the money I had, determined to make my own money to start a company as soon as I leave for college. I see the phone ringing, the screen flashes the name ‘ Oh Jinyoung’. My only friend in school.

“Hey!.... Yes, I do plan on helping you with the project...I don’t care if Eun ho and Aecha are friends… I didn’t look at him on the first day because I liked him, it was in shock... I don’t care what you think… I have to go my brother is knocking on my door.” Cutting the call I open my dorr after hiding the laptop underneath my blanket and stuffing the folder of my designs into the cupboard.

“ Hey, Sis, it is time for dinner.”, my 10-year-old brother peaks out from behind the door. He is adorable, but my parents pressure him because they want him to take over their company, Park Corp. They don’t think girls have the capability so they never consider Park Aera. I was fine with it, I got to do what I want without their interference. Although the day I asked them to change my classes, my father told me to not expect them to give me the company and all I would ever get is a few shares to survive. It seemed my whole family knew this, my dad has 3 brothers, he is the oldest so he inherited the company from his dad.

Every disregards me during the monthly family gathering. I am known in the socialite circle as the someone who is useless and cold, not that I care. In this world, there are only three people I could call something as close to family. My younger brother, Yesung; Jinyoung and one of my cousins Ruqin.

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(next day at school)

Since I already knew everything that they are teaching I was secretly researching for my PhD. I was determined to get all three degrees as fast as possible along with training in Fashion designing, this was something I always liked but never got down to enhancing. 

“What are you doing?”, I close my book. I stare at Jinyoung. I look around to see everybody looking at me. I blush a red, being caught. I see the teacher glaring, at others laughing, I check my watch to see that class is ending in a minute. 

“Miss.Park, I expect to see you in my office with whatever book you were reading in class in five minutes. Class dismissed.”, my business teacher declares as he walks out.

I hear murmurs around the class.

“She thinks she is above all of us just because she always gets the highest score, she doesn’t even look at us. Now, look at her.”

“She is such a bitch.”

“Oh Aecha is here, she looks like she came from Dance class, she must have come for Eunho.”

I grab the book, I was going through and walk out. Jinyoung comes out too, grumbling and complaining about how everybody needs to keep their mouth shut. I block out his annoying voice.

Walking to the office, I knock the door. I hear a ‘Come in’ so I enter and bow to the teachers in the office. 

“Aera sit down, don’t worry you are not in trouble,” I let out a sigh of relief, “ but I would like to know what you were doing.”

I look around to make sure that nobody was listening. “ Sir I was just researching.” 

“Researching? What for?”, he leans on his elbows to see what I was holding, his eyes widen, “ That is a book which I don’t expect anyone to be holding at the young age of sixteen, young lady tell me what is going on. I will help you in any way I can.”

I explain to him that already finished studying for my bachelors and masters and that I was just researching for my PhD. He looked shocked but didn’t ask any questions until I finished.

“Mr Choi, I hope to keep this a secret.” He nods in understanding and for the next thirty minutes, he tests me. 

“Aera your knowledge and understanding is way beyond my expectations, your parents must be proud.” After noticing my expressions his eyes soften. He reminds a lot of my old butler, he was the only one who genuinely cared.

“They don’t know, we don’t talk. They don’t care for me.”

“Okay, don’t worry. I will help you in any way. If you need anything ask me. It is nice to have a genius student. What else do you know?”

“I create Jewellery and Perfume Scents, I also know how to hack. I also invest in stocks to earn money during my free time.”

“ Well, young lady looks already have plans for the future. From tomorrow, I will bring you some books from my private collection, go through those from tomorrow for your research. I won’t bother you. As long as you do well in your test, which I have no doubts you will. Also from tomorrow sit in the front, bring that friend of yours too. He also is very clever from what I see in his test scores. Don’t bother hiding the fact that you are studying in the back from me, stay in the front, I will be there to help answer your questions. Also, I think it is better if you show your knowledge by answering my questions in class, that way the other students won’t bother you. I know what horrible things they say about you.”

I was glad that someone was helping and the fact that he is my economics and business teacher helps. 

I get up and bow to him, he gives me a warm smile. 

I as I close the door behind me, I see Jinyoung leaning against the wall, he looks nervous.

“So what happened, what did he say. Oh no, you must be in trouble.” Smiling at him, we walk out. 

I explain to him what happened.